Batman #3

For one year, Gotham City has been free since the Joker limped off the streets of Gotham, mutilated and scarred after a madman carved the pale white skin right off his face. For one year Batman and his allies have waited, watchful and uneasy, wondering when he would return. The Joker is back, and he has transformed into something more deadly and insidious than ever before. For once the Dark Knight doesn't seem to be his target. Instead, the Joker turns his vile infamy toward Commissioner Gordon, Alfred, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood and Red Robin—the only family Bruce Wayne has left. The Clown Prince of Crime will unleash the most unpredictable, vicious and psychotic assault on everyone Batman holds near. Can Batman stop his archrival's most deranged assault ever? Or will the revelation of a deadly secret cost him everything he's built? New York Times best-selling creators SCOTT SNYDER (AMERICAN VAMPIRE) and GREG CAPULLO (SPAWN) present the long-awaited return of the Joker, as he unleashes his most terrifying, personal assault ever on the Dark Knight, BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY collects BATMAN #13-17 along with backup stories co-written by JAMES TYNION IV (TALON) and illustrated by award-winning artist JOCK (BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR).

Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Barbara Gordon, Batman, Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson, Harley Quinn, Harvey Bullock, James Gordon, Jason Todd, Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow (DC), Tim Drake, Two-Face