The Joker: "Why aren't you laughing?"
Batman: "Because I've heard it before. And it wasn't funny the first time."
Batman: "Because I've heard it before. And it wasn't funny the first time."
- Batman finally has enough of the Joker's ranting and bursts through one of the funhouse mirrors during the climax in an absolutely gorgeous full-page splash image, complete with an Oh, Crap! from the Joker. After seeing everything the Joker has done across the story, it's incredibly satisfying to see this and the beatdown that comes next.
- When it's revealed that Commissioner Gordon withstood the Joker's Mind Rape.Gordon: He...he shot Barbara. Sh-showed me photographs...he tried to drive me mad.Batman: Listen, the police are right behind me...I'll stay here with you until they arrive.Gordon: No! No, I'm okay! You have to go after him! I want him brought in...and I want him brought in by the book!Batman: I'll do my best.Gordon: By the book, you hear! We have to show him! We have to show him that our way works!
- Batman's subsequent beatdown and "The Reason You Suck" Speech to Joker.Joker: Why aren't you laughing?
- Batman goes onto to say that Joker's attempts to break Gordon failed and that not everyone will lose his grip on sanity like the latter did. That it could've just been him the whole time.
- And then after beating the Joke, Batman shows who he really is. Despite everything the Joker has done he offers to help him rehabilitate him. Ultimately even at the worst moments Batman stands for hope and compassion, not revenge. Even the Joker seems touched and almost willing to accept the help before deciding I've Come Too Far.
- Awesome Art - four different pieces of art from this work have become iconic for The Joker - #1. The cover image of The Joker aiming a camera at the reader, #2. The shot of Joker behind the door Barbara opens just before he shoots her, #3. Batman and The Joker laughing together in the rain (the middle panel), and especially #4. The Reveal of the Joker after coming out of the chemical bath, with the background filled with his laughter. Most artists consider themselves lucky if just one panel out of their entire body of work becomes fairly well-known, much less iconic - Brian Bolland got four in a single book.
