Batman #544 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1997.
Synopsis for "Major Arcana Part 1 Jokin' with Mister D."
Joker paints a pentagram on the floor and begins conjuring a demon. At Arkham Asylum, the Gotham police discover several guards, dead with the Joker's trademark rictus grin on the corpses. It seems the Joker has escaped from Arkham. Sergeant Harvey Bullock discovers demonology, occult and alchemy texts in the Joker's now vacant cell.
Back at the Joker's pentagram, he has succeeded in summoning the demon, but not the one he sought. Joker wanted to conjure Satan himself, but due to his conjuring was made in verse, he conjured the demon Etrigan instead. Joker talks with Etrigan and learns he had nothing to bargain with, due to the fact that his soul is already marked for Hell and killing a great number of people does not guarantee their souls go to Hell. Joker agrees to help Etrigan find a way to free himself of his alter ego, Jason Blood, if in return, Etrigan helps Joker send Batman to Hell. Etrigan agrees.
Appearing in "Major Arcana Part 1 Jokin' with Mister D."
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Beelzebub (Dies)
- Belial (Flashback only)
- Jason Blood (Flashback only)
- Lucifer (Flashback only)
- Merlin (Flashback only)
- Morgan le Fay (Mentioned only)
- Mortal Witch (Flashback only)
- Two-Face (Cameo)
Locations:
- Hell (Flashback only)
- United Kingdom (Flashback only)
- United States of America
Items:
- Joker's Joy Buzzer
- Necronomicon
- Philosopher's Stone (Flashback only)
Vehicles:
Notes
- This is the first part of the storyline labeled as Major Arcana, featuring Joker and Etrigan.
- The story continues in Batman #545.
Trivia
- There are references to several famous alchemists such as Nicolas Flamel; Paracelsus; George Ripley; John Dee and many others.