DC First: Batgirl/Joker #1 is a one-shot with a cover date of July, 2002. It was published on May 29, 2002.
Synopsis for "Clowntime"
Batgirl takes out a group of mercenaries who are attacking a concert, but when two of them take a hostage, she is forced to let them go. She blames herself for the fact that three people died. Barbara Gordon tells her she felt invincible when she was Batgirl until she was kidnapped by the Joker and Batman was shot in the head saving her. It wasn't until then that she realized nothing in the world is real to the Joker except Batman. She only managed to stop him by laughing at him, enraging him because he didn't get the joke.
Batgirl decides to break the Joker out of Arkham Asylum. Upon hearing the news of the Joker's disappearance, Oracle realizes that Batgirl must have taken her story as a challenge and sends Black Canary to get her rather than involve Batman. Batgirl challenges the Joker to fight her, but he jumps off the roof they're on, forcing her to save him, then kicks her in the face. She falls, crashing into the windshield of a parked car.
Batgirl wakes up with a smile drawn on her cowl, and she rips it off before following him. Batman has heard what happened, and he wants Black Canary to let Batgirl go so she can prove herself. Batgirl tracks down the Joker but begins to lose the fight because she can't read his body language, but Batman won't let Black Canary interfere. Batgirl remembers what Oracle said about a joke he can't get, and she walks away, declaring him “boring.” Enraged, he chases after her and is knocked out when he walks right into her fist. Batman tells Batgirl to have the Joker back in his cell in ten minutes.
Batgirl and Batman return to the Clocktower, where Oracle scolds her for her carelessness. Batgirl says she needed to know if she was as good as Oracle, and Barbara tells her there isn't a competition and she is going to be the best Batgirl possible. Cass replies, “Can't. You were.”
Appearing in "Clowntime"
Featured Characters:
- Batgirl (Cassandra Cain)
- Oracle/Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Batman (Flashback and main story)
- Black Canary
Antagonists:
- mercenaries
- Joker (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- Dude Cruel (Single appearance)
- Benny (Single appearance)
- Robin (Mentioned only)
- Nightwing (Mentioned only)
Locations:
Items:
Trivia
- This issue retells events from Batman: Batgirl.