- You know... I don't know why I go to such lengths to dispose of you... When all I need to do is rip off your mask... reveal your name to the underworld-- Ha!Ha! No! It's too simple-- Unworthy of my intelligence! And I like this battle of wits! The hunt... the chase! That's the breath of life to me!
- — Joker
Detective Comics #62 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1942.
Synopsis for Batman: "Laugh, Town, Laugh"
A famous comedian dies in Gotham City and he leaves his wealth to one man among some of the great comedians in the city. All they have to do is win a contest for the best joke and the wealth is for the winner. Meanwhile, Joker escapes from prison by creating a big explosion and soon, he learns of the comedian's will. Thinking that he is the only one worthy of that wealth, Joker decides to enter the contest.
Not long after this, the Bat-Signal is activated and Batman and Robin are summoned to the GCPD Headquarters. The Dynamic Duo tag along with Commissioner Gordon to the latest crime scene, where one of the comedians participating to win the prize is found dead and with a note from Joker near his body. After Gordon asks for Batman's help, another body is found with another note from the Joker. Batman and Robin follow the clues to the possible next victim and they save the third comedian from being murdered by the Joker, but while they're doing so, the criminal manages to escape.
After this, Joker goes for his next target and he uses some of his trademark Joker Venom to eliminate the fourth comedian. At that moment, Batman and Robin stop some of Joker's henchmen to kill the next target and after this, they follow one of the thugs to Joker's hideout in a boat. Using some air-inflated raft-shoes, Batman and Robin get inside the boat unnoticed and they unleash their might against the criminals. Robin is distracted trying to save the last comedian, who was kidnapped by the Joker, and Batman falls into a trap and the Joker takes him away from his partner.
When Batman recovers, he finds himself in a deadly trap designed by the Joker, who at first is curious to know the real identity of Batman, but later he decides he is not interested at all. As Joker leaves, Batman finds a way to escape the trap and after joining Robin, they follow the clues to the Joker, who is collecting the famous dead comedian's wealth. Joker is frustrated when he realizes that the jewels are merely imitations and in his rage, he forgets that he's being chased by Batman and Robin, and the Joker is captured at last. Ironically, the jewels were in fact one hundred percent genuine, but Joker somehow mistook them, which led to his capture.
Appearing in Batman: "Laugh, Town, Laugh"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Joker
- Joker's henchmen
Other Characters:
- Buster Parks (a comedian)
- Denny Jackson (a comedian)
- Claude S. Tilley (a comedian) (Single appearance; dies)
- Freddie Banter (a comedian) (Single appearance; dies)
- Happy Hanson (a comedian) (Single appearance; dies)
- Ted Allenby (a comedian) (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Batmobile (Mentioned only)
Synopsis for Bart Regan, Spy: "The Counterfeiters"
Appearing in Bart Regan, Spy: "The Counterfeiters"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Tommy Carson
Other Characters:
- Schultz (Single appearance)
Synopsis for Cliff Crosby: "The Adventure of the Champagne Corks"
Appearing in Cliff Crosby: "The Adventure of the Champagne Corks"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Kay Nevers
Antagonists:
- The Lean Man (jewel thief)
Synopsis for Crimson Avenger: "The Case of the Crazy Crimes"
Appearing in Crimson Avenger: "The Case of the Crazy Crimes"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Joe Mogul (Single appearance)
- Fingers (Single appearance)
- Snapper (Single appearance)
- Tug (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Murphy (Single appearance)
Locations:
Synopsis for Air Wave: "Mr. Mystery"
Appearing in Air Wave: "Mr. Mystery"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- D.A. Cole
Antagonists:
- Mr. Mystery (Single appearance)
Locations:
Synopsis for Larry Steele: "The Case of the Murdered Commander"
Appearing in Larry Steele: "The Case of the Murdered Commander"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Walsh (janitor)
Other Characters:
- Jim Talbot (valet)
- Flight Commander Jackson
Synopsis for Slam Bradley: "Hogan's Happy Hollow!"
Appearing in Slam Bradley: "Hogan's Happy Hollow!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Happy Hogan
- Gloomy Gus
- some clowns
Notes
- Published by Detective Comics, Inc.
- Batman: "Laugh, Town, Laugh" is reprinted in Batman Archives, Volume 2 and Batman Chronicles Vol 6.
- Batman and Robin appeared last in World's Finest #5. They appear next in Detective Comics #63.
- James Gordon appeared last in Detective Comics #60. He appears next in World's Finest #6.
- The Joker appeared last in Detective Comics #60. He appears next in Batman #11.
- The Crimson Avenger appeared last in World's Finest #5. He appears next in Leading Comics #2.
Trivia
- This is the first time any of the Batman Villains had the chance to learn Batman's secret identity. Ironically, it is the Joker and he realizes he doesn't want to know.
See Also
Recommended Reading
Links and References
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.