[ WP ] - Joker seeks vengeance for the death of Batman

`` This new guy, it has to be the Joker,'' said Gordon. Dick Grayson leaned against the wall in the dimly lit office sporting a leather jacket and canvas pants as opposed to his normal black and blue uniform. 
 
 `` Why do you say that?'' the young man asked the older. 
 
 `` The Joker, all he wants is a laugh, but this is a final joke for him,'' Gordon said, wiping grime away from his glasses on his tie. `` Batman was n't an enemy for him, he was a playmate. He gave Joker the only true entertainment he could ever derive. Now that he... that he...'' 
 
 `` Is gone, Jim,'' Dick finished the sentence for him. 
 
 `` I'm sorry, I'm still having a hard time actually saying,'' he replied with a gruff sense of dignity. `` The first victim, Edward `` Riddler'' Nigma. Trademark is the question mark, known for playing word games with his victims.'' 
 
 `` What about him?'' asked Dick. 
 
 `` He was killed by being chased up and down a line of escaped convicts. When we examined the convicts we found that they only had bruising on their hands and knuckles. No evidence of contact was found on their feet, elbows, or heads.'' 
 
 `` So you're saying he was punched to death? Specifically?'' 
 
 `` Yes. The Riddler literally died from a punch line.'' 
 
 Dick's eyes widened for a moment, `` What about Harvey?'' 
 
 `` Dent? His'good' half was burned so badly that he died from the shock trauma,'' Gordon said casually. `` He stopped being two-faced.'' 
 
 `` I see where you're going with this,'' Dick said, now standing straight off of the wall, the light of the Batsignal silhouetting him through the mirror. `` Penguin was killed by being fed to a tank of arctic seals. Mr. Freeze was melted in an industrial furnace.'' 
 
 `` Mad Hatter was decapitated. Killer Croc was found skinned. I can only imagine that we'll find a purse or a set of boots in a matter of time.'' 
 
 `` Jim,'' Dick said, disapprovingly. 
 
 `` I'm not kidding, Dick.'' 
 
 `` But there has been no statement made by the Joker. He normally makes a big show about what he's doing. He likes the glory. He likes the audience.'' 
 
 `` Who was Joker's audience, Dick?'' 
 
 Dick Grayson did n't even have to really think about it. He lowered his head in realization, `` You're right. His audience is gone. So why continue? Why not just... well... I guess he does n't really know anything else?'' 
 
 `` He's mad, Dick. I think he's trying to perform for anyone now. Anyone who will watch, trying to find his next audience. At the moment, I'm sure it's the participants he's been using recently. If I were you,'' he turned to Dick with a serious yet sad look on his face, `` I'd tell Robin to avoid any large cats in the near future.'' 
 

