Although we still have “The Button” and “Aftermath” standing directly in our path, that hasn’t stopped anyone from looking ahead toward the next major Batman story arc, “The War of Jokes and Riddles.” And although some minor details have surfaced, writer Tom King recently decided to up the ante and spoil fans on Twitter with a bevy of teaser images.
Now, the first few tease the forthcoming epic with what looks to be a trade ad and a couple pieces of cover art supplied by returning illustrator Mikel Janin. But what’s most noteworthy here is that King’s accompanying text seemingly confirms that this’ll take place shortly after the events of Zero Year. I know, we all want to get to the bottom of that mystery regarding there being three Jokers running around, but let’s enjoy the work for what it is.
Coming in Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles, a story of the past that will shape the future of the DCU. pic.twitter.com/0OMeoH5U2U
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) April 3, 2017
A year after he began, Batman thinks he understands the pain and power of Gotham. And the war comes, and he learns he knows nothing. pic.twitter.com/3sB0qXZOWe
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) April 3, 2017
Joker vs. Riddler, a war that divides and destroys his city. In the midst of the carnage, will the Dark Knight rise again or finally fall? pic.twitter.com/7OOv1O4O5L
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) April 3, 2017
The next two offered affirm that this battle will indeed be a three-sided affair, as King captioned some samples of Janin’s uncolored interior art with “The Riddler is tired of jokes” and “The Joker is tired of riddles.” Factoring in the knowledge that this takes place early on, I guess it’s safe to say that supervillains aren’t very high on tolerance.
The Riddler is tired of jokes. pic.twitter.com/c8K3ivsIJe
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) April 3, 2017
The Joker is tired of riddles. pic.twitter.com/Kd4huscWMR
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) April 3, 2017
Finally, we see the Dark Knight breaking through a window as if he’s about to deliver a glide kick straight out of an Arkham game. This particular post confirms the story will encompass eight issues beginning with June’s Batman #25, effectively making it the heftiest of King’s arcs on this series to date.
War of Jokes and Riddles is an 8 part epic starting in Batman 25. Scripts by me. Art by my genius brother, @mikeljanin.
Crash. pic.twitter.com/lVWl8nfaaj
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) April 3, 2017
Knowing that King and company have stepped up their game with each successive tale as the current volume of Batman stretches on, that gives us all more incentive to check out “The War of Jokes and Riddles” once it arrives in comic shops this summer. But, that also begs the question: What awaits us when the title returns to the present?
