Exclusive Preview: The Batman Who Laughs #5

The Batman Who Laughs has been called the apex predator of the DC Universe. He only looks like the Joker crossed with the Dark Knight. In reality, he’s actually the corrupted Bruce Wayne of an alternate world. Or perhaps we should say “perfected”? After all, this Batman has been freed from the constraints of morality and virtue. And he’s going to unleash the Dark Multiverse on an unsuspecting world. The only thing in his way is the real Batman.

Unfortunately for the DC Universe, Batman’s not exactly himself these days. The Joker exposed Batman to a serum that is slowly transforming him into a new Batman Who Laughs.

In Superhero Hype’s exclusive preview for The Batman Who Laughs #5, Scott Snyder and the artist known as Jock are about to send Wayne even deeper into his personal Hell. The titular villain has tricked innocent guards into firing on Batman. Now, Batman’s only option to save himself is to give into his inner darkness. He has to truly become what he hates. Because of this, the Batman Who Laughs may have already won.

RELATED: First Look At DC’s Year of the Villain #1

Here’s the official description from DC: “It’s a battle to the death as Batman goes head-to-head with the Grim Knight! The Caped Crusader is forced to not only fight off the most evil version of himself, but the growing desire to turn his back on his moral code and commit cold-blooded murder. Any other time, Batman would be able to stay on the straight and narrow, but as the Joker serum finally takes over his body, Bruce Wayne may just succumb to pure evil, and kill the Grim Knight.

All of this is foreseen by the Batman Who Laughs, who has been planning for the corruption of Bruce Wayne, banking on him activating the ‘Last Laugh’ protocol and turning Gotham City into an incubator for evil. All the Batman Who Laughs needs is one last ‘Happy Bruce’ from another dimension to make his serum work…but only Batman knows where the last Bruce is going to show up.“

The Batman Who Laughs #5 will hit comic shops on Wednesday, May 8. Let us know what you think in the comment section below!