Expert: Grant Hudson - 11/21/2009

Question
I used to be an avid Batman fan(one of only 2 US-based comics I like), I normally prefer the UK comic 2000AD) but got overwhelmed by the mass amounts of Batman stories out there.I don't have the time to flick through all of the Batman graphic novels in comic bookstores(besides many are wrapped in plastic). In my opinion, the only truly outstanding Batman stories invariably include the Joker as a primary character. Now, I've read the main ones ("The Killing Joke"/"The greatest joker stories ever told" and some others) but I'm pretty sure I've not read them all.Could you please list all those Batman/Joker stories(preferably published in graphic novel form) you remember which had a sufficient impact on you(and others)? I'll then order the I don't recall from amazon.

Lastly, there's one story that bugs me. I once bought one of the various Batman titles which featured an alternate universe story where the Batman and the Catwoman are criminals who adopt Robin as their son. The Joker is the police chief(in place of Gordon) and gets disfigured , I think, after chasing Batman. Anyway, Robin dislikes his parents and betrays them to the police, with the Joker thanking him. I think, at the end, a statue in Gotham is dedicated to the Joker. Any help which graphic novel or whatever I could find this in?

Thanks,
Geoff

Answer
It sounds as though you've read the best Joker stories already, though you may find some others of interest here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joker_(comics)

particularly Death in the Family and Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

I haven't been able to track down the exact alternate universe story you describe, though it may be located amongst the ones described here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_versions_of_Batman

Grant