Legends of the DC Universe #26

        

   There are many things going for this opening chapter if you dig under the surface. For one thing, when"The Laughing Fish" was first published, Aquaman had long been an established member of the Justice League and the DC Universe. That's been tweaked a little in this post-Crisis world as Aquaman's literally a fish out of water, unfamiliar with the Joker's reputation. A pre-Crisis Aquaman wouldn't trust the Joker any further that he could smell him. ( I know that's not the term but Aquaman has super strength and can throw pretty far.) Plus, there's an Atlantean girl, with Raven hair and a penchant for red that's a perfect substitute for Harley Quinn,

 The Detective Comics story "The Laughing Fish," it which the Joker has developed a race of fish that has the Joker's face on them is a classic. If the Joker is unable to get his copyright on these aquatic life forms, he's going to start killing government officials. That tale was written by Steve Englehart, with Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin providing pencils and ink. (issue #475)
 
So, when Legends decided to craft a sequel to "The Laughing Fish," it's only natural that they recruited Englehart to craft it.
   
 In this long-awaited sequel, the Joker has just escaped the Dark Knight by means of some sort of sewer system.  But the Clown Prince of Crime isn't in the clear just yet as he's met by an Atlantean strike force posed in Gotham Harbor to undercover the source of the fish mutations. How fortuitous for King Arthur (Aquaman) that he's captured the Joker.
 
   But the jokes on Aquaman, when he's duped into believing that the Joker is the King of Dry Land and that he earnestly wants to fix this mutation problem. Thus, the Atlantean's eagerly provide the Joker with the underwater civilization's resources, including its labs. But there's one thing you never offer the smiling villain and that's a chemistry set.
   
   Make that two things because the Joker is using his new-found trust to slowly turn the tide of loyalty from Arthur away from the hearts of his subjects. If the Joker can become the advisor to a new leader of Atlantis, that will technically make the Joker the de facto ruler of 3/4's of the world!
 
     Oddly, for a Joker story there's one notable omission. He's dark and brooding and has a thing for flying mammals. But don't worry- he's coming! He's coming!
   
    Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.