The idea of having Batman transformed into a baby is a concept that I am sure happened during the Bill Finger/Dick Sprang era. However, that de-aging of the Caped Crusader was more than likely an imaginary story or the work of that good intentioned imp, Batmite. No matter what the reason, that transformation was done with a humorous slant and wasn't a permanent thing.
In Joker: One Operation Joker, not only is Batman's stint as Batbaby a long-term event, (Volume 2 begins a year after the Dark Knight's encounter with similar chemicals that altered the Joker), this story sees the Joker raising the infant as his own. In the Joker's mind, if he can raise the Batbaby back into the symbol of justice that Batman is, it will prove that righteousness is a flawed social concept.
To help the Joker in his endeavor is Harley Quinn, who poses as Batbaby's mom. One of the Joker's chief henchmen is giving him pointers on being a working dad. Plus, the villain is turning to social media for tips on how to navigate the subways and streets of Gotham. Expecting the citizens of Gotham to ostracize him, the Joker is learning that it's a metropolis full of angels... And that sort of care for one's fellow man is driving the Joker batty!
You might wonder how people are interacting with the Joker without the slightest fear he's going to massacre them. Turns out that without his makeup and typical purple garb, the Joker looks like an albino with dyed green hair. And with so many punks and hipsters in Gotham City, nobody blinks twice at some random dad with chartreuse bangs and wearing an occupied baby carrier.
As wacky and off-the-wall the concept of this story is, I am enjoying it. I applaud DC being willing to allow a manga publisher carte blanche in making a story as unexpected as One Operation Joker. It's a breath of fresh air that has been missing from the rather stale ideas DC Comics America has been churning out. I think fans want something new and unexpected and that's definitely what you will get from writer Satoshi Miyagawa. If you're needing those nostalgic nods to the vast 80 years plus of Joker and Batman lore, you'll get that from artist Keisuke Gotou,
As implausible as it seems that the Joker would decide to stifle his impulse in killing a defenseless baby Batman and instead raise him as his son, I want to know how this story ends with volume 3. While I was able to get volumes 1 and 2 at my local library, it looks like I'm going to have to purchase book 3. Not sure why my library does this. But it's a tad annoying. I'll be more than just a tad annoyed if I learn that this whole non-canonical story turns out to be a dream of the Joker's or something imaginary.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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