As scary as he already is, the Dawn of DC initiative, the Dark Knight is getting a new title that will feature a rotating series of stories from various artists and writers. Artist Mitch Gerads is one of those creators, and is re-teaming with frequent collaborator Tom King for a new four-part story centering around Batman and the Joker's first dramatic encounter.

On Twitter, Mitch Gerads teased his story, giving fans a sneak peek at art that will be featured in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The first post shows the Joker sitting on a bench with a child as he holds a balloon, eerily ignoring the surrounding downpour. The following post shows Batman jumping through the skies of Gotham, with the Joker's creepy visage making an appearance in the folds of Bruce's cape. Gerads also included a look at several other interior pages, hinting at the dark story to come.

The Joker is Hidden in Creepy, New Batman Art

brave and the bold joker hidden

Gotham is filled with a number of scary villains, but none as terrifying as the Joker. For all the Scarecrows and Mad Hatters, Joker strikes fear into the hearts of Gothamites more than anyone else. After all, he's gone on multiple killing sprees and doused hundreds of people with his insidious Joker Venom. But as much as his actions torment the people of Gotham, it's the Bat-Family who are seriously impacted by his devious actions. The Joker has killed Jason Todd and paralyzed Barbara Gordon, two events that put him on a level above Batman's many other villains.

The Joker stands out as one of the few villains that truly disturbs Bruce Wayne and his allies. Sure, Batman has a complex history with villains like Two-Face or Ra's al Ghul. But for all the crimes they've committed, they don't challenge Batman in the way Joker does. Joker's capacity for violence and lack of humanity challenges Bruce and truly makes him question his commitment to his 'No-Kill' rule. The Joker isn't just a member of Batman's rogues' gallery, he's a dark presence that constantly haunts the hero.

The Joker is Gotham's Resident Demon

Batman The Brave and the Bold joker variant

Batman made a vow that he'd never take a life and that extends to the Joker. Batman knows that every time he locks up the Joker, he's going to escape and inflict more torment upon the world. But the Caped Crusader refuses to sink to the Joker's level and kill. Bruce is tortured by this schism, but has no choice but to accept it as part of his vow. Mitch Gerads' art highlights the dark dynamic between the two. No matter where Batman is, he's always got the Joker on his mind, turning the villain into Batman's personal demon he's forced to carry. Fans can see the terrifying Joker art in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #1, on sale May 16th.

Source: Mitch Gerads