This issue is about misleads. From the moment this issue starts you really have no idea what to expect. Joker has fortified himself into Arkahm Asylum and that’s NEVER a good thing. Just what on Earth has Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, James Tynion IV, and Jock have gotten themselves into?

In this issue you have dancing Batmen and Jokers, a horse on fire, and people dressed as knights. That’s only the beginning! Of course coming from the mind of Scott Snyder anything is possible and boy is it going to be uncomfortable. I have no idea how he came up with these moments but they are just unsettling to read. But I also like it how Bruce just ignores (when he can) these moments and go right to Joker without much of an issue. My favorite moments in the script was where Joker is telling people to hurry because Batman is going to quickly. It’s funny and it goes to show Batman is ready for anything…for the most part. James Tynion IV also brings in some really great moments here with Joker bringing down the rest of the rouges. That monologue on Two-Face really sums up the character’s entire history and really bringd Harvey down a beg. It’s rare to have two writers be on the same wavelength but these two guys really brought their A-game with this issue.

What really stood out for me in this issue though was the art. Greg Capullo has done an amazing job with this series from day one but this issue really was a masterpiece for him. Now, he doesn’t do anything crazy like he did with the fifth issue (turning the pages around I mean), but the detail here is breathtaking. From the moment the issue starts to the finale he really brings Snyder’s twisted ideas to life. The way he frames each sequence really worked for me. The multiple panels for the dancing Jokers, the slow pace of the flaming horse, and the reveal of the soldiers was great too. Also, I never knew I wanted a poster of Batman on a King Arthur style horse until now. Capullo’s team also should get some love for really bringing their game too. Especially to colorist FCO Plascencia because the colors were beautiful here. Plascencia actually distorts the images of the inmate fight sequence to simulate a smoke bomb. That’s a lot of detail to ask for but he delivers on it. Finally, a lot of praise should go to Jock as always for his interiors as well. His take on Joker is a bit different than to Capullo’s but it’s still terrifying to look at.

This was as perfect of an issue as you can get from these creators. Again, it’s rare for everyone to be on their A-game but they somehow delivered one of the best issues to date for Batman. This was fun, unnerving, and down right gorgeous to look at from beginning to end. I must admit my interest in this story line wavered a bit last month. But man this issue really changed my tune. It’s an obvious choice for me, but I can’t think of anything better than this for my favorite for the week.