Batman #2

On a night off from crime-fighting, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson learn that Joker has survived their previous encounter but rendered comatose. Deciding to make sure that he remains inactive, Batman plans to kidnap him from the hospital and bring him to "a famous brain specialist", whom he hopes can perform an operation to make him a better citizen. However, the city's Crime Syndicate Inc., a gang who's boss has recently died, also learn of Joker's survival and decide to make him their new leader. Their de facto leader, Weasel, begins planning to rescue him from the hospital. Splitting into pairs, the criminals enter the hospital on pretenses of visiting sick relative. They then break into the Joker's room and subdue the orderlies, taking the head surgeon hostage and forcing him to operate on the Joker. Meanwhile, Batman apparently arrives on the scene, attacking and killing several officers. The officers give chase to the vigilante, chasing him to an old barn on the city's outskirts. The police eventually shoot Batman and unmask him, where its revealed the man to be a member of the Syndicate used to distract them. Meanwhile, Weasel and the criminals are able to escape the hospital with the Joker, transferring him into a private plane until he recovers. Unknown to all parties, the event has been monitored by a disguised the Selina Kyle. However, she is quickly apprehended by Batman and Robin, who take her away from the scene and threaten to take her to the police unless she tells them what happened. The Cat-Woman reveals details to them, but leaves out details regarding the group's plans. Batman and Robin release her, though have placed radioactive substance on the floor of high-powered roadster to track her. After a week, the Joker fully recovers and begins plotting to steal the Pharaoh's Gems. With the Syndicate's help, he is able to slip his signature poison into the shoe of their owner E.S. Arthur. However, he betrays the group by administering a sleeping potion in the similar fashion, planning to steal the gems for himself. As Weasel and the Syndicate turn on him, Batman arrives to confront the group. As he fights the Syndicate, Joker slips away. Meanwhile, the Cat is able to gain access to Arthur's Castle through invitation, discovering him dead upon arrival. After taking the jewels, she is confronted by the Joker. Robin arrives moments later and fights with the madman, but is quickly subdued. To save Robin from execution, Cat-Woman offers to hand over the jewels to save his life. Batman soon arrives and fights the Joker, the two dueling with swords. However, Joker manages to knock Batman from the balcony, thought the Caped Crusader is able to grab onto a vine to save himself from death. During the scuffle, Cat-Woman barricades herself with Robin in the castle's library. To drive her out, the Joker sets fire to the door using a crossbow and flaming arrows. Batman quickly climbs to him and subdues him. As the fire spreads, he calls the Batplane and takes flight with Robin and Cat-Woman, though is forced to leave the Joker behind in the inferno. The Cat, however, attempts to make her escape with the gem's cask by diving into the waters below. As Robin bemoans her second escape, Batman reveals he's removed the gems during the rescue and expects them to meet her again.