Batman #427: A Death In the Family Chapter 3 and 4

Quick answer

Batman #427: A Death In the Family Chapter 3 and 4 stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 1988-12-01 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Batman (Bruce Wayne), The Joker, Alfred Pennyworth and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

Finally discovering his mother isn't the happy reunion that Jason Todd was hoping for when it's revealed that she's been blackmailed into working with the Joker. Batman left in the batcopter to follow the Joker's convoy of vehicles. Jason went to confront his mother about the blackmail, but she leads him into a trap set by the Joker. The Joker beats Jason with a crow bar until he is nearly dead. He and his mother are tied up and the Joker leaves a bomb behind and escapes. Meanwhile, Batman confronts the convoy. During the battle the batcopter is shot down, so Batman takes one of the convoy trucks back to the camp where Jason and his mother are, but when he arrives the building explodes. Notes: 48 page issue. Alfred Pennyworth and Sharmin Rosen flashback appearances. Ralph Bundy mentioned.

Characters listed for this issue

Batman (Bruce Wayne)The Dark Knight of Gotham. Billionaire by day, vigilante by night. No superpowers, just iron…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

The JokerThe Clown Prince of Crime. Gotham's chaos agent. No one knows his real story, and that's the…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Alfred PennyworthThe man who raised Batman. Ex-SAS, current butler, permanent father figure. The only one who…VIEW APPEARANCES ›