Batman #496 is a comic book published by DC Comics in July 1993. It is part of the “Knightfall” event, which involves Batman’s back being broken by Bane, the debut and subsequent descent into madness of Bruce Wayne’s successor Batman Jean-Paul Valley, and Bruce Wayne’s recovery and reclamation of his former title, combatting Valley himself. The issue is titled “Die Laughing” and is written by Doug Moench, with Jim Aparo as the penciler and Joe Rubinstein as the inker.
In this issue, after defeating the Scarecrow, Batman seeks revenge on the Joker for the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin. Joker and Scarecrow have already left, dragging Mayor Krol with them to the Gotham River Tunnel. They use an ice cream truck rigged with explosives to destroy the toll booth and restrict traffic, as they head into the tunnel on foot. Once inside, Joker forces the mayor to call Commissioner Gordon, and request that the National Guard be sent to the tunnel. Meanwhile, Bullock and most of the Gotham City Police Department are already on the way, given the explosions at the tunnel’s entrance. Elsewhere, Bane admits that with more discipline, the team of the Joker and Scarecrow could easily take over Gotham City. However, he still believes that Batman could stop them, and once he does, he will be forced to run Bane’s gauntlet. Batman encounters the Scarecrow, but he is too late to prevent himself from being affected by Scarecrow’s Fear Toxin. He has horrific visions of the Joker savagely beating his former partner Jason Todd with a crowbar. Used.
