Batman #665

Batman #665, published in July 2007, represents a pivotal installment in Grant Morrison’s seminal run on the Batman title. The issue is part of the 'The Clown at Midnight' arc, which serves as a psychological exploration of the Joker’s transition into a more lethal and unpredictable persona following his recovery from a near-fatal gunshot wound. This narrative shift was designed to recontextualize the Joker as a character whose personality resets periodically, allowing for a fresh, more dangerous interpretation that departed from the more whimsical depictions of the late 20th century.

The issue features interior art by John Van Fleet, whose distinct, painterly style provided a surreal and unsettling aesthetic that mirrored the fractured mental state of the protagonist. Morrison’s script utilizes a prose-heavy structure that emphasizes Batman’s internal monologue and deductive process, a hallmark of his approach to the character. Upon release, the issue was noted for its experimental visual tone and its significant contribution to the broader 'Batman R.I.P.' storyline that would define the series for the following year.