American comics: Starting with replicating Superman's talent

Chapter 367 The Curtain Rises

This is a dimly lit underground base.

Inside the vast Batcave, Batman, draped in a black cloak, walked up the long, steep steps and stood before a huge computer screen that shimmered with soft light.

Then, type the name "Clown" into your fingers.

Soon, several images appeared one after another on the computer.

These images depict the numerous crimes the Joker committed in Gotham City during his evil deeds.

"clown."

Bruce, having removed his Batman mask, spoke in a low, somber tone. He stared silently at the figure on the computer screen, pondering what the other party intended to do and what their purpose was.

But no matter how much Bruce pondered, he had no idea what the Joker planned to do next.

Is it to spread clown bombs among the crowd, or to kidnap a group of people and invite them to play his crazy and human-testing game?

"Mr. Bruce, it's time for afternoon tea."

The loyal butler, Alfred, dragged a tray to Bruce's side and placed the food next to the computer desk.

Then, looking at Bruce's haggard face, the old butler said with a hint of pity, "Do you need any other services? Or should I leave?"

"That's all, Afu."

Bruce stared wearily at the computer screen and said, "I'm trying to figure out what the Joker is up to, but he has no logic, and I can't deduce it."

"Maybe."

Alfred walked up behind Bruce, took off the cloak from his back, and said to Bruce, "Sometimes you can't save everyone, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"I know, but I have to do it."

Bruce sighed and rubbed his temples. "Otherwise, who knows how many more people would have suffered at his hands."

"So, the Joker really is a madman!"

At Sheriff Gordon's home.

Two young children, a boy and a girl, were looking through some of Gordon's photos around his desk.

Never underestimate a child's curiosity; they can always find something unexpected when you least expect it.

Looking at the photos in the album, at the man with his face painted snow-white and a strange smile, young Barbara couldn't help but shudder.

This terrifying-looking thing sent chills down her spine.

"Let's not watch this," the young girl said to her younger brother. "Watching this kind of thing so late at night will give us nightmares."

"But," her brother said with a hint of helplessness, as he wanted to learn more about the villains in Gotham City.

For some reason, he felt these people were really cool.

The argument between the two did not last long before it was interrupted by a doorbell.

"Someone's coming."

The two looked at each other and saw fear in each other's eyes.

Their father usually only comes home in the middle of the night, but it's still early morning now.

So, who came knocking on the door?

"Hey, is anyone home?"

A comical voice rang out from outside.

"Here's an invitation to the Midnight Circus delivery that needs to be signed for in person. Is Sheriff Gordon home?"

Hearing Gordon's name, the two panicked children felt much more at ease.

"Perhaps it was one of Dad's colleagues who came to the door?"

The two little ones were undecided until

boom!

A sharp gunshot shattered their thoughts. As wood chips flew, the bolt was pierced by a bullet, and the tightly closed door was easily broken open.

"Aaaaaah!"

The two children screamed, frozen in fear as they stared in terror at the figure slowly entering the house.

"Pfft, looks like the owner isn't home?"

The incandescent light illuminated a pale face. The clown held a revolver and raised a camera at his waist, snapping a picture of the two children: "Don't cry, smile."

"I have a date with a bat, so I need some guests to keep me company."

Bruce was jolted awake from his thoughts by a rapid ringing of the telephone.

"Gordon, what's wrong?"

Bruce answered the phone, and Gordon's panicked voice came from the other end.

"Batman, something terrible has happened! My son just called to say Barbara has been kidnapped by the Joker!"

"What?!"

Bruce grabbed a bat-patterned cape from the locker and draped it over his shoulders, saying in an icy tone, "I'll be right there!"

Wandering among the skyscrapers, the grappling hook swaying constantly, Bruce was completely unaware that he was moving much faster than before.

He was filled with rage and couldn't imagine that the Joker's methods were becoming increasingly radical and insane.

Bruce didn't know what to do; he felt so tired.

Moreover, an unnamed rage raged in his mind, seemingly urging him to kill and destroy.

"What should I do?"

When Batman unfurled his cape and landed in front of Gordon's house, he saw a panicked Gordon.

"Batman!"

Upon seeing Bruce descend from the sky, Gordon felt as if he had found his pillar of support.

This tough, unyielding man, known for his strong character, was now as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof. He roared, "That damned madman kidnapped Barbara!"

"my daughter!"

"Calm down," Bruce interrupted Gordon, his tone extremely firm. "Have you found any clues?"

"A clue?" Gordon was momentarily confused, then quickly pulled a blood-stained playing card from his pocket.

"This was given to my son by the Joker!"

"A playing card."

Batman picked up the playing card and looked at the bright Joker on it, intertwined with bloodstains. Batman quickly understood what the Joker wanted to say, or what information he intended to reveal to him.

"He took Barbara to the east."

Bruce squinted. Based on his past experience fighting the Joker, it was highly likely that the Joker had kidnapped Barbara to amusement park or similar facility.

However, a new problem has arisen for Batman.

The music scene is like an amusement park in the East District, and it's difficult to pinpoint Barbara's place among so many playgrounds.

Just as Batman was pondering a solution, another voice suddenly rang in his mind: "I know how to find him. I can smell the strong chemical odor on that guy."

The voice suddenly rang in Batman's mind, startling him.

"What is talking to me? Am I possessed by a demon?"

Batman was filled with doubt and uncertainty, but as he pondered this, the symbiote Venom in his mind was also very wary of this man named Bruce Wayne.

He had never seen a creature with such rich and complex thoughts, like a walking cosmic computer, its mind filled with terrifying and dark ideas.

(End of this chapter)