The direct sequel to Tim Burton's iconic Batman! The Joker is dead, but not forgotten. Remnants from The Joker's gang are leading wannabes fascinated by his bizarre mystique on a campaign of arson that threatens the city-even as it serves greedy opportunists, including millionaire Max Shreck. And survivors of exposure to The Joker's chemical weapon Smylex continue to crowd Gotham City's main hospital. To quell the chaos, Batman needs more than his cape and his well-stocked Utility Belt. Bruce Wayne is forced into action, prompting a partnership with a charismatic scientist to help solve the health crisis. But as he works in both the shadows and the light, Bruce finds himself drawn deeper into Gotham City's turmoil than ever before, and investigations by Commissioner Gordon and reporter Alexander Knox into the arsons only amplify his concerns. Batman finds the forces of evil growing ever more organized-and orchestrated-by a sinister hand behind the scenes. Could The Joker have somehow survived?