Speculator Pick: Batman Family #6, 1st JOKER’S DAUGHTER!

Thanks to Dakoit at http://comicbookspeculation.blogspot.ca/ for the heads up on this one. Make sure you check out his blog.

Hello Everyone!

Hope all you had a wonderful restful long weekend! I just got back from my brother’s wedding, and had just a beautiful time with all my friends and family. That’s how long weekends should be spent. Happiest time of my life. 🙂

Well well, from the title, I’m actually now going on three weeks strong on the bat-verse of characters. This week, I just had to cover the first appearance of a particular female who’s been on every speculators radar of late. Many comic stores have sold out of her re-introduction in the DC NEW 52. Naturally, this would be a great time to discuss her first appearance.  Batman Family #6 introduced the world to ‘Joker’s Daughter’:

Batman Family #6 (1976): 1st Joker’s Daughter/Duela Dent
Current Ebay Price: N/A (VF) September 3rd 2013.
Bought For: N/A

The Joker’s daughter has a very convoluted history. While early on in Batman Family #6 she indeed introduces herself as the offspring of our Clown Prince of Crime, it is later revealed she is not the offspring of the Joker but rather the daughter of Batman’s other infamous foe, Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face). And her true identity, Duela Dent.

Wikipedia gives a quite detailed synposis:

Pre-Crisis On Infinite Earths:

Duela Dent first appeared as Joker’s Daughter in the Batman Family series of comic books. She gained the attention of Robin, as she later claimed to be the daughter of Catwoman, Scarecrow,Riddler, and Penguin. She deduced Robin’s identity and he revealed that she was Duela Dent, Two-Face‘s daughter.

Duela claimed she wanted to join the Teen Titansto atone for her father’s crimes; however, not all members of the Titans were in favor of this idea. In Teen Titans #48 she changed her identity toHarlequin. As Harlequin, Duela utilized gimmicks such as smoke-inducing powder puffs and bullet-firing lipstick…


Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths:
Delusional and schizophrenic, the mysterious Harlequin has been in and out mental institutions for several years. An acrobat who possesses numerous “clown-motif” gadgets, she calls herself Duela Dent (while her true identity remains unknown) and acts as an ally to the Titans…

Main article: Countdown to Final Crisis

Duela appears in the first issue of Countdown. She abducts a teen celebrity from a nightclub, only to be stopped by Jason Todd. She claims that she comes from an alternate Earth. After escaping, Duela is killed by a Monitor, who states, “This world is not yours. Your presence in it is not tolerated. The penalty is death.”^[4] When informed of Duela’s death, the Joker says he never had a daughter.^[5] The Monitor of New Earth suggests that Duela’s father is actually an alternate version of the Joker, indicating “She didn’t belong […] making others think she was the Joker’s daughter. Which on that world, she most certainly was not.”^[6] Dan DiDio, editor-in-chief of DC, has stated that Duela’s murder will have a ripple effect throughout the series.^[7] Nightwing, Robin, Donna Troy, Wonder Girl, and Ravager set out to investigate Duela’s death, but their inquiries are cut short by one of the Monitors, who diverts their attention elsewhere.^[8

As shown, Duela Dent’s origin and history is somewhat of a trainwreck. Many identities, including ones that are currently owned by very popular characters in the Batman mythos (Harley Quinn!). Later on in her appearances, Duela Dent never uses her original name at all. As revealed as a ‘natural conclusion’ that Joker could not have a daughter because he was never married (so no baby daddies in comics? Hilarious.) rather Duela was truly the daughter of Harvey Dent because he was married. Duela, was lastly (maybe mercifully) killed by the Monitor and her stories/era in DC universe were over…until recently.

SPOILER

Duela makes a momentous return into the NEW 52 recently in Catwoman 23. New first broken by my friends at comicsheatingup.com and bleedingcool.com.  CW 23 is alreadysold out everywhere, get an ish if you can find one!

Meanwhile, Batman Family #6 is now officially non-existent on Ebay. Several months ago, I could have purchased a VF+ for a measly $10 bucks plus shipping. All that is left now (Sept 3rd) is a VG copy (with bad eye appeal IMO) in a bundle up for bidding. I have checked every other comic website (mycomicshop.com and newkadia.com etc.) and none seem to have a VF copy. Completely dried up!  In addition, I made a quick CGC census peek and found only 22 copies graded total, with all VF-NM condition.

Figures, I think Duela Dent (or whatever they want to call the ‘Joker’s Daughter’) is making a big comeback, especially since the Joker is out of commission for a while now (after the events of Death In the Family). Her new origin will likely be revealed in the September 2013 blockbuster event Villains United as she starts a fresh new era in the new 52…

Why Should You Get Batman Family #6?

1. First appearance of Joker’s Daughter, making a huge comeback
2. Relatively cheap find in the after market, until recently (Newkadia.com has run out of VF listed for $9.00 and a NM for $32.00)
3. Very scarce in the CGC census

In closing,

Although we still have yet to see what Synder and company have planned for the ‘Joker’s Daughter’,  my big hunch is that they will re-write/ret-con her history and indeed go back to her as the Chaos Clown’s fogotten child. If that happens, a whole new world of stories will open up with great new possibilities. After Harley Quinn, she could be the next huge DC villain of the last 15 years or so IMO. I mentioned this earlier in other posts (see comicsheatingup.com), that Duela Dent/Joker’s Daughter already has a huge following. Several years ago DC revealed an AmeComi styled steam-punk figurine that has achieved huge cosplay status and cult following. So the popularity is already there, fangirls (and fanboys) can’t get enough of the Joker’s daughter. Not to mention her Ami-comi figurine is one of the most popular and sought after in the ame-comi line ( Ebay prices are $170+)

If you can pick up a copy of Batman Family #6 in a forgotten comic bin for $20 bucks or less (VF+) you are doing awesome. Let me know if any of you get one. I still haven’t found a copy anywhere!

Until next time…keep hunting my pannpictagraphists!