The Man Who Laughs

"The Man Who Laughs” is a short story featured in the Batman novels series.
== Summary ==
Desperate to support his pregnant wife, Jeannie, Jack agrees to guide two criminals into his former workplace, a chemical plant. Jack confesses his criminal involvement to Jeannie, who begs him to get out of it. Jack tries to withdraw from the plan, but the criminals strong-arm him into keeping his commitment. 
Due to Jack’s erratic behaviour and outbursts, some Police officers help Jeannie fake her death and give her some money to flee to Alaska. The officers inform Jack that his wife has died in a house fire, and Jack tries again unsuccessfully to back out of the heist. 
At the plant, the gang quickly encounter security personnel, and a violent shootout ensues. The criminals are gunned down, and Jack deliberately jumps into the chemical plant's toxic waste catch-basin vat to escape the vigilante, Batman. Once outside, Jack discovers his skin now chalk white, his face scarred and his hair green.
Jack, now as an anarchistic terrorist known as the Joker, hijacks a news broadcast and conjures up riots all over Gotham. After escaping the studio, Batman finds Joker on Wayne Tower and saves him from a suicide attempt, which kills the last semblance of Jack inside him. Jack is found to be insane and is wheeled into Arkham Hospital as he smiles an anarchic grin, realising the fun has only just begun.
== Themes ==
* Family
* Chaos / Nihilism
* Destiny / Unavoidable fates
== Locations ==
* Mrs. Burkiss’ Residence
* Unspecified bar
* Ace Chemicals
* Gotham Broadcasting Company
* Wayne Tower (rooftop)
== Cast & Characters ==
=== Main Character(s) ===
* Jack Napier / Red Hood / The Joker
=== Supporting Characters ===
* Batman
* Jeannie (Single appearance; dies)
==== Minor Characters ====
* Vinnie & Joe (Single appearance; die)