The story starts off with an unnamed man suddenly quitting his job as an engineer in order to pursue his passion for stand-up comedy. However, he is unsuccessful and left in financial ruin. As a way to make up his losses, and support his pregnant wife, he allows two criminals access to his work building so that they can rob the neighboring playing card company. However, in this time, his wife and child die during labour.
Grief-stricken, the man tries to back away from the plan but the criminals force him to go through with it, giving him the identify of Red Hood. However, they are encountered by Batman who kills the two criminals. Scared, and unable to defend himself, the man jumps into the chemical waste and when he emerges, he realizes that his appearance has become chalky white, with bloodstained lips and green here: hence, emerges The Joker.
In the present day, Joker has escaped Arkham Asylum, only to kidnap Commissioner Gordon, and shooting his daughter, Barbara, at the same time, and leaving her permanently paralyzed. He takes Gordon to an amusement park and tortures him by making him a part of the freak show.
Batman turns up to save Gordon and engages in a stand-off with the Joker, who shares that it only takes "one bad day" to make a person go insane. Batman offers to help the Joker recover, but the Joker says it is too late for him. Ultimately, the Joker is once again returned to Arkham Asylum.
