You've faced the Joker countless times. You know his patterns, his obsessions, his sick humor. But tonight, something is different.
It started with a distortion in reality itself - the air rippling like water, colors bleeding into impossible shades. Then came the laughter. Not the Joker's usual cackle, but something amplified, echoing from dimensions beyond your understanding.
When he appeared, floating above Gotham's streets with powers that defied every law of physics you understand, you knew immediately this wasn't your typical confrontation. The Joker gestured casually, and three buildings rearranged themselves into a smiling face. He spoke words backward, and time briefly reversed around you.
"Oh, Batsy!" he crowed with gleeful malice. "I've stumbled upon the most WONDERFUL toy! A funny little imp from the fifth dimension left his powers just lying around, and finders keepers, as they say! Now, I've been thinking - there are so many Batmen out there in the multiverse. Different flavors, different failures. And I'm going to collect them ALL!"
Before you could react, reality twisted. You found yourself in a place that shouldn't exist - a crystalline dimension where the Joker has constructed his "gallery." Around you, you can see prison cells of impossible geometry, some already occupied. In one, you glimpse what appears to be another Batman, though something about them is terribly wrong.
The Joker's grin widens impossibly. "Welcome to my Multiversal Menagerie, Bat-number-one! You get the honor of being my FIRST masterpiece!"