Comic Title: Detective Comics #617
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Early July 1990
On Sale Date: May 22, 1990 Shipping Date May 22, 1990
Source: Previews, #15

Shipping Date May 22, 1990
Source: Amazing Heroes, #179

Shipping Date May 24, 1990
Source: Advance Comics, #17

Direct Market Date May 24, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #149

Copyright Date May 22, 1990
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1990

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "A Clash of Symbols"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Alan Grant
Penciller: Norm Breyfogle
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Legends of the Dark Knight:Norm Breyfogle Vol. 2 HC (2019)
Batman:The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 5 TPB (2021)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Demon #8; next appearance in Ms. Tree Quarterly #1)

Villain(s)

• Joker (in flashback; Three years ago; last appearance in Batman #403; next appearance in Doctor Fate #1)
• The Joker's gang (Morry named; in flashback; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• A fortune teller and her client (no further appearances)
• A security guard (dies in flashback; no further appearances)
• Mr. Star (a museum guide; in flashback; no further appearances)
• A street criminal (no further appearances)
• Various museum guests (in flashback; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Batman (three years ago; last appearance in Firestorm Annual #5; next appearance in Justice League Annual #1)

Comments:
Most of this story takes place in flashback to events three years earlier.

Synopsis:
Batman stops a criminal who is attempting to rob a fortune teller. Before he leaves the scene, he asks the woman if she can locate the Joker. While the fortune teller gives her reading Batman's mind drifts back to a previous clash with the Joker at a museum exhibit. Batman thinks about the symbolic nature of the Joker and the bat. Ultimately however, the fortune teller is unable to provide Batman with any clues to the Joker's whereabouts.