The Joker.

Original sketch and color tests.

I scrawled this concept into a sketchbook on the side of the road one day well before I knew I would be participating in the "Batman; Death of the Family" crossover.

Driving to my studio I suddenly had the idea for this Bat-shaped mouth and I had to pull over. I felt I had to sketch it out right there or risk adding it to my ever-growing list of my forgotten cover ideas.

I'm glad I did.

Eventually it came time for me to work up a pitch for the cover of Batman and Robin #15.  I remembered my little drawing in the sketchbook so dug it out and got it ready to sent it off to my editor Rachel Gluckstern and the rest of the Bat-editors. I was very relieved to be given the green light.

Final cover image By Gleason, Gray, and Kalisz.

Some final tweaking was still to be done as well as some playing around with the lay-out.  But in the end I can say I am very happy with our cover.  I'm also very happy I pulled over to draw on the side of the road that day.