The Demon Laughs is a three-part story arc in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight that centers on the unexpected team-up between Ra's al Ghul and the Joker. Knowing he won't be able to take over the world alone, Ra's al Ghul and his daughter, Talia, approach the Joker with a plan: rid the entire world of its population, including Batman. The Joker is all for the idea at first, but soon comes to realize that he won't be necessary to Ra's once the deed is done, so he makes up his mind to double-cross the pair.
Ultimately, the Joker's plan falls through — both al Ghuls are immune to the deadly contagion the three planned to release into the world, and Ra's, knowing now that the Joker has betrayed him, has Talia shoot him.
He's revived, via the Lazarus Pit, but for a brief moment, Batman legitimately loses his foe. The best part about this series, though, has nothing to do with the Joker dying in Batman's arms, and everything to do with its shift in focus from the Dark Knight to a couple of his greatest enemies.
