Detective Comics #880 (DC, 2011)

A piece that's sure to put a smile on your face! This cover, easily one of the most iconic from the Modern Age of comics, comes from one of the era's most celebrated Bat-artists: Jock. Instantly recognizable, this image has helped the finished issue consistently sell for triple digits on the collector's market. Known for his atmospheric, stylized work on Batman titles, often alongside writer Scott Snyder, Jock has become a pillar of modern Batman fandom, crafting some of the most striking imagery ever associated with the Bat-family. This cover is no exception, delivering one of the most unforgettable renderings of the Joker in recent memory.
It's no secret the Clown Prince of Crime is a little batty, but what elevates this piece is the brilliant design: hundreds of tiny bats swirling to form the contours of the Joker's maniacal face -- a haunting suggestion that Batman is always on his mind. Rather than heart-eyes, Joker has bat-eyes, reinforcing his obsessive, singular focus on the Dark Knight. Even his nose, cleverly, is shaped like a bat.