"The Madness" confronts Batman with Tweedledum, Tweedledee, and the Mad Hatter after several Gotham citizens are compelled into committing atrocious acts. The issue opens with a gruesome tone, but once the Hatter's involvement is revealed, it takes a somewhat campy approach. The book felt improvised and put together at the last minute: the "Wonderland" announced in solicitations was not addressed, White Rabbit, who was featured in the cover did not appear, and overall, it seemed to set the stage for the "Night of the Owls" tie-in.

The ongoing subplot involving Jim Gordon is reaching an intriguing point, though. It isn't until he actually voices all the things he's had to put up with that one wonders how much longer this guy will be able to keep it together before he breaks. Ed Benes did a great job, especially giving these bad guys -who are so hard to take seriously- a creepy aspect.