Ever since Catwoman accepted Batman's marriage proposal last year, fans have wondered when (and if) these two characters would actually tie the knot. That event will unfold this July in the pages of Batman #50, but the two lovers will have some hurdles to cross before they can finally walk down the aisle.

The countdown to the big day will begin in DC Nation #0, a budget-priced one-shot hitting stores in May. Writer Tom King and artist Clay Mann will reunite for a story that explores what happens when Joker learns about Batman and Catwoman's impending nuptials. Needless to say, he won't be pleased.

DC Nation #0 cover by Jorge Jimenez. (DC Entertainment)

This actually marks the first time that the Clown Prince of Crime will appear in King's Batman run in non-flashback form. Joker previously played a key role in "The War of Jokes and Riddles," which explored a major conflict between Joker and Riddler set during the early days of Batman's career. It remains to be seen if King will touch on one of the biggest lingering mysteries in the DC Universe - the revelation that there are actually three Jokers.

This Batman/Catwoman tale is just one of three stories included in DC Nation #0. That issue will also feature a story by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez that leads into Bendis' Man of Steel miniseries, as well as a prelude to the Justice League: No Justice event by writers Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV and Joshua Williamson and artist Jorge Jimenez.

DC Nation #0 will hit stores on May 4, a few days before Free Comic Book Day. The issue will carry a 25-cent cover price, but will also be free to download through the DC Comics app and other digital providers. Batman #50 is scheduled to ship on July 4.

In case you missed it, DC also announced ambitious new Superman plans as Bendis takes over both Superman and Action Comics this summer.

Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.