The New York Times (nytimes.com) has an article on the rebuilding of Vertigo Comics as a brand.
But the really interesting thing is the title and release date of Neil Gaiman and JH Williams III's Sandman: The Sandman: Overture, bi-monthly, starting October 30th!
I agree. Yet, I would think Denny O'Neil, Batman editor at the time, would be the deciding factor on whether or not there was intent to kill Joker in this story.