One of the most famous Batman stories of all time is offered for the first time in hardcover in this special twentieth-anniversary edition.
This is the unforgettable that forever changed Batman's world, adding a new element of darkness with its unflinching portrayal of The Joker's twisted psyche.
Writer Alan Moore, acclaimed author of WATCHMEN and V FOR VENDETTA, offers his take on the disturbing relationship between The Dark Knight and his greatest foe. The Clown Prince of Crime has never been more ruthless than in this brutal tale.
This special new edition also includes a story written and exquisitely illustrated by Brian Bolland.
The Killing Joke, one of my favorite Batman stories ever, stirred a bit of controversy because the story involves the Joker brutally, pointlessly shooting Commissioner Gordon's daughter in the spine. This is a no-holds-barred take on a truly insane criminal mind, masterfully written by British comics writer Alan Moore. The art by Brian Bolland is so appealing that his depiction of the Joker became a standard and was imitated by many artists to follow.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Sets the bar for Batman:
Alan Moore is the greatest comic book writer of all time. His portrayal of the Joker is dark, violent, and irrational. Bolland's illustrations bring the book to life and tell a narrative of their own. Read it once and you'll want more. read it again and you'll catch all the little things you missed the first time through. But you'll still want more.
Good but Overrated Batman Story:
The Killing Joke is a very famous comic. It gives us a glimpse into the Joker's origin and therefore humanizes the character a bit. In a way it also humanizes Batman, by seeing his reaction to the Joker's joke (the joke, by the way, is very funny). I was underwhelmed with this comic, as it is very famous and Tim Burton listed it as a big influence for the Batman movie. I think Alan Moore is the best comic book writer, so I was expecting this book to be out of this world. It isn't. This comic is... more info
Must Own:
If you like Batman, if you collect comics, or you are at all intrigued by the Batman/Joker dynamic, this is a must have for your collection.
This is a remarkable portrayal of Batman's own neurosis, and this is the Joker at his most psychotic.
Review of Moore's The Killing Joke:
This comic book has many, many great features. To begin, it has an excellent writer and illustrator. Moore's probing dialogue is enhanced by a dark, morally ambiguous world of illustrations. Furthermore, this story is incredibly simple. It features several usual characters posed in unique positions that criticize their more traditional mythology. The 'book' is less than 50 pages--less than an hour of reading. Reader will recognize several scenes and themes drawn from this work in the Dark Knight. This book... more info
