Batman: The Killing Joke

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's one shot graphic novel The Killing Joke is often regarded as not only the best Joker tale ever, but possibly even the greatest Batman story in general. The story is very simple, The Joker has escaped Arkham Asylum yet again but this time is out to prove that any man can be driven insane after having "one bad day". Joker continues by kidnapping Gordon and tortures him by putting him in the ultimate carnival ride from hell, all the while we are treated to a flashback story of how an ordinary man ultimately became the psychotic maniac we now know as the Joker. Meanwhile our hero Batman is on the search for Joker while contemplating the Jokers motives as well as questioning why they continue their never ending antagonistic relationship.

One of the best themes in this book is that the book questions whether Batman himself is insane. The story even points out how Batman also had "a bad day" and even how silly it must be for a grown man to be dressing like a giant bat. Possibly the most notable aspect of this story is that it is often cited as the definitive origin of the Joker, but the truth is that the origin presented here is really ambiguous. The Joker recounts his tragic past about loosing his wife and his ultimate plunge into the vat of chemicals. However, by the end of the story he then says that he can't quite remember exactly what happened as he often remembers it differently which ends up being the biggest slap in the face for readers. It just shows how manipulative the Joker can be into tricking the reader that there is deep down something redeemable in him but we were naive to think so.

The art by Brian Bolland is absolutely gorgeous. The artwork is highly detailed giving the book a very realistic and at times creepy look. Bolland is truly a master of his craft and is unsurpassed. Not only does Bolland draw one of the best Batman's but he definitely draws the best Joker by far.

Having Alan Moore in the credits alone will probably convince many that this story is pure gold but even Moore has admitted being dissatisfied with this work as he wrote while he was working on Watchmen and clearly that is where his head is at. I feel the story goes too far in trying to be "grim n gritty" at times, especially what Joker does to Barbara Gordon felt very out of character even for someone as evil as the Joker. I completely agree with Moore in that he felt that what he should have done instead was to write this story after he completed Watchmen. But overall this is a solid story with interesting themes and beautiful art.

One last thing worth mentioning, having owned the original pressing of this book for years I never understood why Bolland was disapointed with the coloring. Having recently flipped through the new 20th anniversary with redone coloring, I feel the original coloring was superior as the colors stood out more than the muted colors in the anniversary. The new colors obviously have more shading and subtlety which gives the book a modern look but this takes away the nostalgic appearance from the earlier edition. So my best advice would be to pay the extra cash for a copy of the original pressing of The Killing Joke.

This is one of the most intriguing origins that have been created for the Clown Prince of Crime. This, along with the Jack Napier origin, is definitely a strong one. The artwork is nicely done, and the dialogue is smart and witty. The dark nature of this graphic novel is not for kids, but it is for every one who is a Batfan/Jokerfan. And the killer joke at the end is priceless, typical material from Batman's most notorious enemy.

Batman makes yet another visit to Arkham Asylum, this time he simply wants to talk with the Joker, and see if they cannot somehow come to an understanding. But, the joke's on Batman when he finds that the Joker has escaped again. It seems that while Batman would like to end their long-running feud, Joker wants to take it to a whole new level. Grabbing Commissioner Gordon, he sets out to teach him, and Batman, a lesson in madness.

I am a huge comic book/graphic novel fan, but this one really did nothing for me. The author set out to give the story a "morally ambiguous theme," but that is not all he left ambiguous. Batman acts strangely out of character, less a dark knight, and more...well, nothing really, he's just less Batman. The Joker is well done, truly the crown prince of evil, but why add yet another Joker origin story? It seems to have nothing to do with the rest of the story. The ending is totally non-existent - I suppose that the author wanted an ambiguous ending, so he just left his board and went out for a Whopper and Coca-Cola. "Move along please, there's nothing to see here."

I thought that this was a terribly weak addition to the genre - filled with potential, but none of it totally realized. I highly recommend AGAINST this book. [If you want to read a good Batman story, with a similar theme, then read Batman: Jekyll & Hyde by Paul Jenkins.]

Beautifully colored and inked. The story is short, but a great insight into the Joker. It can be disturbing, but that is the very charm that makes this story a great read again and again.

You don't need a review. Everyone says this is the greatest Joker story of all, so if you like Batman or Alan Moore then you will probably like this.

Not as long as other Alan Moore works but still great.