Batman: The Killing Joke Review

Writer: Alan Moore

Artist: Brian Bolland

Rating: 7 of 8

Batman

The Killing Joke

'All it takes is one bad day'. That's what the Joker believes, believing that all it takes for someone to tip over the edge from sanity to madness is one bad day. He recounts a time when that happened to him, moving his life from a tragedy to the never ending dark comedy that it is today.

Though, as he reveals to Batman 'Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another... If I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!' , indicating this might be how he became the unhinged killer we know, though it might not, keeping his origin a mystery. I'm sure many Joker fans appreciate this, preventing any one thing being nailed down as the catalyst for his transformation.

Personally, I'm glad this isn't his origin, as what happens doesn't feel like enough to justify him becoming as unhinged and grandiose as he does. Throughout, he's trying his best to destroy Commissioner Gordon's sanity, likely choosing him because, if he can turn one of Gotham's most law abiding citizens insane, what hope is there for anyone else?

One of the few problems I have with the story's how easily Joker subdues Barbara/Batgirl. I don't have a problem with her being shot, or used to hurt Gordon, but even though Joker was likely pretty quick pulling the trigger, I don't understand why she didn't do something to disarm him, given her level of skill and experience.

I love how the story ends, with Batman offering to help Joker instead of hurting him. He wants their story to end without further bloodshed and he wants to know he made some effort to make that happen. The joke Joker tells afterward is brilliant, both because of it's sad, hidden meaning and humour. 

Overall, this is a fantastic story and one of the best Batman/Joker tales there's ever been. Bolland's art is fantastic throughout, making characters like Barbara, Batman and Joker look almost cinematic. He packs it with really deep inks, adding a lot of visual depth to the characters. Bolland does a marvellous job showing a great range of Joker's emotions, going from insincere joy, to frightening conviction, to a desperate plea for understanding. Definitely the best choice for Killing Joke's art. 

For one of the best and darkest Batman stories around, you'd be mad not to stop here :)