BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland

MSRP $17.99, 64 Pages.

Published by DC Comics.

This critically acclaimed story from 1988 offers a possible origin for the Joker.

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.

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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.

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Customer Reviews

Batman: The Killing Joke

Rating

For first timers: if you need to know how the Joker began, this sort of answered the questions for me when I obtained a copy of this book in 1988 when it was first released. (but in a modern replication of the original Joker's beginning as shown in classic Batman & Joker stories by Bob Kane and his writers/ artists.. )
I still have it with me to this day among my collection. I think Brian Bollard's art is awesome, he also did a brilliant job on his front cover artworks of Wonder Woman comics in 1990s.
This book has become a memorable read.. I still think of its story in my mind without reading it.. the artwork of the raining creating puddles is inspiring.

I recommend it.

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Short and sweet, with a twist. A new favorite!

Rating

I was expecting a graphic novel not a dinky little magazine. When I opened the package I felt ripped off. Basically the size is very disappointing. I'm new to the world of graphic novels, so, I'm used to getting a substantial book of sorts, which I've discovered is actually a series combined. Anyway - Decided to read it, and put it back up for resale.... After 30 minutes I put the appropriately named 'novel' right up beside my new collection including Year one and DKR. It manages to immerse you into the world of Gotham, quickly and efficiently. Then without compromise, and quite suddenly show you the true potential of The Joker.

It's a stretch to buy the hardcover in my opinion, unless you're diehard, but the softcover price was well worth the read. Not to mention, the Art is among the best I've seen in my short love affair of Graphic Novels.

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Easily the best Joker story.

Rating

When I first started really getting into Batman, I kept hearing about the Killing Joke, and how great it was. I decided to check it out and realized it was very short. I still ended up buying it, hoping the story would be worth it. It very much was. Out of all my comics/graphic novels, I have read this one the most. The art is great, and the story is so good, it was written into continuity, even though it really wasn't supposed to. The hardcover also includes a quick story which is ok, but overall kind of forgetable. Definately pick this one up. You'll want to read it over and over.

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Best Joker story yet!

Rating

If you haven't read The Killing Joke, you have no right to call yourself a Batman fan. You may not find it to be the greatest Batman story of all time, but you'll be hard-pressed not to laugh at the end. Re-printed more times than almost any other comic in history, The Killing Joke is still readily available, meaning you have no excuse. If you've read it before, go back and read it again. You owe it to yourself.

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Scariest joke ever

Rating

This book is awesome, but it's definitely not worth paying for the overpriced hardback. They just released a reprint of it last month (June 2010) that you can pick up at any good comic shop for $5.

writing: [9/10]
art: [9/10]
color: [10/10]

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