Batman: The Killing Joke 
asked by stix on November 14, 2006 6:42 AM
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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With all the hoopla about Heath Ledger being cast as the new Joker, many a fan are wondering if he can pull of a psychotic, blood thirsty role. How can you not take a character seriously when he has done unarguably the most damage to the Bat family? To quote rocker Tommy Lee, "If you're all YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHH! all the time, it's fake." I think the same applies to the Joker. You can only take mystery and incessant piss and vinegar so far. Batman fans come in all shapes, sizes and ideals on the character. The same can be said for the Joker. It all depends on how you see the character, if you like the psychotic mean because he is angle you might site Arkham Asylum as the definitive Joker. If you are a fan of the harmless prankster then please by all means have a ball with Cesar Romero's Joker. What Moore managed to pull off was perhaps the most ingenius way of introducing a tragic orgin for the Ace of Knaves and still keep the character from being watered down. The Killing Joke gives us an insight to the Joker's twisted psychosis and offer a hint of humanity that exists in even the most vile of monsters. Even in the Clown Prince of Crime. Arkham Asylum was intended for people who like heavy metal, Killing Joke was written for people who appreciate comics and aren't afraid when writers take risks with characters even the Sacred Cow the is the Joker.
By now, you are probably familiar with the basic premises of the story: Batgirl gets shot, stripped naked, Gordon gets the same treatment, enter Batman to save the day, and all this for the Mogul of Montebanks to prove that insanity can happen all because of "one bad day". People who criticize the tragic orgin angle are apt to forget that this adds a whole new depth to the character. He is more than senseless violence and dark humor. It makes him three dimensional and it adds a whole lot more to the Batman/Joker dynamic. Another smart move Moore made was to keep Joker's orgin debatable. We don't know exactly what happened but by not saying yes THIS is what happened, it wouldn't do justice to the Joker's fluid psychosis. Hogwash, I say this is a character you take seriously. It's not about sympathizing with him, rather, add another dimension from most fanboys comfort zone of twisted, psychotic, utterly demented Joker. We see both extremes here. Call this reinventing the Joker post crisis and Moore nailed it. Not even Jack Nicholson could do this justice, though he was good too. Moore is too hard on his own creations, but don't let that deter you.
Brian Bolland's talent at drawing Killing Joke delivers exuberant beauty and intricacy that rivals Tim Sales, hell, even Jim Lee! (I'm serious!) The gunshot panels that bleed red/orange make you feel Barabara's anguish. The colorful atmosphere during Joker's song add to the chaos. Perhaps what gets most points was Bolland's ability to make different facial expression's for the Joker while keeping them believable. The infamous HA HA HA scene after coming out of his chemical bath is unforgetable. Hell, as I type, I really can't think of a perfect word to describe Joker in THAT state except nothing short of bone chilling. Joker was born. From that to the hall of mirrors as he explains his life philosophy to the Dark Knight. His sad almost pleading facade as he asks his adversary "Why aren't you laughing?" seem to cry Help! Of course at the end when Batman offers rehabilitation to which Joker rebuffs reestablishes their relationship as hero and villain, order and chaos, Sonny and Cher. They need eachother and Moore did a great job with alluding to their deadly associations with one another. That would explain why Batman was laughing at the end. Or perhaps it was a nervous twitch. Don't listen to the obsessive one dimensional types who claim that the shared laugh was lame. It just shows that they don't appreciate the deadly delicate dance that Batman and Joker share. Either way, it is up to the reader to interpret that and other aspects of Killing Joke. A must read for any Joker fanatic. The only reason it got four out of five was because it was too short. Here's to Absolute Edition treatment for Killing Joke!
By now, you are probably familiar with the basic premises of the story: Batgirl gets shot, stripped naked, Gordon gets the same treatment, enter Batman to save the day, and all this for the Mogul of Montebanks to prove that insanity can happen all because of "one bad day". People who criticize the tragic orgin angle are apt to forget that this adds a whole new depth to the character. He is more than senseless violence and dark humor. It makes him three dimensional and it adds a whole lot more to the Batman/Joker dynamic. Another smart move Moore made was to keep Joker's orgin debatable. We don't know exactly what happened but by not saying yes THIS is what happened, it wouldn't do justice to the Joker's fluid psychosis. Hogwash, I say this is a character you take seriously. It's not about sympathizing with him, rather, add another dimension from most fanboys comfort zone of twisted, psychotic, utterly demented Joker. We see both extremes here. Call this reinventing the Joker post crisis and Moore nailed it. Not even Jack Nicholson could do this justice, though he was good too. Moore is too hard on his own creations, but don't let that deter you.
Brian Bolland's talent at drawing Killing Joke delivers exuberant beauty and intricacy that rivals Tim Sales, hell, even Jim Lee! (I'm serious!) The gunshot panels that bleed red/orange make you feel Barabara's anguish. The colorful atmosphere during Joker's song add to the chaos. Perhaps what gets most points was Bolland's ability to make different facial expression's for the Joker while keeping them believable. The infamous HA HA HA scene after coming out of his chemical bath is unforgetable. Hell, as I type, I really can't think of a perfect word to describe Joker in THAT state except nothing short of bone chilling. Joker was born. From that to the hall of mirrors as he explains his life philosophy to the Dark Knight. His sad almost pleading facade as he asks his adversary "Why aren't you laughing?" seem to cry Help! Of course at the end when Batman offers rehabilitation to which Joker rebuffs reestablishes their relationship as hero and villain, order and chaos, Sonny and Cher. They need eachother and Moore did a great job with alluding to their deadly associations with one another. That would explain why Batman was laughing at the end. Or perhaps it was a nervous twitch. Don't listen to the obsessive one dimensional types who claim that the shared laugh was lame. It just shows that they don't appreciate the deadly delicate dance that Batman and Joker share. Either way, it is up to the reader to interpret that and other aspects of Killing Joke. A must read for any Joker fanatic. The only reason it got four out of five was because it was too short. Here's to Absolute Edition treatment for Killing Joke!
reviewed by bigchad on November 25, 2006 2:02 AM
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The JOKER.Well nowadays he is only a joke.Getting beat up and other villains trying surpass his insanity.But this graphic novel is not like that at all.The Joker is the best villain and always will be in any comic history.First he shoots Barbara, then he makes Gordon strip his clothes.Then there's an old man fight with Batman and Joker in the end (hey, at least Joker got the upper hand for once!)It also shows Joker's past/origin.Everything is perfect except I wish the fight in the end was longer and Joker was a little tougher.So, if you have heard of the legendary Joker but just keep seeing him get beat up all the time and don't know why people think he's so good then this is the book for you.
reviewed by miceandmen on November 25, 2006 6:40 PM