Batman: The Killing Joke
The Joker has escaped Arkham… again.
In this dark tale the Joker has decided to target everybody’s favourite police commissioner to prove that any man can go insane – if pushed hard enough. The story also sees Batman’s realization that the only real conclusion of the war between himself and the Joker will lie in one of their deaths. Though, this thought doesn’t prevent him from trying to reason with the Joker one last time.
If you enjoy Batman this is a definite must read. Alan Moore (Author of the Watchmen) created a story that was shocking for what it did to Barbara Gordan (this book was the catalyst for her role as the Oracle) and powerful for the character representations of Batman, Joker and Jim Gordon. Alan Moore and Brian Bolland (original concept and artwork) have created such a tactile world that the emotion of the story is easy to empathize with.
In the newest release of the book there is a letter from Brian Bolland talking about his feelings toward the book. One of the things he mentions was Moore’s guts for shooting Barbara Gordon, but he also criticizes him for bringing up Joker’s origin, which he states is only a version of the truth. In this story the pre-Joker is a wanna-be comedian who is trying to support his wife and future child. However, realizing he has no talent, decides the only way to make enough money is through organized crime. Things go bad, he jumps into a river of chemicals and viola, we have a Joker. (The origin story also touches a bit on the Joker’s role as the Red Hood)
I agree with Bolland’s criticism of the origin, because as a fan of the Joker, I really can’t picture him as a total deadbeat before becoming the Joker. You just can’t go from completely lame to the most awesome villain ever known from a mere chemical bath. Just doesn’t quite work for me.
Other than the origin story this book was insanely good (yes, pun intended). As mentioned earlier, if you are are any kind of Batman fan and you haven’t picked this puppy up yet go out and do it now. Now damn it!
