description
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Killing_Joke
The plot revolves around a largely psychological battle between Batman and his longtime foe, the Joker, who has escaped from Arkham Asylum. The Joker intends to drive James Gordon, the Police Commissioner of Gotham City, insane, in order to prove that the most upstanding citizen is capable of going mad after having "one bad day." Along the way, the Joker has flashbacks to his early life, gradually explaining his origin.
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reviews & rankings
#4 on Best Batman Graphic Novels (Comics)
based on 8 rankings
ranked #2 by Itamar Katz @ Amazon.com: "Truly brilliant. A grim, disturbing psychological exploration of both the Batman and the Joker - and how much they really are alike...." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #2 by 08thmsteam @ Amazon.com: "The best Alan Moore batman story focusing on the joker and devastating effects where Batgirl was shot and paralysed. This story is now collected in DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore..." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #2 by Luis A. Sanchez @ Amazon.com: "Alan Moore outdoes himself with this psychological ride into the world of the Joker...." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #3 by IGN: "Perfectly paced, beautifully illustrated and ending with a killer punchline, this is the finest Joker story ever told and, in turn, one of the best Batman stories of all time...." read full review at comics.ign.com
ranked #7 by Corum Seth Smith @ Amazon.com: "an interesting take on how the Joker came to be..." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #8 by ben: "This book is hugely overrated. It's a good book, but I really don't think it fits in the top tier of Batman comics with books like 'Year One' or 'The Dark Knight Returns'.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good book. The art is amazing. The story has real promise - and Joker's actions have repercussions that were felt far outside the scope of this book.
But frankly, the Joker just isn't that scary in this story. Moore shocks and disgusts us with the despicable crimes that Joker commits. But at the same time, he gives the Joker a history that makes us at least partially sympathize with him and dialog that tries to give some logic to his actions.
That's not who the Joker is to me. To me, the Joker is scary precisely because you can't understand him and you can't sympathize with him. Moore's efforts to add depth to the character are well-intentioned, but they end up watering Joker down, changing him from the ultimate villain to a tragic figure. That, along less-than-stellar character dialog and a pretty lame ending, drag a book that could have been amazing into better-than-average territory."
ranked #5 by dapper dan (dapper dan has not reviewed this item)
ranked #6 by dan (dan has not reviewed this item)
ranked #2 by Itamar Katz @ Amazon.com: "Truly brilliant. A grim, disturbing psychological exploration of both the Batman and the Joker - and how much they really are alike...." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #2 by 08thmsteam @ Amazon.com: "The best Alan Moore batman story focusing on the joker and devastating effects where Batgirl was shot and paralysed. This story is now collected in DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore..." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #2 by Luis A. Sanchez @ Amazon.com: "Alan Moore outdoes himself with this psychological ride into the world of the Joker...." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #3 by IGN: "Perfectly paced, beautifully illustrated and ending with a killer punchline, this is the finest Joker story ever told and, in turn, one of the best Batman stories of all time...." read full review at comics.ign.com
ranked #7 by Corum Seth Smith @ Amazon.com: "an interesting take on how the Joker came to be..." read full review at www.amazon.com
ranked #8 by ben: "This book is hugely overrated. It's a good book, but I really don't think it fits in the top tier of Batman comics with books like 'Year One' or 'The Dark Knight Returns'.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good book. The art is amazing. The story has real promise - and Joker's actions have repercussions that were felt far outside the scope of this book.
But frankly, the Joker just isn't that scary in this story. Moore shocks and disgusts us with the despicable crimes that Joker commits. But at the same time, he gives the Joker a history that makes us at least partially sympathize with him and dialog that tries to give some logic to his actions.
That's not who the Joker is to me. To me, the Joker is scary precisely because you can't understand him and you can't sympathize with him. Moore's efforts to add depth to the character are well-intentioned, but they end up watering Joker down, changing him from the ultimate villain to a tragic figure. That, along less-than-stellar character dialog and a pretty lame ending, drag a book that could have been amazing into better-than-average territory."
ranked #5 by dapper dan (dapper dan has not reviewed this item)
ranked #6 by dan (dan has not reviewed this item)
#8 on Best Comic Books (Limited Series/Graphic Novels)
based on 5 rankings
ranked #1 by demo (demo has not reviewed this item)
ranked #4 by Michael J. Chung (Michael J. Chung has not reviewed this item)
ranked #6 by Terence Dollard (Terence Dollard has not reviewed this item)
ranked #7 by CapeandCowl (CapeandCowl has not reviewed this item)
ranked #61 by baker @ Listology (baker @ Listology has not reviewed this item)
ranked #1 by demo (demo has not reviewed this item)
ranked #4 by Michael J. Chung (Michael J. Chung has not reviewed this item)
ranked #6 by Terence Dollard (Terence Dollard has not reviewed this item)
ranked #7 by CapeandCowl (CapeandCowl has not reviewed this item)
ranked #61 by baker @ Listology (baker @ Listology has not reviewed this item)
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