Bolland says that in 1984, Dick Giordano told him he could do any project for DC he wanted, and Bolland requested to do a Batman/Joker prestige book with Moore as writer. It shows Gordon stripped and mutilated, with before, during and after photos of the attack displayed before her bound and gagged father, the police commissioner. It is an adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel of the same name. "[42] In 2003, he further clarified why, with the benefit of hindsight, it was this view that leads him to consider it one his lesser works: The Killing Joke is a story about Batman and the Joker; it isn't about anything that you're ever going to encounter in real life, because Batman and the Joker are not like any human beings that have ever lived. [5], The torments that the Joker puts Commissioner Gordon through are meant to serve as "proof that there is something buried deep within each lunatic, a nugget of insanity, that is simply waiting for the right moment to spring forth". She is more than merely disabled". (2016). "—BOOKLIST"I loved THE KILLING JOKE…It's my favorite. The Batman has returned after a 10-year absence. I knew going in that this was highly regarded by many as one of, if not the, greatest Batman … While I wish it would've been more crazy and coherent, there's no doubt that The Killing Joke is a thrilling animated movie. The book explores Moore's assertion that, psychologically, "Batman and the Joker are mirror images of each other"[4] by delving into the relationship between the two. But still, like I said, as soon as the actual movie starts, it's great. Discover some of our favorites from the wide range of films the Academy chose to honor with a recap of the big winners at the 2021 Oscars. It was released in July 2016. What does it take for a person to snap? Is this animated version of Joker the real Joker or just a copycat. Just like many other DC Comics, this Batman story just like many other stories has intrigued DC fans for ages. Batman: The Killing Joke The story's effects on the mainstream Batman continuity also included the shooting and paralysis of Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric & Discredited Diseases, The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic, The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, Alan Moore: Portrait of an Extraordinary Gentleman, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Batman:_The_Killing_Joke&oldid=1019825402, Eisner Award winners for Best Graphic Album: New, Harvey Award winners for Best Graphic Album of Original Work, Harvey Award winners for Best Single Issue or Story, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The story is referenced in a flashback scene in the, This page was last edited on 25 April 2021, at 16:52. You'd turn it off when I was halfway across!" Once inside, they encounter security personnel, a shootout ensues, and the two criminals are killed. [2] The 2008-published 20th anniversary edition of the book featured new colouring by Bolland, restoring his artistic intentions to the palette. At the plant, the criminals make him don a special mask to become the infamous Red Hood. As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into madness. Batman arrives to save Gordon, and the Joker retreats into the funhouse. Share to Tumblr. The Joker – Batman: The Killing Joke Monologue Memory’s so treacherous. As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into madness. Alan Moore acknowledges the ambiguous nature of the story's ending, which "he believes to be a part of the book's brilliance", with the original script providing no further information. This event, along with a Batman storyline that takes place shortly afterward, "A Death in the Family", involving the Joker murdering Robin (Jason Todd), The Killing Joke, leads Batman's obsession with the Clown Prince of Crime to a personal level. The bullet penetrates Barbara's spine, permanently paralyzing her. Once Gordon has run the horrifying gauntlet, the Joker puts him on display before the park's freaks, ridiculing him as "the average man", a naïve weakling doomed to insanity. Take a look ahead at some of our most anticipated superhero movies coming in 2021 and beyond. In 2008 it was reprinted in a deluxe hardcover edition. It was probably one of the areas where they should've reined me in, but they didn't". The story also reveals that Batman kept the photos of Barbara and Booster, and had been waiting until Booster came of age before confronting him. Eventually, Dick Grayson, who becomes his mentor's temporary successor as Batman, would also learn about this and offer his thanks as well. Rip returns Booster to the future before the Joker can murder him, but Booster demands to be sent back again. Catching the Joker in the middle of taking photos of the wounded Barbara, Booster attacks the Joker in a rage; the Joker nevertheless gains the upper hand, snapping several photos of Booster as well. He attempts to reach out to the Joker and offers to help him recover in order to end their everlasting war, which Batman fears may one day result in a fight to the death. Share to Reddit. The title on the cover of the multiple printings changes color. Favorite Animated Superhero Feature Film? He also recounted that "by the time Alan had finished Watchmen he had fallen out with DC to a certain extent... in the end, he only continued to do Killing Joke as a favor to me". Critic Geoff Klock further explained that "both Batman and the Joker are creations of a random and tragic 'one bad day'. [47] Moore's rendition of the Joker's origin employs elements of the 1951 story "The Man Behind the Red Hood" (Detective Comics #168), which established the concept of the Joker originally having been a thief known only as the Red Hood. [6] Unlike the Joker, however, Gordon emerges from his ordeal with his sanity and moral code intact. The Killing Joke is an exceptional piece of literature. 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Trivia 4 Videos 5 Gallery 6 References 7 External links Barbara Gordon as Batgirl fails to stop a robbery, but manages to stop one fleeing criminal with help from Batman. In March 2008, a deluxe hardcover version of the book was released, featuring recoloring of the book by Brian Bolland. Based on the influential as well as controversial 1988 comic book of the same name by Alan Moore (Writer), Brian Bolland (Illustrator), and John Higgins (Colorist), ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ is a provocative exploration of the relationship between Batman and the Joker. [14], When DC Comics relaunched its continuity in 2011, many of Batman's stories were erased from history or altered, but the events of The Killing Joke remained intact. The book made The New York Times Best Seller list in May 2009. Starring: Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Tara Strong Watch all … The Gotham authorities want to arrest him. That was the main point of The Killing Joke. When threads from Batman's past begin to unravel, the race is on for him to crack Hush's deadly game. For the film adaptation, see, 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, Brian Bolland, "On Batman: Brian Bolland Recalls, "On Interpreting The Killing Joke's Ending (and Authorial Intent)", "The Killing Joke Script Proves Batman Didn't Kill The Joker", "Did Batman Kill The Joker at the End of 'The Killing Joke'? I didn't like Commissioner Gordon's voice though, it sounded weird. I knew going in that this was highly regarded by many as one of, if not the, greatest Batman … The Joker has one hand holding a revolver draped over Batgirl's shoulder and is pointing to her cheek with the other hand, as if gesturing to shoot her. The story also implies that Wonder Woman served as the inspiration for Barbara Gordon's eventual codename of the Oracle. Batman chuckles at the punchline, and as the two old foes share a laugh, Batman grabs the Joker as the police arrive. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, Batman: The Killing Joke takes a journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime – from his humble beginnings as a struggling comedian to his fateful encounter with Batman that changes both of their lives forever. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. Although she resumes her work as Batgirl one year after recovering her mobility, she continues to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder when exposed to gunfire that could result in receiving new spinal damage. View production, box office, & company info, Rated R for some bloody images and disturbing content, Batman: 5 Reasons The Killing Joke Is The Best Joker Story (& 5 Why It's White Knight), How Batman: Soul of the Dragon Pays Homage to 70s Kung Fu and Bruce Lee, Watch: Batman: Soul Of The Dragon Clip Introduces Richard Dragon, Everything Coming to Netflix in October 2020. Batman discovers a mysterious teen-aged girl with super-human powers and a connection to Superman. Artist Brian Bolland's version of the Joker stemmed in part from his having recently seen the film The Man Who Laughs. I basically came up with Alan, Batman and the Joker". Moore stated that he attempted to show the similarities and contrasts between Batman and the Joker. The comic won the Eisner Award for "Best Graphic Album" in 1989 and appeared on The New York Times Best Seller List in May 2009. ", "DC Comics Cancels 'Batgirl' Joker Variant Cover at Artist's Request", "Under the Red Hood cuts through Batman's baggage to reveal the dark side of his legacy", "EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Conroy & Mark Hamill Star In Animated", "Infamous: Gods Among Us: Joker Gets Three New Skins in 'Killing Joke' Pack", "NYCC: Batman: Arkham Origins' Killing Joke Monologue - IGN Video", "Latest 'Batman: Arkham Knight' Mod Lets You Play As Joker From 'The Killing Joke'", "Iconic DC comics, like The Killing Joke, are getting novelizations", "The Day Before Playtime: Darkwing Duck Annual", "The New DC 52, Week 2 (Action Comics, Detective Comics, Swamp Thing and more)", "No More Mutants: 52 Problems by Andrew Wheeler", "Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe 20th Anniversary Edition", "The Alan Moore Interview: The Killing Joke and Brought to Light", "DC Universe by Alan Moore Hardcover Review", Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator. 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