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Batman: The Killing Joke Paperback – March 1, 1988

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,717 ratings

/Alan Moore /Brian Bolland, illustrator In one of the most powerful Batman stories ever told, the Joker exacts brutal revenge against Batman through some of his closest friends. Along the way, the Joker's origin is reveale
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dc Comics; Graphic Novel edition (March 1, 1988)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0930289455
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0930289454
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 0.25 x 10.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,717 ratings

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Alan Moore
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Alan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.

Bio and photo from Goodreads.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
7,717 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and well-crafted. They appreciate the fantastic artwork and stunning colors. The story is described as solid and psychologically complex. Many consider it a worthwhile purchase and an excellent addition to their library. Readers appreciate the character development and portrayal of the Joker. The pacing is described as cinematic and fluent.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

871 customers mention "Readability"846 positive25 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as one of the best Batman stories and the greatest Joker story told. Readers appreciate the author's storytelling style and consider reading it worthwhile.

"...This is a one-shot story, and should remain that way, or else the original's impact may be lost...." Read more

"...And now that the Joker’s finally gotten his spotlight, a true telling of his story, there’s no need to go any further...." Read more

"...To wrap up my ramblings, Batman: The Killing Joke is an incredible comic that serves as quite possibly the best story featuring The Clown Prince of..." Read more

"...Was it good ? Sure. A solid Batman story ? Yes. The story I expected to rock my world, and change the way I look at the entire Batman universe ?..." Read more

345 customers mention "Art quality"331 positive14 negative

Customers enjoy the artwork quality. They find the images fantastic and well-crafted. The new coloring is stunning, making the characters believable in appearance. The print is amazing, with vibrant, dark colors and artstyle. Readers could get lost in the detailed artwork and graphics.

"...makes this short graphic novel a masterpiece, providing some of the best art ever seen in the characters' long history, only rivaled (in my opinion)..." Read more

"...Speaking of colors, The Killing Joke is rife with fantastic images and finely-crafted spectacles...." Read more

"...cursory fan of Batman, The Joker, dark comedy, or simply superb illustration and writing. Its definitely worth the read...and the laughs...." Read more

"...of Crime, humanizing him to an extent never before, and truly examined -with pictures rather than words- the antagonistic symbiosis that exists..." Read more

269 customers mention "Story quality"234 positive35 negative

Customers find the story engaging with its solid graphic storytelling and psychological elements. They appreciate the modern take on the story with vibrant colors. The ending is thoughtful and captures a moment of disbelief.

"...These colors are dark, gritty, and really captures to mood of the story more effectively than the bright colors of the original release...." Read more

"...a painstaking attention to detail, and that kind of dedication and consistency is one of the major selling points...." Read more

"...It truly captures a moment of absolute disbelief, how a man would react to the worst news imaginable, in that he would barely react at all...." Read more

"...is a killer little mini-comic that serves as a perfect companion piece to the main story and definitely sweetens the pot for those wondering if..." Read more

147 customers mention "Value for money"126 positive21 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value. They find it an interesting read and a good addition to their library. The deluxe edition includes bonus features like reference photos and comments from the author.

"...Its definitely worth the read...and the laughs. -Tycho" Read more

"...This deluxe edition has some bonus stuff, like reference photos, comments from the artist, and a short story at the end about an obsessed fan...." Read more

"...incredible, it isnt incredible but extremely enjoyable and totally worth the price...." Read more

"...This is a copy worth buying, even if you already own the softback, and keeping in your collection...." Read more

94 customers mention "Character development"90 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They say the author and artists capture the Joker's character perfectly. The portrayal is fascinating and fun. It provides a realistic take on the Joker and Batman rivalry.

"...Batman had become a well thought out, complex character in recent years, primarily due to the work of skilled writer Frank Miller...." Read more

"...The Joker has always been an incredibly interesting and fun character, but the audience didn’t know what drove him, or even what drove him mad...." Read more

"...achieved between scenes without dialogue and scenes with conversations between characters is perfect, creating beautiful build up and suspense...." Read more

"...the storytelling superb, and the character examinations are vital to understanding both combatants...." Read more

93 customers mention "Pacing"70 positive23 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging and cinematic. They describe it as an intense, chilling, and memorable read. The art is described as beautiful and poignant.

"...Alan Moore's story is sick, it's disturbing, and doesn't fail to leave the reader in a state of awe...." Read more

"...on the cake is how Moore is able to portray the Joker as an unredeemable monster, tormented philosopher, and a tragic human being all at the same..." Read more

"...It takes risks like shooting Barbara...." Read more

"...All in all, it remains just as poignant and haunting as it did when first released." Read more

83 customers mention "Thought provoking"83 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's thought-provoking and entertaining story. They say it explores the human psyche and is fun to spot the differences between the two versions of the Joker. The concept behind the story is brilliant, and the book is described as the definitive and deluxe edition of the original Batman story.

"...The Joker has always been an incredibly interesting and fun character, but the audience didn’t know what drove him, or even what drove him mad...." Read more

"...Moore is able to portray the Joker as an unredeemable monster, tormented philosopher, and a tragic human being all at the same time!..." Read more

"...The Killing Joke is a novel that explores the human psyche, but it's one that does so from firmly within the formula of its genre, and it even goes..." Read more

"...stories for the joker (told via flashbacks) which is a little more grounded in reality and not the usual comicbook fantasy flair...." Read more

140 customers mention "Short story"35 positive105 negative

Customers find the story too short and lacking depth. They find the overall narrative weak and unengaging, with long scenes that lack clarity. The story is described as dark but not as intense as other works by Moore. While larger than a standard graphic novel, this edition is considered less emotional and dramatic than expected.

"...It's short, but it delivers a powerful punch!..." Read more

"...That's really my only complaint. It just a little too short, and I wanted to keep on reading. Final Verdict:..." Read more

"...The second is as fitting as it is shocking. In keeping with the title, this tale of insanity and despair ends on a joke...." Read more

"...The un-fleshed-out briefness of the work is part of the problem, though really, this is a story where the bad guy is the true protagonist, who the..." Read more

... story except to say that it's one of the better ones, and that any Batman / Joker fan ...
5 out of 5 stars
... story except to say that it's one of the better ones, and that any Batman / Joker fan ...
I won't get into the story except to say that it's one of the better ones, and that any Batman / Joker fan (and anyone else who enjoys good stories) should definitely read it if they haven't already. This is a copy worth buying, even if you already own the softback, and keeping in your collection. I bought this, again, after seeing the trailers for the upcoming animated version this summer - I got excited and wanted a newer, more substantial version.The print is amazing, with vibrant, dark colors and artstyle, and exactly how it was originally portrayed. The hardcover, under the sleeve, is embossed and quite nice. The binding is immaculate, and much easier to preserve than a comic book - you can read this without worrying about wrecking it. The jacket art is, in my opinion, one of the selling points, as it starts quite the conversation if guests see it sitting out.I'm glad I purchased it, and would be willing to do so again if something happened to the copy I own. I've included some photos of the quality construction of the book. Obviously, as with any story, whether you like it or not is up to you, but the quality of the product itself is unquestionable.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2008
    The Killing Joke was a comic spawned shortly after the work of Frank Miller, and is probably the comic that established The Joker as one of the most important fictional villains of the 20th century. Batman had become a well thought out, complex character in recent years, primarily due to the work of skilled writer Frank Miller. Batman had been brought into a gritty, modern world of comic books, but I always felt that Miller's The Dark Knight Returns failed to bring the antagonistic Joker into a new light...well it did, but not in the way the character was meant to be. Alan Moore, with the help of Brian Bolland's stunning artwork helped bring to life what is widely accepted as today's standard for the famous Harlequin of Hate.

    He's crazy, he kills people simply for his own twisted sense of humor, but always has a very zany, cartoonish attitude, which I felt was lacking in Miller's interpretation, where Joker seemed much too serious in appearance, dialogue, and action. The Joker presented in this graphic novel truly is a fiendish jester of fate, who for the most part is truly frightening, but never really acts like anything more than a loon. Bolland's art is very helpful in this aspect, not only bringing the Joker's exaggerated, skeletal body to life, but making it perhaps the most anatomically correct Joker ever seen, while still following the style of the 1970s Joker appearances.

    The story revolves around the long struggle between Batman and his foe, and their never ending conflict. Joker, having escaped from Arkham Asylum (again), has decided to prove that one bad day can transform any sane man into a monster, such as himself. Taking possession of an old carnival he's ready to do whatever it takes to prove his point, with the assistance of a circus freak show. Meanwhile The Dark Knight questions himself on how this fight will end; coming to the realization that sooner or later one of them would kill the other, unless they tried to reason it out. A hopeless plan by our hero, but he has to at least try a single time to reason with his arch-nemesis, just so he can say he tried.

    While Batman leads the hunt for the psychotic clown, Joker decides to prove his theory, kidnapping Commissioner Gordon, and shooting Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) through the spine (she never walks again). This is one of the most villainous acts in the history of comics; simply because of how pointless the shooting was, considering Barbara wasn't even in the character of Batgirl. She was just a bystander who Joker decided to use as a tool for his plot. Everyone is a puppet, or tool in his mind.

    He does this act all of this while wearing a stereotypical beach-going tourist's attire, complete with a large camera, the only exception being his wide-brimmed, purple hat, which conceal his eyes. These are the eyes of a madman, and in one of the comic's final pages his eyes are concealed in shadow once again, before they come out and you see him for the hopeless case he truly is.

    The story sets the stage for the most widely accepted Joker back-story through a series of flashbacks, showing him as a failed comedian with a pregnant wife, and soon winds up assisting criminals, and falling victim to tragedy. The character is shown to have had one bad day and that is how he ended up as the smiling super villain who has plagued Gotham City for decades. Of course this back-story isn't necessarily true, being that it comes from flashbacks spawned from Joker's mind, and as he famously states in his confrontation with Batman "If I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!"

    Gordon's capture and torture leads to a fight between these two iconic characters, where Batman tries to see if it is possible to reason with Joker logically, but the villain doesn't even try to lie about what is obviously in store for them. He can never be reasoned with, and won't stop until he's dead, and Batman refuses to kill him so it's a sick cycle that goes round and round. In the end of The Killing Joke the roller coaster has only been reset and it will only be a matter of time before Joker is back on the streets, killing again with some new, random scheme which will only make sense to him alone, depending on the mood he's in at the time, or which version of his past he remembers.

    Alan Moore's story is sick, it's disturbing, and doesn't fail to leave the reader in a state of awe. The only problem is that by the end you crave for more! The story practically brings you to the point of begging for a sequel, or expansion which will probably never come. This is a one-shot story, and should remain that way, or else the original's impact may be lost. I don't have a single friend who doesn't think The Killing Joke is one of the most twisted, sick, most perfect stories of the comic medium. It's short, but it delivers a powerful punch!

    Brian Bolland's art makes this short graphic novel a masterpiece, providing some of the best art ever seen in the characters' long history, only rivaled (in my opinion) by the art of Alex Ross. Joker really is frightening to look at here, because he doesn't look like a real person in most aspects, but Bolland manages to make this character incredibly believable in appearance, without taking any liberties of changing the body type into something more universal. The tall, skeletal body of the 1970s comics is preserved for the most part, except for the narrowing of the chin, which improves the look even further (hence why it's universally used in today's comics).

    Recently I got the hardcover anniversary edition of The Killing Joke, with the artwork being edited by Brian Bolland, and re-colored by Bolland personally the way he intended it to be seen. I must say that I love the changes to the colors, more so than the cheery, bright colors of the original, which I felt distracted from Bolland's line-art, because the colors were way too traditional comic book, not fitting the intensity of the art. These colors are dark, gritty, and really captures to mood of the story more effectively than the bright colors of the original release. I especially love the flashbacks being in black and white, except for concentrating on objects that reflect the color red, which leads up to him taking on the garb of The Red Hood, before his first confrontation, leading to his ultimate disfigurement and insanity. This is a seriously talented artist and I only wish he was presented with more opportunities to draw these characters. Batman and Joker look their very best in these images, and I'd be hard pressed to find a comic with better consistency of art quality.

    The Killing Joke is one, if not THE best story in the history of Batman comics, and rightfully earns my rating of 10/10 stars.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2017
    The Killing Joke is an exceptional piece of literature. Just looking at the cover tells you almost immediately what you're in for (something something, don't judge book by it's cover), but even then it gives so much more. I knew going in that this was highly regarded by many as one of, if not the, greatest Batman stories. This graphic novel is rich with atmosphere and saturated in beautiful imagery.
    What really sets it apart is how mature and well told the story is. The very first dialogue sets the scene for the whole book: what's going to happen between Batman and the Joker? They've been playing the same game for years and years, but when will it end, and how? Before now, we never had any reason to sympathize with the Joker. The Joker has always been an incredibly interesting and fun character, but the audience didn’t know what drove him, or even what drove him mad. Revealing his backstory is one-shot deal; you either please fans universally or lose all of their faith depending on how the story is told. But The Killing Joke nails it with flying colors.
    Speaking of colors, The Killing Joke is rife with fantastic images and finely-crafted spectacles. Open it to any page, and you’ll find something iconic or stylistic. Every panel is given such a painstaking attention to detail, and that kind of dedication and consistency is one of the major selling points. These are the images that’ll stick with you well after you put the book down because of how they pop out of the page. When you see that first image of the Joker truly going mad, you feel it. It’s not “oh look the joker is laughing and totally losing his mind, sucks to be him golly gee,” it’s “That’s it! That’s the point of no return! He’s gone and I feel like I was right there next to him!” (Okay that was a little corny, I won’t do that again, promise). And that’s not the only one that sticks out: Joker in a hawaiian t-shirt holding a cocktail, Joker on a throne of baby dolls, Joker looking solemnly at an old broken carnival machine.
    Now, you might’ve noticed a pattern there. “But where’s Batman?” Y’see, Batman has had thousands of comics, movies, books, and video games dedicated to his story and his experiences. We know his backstory as though it’s mythology. But until now, we didn’t know Joker. Batman even says so in the graphic novel. And now that the Joker’s finally gotten his spotlight, a true telling of his story, there’s no need to go any further. Sure, we could ask for more novels about Joker’s experiences, but this is the only one that needed to be about the Joker. This is the story about how his life got flip-turned upside down (sorry). All the ones after this one, he’s already insane and we don’t learn anything really new. But here we see it all through his eyes. It doesn’t need a sequel. In fact I hope it never gets a sequel. There’s nothing more to tell with this story, especially with how it ends. The Killing Joke is an exceptional piece of literature.
    37 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kai Wright
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing comic! must read!!
    Reviewed in India on January 16, 2023
    perfect rating. very fun thought out story. leaves u asking questions about reality even today. beautifully drawn and colored. must have for comicbook nerds!
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for any Comic Fan - arrived undamaged
    Reviewed in Canada on December 31, 2019
    You don’t even have to like this story but you absolutely need to have an opinion on this legendary story by Allan Moore if your into comics at all.
    However, if you don’t like it, you should go see a doctor cuz this story is awesome.

    Product arrive on time and undamaged.
  • Davy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muito superior à edição nacional
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 14, 2018
    No quesito qualidade da edição, deixa no chinelo a edição das Panini aqui no Brasil. O papel das páginas é melhor (mais grosso), a edição é em tamanho um pouco maior (formato definitivo) e ao remover a contra capa a arte é simplesmente linda. No conteúdo, a única diferença é que a edição nacional trás a história com a primeira aparição do Coringa (lá em 1900 e vovó era criança), mas no meu caso não sinto falta dela na edição importada vide que a qualidade do produto é bem superior.
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    Davy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muito superior à edição nacional
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 14, 2018
    No quesito qualidade da edição, deixa no chinelo a edição das Panini aqui no Brasil. O papel das páginas é melhor (mais grosso), a edição é em tamanho um pouco maior (formato definitivo) e ao remover a contra capa a arte é simplesmente linda. No conteúdo, a única diferença é que a edição nacional trás a história com a primeira aparição do Coringa (lá em 1900 e vovó era criança), mas no meu caso não sinto falta dela na edição importada vide que a qualidade do produto é bem superior.
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  • Graad the Keeper
    5.0 out of 5 stars "T'es mort... de rire !"
    Reviewed in France on February 6, 2020
    Du très bon Alan Moore et du très, très grand Brian Bolland. Ah, ce dessin, ce dessin ! Brian Bolland à pulvérisé pas mal de confrères et pour longtemps avec cet album. La précision du trait, le mouvement, l'expression des protagonistes et les nouvelles couleurs, magistrales, qui rendent l'histoire encore plus glauque.
  • Marco Quaranta
    5.0 out of 5 stars All it takes is one bad day
    Reviewed in Italy on May 26, 2019
    One of the most popular graphic novels of the Batman universe, definitely the most important when it comes to define the twisted relationship between Bats and the Joker and the latter sick yet miserable backstory. Only 64 pages of superbe writing and amazing visuals that nontheless are more captivating than any other adaptation.

    Consiglio di comprarlo in inglese anche agli utenti italiani dato che molte (se non tutte) le battute e doppi sensi usati da Joker sono completamente intraducibili e non ho mai trovato un adattamento nella nostra lingua che rendesse giustizia all'opera originale