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    Batman: The Killing Joke #1

    Batman: The Killing Joke » Batman: The Killing Joke #1 released by DC Comics on July 1988.

    Short summary describing this issue.

    last edited by palsunstar on 05/24/23 05:30PM View full history

    The maddest Joker ever as he takes his struggle with Batman to new lows when he kidnaps Commissioner Gordon.

    Possibly the most famous Joker story of all time; how one ordinary man had one very bad day. And decided to share it.

    Notes:

    • Ranked #3 in Wizard Magazine's list of "100 Best Single Issue Comics Since You Were Born".
    • Dick Grayson, Kathy Kane, Bette Kane, Bat-mite and Ace the Bat Hound all appear in a cameo in a picture frame in the Bat Cave.
    • The covers represent the six different printings of this TPB book. The first cover is for the 1st and 2nd printing, and next covers are for the following printings.
    • The final cover is for the special edition hard cover and had the entire graphic novel recolored by artist Brian Bolland.

    The Original Prestige Versus the Recolored Anniversary

    The modern printing
    The modern printing

    There are a few differences in the cover between the original and the newer versions. The three main differences is that the coloring on the modern version's cover is richer, the word bubble has "Smile!" in stead of just "Smile" and the text print is white instead of the colors that represent the printing, such as green, blue, red and yellow.

    The Interior of the comic is still the same, with one major change. The coloring went from John Higgin's (Watchmen) bold contrasting coloring to how Brian Bolland would have colored his own art.

    The experience of the book does change with the coloring. Most comic fans would prefer the newer coloring, since it is logical coloring to the story told. While many older fans prefer the older coloring, where its random contrast help with the madness of the story and the horrific events within the comic. This is a comic that both versions should be read to truly have a good concept of the story.

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    User reviews Add new review

    5 (14)
    4 (3)
    3 (1)
    2 (0)
    1 (0)
    4.8 stars

    Average score of 18 user reviews

    John Higgin's Color verses Brian Bolland's! 0

    The Killing Joker:  The most celebrated of all Joker Stories.    Like Watchmen, this book are created by top talent Brits.  Alan Moore, Brian Bolland and John Higgins. Alan Moore, the most celebrated writer in comics alone makes this a must read.  Brian Bolland's interiors is a special treat since he  never really does it.  That is what makes it a must.   20 years after the Killing Joke was released, it still has an effect on the DCU.  Still considered Canon.  Worthy of a Deluxe printing.  Most ...

    13 out of 13 found this review helpful.

    A Must Read 0

    After years of hearing the non stop praise that has been lavished upon this story I finally decided to pick up The Killing Joke. I must say the people are right, this is an amazing story with some of the best artwork I have ever seen in a comic. Bolland's cinematic artwork will strike you from page one as Batman walks in to Arkham Asylum to meet with a man whom he believes to be the Joker. Bolland's attention to detail is astonishing especially when he handles the colouring chores (found in the ...

    9 out of 9 found this review helpful.

    Favorite Comic Cover/Favorite Issue 0

    The Joker is shrouded in mystery. He is a myth, he is a legend. This story gives readers another backstory to the Joker. This is not his definite origin, no one will ever know that. This is one of those, "this could be it, but we'll never know" stories. It delves deeply into Joker's psyche, letting the audience know why he is so psychotic. You feel sorry for the character, for once, he is alone, maddened by his obsessions with murder, crime, and the Bat. He wants others to feel his insanity, pai...

    8 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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