Anne's Reviews > Batman: The Killing Joke

hmmm i read most of your reviews....i am by no means an experienced graphic novelist reader......why do you think this is only 3 stars?

That Joker image still gives me the creeps

Not the first gif from the same horrible drawn movie ugh

Reminds me I still have to do a review for this one. I'll possibly even have to read it again. My memory seems to be getting worse.
But the coloring of the version I own is different, I'm pretty sure.

One of my absolute favorites

Bhavik wrote: "That Joker image still gives me the creeps

Not the first gif from the same horrible drawn movie ugh"

That movie was GARBAGE. They basically had the perfect story and decided to futz with and give it the same animation they used for the children's cartoons. Ugh. Am I remembering it wrong, or did they do the Batman/Babs romance in that one, too? Blech.

Dennis wrote: "Reminds me I still have to do a review for this one. I'll possibly even have to read it again. My memory seems to be getting worse.
But the coloring of the version I own is different, I'm pretty sure."

I read the anniversary addition and the coloring is different. Good eyes, even if your memory is going the same way mine is. ;)

L.M. wrote: "One of my absolute favorites"

Yeah, it's good stuff.

Anne wrote: "I read the anniversary addition and the coloring is different. Good eyes, even if your memory is going the same way mine is. ;)"

Ha! Thanks, Anne!

Courtesy of your review I at least remembered why I put off my own review.

You know, I'm a fan of Batman. But only because of the movies.
I know some important stuff happens here. But I have not much knowledge about Barbara Gordon.
And I suppose there are some more Joker Origin stories. But I only know about the one from the Burton movie. Though that one might have been influenced by this book anyway.
Also, I needed some time to process the joke at the end.

So, am I going to do some research now or immediately proceed with a nonsense review?

Long story short, this was probably not the best comic to start with. And I think even my rating would be different with some proper context.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I actually thought Killing Joke devalued Joker's character and made him look pathetic. Whereas in stories like Death in the Family when he stole something from Batman that haunted him for life, this story saw the Joker's ultimate plan fall flat and fail miserably to defeat Batman in any way. Crippling Barbara was horrific and iconic, but the Joker failed to break Batman or Jim and ended up a loser. Barbara rebounded and became Oracle, so the Joker couldn't even take her away from Batman. The main draw to Joker was how inexplicably well matched he was against Batman, how he always seemed to win even when he got captured or beaten up. Killing Joke had no victories for Joker, in my opinion, and thus his villainous endeavors in this outing make his character feel pointless and weak. But to each their own, I know a lot don't agree with me, so I could be misguided haha!

I love this story, it's one of my favourites. But more importantly, tell me your thoughts on the still ongoing ending argument! (view spoiler)[ Did Batman kill the Joker in the end? (hide spoiler)]

Chris wrote: "I know I'm in the minority here, but I actually thought Killing Joke devalued Joker's character and made him look pathetic. Whereas in stories like Death in the Family when he stole something from ..."

No, I think it's fine to disagree! In fact, there are tons of comics that people love or call iconic that I just absolutely can't stand and no amount of arguing will change my mind. You keep your opinion and don't let anyone tell you it's wrong.

I liked it because he failed, I think. The Joker assumed that everyone who was pushed to the brink would ultimately turn to either madness or evil, and Jim and Barbara proved him wrong by rising above it. Death of the Family was a fantastic Joker story, but I loved that one for different reasons than this one.

Sorina wrote: "I love this story, it's one of my favourites. But more importantly, tell me your thoughts on the still ongoing ending argument! [spoilers removed]"

Ha! Ok, I think (view spoiler)[he didn't kill him. If for no other reason than he wouldn't let the Joker win and turn him into a killer. Also b/c Jim asked him to do it by the book, and b/c this story is what made Babs into Oracle...so if it became canon, how could he have killed Joker? But it is a stand-alone story, so there's always a chance I'm wrong. I love that they left it ambiguous! (hide spoiler)]

Dennis wrote: "Anne wrote: "I read the anniversary addition and the coloring is different. Good eyes, even if your memory is going the same way mine is. ;)"

Ha! Thanks, Anne!

Courtesy of your review I at least ..."

This is definitely NOT a cut your teeth story, Dennis. Wait a few years and come back to it. Seriously.

Sorina wrote: "I love this story, it's one of my favourites. But more importantly, tell me your thoughts on the still ongoing ending argument! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ At this point I'd take the one thing that separates Batman fron Moonnight and that is Batman does not kill (hide spoiler)]

Anne wrote: "Bhavik wrote: "That Joker image still gives me the creeps

Not the first gif from the same horrible drawn movie ugh"

That movie was GARBAGE. They basically had the perfect story and decided to fut..."

IKR? If they'd keep the same animation as that of the old ones with a bit animesque style..people would still be amazed by this.
This was pure bland and I didn't even care about it. Hell the New Suicide squad movie was better.

I am not sure since its been so long but I think they did and then the crippling stuff..bleh Bat-Cat ftw!

I'm with you on the Bat-Cat! Barbara and Bruce grosses me out. Ew!

Yes! Those 2 have the best illustrations !

I like Joker more than this one, tbh

Rodney wrote: "I like Joker more than this one, tbh"

I still need to read that one, Rodney. I'll grab it asap!

Robert wrote: "Thanks for the review. And thanks for not including any spoilers. I'm familiar with the story and the movie, I haven't gotten around to actually checking out the hardback yet."

The movie is sorta crap and veers off into this wierd 'romance' that the book doesn't have. I'd definitley recommend the comic over the animated movie. <--DC animated is usually SO much better than that!

Anne wrote: "All it takes is one bad day."

Ain't that the truth! My favourite colour is green ... do you think I should dye my hair? ;P

Yes. I'm ONE more gray hair away from dying mine green anyway.

Ha! Partner look! ;P

I honestly can't wait to read this one. Your review is just hyping me up even move!

Yeah I need to re-read this one, haven't in years but I remember being actually afraid of the Joker.

Leticia wrote: "I honestly can't wait to read this one. Your review is just hyping me up even move!"

It's gooooood. Let me know how you like it!

Jason wrote: "Yeah I need to re-read this one, haven't in years but I remember being actually afraid of the Joker."

Oh yeah. Between the way he's drawn and the psycho stuff he does, this could easily freak someone out.

Thank you!

I am a novice in critically analysing scenes from the books I read and I have few questions for which I'd like to have answers.Kindly let me know what your views are on the text written below:

The scene where the salesman tries to sell the circus property; We know that joker belittles the guy and takes the keys away from him exhibiting absolute dominance. The scene ends with Joker leaving the place and a shot of countenance of the salesman.Here we observe that salesman is depicted in a figure similar to the Joker.So, can it be inferred that it was that one bad day, of being absolutely helpless and being subdued by an crooked individual, changed the character of salesman or say drove him insane?
------------------------------------------------------
Regarding the ending; after the joke, as both Batman and Joker break into laughter we see Batman's extended arm before the scene ends with pools of water underfoot; is it possible that batman takes hold of the Joker and jumps off the rooftop?
(I have eliminated the case of Batman killing the joker given the principles Batman has laid down for himself)

Um. Well, I usually don't look as deeply into scenes as all that, but what the heck, right?
I mean, I think the entire point to this one is that the Joker says all it takes is one bad day to change anyone. So, maybe it changed the salesman? But the flip side is that one bad day doesn't make everyone insane or evil. Barbara doesn't go crazy, Jim doesn't go crazy, etc.
As far as the ending goes? It's ambiguous for a reason. That way each reader can see it in their own way. Does Batman go crazy and kill him? Why not, you know? Everyone lays down rules for themselves and tries to abide by those rules. But then you throw in the one bad day theory and...?
There's no right answer, but it's fun to speculate. :)

Bhavic wrote: "That joker image still gives me the creeps

Not the first gif from the same horrible drawn movie ugh"

Yess the Joker is creepy I agree

The Joker used his “Joker Venom” when he shook the salesman’s hand. It’s a toxin that can paralyze or kill the victim and leaves them with a joker-like grin.

Oh yeahhhhhhh. <--that

Your review is the reason I’ll be getting it now! Thank you! I love the images

Cool! I hope you end up really enjoying it, Kenneth. :)

Te kmkc os

Hi

From were i can read it

You need to buy it from a bookstore, I think.

True?

OOwen P wrote: "True?"

What's true?

👍👍

Vimukthi de silva wrote: "👍👍"

:)

I think Tim Burton took a lot of influence from this one

Probably did! I never thought about that before.

I read about it somewhere, it was Tim Burton himself talking about it

Omg he is so creepy and I 😍creepy people . He might be my type