Ah, The Killing Joke, the definitive Joker storyline. There is a lot that can be said of this one. I should start out that the version I will be reviewing will be the 2008 reprint as opposed to the original since that is the copy I own. Hence my commentary on the art applies to this specific edition only.
In terms of plot the story starts out strong. It starts off with the Joker having escaped custody via a body double, with a fake interrogation setting up the conflict between the Batman and the Joker and the former fearing that one may one day end up killing the other. The story focuses on two main narratives, one where the Joker tries to drive Jim Gordon insane by injuring his daughter Barbara, unwittingly ending her career as Batgirl in the process, and mentally torturing him inside a run down amusement park. The other narrative thread explores a possible origin for the Joker which may or may not be fiction. The story revolves around a poor man who tries to keep he and his wife afloat, making a deal with some gangsters to lead them into an old chemical plant where he used to work. During the raid, he is placed into the iconic red hood suit to act as a scapegoat, causing him to become a target for Batman. He is knocked into a chemical bath and is driven insane upon seeing his new face.Read More »
The Discerning Writer 