Batman: The Killing Joke

Batman: The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot superhero comic book written by Alan Moore, drawn by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics in 1988. It has in its original form continuously been held in print since then. It has also been reprinted as part of the DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore-trade paperback The story would affect the mainstream Batman continuity in that it features the shooting and crippling of Barbara Gordon by t... more

Batman: The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot superhero comic book written by Alan Moore, drawn by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics in 1988. It has in its original form continuously been held in print since then. It has also been reprinted as part of the DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore-trade paperback The story would affect the mainstream Batman continuity in that it features the shooting and crippling of Barbara Gordon by the Joker, an event which would lead her to adopt the role and identity of Oracle, a vital source of information for Batman and other superheroes. In 2008 DC Comics reprinted the story in a deluxe hardcover edition. This Deluxe Edition features new coloring by Brian Bolland, meant to illustrate his original intentions for the book, with more somber, realistic, and subdued colors than the intensely-colored original. The plot revolves around a largely psychological battle between Batman and his longtime foe the Joker, who has escaped from Arkham... less