1.58k reviews for:

Batman : the Killing Joke

Alan Moore, Brian Bolland

4.17 AVERAGE

nerdy3rnie's review against another edition

4.5

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

neilrcoulter's review against another edition

2.0

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I remember hearing about his graphic novel around the time of the film The Dark Knight. People wondered if Christopher Nolan would be borrowing from Alan Moore's depiction of the Joker's origin. Only lightly, it seems. In the movie the Joker is trying to break Harvey Dent to prove his point, and in the book it's Commissioner Gordon. The book Joker has some characteristics that are like the film Joker, but that might all be coincidence.

I haven't enjoyed Alan Moore books in the past. The Killing Joke was not as bad as others of his that I've read, but neither is it exceptional in any way. It's an okay origin story for the Joker. It's too short to be completely satisfying.

Brian Bolland's artwork is pretty good. I read the version that he re-colored, and I'd be interested in looking at the original coloring. Bolland's coloring is very muted, which I like, but some scenes might have been better with a bit more vibrancy.

So: an okay book. Not very memorable. I don't have much to say about it.

mayasspaces's review against another edition

4.0

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كانت أول تجربة لي في قراءة الكوميكس الأميركية .. و هي تجربة لطيفة للغاية...

في الواقع تميزت دار المحروسة المصرية في ترجمة الكوميكسات المختلفة الأميريكية و المانغا اليابانية و الكوميكسات المصرية..

كوميكس خارج عن السلسلة يحكي من وجهتين نظر متناقضة ما بين نظرة الفأر الطائر "كما يقول الجوكر"و نظرة الجوكر نفسه ما بين الطيب و الشر مابين يوم سيء و يوم سيء اخر..

emaverick534's review against another edition

4.0

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My favorite Batman comic to date.

clearlybones's review against another edition

4.25

dark

residentgoblin's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark

books_around_the_corner's review against another edition

5.0

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This graphic novel is dark and is a good one to start with if you're interested in Batgirl or just want some background on Batman and Joker. I enjoy both Batman and Joker and the love hate relationship they inevitably have with each other.

mynameiscole's review against another edition

4.75

dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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One of the most iconic Batman stories and comics of all time. It changed the game for how a lot of Batman comics would play out from here and it's a genius examination of madness and the Joker.

llymrie77's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sailorgold_'s review against another edition

3.0

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I was somehow disapointed in this comic. I had been told it was the best Batman story, and was expecting a lot out of Alan Moore for I hold him in such high esteem. I quite liked the way the story was told though, the leading plot being sort of mirrored in the Joker's flashback (even though I did not particularly like the Joker's origin story or even the fact that they gave him one. The greatest thing about this character -to me- is how little we actually know about him). But the plot itself felt weak.
I did love the artwork in each panel though. Bolland clearly is a master in is medium and the colorisation was just perfect.

I would recommend this book, if not for its story for the gorgeous panels and the interesting take on Batman and the Jokers dynamic.