The Killing Joke Review
I picked up the new hardcover deluxe edition of the Batman story The Killing Joke this weekend. I have to say I was disappointed by it. For one thing every time I heard or read about the story it was usually getting lots of praise. I’m not saying it was bad, but I was expecting more with the way everyone talked about it. Just didn’t live up to the hype.
Warning: The rest of this post contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
There is however one scene in the book that just totally ruins the entire experience for me. I can live with Barbara “Batgirl” Gordon being shot and crippled by the Joker. And I’m fine with Joker putting Commissioner Gordon through the psychological wringer. What I can’t live with though is the ending. After being apprehended and realizing he’s lost the Joker tells a joke and Batman laughs. Not just a smirk or a simple ‘heh’, which would have been bad enough but more forgivable. No, the normally stoic Batman laughs for almost an entire page, and is at one point just about doubled over with laughter, his hand on Joker’s shoulder as they support each other in their guffaw fest.
In short, what happened to the Gordon’s while bad for the characters, was necessary for the story. Batman laughing however is just sick and wrong.
It’s not my favorite Batman story, but if you’re interested in picking up The Killing Joke consider purchasing it from your local comic shop. But if you don’t have one nearby than consider Amazon.