jsimons1988's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
allowableman2's review against another edition
5.0
What can I say that already hasn't been said about this book?
Instead I'll give you a history lesson
Barbara Gordon's character's actual popularity before Killing Joke has been a topic of debate among comic historians. Many creators didn't like her, and the special issue was created to make people give a hoot about her. However, her place in history is not solely due to the Killing Joke, but also her lack of major stories, back-up features, and team-ups. If Barbara Gordon wasn't in the Killing Joke, she might have been another Jessica Drew like character. Batwoman, for example, was killed in the 70s and never returned until 2006. DC didn't do reprints of Barbra's Batgirl stories, but the Killing Joke was reprinted many many times and the book did give her a profile upgrade.
Alan Moore's actual biggest issue with the Killing Joke is his belief that he's a terrible Batman writer. He believes he couldn't write Bruce very well, and equal focus should be given to Babs and Bruce. Alan views the Killing Joke as a Brian passion project, and it's difficult to determine if he regrets Barbara.
Instead I'll give you a history lesson
Barbara Gordon's character's actual popularity before Killing Joke has been a topic of debate among comic historians. Many creators didn't like her, and the special issue was created to make people give a hoot about her. However, her place in history is not solely due to the Killing Joke, but also her lack of major stories, back-up features, and team-ups. If Barbara Gordon wasn't in the Killing Joke, she might have been another Jessica Drew like character. Batwoman, for example, was killed in the 70s and never returned until 2006. DC didn't do reprints of Barbra's Batgirl stories, but the Killing Joke was reprinted many many times and the book did give her a profile upgrade.
Alan Moore's actual biggest issue with the Killing Joke is his belief that he's a terrible Batman writer. He believes he couldn't write Bruce very well, and equal focus should be given to Babs and Bruce. Alan views the Killing Joke as a Brian passion project, and it's difficult to determine if he regrets Barbara.
twentystitches's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The end....where the puddle between their feet spreads and the the barrier disappears...showing that there really isn't a difference between Batman and the Joker....pure poetry
octanexit's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I'm adding every book I read this year to Goodreads in December.
I read this after watching the new animated movie released this year - which I thought was pretty damn good. I had forgotten how great this graphic novel is.
From the era before everything ever was dark, and one of the progenitors of many of the now-overdone Batman tropes we know today (Batman is really as crazy as his villains, his existence brings out the crazier villains, etc.) The Killin Joke is a history lesson in the Batverse.
I also had forgotten it contains the Joker's origin story, and it's where Barbara Gordon's days as Batgirl meet a tragic end.
Basically, this slim volume is a must-read for any fan of Batman.
I read this after watching the new animated movie released this year - which I thought was pretty damn good. I had forgotten how great this graphic novel is.
From the era before everything ever was dark, and one of the progenitors of many of the now-overdone Batman tropes we know today (Batman is really as crazy as his villains, his existence brings out the crazier villains, etc.) The Killin Joke is a history lesson in the Batverse.
I also had forgotten it contains the Joker's origin story, and it's where Barbara Gordon's days as Batgirl meet a tragic end.
Basically, this slim volume is a must-read for any fan of Batman.
icedpinecones's review against another edition
4.0
I remember picking this up once when I was really young, maybe 12/13. I know I shouldn't be reading it and was told as much, but it was there and I read it and didn't think much of it because well I was a bit too young to understand it.
I'm not a massive comic reader, or a massive fan of DC in general, but this one could for sure change that. The art style is really good, and I like how the complexities of the characters are conveyed. It's all over very fast but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
I'm not a massive comic reader, or a massive fan of DC in general, but this one could for sure change that. The art style is really good, and I like how the complexities of the characters are conveyed. It's all over very fast but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
missy_ruth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shonaningyo's review against another edition
4.0
Long story short: The Joker is absolutely insane and diabolical and probably one of the most accurate personifications of chaos and evil that I have ever seen. He's so... erratic and chaotic that my brain almost imploded on itself out of sheer terror after seeing Heath Ledger's role as the Joker in the Dark Knight a few weeks ago. I was this close to snapping under this FICTIONAL character's persona and aura. Fucking A...
NO ONE TALK TO ME ABOUT IT. THAT SHIT IS BETTER LEFT UNDISCUSSED.
The story itself seemed a little convoluted and far-fetched and quite unlike the Joker. I don't really like him having a "human" past..it almost give him a vulnerability... a way to stop him. The fact that he was was really weird to me. Like, really weird.
Again, don't ask. I won't, and you shouldn't. At least not to me.
NO ONE TALK TO ME ABOUT IT. THAT SHIT IS BETTER LEFT UNDISCUSSED.
The story itself seemed a little convoluted and far-fetched and quite unlike the Joker. I don't really like him having a "human" past..it almost give him a vulnerability... a way to stop him. The fact that he was
Spoiler
joking around with Batman at the end and then crying like he was sorry for being so crazyAgain, don't ask. I won't, and you shouldn't. At least not to me.