The Killing Joke

The Killing Joke was very well written. It didn’t use more words than it had to. In my experience, some comics have very long wordy descriptions about what is happening that can make me lose my interest. However, Alan Moore let the pictures do more of the talking. The story was also very compelling. The suspense was nicely built up to something you didn’t quite expect. I didn’t expect the Joker to be an imposter or Barbara to get shot. I also expected the Commissioner to go fully insane. I think Alan Moore’s choice to make the Joker photograph Barbara after getting shot fully captures the Joker’s insanity and loss of humanity. It completely solidifies his character. Batman’s character is also interesting too. You get to see his increasing self doubt and desire to understand the Joker.

The ending is very ambiguous because it seems like Batman will spare the Joker’s life but then again, maybe he will finally kill off the Joker for good. It’s strange how the Batman and the Joker have almost developed a compassion for each other. Batman says that the two still don’t know each other after fighting for a long time, but it doesn’t seem like they completely hate each other when Batman offers to rehabilitate the Joker. Many heros and villains develop some kind of relationship after years of fighting. I think that Lex Luthor has collaborated with Superman to defeat a greater evil. Also, Catwoman has an interesting twisted relationship with Batman. This reminds me that villians don’t consider themselves the villains. They’re the protagonists in their own stories and aren’t being evil for the sake of being evil. They are trying to accomplish their own goals. However, the Joker admits that he’s doing immoral things to get a rise of Batman. He lost his sanity so he’s being evil for the sake of being evil.

I could make this into an animated TV show . However, it would move at a much faster pace and the viewer wouldn’t be able to catch all the small details like the circus posters on the tent when the Joker first enters. Miss Burkiss probably wouldn’t make an appearance because it wouldn’t add anything to the episode. There are some things can only be shown in pictures. However, if it was animated, you would be able to see the impact of the bullet hitting Barbara. You would also be able to hear the sound of the insanity ride as the Commissioner goes through it. You also don’t have to show the Joker’s face on the ride. You could only hear his voice which would make it more disorientating.