The Killing Joke

Just finished reading the Killing Joke. I had no clue what this book was about. The only thing I knew was that Barbara Gordon was crippled by the Joker. So as I was reading and figured that this was a Joker origin story I was pretty apprehensive BUT... was told very well. I really loved how it showed the Joker from being a normal guy wanting to take care of his family to clearly becoming insane when falling into the acid, realizing he has nothing to lose anymore.

I bought the hardcover deluxe edition: mistake. The real ending of the story was great. But they just HAD to add an alternative to it on this one and it made it awful. So ASIDE from that last part the book was very very good. Probably one of my favorite now. Between the Killing Joke and The Long Halloween.

there are only two words that can sum up the greatness of this modern classic: Alan Moore

'The Killing Joke' is one of my all time favourite Batman stories. May I interest you in 'Gotham by Gaslight' next?

I would love Alan Moore to explain why he wrote the ending he did. He's even gone on record saying he screwed the whole book up with the ending. I just couldn't see it happening, not after what The Joker had done to Barbara. So I've never understood the ending to a book that otherwise I love.

Perhaps I'll pick up the hardcover to check out the alternative ending.

AndrewT wrote:

'The Killing Joke' is one of my all time favourite Batman stories. May I interest you in 'Gotham by Gaslight' next?

It's on my to buy list.

@scarygarrey

I bought the old edition a few years back. I won't be getting the new eedition because I like the old coloring more than the new one. So could you please reveal the alternate ending? thanks in advance.

Check your inbox, badsoul.

I didn't relaise there was an alternative ending? I'm not sure which one I've actually read now?

The deluxe edition has Alan Moore talking after the last panel in the book. He's explaining how he always was asked about the ending and then it segways into his take on what the ending was with a few more pages. I like the obscure ending that he already had. I wish he hadn't messed with it.

Hey, guys.I am the newest Gotham citizen,and I must say,this is amazing site, I found it just few days ago.I am huge Batman fan since I first time watched Burtons Batman,I was only seven years old back then.Well,this is pretty much off topic,so I will return on the subject.The killing Joke is next comic on my to buy list.I heard it is fantastic story of Jokers origin.

This is still on my reading list...I should get on that.

-Gary

Boozad wrote:

I would love Alan Moore to explain why he wrote the ending he did. He's even gone on record saying he screwed the whole book up with the ending. I just couldn't see it happening, not after what The Joker had done to Barbara. So I've never understood the ending to a book that otherwise I love.

Perhaps I'll pick up the hardcover to check out the alternative ending.

If you pick up the hardcover edition there is this little blurb in the back explaining the ending but he only has a certain amount of words to write it and he goes on tangents talking about other things and then once he gets down to it he "runs out of room" and it gets cut off.
The Robin has left the nest.

badsoul wrote:

there are only two words that can sum up the greatness of this modern classic: Over Rated

/fixed

Mittens2317 wrote:

badsoul wrote:

there are only two words that can sum up the greatness of this modern classic: Over Rated

/fixed

Interesting, I haven't red it yet but I've NEVER heard anyone say they didn't like it.

-Gary

Alan Moore himself thinks its overrated.

Oh, ok, didn't get the reference haha.

-Gary