The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland (2008, Hardcover, Deluxe)

This Book maybe the quintessential Joker tale. The book i purchased is the "Deluxe Edition" Hardback. The book has been re-colored by the original artist to reflect exactly what his vision was, as opposed to what was available to him in the late 80's. I can't say enough how outstanding this book, and this edition specifically is. The story is one for the ages. Without ruining any details, one major character goes through a life altering event, and the ending is also outstanding. Alan Moore led the "British Invasion" when it comes to comic books, and he really captures what the characters are all about. This book originally came out on the heels of Frank Millers "Year One" saga, and it can be argued that either one of these Graphic Novels are the finest Batman Tales ever written. I truly cannot recomend this book enough!!

Reviewed by: Library Journal

This classic, infamous story in the Batman saga has been recolored with a more effectively cooler palette and set into context with an introduction and an afterword. Escaped from Arkham Asylum, villain deluxe Joker shoots Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon as part of his plan to drive her police commissioner father insane. Intending to prove that anyone can go mad after "one bad day" as he describes in his putative origin story, the Joker also kidnaps and torments Commissioner Gordon. But Gordon remains sane, and Batman recaptures the Joker—the two actually share a laugh at the ambiguous ending. With Barbara Gordon now a paraplegic, the story stands as a chilling profile of madness.
The Killing Joke provoked fury among many readers who lamented the disposal of Barbara Gordon as a mere pawn to testosterone; yet Gordon reinvents herself later as superinfohacker Oracle, poster girl for disability empowerment (see Birds of Prey, LJ 7/08). A bonus story at the end paints the quieter, equally chilling madness of a Batman fan fantasizing about killing the superhero—a perfect foil for the publicly gaudy Joker. For adult collections. —Martha Cornog

This simple sentence starts off one of the best Batman comics/graphic novels I have read of all time. It has a clear, linear plot story of Batman which was an influence for The Dark Knight movie, while giving insightful flashbacks of how the Joker came to be. Superb artwork that is second to none, this quick and easy read is an important part of the Batman legacy.

This is an excellent story with a great take on the joker's origin. Super story line that puts it up there with one of the best Batman graphic novels ever put out. This is the way the joker was meant to be, a sadistic maniac, but yet this book adds a great story of tradjedy that leads him to become the joker. I highly recomend this, you will not be sorry! This is a must have for a Batman fan!

I think this hardcover copy of the Killing Joke is beautiful. I first read it over a decade ago, and have been looking for a copy ever since. I tend to be hard on my books, as I buy them to read and not just for collectibility, and the hard cover will stand up well. The additions and recoloring add a nice touch to a classic. If you're a Batman fan, buy it. If you're not a Batman fan, buy it and become one.