Random Thoughts on ... Batman: The Killing Joke Comic and Movie

Well, it’s time I got back on my Batman fix. Today’s book is one that I just read. Yes, I’m admitting that I haven’t read The Killing Joke until now. I could call myself a bad Batman fan, but that ain’t happening this time. I’ve read and seen too much. It’s been a minute since I’ve visited the mind of Alan Moore. This story has been something I’ve wanted to cover here eventually.

So, what is The Killing Joke? It was a 48 page one-shot written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland. John Higgins originally colored the comic while Bolland handled the colors in a deluxe edition. Richard Starkings did the letters. It’s one of the stories that made the Joker, who was already back in his more psychotic roots, even more of a major threat to Batman and his world.  It also gave him a possible backstory. It even revolutionized Batman’s and Joker’s rivalry. It also made a big change with Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl.

The story was well-received when it was released back in 1988. It was one of the stories that helped make the Joker a household name. It also got criticism with its treatment of Batgirl, who became Oracle after this story. It even got made into a movie, and that is something I will review here as well. With all that said, let me spiel on this a bit:

Tales from the $3.99 Bin! - Detective Comics #950-956: League of Shadows

Next up for the month is a go-around into the DC universe. For this story, I got two pretty skilled martial artists: Lady Shiva and Cassandra Cain. Lady Shiva was created by Dennis O’Neill and Ric Estrada. She first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #5 from 1975. She’s gone toe-to-toe with the best fighters in the DCU. She’s considered to be one the best and is even better than Batman. Yes, Batman isn’t the greatest at everything, folks. I’m getting tired of the whole “I can do anything with prep time” version of Batman. Even though she’s mostly a villain, she’s even trained folk like Bruce Wayne and Tim Drake.

As for Cassandra Cain, she first appeared in Batman #567 from 1999. She ended up becoming Batgirl for a few years, then someone decided to make her a villain for no reason. Anyway, that went away, she had called herself the Black Bat right before Flashpoint happened. After Flashpoint, all of that history was gone and she was brought back to square zero. Instead of becoming Batgirl, she ended up taking the name of Orphan during DC’s Rebirth phase. In either continuity, Cassandra is a premier top fighter in the DCU. Even Batman said he can’t beat her.

I think these two are fine characters overall, but I do like that two women are the best DCU fighters. I know some Batman fans are now staring darts at me right now. These two have gone to blows in the past. I know they did in Cassandra’s own book from the 2000’s and somewhat recently in the story I’ll be covering today. Today, it’s the “League of Shadows” arc from Detective Comics #950-956. When Rebirth started, Detective Comics essentially became a “Batman Team” book with other Batman-related characters being on the team. I’ll list the creative team below.