Batman: The Killing Joke to this day remains one of the darkest chapters, and since its creation, both fans and critics have questioned the level of vileness and morality of the somewhat controversial works. It is known as one of the most influential stories, and with time its ethos of ‘one bad day’ has truly come to significance.
Many have discussed the chapter and have referred to it as lacking real human meaning. Although the chapter was loved by some who saw its importance and relevance, others disagreed. It is now considered one of the most controversial Batman stories, but fans still, to this day, refer to it when discussing the Batman franchise. It is iconic in its own right. The Killing Joke might not have always stood the test of time, but it will always provide a great discussion among fans.
Better
Commissioner Gordon
Commissioner Gordon is the focus of the Joker’s antics in Batman The Killing Joke. This enabled him to come out of his shell and show fans what he was made of. Wayne was often the target of the Joker, but not this time, allowing another character to shine through, such as Commissioner Gordon, enabling him to show the importance and strength of his character.
Commissioner Gordon manages to show fans that his values don’t and won’t change, no matter what. They saw that he was psychologically tortured, but this didn’t change who he was. He was one of the most virtuous characters in Gotham City, and Batman The Killing Joke just highlighted this fact!
The Killing Joke Is A Classic
Batman: The Killing Joke changed audiences’ attitudes around comics. They were no longer just for children, but this proved they could take on darker and more challenging stories. It opened up the narrative by pushing the characters to their limits and making them feel much richer to the audience. The Killing Joke revealed the personality traits of The Joker, showing the audience why he was the way he was, enlightening fans that he was just too distrustful and scared to face reality.
The Joker was too far down the line for redemption, even he couldn’t face the realities of what was going on in his mind. The Killing Joke has been noted as one of the best Joker comic books, despite the violence.
The Joker’s Monologue
Fans will know that The Joker usually delights in confusing Batman, his words are usually cryptic, but the audience will remember with pleasure that the monologue in Batman: The Killing Joke delves deeper into the mind of The Joker himself and is often referred to as his strongest monologue, even to this day.
This speech goes into why the reasoning for the crimes allows the audience a rare glimpse into the workings of The Joker, and more of an understanding of his personality. Some fans say this is what made Batman: The Killing Joke the best Joker story.
Mirror Image
The Killing Joke explores the characters and personalities of Batman and The Joker, showing the depths and desires of each and giving fans insight into their backstories. The Killing Joke delves into the relationship of these two characters, highlighting the polar opposite character traits they have, and fans love it.
It shows the audience how they each came to terms with their situations and the paths they decided to take, showing fans the confrontation between the pair, opening up the conversation for future stories.
Batman Offering His Hand
Fans remember the ending where Batman offers his hand to the Joker to save both of their lives. The audience loved this part of the comic, as it showed the real nature of Batman and set precedent for his character in the future.
The fans felt The Killing Joke opened up the main characters and gave them a real insight into their personalities. It’s moments like this that the readers will remember forever.
Worse
Barbara’s Paralysis
In Batman: The Killing Joke, Barbara’s character gets paralyzed after a bullet severs her spine. Fans questioned the reason for this, believing it was used as a filler story, rather than a well-thought-out plan. Fans saw that it restricted Barbara’s character to progress in certain ways because of her disability.
However, they also saw that this provided her character with strength and determination like never before. The audience knew this was a big change for Batman: The Killing Joke, and they knew that this was going to change things forever.
The Violence Between The Joker And Barbara
As the audience knows, The Joker paralyzed Barbara, but the trauma didn’t end there. In one scene, Barabara is helping her dad, Commissioner Gordon, with a scrapbook, when the doorbell rings, and it is none other than The Joker himself. After dealing with the Commissioner and shooting Barbara, The Joker continues to undress Barbara. Fans saw her in pain, at her weakest moment, with very little hope to escape after being shot in the spine.
The audience struggled with the violence, this scene vilifies The Joker like no other. Taking a hopeless Barbara and leaving her with nothing, was a difficult scene for the audience. Some say it explained the total devastation of The Joker’s mind, others say it was a step too far.
Realism
Up to this point, fans loved Batman because it was fantasy, colorful, and full of adventure. It was a far cry from The Killing Joke. Fans noted the original concept was designed and written for children who loved getting lost in the story and characters. This edition, The Killing Joke, takes away the aspect of ‘pretend’ and dives much deeper into realism.
Fans were quick to notice the change, and although some loved it, others didn’t like losing the purity of the original works.
Fridging
Fridging was a term created by Gail Simone to define a story that uses a female character to heighten the impact of a male hero. Fans have suggested over the years that this was done with Barbara in The Killing Joke. They state that her character was used as a device of promotion for others.
Some fans took umbrage at the brutal attack The Joker performed on her, stripping her naked, sexually assaulting her, and shooting her in the spine, which eventually make her paralyzed. Fan note that some of the best villain arcs in Batman don’t involve the Joker.
It Hasn’t Aged Well
Fans note that while this story was ahead of its time was perhaps ahead of the curve it hasn’t aged well in today’s society. The viewers find that some storylines are repressive towards societal rules now. How the characters are written and health is discussed is often viewed by fans as behind the times.
The progressive nature of the characters, which was originally written, has quickly come to a halt. Some fans say that The Joker is Batman’s ultimate nemesis, and this scene shows them that Batman still has the humanity to save him.
