XOWComics.com

Issue: Batman: The Killing Joke #[nn]

- Attribution History

Publication Date: January 1988

Issue #[nn]

Detail

Issues: #[nn] of 1 Issue (6 Printings)

Title:

Variant: 9th Printing

Rating:

Publisher: Flag

Brand: object(PgSql\Result)#3 (0) { }

Indicia Publisher:

On Sale Date: (not set)

Volume: none

Pages: 52

ISBN:

UPC/EAN:

Price: none entered

Indicia Frequency:

Content Items: 0 (0 stories, 0 covers)
3 (1 story, 1 cover) from base issue

Editor(s): Denny O'Neil

Notes:

Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.

Format

Publication Type: Comic Book

Color: color

Dimensions: standard Modern Age US (6 5/8" x 10 1/8")

Paper Stock: cardstock cover; Baxter interior

Binding: squarebound; prestige format

Publishing Format: one-shot

Format Notes:

Reprinted In0

There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted anywhere.

Reprinted From0

There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.

Images1

- View Linked Content Item
- View Cover Detail

Cover, Front

Original Artwork

Digital Edition

Adult Image

Title Page

Indicia on this Page

Assets0

Content Items (3 total)

[untitled]

Illustration on Cover, Front from base issue

Subject Matter

Genres: superhero

Character(s): Joker

First Line: Smile

Reprinting

Reprint Notes:

Miscellaneous

Pages: 1

Batman: The Killing Joke

Story on Interior Page(s) from base issue

Subject Matter

Genres: superhero

Character(s): Batman; Commissioner Gordon; Barbara Gordon [Batgirl]; Harvey Bullock; Alfred Pennyworth; Joker (also as the Red Hood in flashback); Two-Face (cameo); Penguin (cameo); Jeannie; Mrs. Burkiss

First Line: There were these two guys in a lunatic asylum...

Synopsis: Batman visits the Joker in Arkham Asylum only to discover he has been replaced by a double. As Batman attempts to track the villain down, the Joker shows up at the house of Commissioner Gordon where he promptly shoots Barbara and captures her father. The Joker takes Jim to a modified carnival where he tries to drive him mad (partially by showing him pictures of his naked and bleeding daughter). Batman arrives and starts beating on the Joker who attempts to reason with him in his own insane fashion. As things wrap up and the police arrive, the Joker finally tells Batman a joke that he gets.

Reprinting

Reprint Notes:

Miscellaneous

Pages: 46

Notes: The endpapers (which include credits and publishing information) are close ups of the raindrops from the first and last panel of the story. Story tells a comprehensive origin of the Joker based on the story "The Man Behind the Red Hood" from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #168. This story is still considered controversial over two decades after its publication, mostly due to the crippling of Barbara Gordon (which was not revealed to be permanent until subsequent issues of Suicide Squad where she first appeared as the wheelchair bound Oracle), but there is a clear indication that creators Moore and Bolland originally intended this to be a non-continuity "final" Batman vs. Joker story when Bolland strongly insinuates in the afterward printed in Batman: The Killing Joke Special Edition (DC, 2008 series) #[nn] that Batman kills the Joker "off camera" in the last three panels of the story.

Back Cover

Illustration on Interior Page(s) from base issue

Subject Matter

Genres: superhero

Character(s): Batman; Joker

Reprinting

Reprint Notes:

Miscellaneous

Pages: 1

Notes: Back cover shows a playing card featuring Joker on the top and Batman on the bottom.