Comic Book Chaos has returned to the network as a freebie for a limited time. Listen now.

Comic Book Chaos has returned to the network as a freebie for a limited time. Listen to the discussion on ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ hosted by Tony Sabal, Thomas Cowley and Brian Smith.

PICK UP A COPY OF ‘BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE’

Show notes:

If you don’t know, DC has recently adapted this novel as an animated feature film and it will have a limited theatrical release starting July 25th–for only one day (discuss briefly).

Because of the hype and the release of the film we chose to discuss the source material behind the highly anticipated feature.

SEGMENT 1

Give a brief synopsis of the comic:

Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 one-shot graphic novel featuring the characters Batman and the Joker written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics. Set in the fictional U.S. city of Gotham, Batman: The Killing Joke provides an origin story for the supervillain the Joker, loosely adapted from the 1951 story arc “The Man Behind the Red Hood!”. Taking place over two timelines, The Killing Joke depicts the Joker attempting to drive Jim Gordon insane and Batman’s desperate attempt to stop him.

BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER

Let’s talk about where this comic fits within literary pop culture.

• Discuss the importance of Moore’s work and his contribution to the lore of Batman and Joker.
• Initial impact on the comic book industry
• How has it shaped the later installments of Batman, Joker and Gordon?
• Changed perspective on the Joker character
  • Influence in future Joker stories
  • Heavy influence in Heath Ledger and Jared Leto interpretations
  • Key moments reflected on Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy
    • Best representation in The Dark Knight where there are parallels between Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent
    • Why do you think the particular story has managed to garner so much praise?

    Story Choices and Character Plots

    The Killing Joke was Moore’s own take on Joker’s source and psychology,[1] the story became famous for its origin of the Joker as a tragic character; a family man and failed comedian who suffered “one bad day” that finally drove him insane.

    Within in recent times there has been backlash on the “justification” of a villain; giving him a sympathetic backstory.

  • Does this take the fangs away from The Joke or does it aid in fully fleshing out the character?
  • Moore stated that he attempted to show the similarities between the two characters
  • Different perspective on the relationship between the Batman and the Joker

  The Killing Joke also paved the way for story and development on other key DC characters

• Key moment involving Barbara Gordon
• There was mass criticism from the feminist movement
• Too far in terms of violence against women?
• Exploitive?

Upcoming animated feature. What can we expect?  (discuss)

• Unique…can it maintain it’s dark tone in an animated format?
• Would you rather see this in an actual live-action feature or an animated feature

It has just been announced that they have extended the theatrical run to two days.