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Batman: The Killing Joke

Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 DC Comics one-shot graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 DC Comics one-shot graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland. It centers on the Joker’s origin story and his attempt to drive Commissioner Gordon insane, while Batman tries to stop him. The work is widely regarded as an influential and controversial Batman story.

Publication

Batman: The Killing Joke was published by DC Comics in 1988 as a standalone graphic novel. It was written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and originally colored by John Higgins.

Plot

The story presents the Joker’s origin in flashback while showing him attacking Commissioner Gordon in the present. Batman races to stop the Joker and protect Gordon, creating a psychological conflict rather than a conventional superhero battle.

Themes and interpretation

The comic explores sanity, trauma, and the relationship between Batman and the Joker. Its depiction of the Joker’s origins and the ending have been interpreted in different ways by readers and critics.

Legacy

The Killing Joke became one of the most discussed Batman stories and had lasting effects on the character Barbara Gordon. It remains influential in Batman comics, adaptations, and criticism.

Key facts

  • First published by DC Comics in 1988 as a one-shot graphic novel.
  • Gives a widely known, though non-definitive, origin interpretation for the Joker.
  • Plot follows the Joker’s attempt to mentally break Commissioner Gordon.
  • Includes the shooting and paralysis of Barbara Gordon, which strongly affected later Batman continuity.
  • Loosely based on the 1951 Batman story 'The Man Behind the Red Hood!'.
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Canadian context

Batman: The Killing Joke has been widely read in Canada through English-language comic publishing and later collected editions, and it is part of the broader global influence of Batman stories on Canadian comic readers and collectors.

Frequently asked questions

What is Batman: The Killing Joke?
It is a 1988 DC Comics graphic novel featuring Batman and the Joker, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland.
Is The Killing Joke the Joker’s official origin story?
No single origin is treated as definitive; the comic presents one influential version of the Joker’s backstory.
What happens to Barbara Gordon in the story?
The Joker shoots Barbara Gordon, leaving her paralyzed, which later shaped her evolution into Oracle in Batman continuity.
What is the story based on?
It is loosely adapted from the 1951 Batman story 'The Man Behind the Red Hood!'.
Why is the comic controversial?
It is often debated because of its violence, especially the attack on Barbara Gordon, and its psychological portrayal of the Joker.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Killing_Joke
    Supports: 1988 publication, DC Comics one-shot graphic novel, writer Alan Moore, artist Brian Bolland, colorist John Higgins, Joker origin, adaptation from "The Man Behind the Red Hood!"
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman:_The_Killing_Joke
    Supports: Plot overview, Barbara Gordon shooting and paralysis, influence on Oracle, animated adaptation reference
  3. DC Comics — https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/batman-the-killing-joke-the-deluxe-edition
    Supports: Commissioner Gordon plot, Joker trying to drive Gordon insane, Batman’s role, characterization of the story
  4. EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/batman-killing-joke
    Supports: 1988 publication, Joker origin and motivations, Barbara Gordon paralysis, themes, influence and reception