Absolute Batman: The Killing Joke (30th Anniversary Edition)

I'm not the biggest reader of comics so it wasn't until I was 20-21 when I read The Killing Joke when I saw the then new edition on a bookstore shelf in 2008-9. I knew of its reputation and bought it and read at home. It did not disappoint and time has done little to tarnish my love for it (it probably works best as a finale to Batman rather than just plopped as normal in the timeline but it still works as is for me :) ). It wasn't until years later that I saw pictures online of The Killing Joke in its original colors and it floored me. I read Brian Bolland's blurb and how he recolored it but I did not expect THAT big a difference. I was curious to see how the rest of the story looked so when I saw this Absolute Edition had both versions AND Alan Moore's script, I pre-ordered this. That's pretty huge because I usually don't see the need to order the Absolute Editions.That said, this is a great book. We open Brian Bolland's recolored version and it's stunning on the bigger pages. His version is colored like a modern Batman comic and makes great use of limited colors in the flashback sequences. Moving onto John Higgins' original 1988 work, starting with his own introduction and a brief but fascinating look into how the original colors were done. As for the pages themselves, they're printed on high quality newsprint and before you accuse me of using an oxymoron, I've felt different types of newsprint paper and DC DEFINITELY got good stuff. I'm more a fan of the plasticy paper most modern books use but I applaud DC's commitment to make a version that looked and feel like the one originally made in 1988.As for how John Higgins' colors look compared to Brian Bolland's? Technically, it's darker to look at by, I think, how the newsprint absorbs the colors vs the other paper and softens the line work. That said, the art still looks sharp and is reproduced well, at least to someone who never saw a 1988 copy. On artistic merit... to each their own. For me, it was interesting but it looked like a surrealist painting with inks of Batman and the Joker laid over them. Some of the pages looked better on John Higgins' version than Brian Bolland's but for the most part, my late introduction to this story plus my personal tastes favor the new version. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of revisionism and I get why a lot of people were upset that only the new version was the only one available for so long (and still is for under $10), but some of John Higgins' choices were off to me. That said, I like his idea that his version is the story through the Joker's eyes and Brain's was through Batman's eyes (also, he seemed very good-natured about his work being replaced in 2008).This finally brings us to the Alan Moore section of the book, at least moreso since it's the script Brian Bolland used to draw the comic. This part interested me as much as the two completed versions since I'm an amateur comic book writer. Alan Moore definitely earns his reputation for detailed scripts. The 3rd picture should make it clear his section is the biggest (I accidentally included the comic and art pages that come after Alan Moore's script but trust me; that's mostly script pages). It is readable, although some parts are a little tougher since these are just scans of the script and not made from a word processor version (by that, I mean Alan's typewritten pages were transcribed into a word processor and THAT is what 's included in this book). It does add a nice touch since it's DIRECTLY from Alan Moore's typewriter. It's an interesting look behind the scenes of The Killing Joke.That's not all. We also get Brian Bolland's An Innocent Guy and several pieces of artwork related to The Killing Joke (including posters for the movie; non-spoiler review:: the book was better) and others that just happen to have the Joker (including a funny one with Wonder Woman).There are a few minor setbacks: this is a hefty book. Your wrist will likely get tired as you read this, especially with Alan Moore's script. In addition, as my title indicates, this is not a book you'd want to lug in your bag to read on vacation. One a more basic level, this book is ONLY for fans of The Killing Joke and those interested in how both versions compare and how the comic was born from Alan Moore's script. Otherwise, the regular edition is fine.Other than that, this is a great book and a great tribute to all three artists who brought The Killing Joke to life. If you're a fan The Killing Joke, comparing and contrasting different version, and a fan of behind the scenes looks into comics, I highly recommend this edition. I'm not in a rush to get more Absolute Editions but I'm glad I got this :)

I won’t go into specific plot details, as this is one of the best-known and most analysed comic book stories, but rather my impressions from it.The “lightning-in-a-bottle” combination of Alan Moore’s writing and Brian Bolland’s artwork creates a masterpiece, utilizing two of the best-known mainstream comic book characters to tell what is very much *not* a “superhero story”. The contrast between a highly emotional, chaotic and energetic plot and a subdued, detailed, even mature, art style provides this work with a prestige look and feel, creating a true *graphic novel*.Also, from an in-universe presentation, the Batman presented here is at his *peak* and most iconic presentation (to differentiate from other classic Batman stories like Dark Knight Returns or Year One, which show him at his beginning or twilight…)This story has garnered more than a bit of criticism, due to its handling of Barbara Gordon. My opinion is that this specifically highlights the dramatic impact of the story, and that it serves a purpose both on a metatextual level (exploring the “damsel in distress” trope) as well as an in-universe level (there is quite a focus on Barbara’s character in the aftermath of The Joker’s brutal attack – not long but quite effective, considering that the entire story is not long).Admittedly, even Alan Moore has quite a lot of criticism on his own story, but reading those words of criticism brings me to two conclusions-1. For the work itself, Mr. Moore is flat out wrong – I find it hard to see how the man who wrote all three works of art would say that “... Watchmen was something to do with power, V for Vendetta was about fascism and anarchy, The Killing Joke was just about Batman and the Joker – and Batman and the Joker are not really symbols of anything that are real, in the real world...”. TKJ’s core ideas on sanity and insanity, order and chaos, and what makes a man move between the two, are that much more personal and relate to the human condition, than Moore’s V for Vendetta or From Hell, which concerns society at large and Watchmen, which specifically concerns comic book tropes.2. The source of Mr. Moore’s negativity perhaps originates more from his soured relationship with DC Comics (and his resulting reluctance to “plug” their best-known icons) rather than the actual work itself – which is quite sad, but from Moore’s POV, understandable.Moore’s criticism of his own work makes me appreciate it even more, as a work of art that has exceeded its creator’s intent, has subsequently shown itself to withstand such scrutiny and “earn” its acclaim.Regarding the color work, I think that on some level, the various versions each highlight a side of this deceptively-simple story. John Higgins’ original color palette highlights The Joker’s (and effectively, the story’s) “deranged” vibe, while Bolland’s own “muted” palette shows that darker, mature, grounded side. And both versions work beautifully – whether it’s the original softcover one-shot, the Deluxe hardcover with new coloring, the Noir version with *no color* and of course the Absolute Edition, all these versions, taken separately and side-by-side highlight the depth of the story and how multi layered it really is.The fact that such a short work (covering the equivalent of 2-3 standard monthly comic book issues) would elicit such strong impressions and responses (both positive and negative) , include such an iconic depiction of the main characters (both Batman and The Joker) and a moment in time that would be retroactively inserted into the main comics continuity and affect much of the work that came afterwards (both in-universe and on a meta level), is a testament to its strengths.For me, this work is nothing short of perfect.Get it. In any edition.

So the book is out of this world, but Amazon handling of the package via packaging etc is NOT ok. This has to stop. That said.... I love absolute editions!! This one was no joke either (you follow😉😜). Just awesome! Killing joke is one of the best Batman stories ever written and this layout did it justice and more. Absolutely (😉) beautiful. Just phenomenal layout and quality. Takes the OG spread and boosts it into art galore categories! Fantastic!! If you have read the killing joke, you know what I'm speaking of. The story is world class. The art is amazing. It's just a work of art. And this edition treats it as one. Amazon delivered this book the way books should be treated. Flawless delivery in prestine condition in multiple layered box. Unfortunately it was the only book in the box not to be completely destroyed 😡. A note to Amazon...YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST PACKAGE BOOKS OF ANY TYPE IN FORM FITTED BOXES THAT ARE VERY VERY WELL PADDED!! Anyone who actually buys physical copies of books these days, cares about the condition they receive them in. Torn, bent, and/or smashed etc books are not acceptable and can be avoided easily with proper packaging. I have excepted beat up books in the past.... NOT ANYMORE. So save yourself the hassle and $$$$, and just treat the books with respect and the packaging they deserve. Thank you.