This Batman comic has one of DC’s darkest and most brutal stories. It was made into a movie and appeared in Batman Arkham Knight

Contrary to popular opinion, the world of superheroes is not always about epics and the rise of darkness after an unexpected setback. Or put another way: what we have seen during the last decade in the series and movies of DC y Marvelespecially the latter with its UCM.

There is life beyond the light. Without straying too far from the popular framework, works like The Batman, Joker, Loki, The Boys, Watchmen and even Invincible have separated themselves from all that. On the other hand, Daredevil and The Punisher (originally from Netflix) also knew how to add their dark and murky touch to a universe in which color and hope predominate, even when Thanos blows up half the universe.

Comics have much more experience than series and movies in this regard. They have many stories that largely or almost entirely dispense with Hollywood pyrotechnics. Others surpass it, but that is not the case. I’m talking about darker works that are obviously aimed at a more mature audience, capable of seeing beyond the colors and onomatopoeia.

The Killing Joke: one of Batman’s darkest stories

I recently returned to the world of comics. Although I’m not as into it as I was years ago, I have reread many of the classics that have spent years collecting dust on my bookshelf. I told you that I picked up Injustice and later recommended Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, which also has a film divided into two parts.

Continuing with this return, I have come across one of my favorite Dark Knight stories. It is one of the most popular and, like Miller’s work, is essential for any self-respecting fan. Is about The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, none other than the author of Watchmen, V for Vendetta and Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? A legend for comics.

This comic, whose first edition dates back to 1988, is the ideal work for any new fan for two reasons: it is relatively short, if we do not have the 2021 Extended Deluxe Edition, and it is one of the most important Batman classics. I have always believed (and I am not alone in this) that it is one of the most representative and authentic works.

I don’t want to go into spoilers in this section. Its story features the most iconic confrontation: Batman Vs Joker, although it is far from the pitched battle we see in The dark knight by Nolan. As a reference, it is a little closer to the dark and unhinged tone of the Joker Todd Phillips.

Alan Moore (writer), Brian Bolland (artist) and the rest of the team manage to capture in 48 pages how intricate the relationship between the vigilante and the maniac is, showing the origins of the Joker and at the same time one of his most deranged versions, at least one of my favorites. In fact, the comic has some especially tough panels. I think I have sold it to you very well. Dive headlong into this story!

• Use: The publication stops being a spoiler-free space in the next section.

Movie and appearance in Batman Arkham Knight

Such an incredible and indispensable story could not remain in the comic format. Needless to say that The Killing Joke It has inspired films such as Todd Phillips’ Joker and Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and video games such as the Arkham saga. Rocksteady’s Joker is very similar to what we see in the comic.

The Killing Joke animated film was released in 2016 and featured such iconic Batman universe legends as Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy in the roles of Joker and Bruce Wayne/Batman. It is a fairly faithful recreation and does a good job of reflecting the horrible, murky and twisted nature of the original work… although I don’t think it’s at the same level.

Unfortunately, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment do not seem to believe it is necessary for reference works like these to be available on HBO… at least in our region. Like The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 & 2 y Superman: The Animated Series, The Killing Joke is not available on the streaming service. The good thing is that you can buy it in physical format (DVD, Blu-Ray) or rent/buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube and Rakuten TV.

Last but not least, if you have played Batman Arkham Knight, then it is likely that you have received a small spoiler about what happens in The Killing Joke. Rocksteady saw fit to pay tribute to this story in the best way they know how: a mission with their classic game of modifying the scenery as we move the camera.

In summary: The Killing Joke It’s one of the best Batman stories and is among my favorite comics. If there was a fire in my house and I could only save three comics from my collection, it is very likely that this would be one of them. The reason, beyond the fact that I like it in general terms, is because it shows a very different facet (mature, deep, murky…) of Gotham that we are not used to in other media such as movies and series. Furthermore, its ending is exquisite. The Batman by Matt Reeves suggests ways, but we’ll see if it evolves as well as it promises.

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