Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known recently for his excellent Sin City series and, previously, for his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the supreme contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. In his introduction the great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argues that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.

Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, streetgangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite

Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only a few comics such as Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had a myriad of different characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue his vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he once considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only a few comics such as Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had a myriad of different characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue his vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he once considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

First comic ever read, and I liked it!, 24 Jul 2008
First off: This review is only for comic book noobs, like myself!

I was recommended 2 comics to start me off on the road of comic reading, The Watchmen and Batman: Year One (due to the Batman Begins film being loosely based around this book). I read Batman first as it's much shorter, and wow, I feel like I've missed out on another world all these years! I was really suprised that the film was glammed up in comparison to at least this comic. It's very dark and Gotham really is messed up!

I almost couldn't put it down. The art work was great to look at and told a lot of the story that wasn't told in writing. I'm not sure if all comics are this clever, but I was impressed with the subtle story telling of the artwork.

Anyway, I was pretty sure that I'd not like comic books, but having read this one, I'm very excited to start The Watchmen, and have ordered a few more Batman novels to get my teeth sunk into. So well recommended for the first time reader I'd say as it's not too fantastical as some of the stuff I browsed over in the comic book store!

Best batman ever? Could be!, 19 Sep 2007
What do The Dark Night Returns, Tim Burton's Batman movie and Batman Begins have in common?
None of them live up to the hype. No, really.
But this great little comic book whips along at lightening pace, spends as much time developing characters as it does on action and left me wanting more. Miller dumps all his usual 'style over substance' tricks and tells a good story. The art (not by Miller) compliments the writing to tell the story perfectly. What with this being a 'year one' book it's also the most accessible Batman story you will ever read so it's perfect for fans of the movies who are new to the comics or as a gift for somebody you want to get into comics.
The end result is my favourite Batman story, my favourite Frank Miller story and one of my favourite comics.

The greatest artwork in a comic book ever?, 18 Sep 2007
This collection is possibly the perfect way to appreciate the opulent warmth which the artwork and the colours emit. I read this collection in one night and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those whom feel they are new to the Batman universe. For those who felt that Miller's Dark Knight Returns and especially its successor Dark Knight Strikes Again were to arch and complex the plot to Year One strips back the pretense to introduce us to a world which is characterised by violence and corruption. The main aim of the narrative is to introduce us to Batman and his beginnings, but I feel it works more as a breakdown of the character of James Gordon, and the difficulty he has with accepting Batman as both a vigilante and a crimefighter.

I feel that the comic really shines through the intricacy, but also the edgy and unfinished nature of the artwork, and the way in which the colours compliment Mazzuchelli's gripping use of a pencil.


Gordon: Year One, 16 Jul 2006
This is a great book. But I didn't think it was enough about Batman. The stuff with Bruce's parents is good.

But Gordon is the character who's interesting here. Just a well-told story with a lot of depth. Flask is a nasty Detective Gordon's paired with and it's from that the majority of the drama comes from; and Gordon's relationship with his pregnant wife.

It's a enjoyable read, with such luxurious art. I think, in this edition, the colours have been tweaked. They're saturated and vibrant. There's something of the Adam West and Animated Series captured in them. I found the art to be better than the story in this case.

It's a really nice edition and a great way to get into Batman, this book is the reason I got into comics again.

The best Batman story ever., 29 Mar 2006
Although Frank Miller is better known for the like of comic book classics like Sin City or The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One has got to be his best. Miller completely redefined Batman for a new generation, and yet again completely de-camped the character to being so grim and gritty that it is hard to imagine that he was ever treated like a joke. The story follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after a 12 year abscence, and Jim Gordon arriving there as a Lieutenant. Gotham city has become a place owned by crime, depression, and corruption. While Jim Gordon discovers that he is one of the only honest cops around, Bruce Wayne realises that he is one of the only honest citiznes around. After as distarous first attempt to fight crime, Bruce learns that he must use fear in a city like this, and so becomes the Batman.
Although Batman: Year One could be considered more a Gordon book than a Batman one, when Batman appears every time it is amazing. Miller manages to once again take Batman, change him, and make him so much better. An absolute classic.

Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only a few comics such as Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had a myriad of different characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue his vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he once considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

First comic ever read, and I liked it!, 24 Jul 2008
First off: This review is only for comic book noobs, like myself!

I was recommended 2 comics to start me off on the road of comic reading, The Watchmen and Batman: Year One (due to the Batman Begins film being loosely based around this book). I read Batman first as it's much shorter, and wow, I feel like I've missed out on another world all these years! I was really suprised that the film was glammed up in comparison to at least this comic. It's very dark and Gotham really is messed up!

I almost couldn't put it down. The art work was great to look at and told a lot of the story that wasn't told in writing. I'm not sure if all comics are this clever, but I was impressed with the subtle story telling of the artwork.

Anyway, I was pretty sure that I'd not like comic books, but having read this one, I'm very excited to start The Watchmen, and have ordered a few more Batman novels to get my teeth sunk into. So well recommended for the first time reader I'd say as it's not too fantastical as some of the stuff I browsed over in the comic book store!

Best batman ever? Could be!, 19 Sep 2007
What do The Dark Night Returns, Tim Burton's Batman movie and Batman Begins have in common?
None of them live up to the hype. No, really.
But this great little comic book whips along at lightening pace, spends as much time developing characters as it does on action and left me wanting more. Miller dumps all his usual 'style over substance' tricks and tells a good story. The art (not by Miller) compliments the writing to tell the story perfectly. What with this being a 'year one' book it's also the most accessible Batman story you will ever read so it's perfect for fans of the movies who are new to the comics or as a gift for somebody you want to get into comics.
The end result is my favourite Batman story, my favourite Frank Miller story and one of my favourite comics.

The greatest artwork in a comic book ever?, 18 Sep 2007
This collection is possibly the perfect way to appreciate the opulent warmth which the artwork and the colours emit. I read this collection in one night and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those whom feel they are new to the Batman universe. For those who felt that Miller's Dark Knight Returns and especially its successor Dark Knight Strikes Again were to arch and complex the plot to Year One strips back the pretense to introduce us to a world which is characterised by violence and corruption. The main aim of the narrative is to introduce us to Batman and his beginnings, but I feel it works more as a breakdown of the character of James Gordon, and the difficulty he has with accepting Batman as both a vigilante and a crimefighter.

I feel that the comic really shines through the intricacy, but also the edgy and unfinished nature of the artwork, and the way in which the colours compliment Mazzuchelli's gripping use of a pencil.


Gordon: Year One, 16 Jul 2006
This is a great book. But I didn't think it was enough about Batman. The stuff with Bruce's parents is good.

But Gordon is the character who's interesting here. Just a well-told story with a lot of depth. Flask is a nasty Detective Gordon's paired with and it's from that the majority of the drama comes from; and Gordon's relationship with his pregnant wife.

It's a enjoyable read, with such luxurious art. I think, in this edition, the colours have been tweaked. They're saturated and vibrant. There's something of the Adam West and Animated Series captured in them. I found the art to be better than the story in this case.

It's a really nice edition and a great way to get into Batman, this book is the reason I got into comics again.

The best Batman story ever., 29 Mar 2006
Although Frank Miller is better known for the like of comic book classics like Sin City or The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One has got to be his best. Miller completely redefined Batman for a new generation, and yet again completely de-camped the character to being so grim and gritty that it is hard to imagine that he was ever treated like a joke. The story follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after a 12 year abscence, and Jim Gordon arriving there as a Lieutenant. Gotham city has become a place owned by crime, depression, and corruption. While Jim Gordon discovers that he is one of the only honest cops around, Bruce Wayne realises that he is one of the only honest citiznes around. After as distarous first attempt to fight crime, Bruce learns that he must use fear in a city like this, and so becomes the Batman.
Although Batman: Year One could be considered more a Gordon book than a Batman one, when Batman appears every time it is amazing. Miller manages to once again take Batman, change him, and make him so much better. An absolute classic.

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's previous stuff wasn't is a mystery) begins a rollercoaster story the ending of which you can see from a mile off.

Many of the characters and dialogue styles are identical to those used previously ("no one can resist me" says Poison Ivy. Again.) and the stilted internal monologue that grates. Loeb starts a story that whilst having a few twists you won't see coming and some nice moments (not least the fight with Superman), its villain will be obvious to you before you even know there is one.

The saving grace of all this is one Jim Lee. Possibly the best comic artist active at the moment, he brings to life Loeb's mediocre story with the same effortless, vibrant colour with which he makes the likes of All-Star Batman And Robin forgivable.

Unless you're a Loeb freak or a big fan of Jim Lee's artwork - or simply don't want to think very hard in the course of the story - then Hush is not for you.

To many characters, 12 Aug 2008
I gave this comic two stars because even if it's nothing special it's a light hearted read. The problem I had was that there just seemed to be to many characters squeezed in and not enough story. One of my favourite batman comics is Knightfall which is filled with characters but pulls it off well. Anyway I guess you have to make your own mind up but don't expect anything amazing unless you prefer characters over story.

Beautiful Artwork, 23 Jul 2008
I cannot recommend this or its sequel highly enough for the art alone its worth its weight in gold. honestly its beautifuly drawn it also has a gripping plot with batman faceing off agains many of his previous villians and even superman.

Incredible, 02 May 2008
I sat and though about the title for this review for a couple of minutes and 'incredible,' I'm afraid to say, was the best I could come up with to describe this book.
As a child I would read comics my father brought back from work. Second hand, many folded, dog eared comics at that. This book was my reintroduction after many years and I have to say a big 'Thank you' to Mr Loeb and Mr Lee for it. My bookcase now labours under the weight of a great many more graphic novels now.
The writing is very clever and I really did not see the ending (of vol. 2 that is) coming. Jim Lee's visuals (and remember this medium is as much about the visuals as it is the story) are quite frankly sublime and, in some instances literally take your breath away.
The negative reviews I see here quite baffle me. I heartily recommend this book, a work of art in every sense.

Don't buy the hype., 06 Oct 2006
As Batman stories go, this is not the worst. Not in its best moments does it ever approach being one of the best.

As a detective story, it really is bordering on pathetic. A mysterious new villain (the "Hush" of the title) is out to get Batman; who could it possibly be behind those natty, invisible man-style bandages!?! Oh, by the way, on a completely unrelated note, Bats is having flashbacks to an old childhood friend never before seen or mentioned in the Bat-canon who Bruce Wayne was apparently closer to than anyone as a child, but who left his life under regrettably awkward circumstances years before. Among the other suspects are... Alfred, maybe? I don't mean to spoil it for you, but it really is just that blatant. Really.

Jim Lee draws superheroes well. They're big, they're burly, they're baroque. His women are lithe and have tiny waists. He's a master at choreographing action scenes. these qualities are where this books strengths lie.

The episodic nature of the story is basically an excuse to trundle out the rogues gallery for one more go-round as hush manipulates all of Bats' old villains into once more, one at a time attacking the dark knight (as if they ever needed manipulating into such an act before...) and Bats fights them off, one by one.

On that level, it's fun. On every other level, it's seriously deficient. The detective story is a tacked on excuse for the villain showdowns, transparent from the first chapter. the human element is soap operatic in the worst sense of the term. One off-the-cuff peck from Catwoman sends bats into such a mire of reflection and self doubt that i just wanted to reach into the panels and scream "GET OVER IT!!!!!!" at the guy. What is he, fourteen?

Seriously. As no brainer action stories go, this is alright. That's the very best thing i can say about it.

Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only a few comics such as Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had a myriad of different characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue his vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he once considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

First comic ever read, and I liked it!, 24 Jul 2008
First off: This review is only for comic book noobs, like myself!

I was recommended 2 comics to start me off on the road of comic reading, The Watchmen and Batman: Year One (due to the Batman Begins film being loosely based around this book). I read Batman first as it's much shorter, and wow, I feel like I've missed out on another world all these years! I was really suprised that the film was glammed up in comparison to at least this comic. It's very dark and Gotham really is messed up!

I almost couldn't put it down. The art work was great to look at and told a lot of the story that wasn't told in writing. I'm not sure if all comics are this clever, but I was impressed with the subtle story telling of the artwork.

Anyway, I was pretty sure that I'd not like comic books, but having read this one, I'm very excited to start The Watchmen, and have ordered a few more Batman novels to get my teeth sunk into. So well recommended for the first time reader I'd say as it's not too fantastical as some of the stuff I browsed over in the comic book store!

Best batman ever? Could be!, 19 Sep 2007
What do The Dark Night Returns, Tim Burton's Batman movie and Batman Begins have in common?
None of them live up to the hype. No, really.
But this great little comic book whips along at lightening pace, spends as much time developing characters as it does on action and left me wanting more. Miller dumps all his usual 'style over substance' tricks and tells a good story. The art (not by Miller) compliments the writing to tell the story perfectly. What with this being a 'year one' book it's also the most accessible Batman story you will ever read so it's perfect for fans of the movies who are new to the comics or as a gift for somebody you want to get into comics.
The end result is my favourite Batman story, my favourite Frank Miller story and one of my favourite comics.

The greatest artwork in a comic book ever?, 18 Sep 2007
This collection is possibly the perfect way to appreciate the opulent warmth which the artwork and the colours emit. I read this collection in one night and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those whom feel they are new to the Batman universe. For those who felt that Miller's Dark Knight Returns and especially its successor Dark Knight Strikes Again were to arch and complex the plot to Year One strips back the pretense to introduce us to a world which is characterised by violence and corruption. The main aim of the narrative is to introduce us to Batman and his beginnings, but I feel it works more as a breakdown of the character of James Gordon, and the difficulty he has with accepting Batman as both a vigilante and a crimefighter.

I feel that the comic really shines through the intricacy, but also the edgy and unfinished nature of the artwork, and the way in which the colours compliment Mazzuchelli's gripping use of a pencil.


Gordon: Year One, 16 Jul 2006
This is a great book. But I didn't think it was enough about Batman. The stuff with Bruce's parents is good.

But Gordon is the character who's interesting here. Just a well-told story with a lot of depth. Flask is a nasty Detective Gordon's paired with and it's from that the majority of the drama comes from; and Gordon's relationship with his pregnant wife.

It's a enjoyable read, with such luxurious art. I think, in this edition, the colours have been tweaked. They're saturated and vibrant. There's something of the Adam West and Animated Series captured in them. I found the art to be better than the story in this case.

It's a really nice edition and a great way to get into Batman, this book is the reason I got into comics again.

The best Batman story ever., 29 Mar 2006
Although Frank Miller is better known for the like of comic book classics like Sin City or The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One has got to be his best. Miller completely redefined Batman for a new generation, and yet again completely de-camped the character to being so grim and gritty that it is hard to imagine that he was ever treated like a joke. The story follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after a 12 year abscence, and Jim Gordon arriving there as a Lieutenant. Gotham city has become a place owned by crime, depression, and corruption. While Jim Gordon discovers that he is one of the only honest cops around, Bruce Wayne realises that he is one of the only honest citiznes around. After as distarous first attempt to fight crime, Bruce learns that he must use fear in a city like this, and so becomes the Batman.
Although Batman: Year One could be considered more a Gordon book than a Batman one, when Batman appears every time it is amazing. Miller manages to once again take Batman, change him, and make him so much better. An absolute classic.

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's previous stuff wasn't is a mystery) begins a rollercoaster story the ending of which you can see from a mile off.

Many of the characters and dialogue styles are identical to those used previously ("no one can resist me" says Poison Ivy. Again.) and the stilted internal monologue that grates. Loeb starts a story that whilst having a few twists you won't see coming and some nice moments (not least the fight with Superman), its villain will be obvious to you before you even know there is one.

The saving grace of all this is one Jim Lee. Possibly the best comic artist active at the moment, he brings to life Loeb's mediocre story with the same effortless, vibrant colour with which he makes the likes of All-Star Batman And Robin forgivable.

Unless you're a Loeb freak or a big fan of Jim Lee's artwork - or simply don't want to think very hard in the course of the story - then Hush is not for you.

To many characters, 12 Aug 2008
I gave this comic two stars because even if it's nothing special it's a light hearted read. The problem I had was that there just seemed to be to many characters squeezed in and not enough story. One of my favourite batman comics is Knightfall which is filled with characters but pulls it off well. Anyway I guess you have to make your own mind up but don't expect anything amazing unless you prefer characters over story.

Beautiful Artwork, 23 Jul 2008
I cannot recommend this or its sequel highly enough for the art alone its worth its weight in gold. honestly its beautifuly drawn it also has a gripping plot with batman faceing off agains many of his previous villians and even superman.

Incredible, 02 May 2008
I sat and though about the title for this review for a couple of minutes and 'incredible,' I'm afraid to say, was the best I could come up with to describe this book.
As a child I would read comics my father brought back from work. Second hand, many folded, dog eared comics at that. This book was my reintroduction after many years and I have to say a big 'Thank you' to Mr Loeb and Mr Lee for it. My bookcase now labours under the weight of a great many more graphic novels now.
The writing is very clever and I really did not see the ending (of vol. 2 that is) coming. Jim Lee's visuals (and remember this medium is as much about the visuals as it is the story) are quite frankly sublime and, in some instances literally take your breath away.
The negative reviews I see here quite baffle me. I heartily recommend this book, a work of art in every sense.

Don't buy the hype., 06 Oct 2006
As Batman stories go, this is not the worst. Not in its best moments does it ever approach being one of the best.

As a detective story, it really is bordering on pathetic. A mysterious new villain (the "Hush" of the title) is out to get Batman; who could it possibly be behind those natty, invisible man-style bandages!?! Oh, by the way, on a completely unrelated note, Bats is having flashbacks to an old childhood friend never before seen or mentioned in the Bat-canon who Bruce Wayne was apparently closer to than anyone as a child, but who left his life under regrettably awkward circumstances years before. Among the other suspects are... Alfred, maybe? I don't mean to spoil it for you, but it really is just that blatant. Really.

Jim Lee draws superheroes well. They're big, they're burly, they're baroque. His women are lithe and have tiny waists. He's a master at choreographing action scenes. these qualities are where this books strengths lie.

The episodic nature of the story is basically an excuse to trundle out the rogues gallery for one more go-round as hush manipulates all of Bats' old villains into once more, one at a time attacking the dark knight (as if they ever needed manipulating into such an act before...) and Bats fights them off, one by one.

On that level, it's fun. On every other level, it's seriously deficient. The detective story is a tacked on excuse for the villain showdowns, transparent from the first chapter. the human element is soap operatic in the worst sense of the term. One off-the-cuff peck from Catwoman sends bats into such a mire of reflection and self doubt that i just wanted to reach into the panels and scream "GET OVER IT!!!!!!" at the guy. What is he, fourteen?

Seriously. As no brainer action stories go, this is alright. That's the very best thing i can say about it.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only a few comics such as Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had a myriad of different characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue his vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he once considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

First comic ever read, and I liked it!, 24 Jul 2008
First off: This review is only for comic book noobs, like myself!

I was recommended 2 comics to start me off on the road of comic reading, The Watchmen and Batman: Year One (due to the Batman Begins film being loosely based around this book). I read Batman first as it's much shorter, and wow, I feel like I've missed out on another world all these years! I was really suprised that the film was glammed up in comparison to at least this comic. It's very dark and Gotham really is messed up!

I almost couldn't put it down. The art work was great to look at and told a lot of the story that wasn't told in writing. I'm not sure if all comics are this clever, but I was impressed with the subtle story telling of the artwork.

Anyway, I was pretty sure that I'd not like comic books, but having read this one, I'm very excited to start The Watchmen, and have ordered a few more Batman novels to get my teeth sunk into. So well recommended for the first time reader I'd say as it's not too fantastical as some of the stuff I browsed over in the comic book store!

Best batman ever? Could be!, 19 Sep 2007
What do The Dark Night Returns, Tim Burton's Batman movie and Batman Begins have in common?
None of them live up to the hype. No, really.
But this great little comic book whips along at lightening pace, spends as much time developing characters as it does on action and left me wanting more. Miller dumps all his usual 'style over substance' tricks and tells a good story. The art (not by Miller) compliments the writing to tell the story perfectly. What with this being a 'year one' book it's also the most accessible Batman story you will ever read so it's perfect for fans of the movies who are new to the comics or as a gift for somebody you want to get into comics.
The end result is my favourite Batman story, my favourite Frank Miller story and one of my favourite comics.

The greatest artwork in a comic book ever?, 18 Sep 2007
This collection is possibly the perfect way to appreciate the opulent warmth which the artwork and the colours emit. I read this collection in one night and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those whom feel they are new to the Batman universe. For those who felt that Miller's Dark Knight Returns and especially its successor Dark Knight Strikes Again were to arch and complex the plot to Year One strips back the pretense to introduce us to a world which is characterised by violence and corruption. The main aim of the narrative is to introduce us to Batman and his beginnings, but I feel it works more as a breakdown of the character of James Gordon, and the difficulty he has with accepting Batman as both a vigilante and a crimefighter.

I feel that the comic really shines through the intricacy, but also the edgy and unfinished nature of the artwork, and the way in which the colours compliment Mazzuchelli's gripping use of a pencil.


Gordon: Year One, 16 Jul 2006
This is a great book. But I didn't think it was enough about Batman. The stuff with Bruce's parents is good.

But Gordon is the character who's interesting here. Just a well-told story with a lot of depth. Flask is a nasty Detective Gordon's paired with and it's from that the majority of the drama comes from; and Gordon's relationship with his pregnant wife.

It's a enjoyable read, with such luxurious art. I think, in this edition, the colours have been tweaked. They're saturated and vibrant. There's something of the Adam West and Animated Series captured in them. I found the art to be better than the story in this case.

It's a really nice edition and a great way to get into Batman, this book is the reason I got into comics again.

The best Batman story ever., 29 Mar 2006
Although Frank Miller is better known for the like of comic book classics like Sin City or The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One has got to be his best. Miller completely redefined Batman for a new generation, and yet again completely de-camped the character to being so grim and gritty that it is hard to imagine that he was ever treated like a joke. The story follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after a 12 year abscence, and Jim Gordon arriving there as a Lieutenant. Gotham city has become a place owned by crime, depression, and corruption. While Jim Gordon discovers that he is one of the only honest cops around, Bruce Wayne realises that he is one of the only honest citiznes around. After as distarous first attempt to fight crime, Bruce learns that he must use fear in a city like this, and so becomes the Batman.
Although Batman: Year One could be considered more a Gordon book than a Batman one, when Batman appears every time it is amazing. Miller manages to once again take Batman, change him, and make him so much better. An absolute classic.

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's previous stuff wasn't is a mystery) begins a rollercoaster story the ending of which you can see from a mile off.

Many of the characters and dialogue styles are identical to those used previously ("no one can resist me" says Poison Ivy. Again.) and the stilted internal monologue that grates. Loeb starts a story that whilst having a few twists you won't see coming and some nice moments (not least the fight with Superman), its villain will be obvious to you before you even know there is one.

The saving grace of all this is one Jim Lee. Possibly the best comic artist active at the moment, he brings to life Loeb's mediocre story with the same effortless, vibrant colour with which he makes the likes of All-Star Batman And Robin forgivable.

Unless you're a Loeb freak or a big fan of Jim Lee's artwork - or simply don't want to think very hard in the course of the story - then Hush is not for you.

To many characters, 12 Aug 2008
I gave this comic two stars because even if it's nothing special it's a light hearted read. The problem I had was that there just seemed to be to many characters squeezed in and not enough story. One of my favourite batman comics is Knightfall which is filled with characters but pulls it off well. Anyway I guess you have to make your own mind up but don't expect anything amazing unless you prefer characters over story.

Beautiful Artwork, 23 Jul 2008
I cannot recommend this or its sequel highly enough for the art alone its worth its weight in gold. honestly its beautifuly drawn it also has a gripping plot with batman faceing off agains many of his previous villians and even superman.

Incredible, 02 May 2008
I sat and though about the title for this review for a couple of minutes and 'incredible,' I'm afraid to say, was the best I could come up with to describe this book.
As a child I would read comics my father brought back from work. Second hand, many folded, dog eared comics at that. This book was my reintroduction after many years and I have to say a big 'Thank you' to Mr Loeb and Mr Lee for it. My bookcase now labours under the weight of a great many more graphic novels now.
The writing is very clever and I really did not see the ending (of vol. 2 that is) coming. Jim Lee's visuals (and remember this medium is as much about the visuals as it is the story) are quite frankly sublime and, in some instances literally take your breath away.
The negative reviews I see here quite baffle me. I heartily recommend this book, a work of art in every sense.

Don't buy the hype., 06 Oct 2006
As Batman stories go, this is not the worst. Not in its best moments does it ever approach being one of the best.

As a detective story, it really is bordering on pathetic. A mysterious new villain (the "Hush" of the title) is out to get Batman; who could it possibly be behind those natty, invisible man-style bandages!?! Oh, by the way, on a completely unrelated note, Bats is having flashbacks to an old childhood friend never before seen or mentioned in the Bat-canon who Bruce Wayne was apparently closer to than anyone as a child, but who left his life under regrettably awkward circumstances years before. Among the other suspects are... Alfred, maybe? I don't mean to spoil it for you, but it really is just that blatant. Really.

Jim Lee draws superheroes well. They're big, they're burly, they're baroque. His women are lithe and have tiny waists. He's a master at choreographing action scenes. these qualities are where this books strengths lie.

The episodic nature of the story is basically an excuse to trundle out the rogues gallery for one more go-round as hush manipulates all of Bats' old villains into once more, one at a time attacking the dark knight (as if they ever needed manipulating into such an act before...) and Bats fights them off, one by one.

On that level, it's fun. On every other level, it's seriously deficient. The detective story is a tacked on excuse for the villain showdowns, transparent from the first chapter. the human element is soap operatic in the worst sense of the term. One off-the-cuff peck from Catwoman sends bats into such a mire of reflection and self doubt that i just wanted to reach into the panels and scream "GET OVER IT!!!!!!" at the guy. What is he, fourteen?

Seriously. As no brainer action stories go, this is alright. That's the very best thing i can say about it.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

Insanity just reading it, 21 Dec 2008
Before I start, do not buy this if you think you will be getting your run of the mill graphic novel, this is something special. I picked this up being a fan of clowns and of the joker in particular, I always know Grant (Morrison) will be writing a good story, so when I had the pictures to by as well, it was amazing. I recommend this if you want something different, something that makes you feel like you are in Arkham reading it, the drawings are so dark, so amazing, and the story just makes it more of a twisted tale.

Read it carefully, it's seriously good, 17 Sep 2008
I only got this today, and having read about a third of the story, I can safely say that it is seriously good. Okay, so it's the first graphic novel I've ever read, but it does really make me want to buy more.

The story is very dark, and the inmates of the asylum (especially the Joker) are pretty damn scary. Although a bit confusing at first, the artwork is brilliant, although I'm still finding it hard to read what the Joker is saying in some panels.

Overall, really good. I would definitely recommend it.

Just Give It Some Time, 26 Aug 2008
When I first got this book I was a little bit awed by the art. What struck me most was that it look fantastic but the story was a bit thin. However after 2 or 3 reads, the hidden depths of the story are brought out. Try and look for the visual plot clues hidden in the art. Now that I feel I understand the story better, the art really suits the novel - it adds to the crazyness of the Asylum, which is something that a more "classical" artist like Dave Gibbons couldn't do.

Anyway, this is the best selling graphic novel of all time - it has to be pretty damn good.

Strong on art but medium on story, 09 Aug 2008
This book is full of excellent abstract creepy artwork. Every page could be on a canvas in a museum. The form, colors and atmosphere is perfect.

The story however is confusing at points and will take more than two or three reads to get it completely(I'm still not completely sure what's going on). The best part of the story I'd have to say is the flashbacks to Professor Arkham during his days as a psychologist. The dialogue during those segments is very thrilling and in some parts, quite inspiring.

All in all, its a good buy. Not a great story but its not completely eye candy either. I recommend it.

good,but sometimes abit confusing, 18 Feb 2008
lately i have been obsessed with batman, when I was a kid I watched batman on tele, but being young I didnt appreciate it, well I did the drawing and that because I was always drawing, but I mean I didnt relise how many variations there is of batman. Anyway to the point, I bought this book wanting to see how the badies are perceived, so overall the art is good, so if you appreciate illustrations when you buy a comic, its a good buy. Although I have to say, sometimes I missed the hidden meaning in the drawings, as it sometimes came across too cluttered, like mckean has fit too much onto one page and its hard to see what is happening(although this is mckeans style, so I should have known) Aswell, I found it really difficult to read what the joker was saying, as the text is red and scribbley. The story itself is clever though, and its a book to be read slowly, not rushed, to fully understand what is going on.

The Dark Knight Strikes Again is Frank Miller's follow-up to his hugely successful Batman: the Dark Knight Returns, one of the few comics that is widely recognised as not only reinventing the genre but also bringing it to a wider audience.

Set three years after the events of The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Strikes Again follows a similar structure: once again, Batman hauls himself out of his self-imposed retirement in order to set things right. However, where DKR was about him cleaning up his home city, Gotham, DKSA has him casting his net much wider: he's out to save the world.

The thing is, most of the world doesn't realise that it needs to be saved--least of all Superman and Wonder Woman, who have become little more than superpowered enforcers of the status quo. So, the notoriously solitary Batman is forced to recruit some different superpowered allies. He also has his ever-present trusty sidekick, Robin, except that he is a she, and she is calling herself Catwoman. Together, these super-friends uncover a vast and far-reaching conspiracy that leads to the President of the United States (Lex Luthor) and beyond.

The Dark Knight Strikes Again is largely an entertaining comic, but much of what made The Dark Knight Returns so good just doesn't work here. Miller's gritty, untidy artwork was perfect for DKR's grim depiction of the dark and seedy Gotham City, but it jars a bit for DKSA, which is meant to depict an ultra-glossy, futuristic technocracy. Lynn Varley's garish colouring attempts to add a slicker sheen, but the artwork is ultimately let down by that which worked so well for DKR--this time around, it just feels sloppy and rushed. The same is true of the book's denouement, which happens so quickly that it leaves the reader reeling and looking for more of an explanation. Moreover, DKSA is packed full of characters who will mean little to those unfamiliar with the DC Comics universe (eg, The Atom, The Elongated Man, The Question).

Perhaps the book's biggest failing is that where The Dark Knight Returns gave comic book fans a base from which to evangelise to the uninitiated, The Dark Knight Strikes Again is just preaching to the converted. Comic book superhero fans will find much to enjoy here, but others would be better off sticking with the original. --Robert Burrow

Beautifully drawn, twisted and dark..., 05 Dec 2008
The reviews on here are pretty mixed, but I got this anyway (being a bit of a Joker fangirl) and I'm really glad I did. I've read it twice so far, and although perhaps the story is weaker than, say, The Long Halloween, the art is incredible and the Joker himself is fantastic - as sick and psychotic as he should be. In fact, the whole thing is truly dark (I would strongly recommend not to give this to anyone under 12 or 13), which is the only real way to portray Batman and the Joker.

The story also gives a twist to the character of the Joker, giving him an origin that actually makes you feel sympathy for him, which is something that you'll probably find hard to do until you read this.

The only complaint I have about this is the slightly anti-climactic ending, which left me feeling a bit confused the first time I read it; but overall it's a great book. I highly recommend it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own col