DC Comics Batman: The Killing Joke  Batman: The Killing Joke  #1G Icon
DC Comics Batman: The Killing Joke  Batman: The Killing Joke  #1G Stock

Batman: The Killing Joke #1G

Title: Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)


Issue: Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) #1

Publish Date: 1988

Cover Price: 0



The maddest Joker ever as he takes his struggle with Batman to new lows when he kidnaps Commissioner Gordon.

Possibly the most famous Joker story of all time; how one ordinary man had one very bad day. And decided to share it.


  • Ranked #3 in Wizard Magazine's list of "100 Best Single Issue Comics Since You Were Born".
  • Dick Grayson, Kathy Kane, Bette Kane, Bat-mite and Ace the Bat Hound all appear in a cameo in a picture frame in the Bat Cave.
  • The covers represent the six different printings of this TPB book. The first cover is for the 1st and 2nd printing, and next covers are for the following printings.
  • The final cover is for the special edition hard cover and had the entire graphic novel recolored by artist Brian Bolland.

The Original Prestige Versus the Recolored Anniversary

The modern printing
The modern printing

There are a few differences in the cover between the original and the newer versions. The three main differences is that the coloring on the modern version's cover is richer, the word bubble has "Smile!" in stead of just "Smile" and the text print is white instead of the colors that represent the printing, such as green, blue, red and yellow.

The Interior of the comic is still the same, with one major change. The coloring went from John Higgin's (Watchmen) bold contrasting coloring to how Brian Bolland would have colored his own art.

The experience of the book does change with the coloring. Most comic fans would prefer the newer coloring, since it is logical coloring to the story told. While many older fans prefer the older coloring, where its random contrast help with the madness of the story and the horrific events within the comic. This is a comic that both versions should be read to truly have a good concept of the story.

Ace the Bat-Hound

Alfred Pennyworth

Barbara Gordon

Barbara Kean



Danny Weaver

Dick Grayson


Harvey Bullock


James Gordon


John Paul II


Kathy Kane

Mrs. Burkiss


Poison Ivy


The Innocent Guy



writer: Alan Moore

editor: Bob Harras

writer, artist, penciler, inker, colorist, cover: Brian Bolland

editor: Dan Raspler

editor: Dennis O'Neil

letterer: Ellie De Ville

colorist: John Higgins

editor: Mark Chiarello

letterer: Richard Starkings