Scan barcode
A review by thechocolatefinger
Batman: The Killing Joke (Deluxe Edition) by Alan Moore
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Grief
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Ableism, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
A part is set in Arkham Asylum (a mental hospital & prison), but there’s no mention of mental health nor forced institutionalisation/confinement.
The pregnancy is a visibly pregnant character and a mention of their baby.
There’s a conversation about job loss and potential poverty.
A couple argues, but there’s no emotional/physical abuse.
There’s a very minor joke referencing prostitution.
Only one death is shown, and it’s a very minor character. It’s non-graphic, although there’s a small amount of blood.
The gun violence is the Joker shooting someone. It is completely visible but the wound is not graphic, although there is blood. There’s also multiple moments with the threat of being shot.
It’s heavily implied that off-screen, the Joker removes someone’s clothes and takes photos of their wound.
A part is set in a pub/bar, and there’s a very minor reference to drinking alcohol.
Someone is briefly verbally manipulated to commit a (relatively minor) crime.
A part is set in a hospital, although there’s no medical content.
Someone very briefly smokes a cigar.
There’s off-screen implied kidnapping.
The sexual assault is villains unconsensually removing 2 characters clothes, but nothing sexual is implied (although some people interpret it as off-screen rape/sexual assault). Nudity (genitals) is covered by objects and text boxes.
The torture is emotional.
The ableism is an ableist joke the Joker makes. Also, some disabled people are portrayed as “freaks” in a freak show.
There’s an attempt at forced insanity.
The grief is for the death of a spouse and baby.
Police officers are briefly shown, but they only talk, and there’s no violence involving them.
There’s major references to “insanity”, poor mental health, and mental illness.
There’s a brief mention of experiencing hallucinations.
Batman fights the Joker, but it’s not graphically violent.
There’s multiple moments with a threat of death.
Batman sympathises/empathises with the Joker’s situation, despite knowing about his violent acts.
The ending is not happy and very open-ended (up to interpretation).