Batman #2/1989

"The Killing Joke" delivers a chilling, character-driven dive into the mind of the Joker, as he recounts his tragic origin while evading Arkham Asylum. With a harrowing confrontation that leaves Barbara Gordon wounded and James Gordon trapped in a psychological nightmare, the story unfolds with unsettling precision. Written by Alan Moore and Ola Jameson, illustrated with stark, iconic detail by Brian Bolland, and colored with haunting restraint by John Higgins, the issue’s cover by Brian Bolland captures the moment of twisted triumph—where the Joker’s laughter echoes through the darkness.