Batman: The Killing Joke

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s 1988 DC one-shot redefined the Joker’s origin while pitting him against Batman in a harrowing psychological showdown. A dark, self-contained graphic novel, it’s a landmark exploration of madness and morality, anchored by Bolland’s meticulously detailed art and Moore’s relentless narrative. Its controversial impact on Batman lore and the character of Barbara Gordon has kept it a touchstone for decades.