SNEAK PEEK : "Batman: The Killing Joke" Tops Sales

Sunday, June 05, 2016

"Batman: The Killing Joke" Tops Sales

"Batman: The Killing Joke", a 1988 one-shot graphic novel featuring 'Batman' and the 'Joker', written by Alan Moore ("Watchmen"), illustrated by Brian Bolland and published by DC Comics, has topped the May 2016 comic book sales chart, in anticipation of the upcoming R-rated, direct-to-video animated release, directed by Sam Liu and Bruce Timm, available digitally July 23, 2016, and on DVD/Blu-ray August 2, 2016:

"...set in the city of 'Gotham', this origin story for supervillain the Joker, is loosely adapted from the 1951 story arc 'The Man Behind the Red Hood!', taking place over two timelines.

"The Joker is depicted attempting to drive police officer 'Jim Gordon' insane as Batman desperately tries to stop him.

"Created by Moore as his own take on Joker's source and psychology, the story became famous for its origin of the Joker as a tragic character...

"...a family man and failed comedian who suffered 'one bad day' that finally drove him insane.

"The story also includes the shooting and paralysis of Jim's daughter 'Barbara Gordon', aka 'Batgirl', an event that laid the groundwork for her to develop the identity of 'Oracle'..."