The first time I read this, I was actually sickened.

I just re-read "The Killing Joke", Alan Moore's seminal work about the struggle between Batman and the Joker, and the suffering on both sides as a result of that struggle. First published in 1988, it was one of a wave of Graphic Novels (AKA higher quality comic books) which came out in the late 80s/early 90s after Frank Miller's astounding "The Dark Knight Returns".

The Killing Joke does a few things:

1. It establishes the origin of the Joker. Why is he insane? Was he always that way, or did something happen to cause his insanity? If something caused it, can he be cured? That's one part of the book. I won't give anything away, but it is an intriguing look at a character who's been around since 1940.

2. Why hasn't Batman killed the Joker yet? This book, as a follow-up to Joker killing Jason Todd (the second Robin) certainly gives Batman enough motive that "Justice" would be served if Batman DID off Mister J. The idea that Batman may NEED the Joker as much as Joker NEEDS Batman is an intriguing and subversive one; one that Miller explored and ultimately rejected in "Dark Knight Returns", but one that Moore embraces and DEFINES here.

3. Other characters are drawn into this battle and are victimized in shocking ways in this book, most notable Commissioner Gordon and his daughter, Barbara (AKA Batgirl). They're two of my favorite peripheral characters in comics history, and they're both used to good effect here; one might be tempted to say that they're both merely props, but I see them as far more than that in creating motivation for Batman. His love for both characters is remarkable for a guy who won't let himself get close to many people.

Alan Moore is an amazing writer--I only discovered his masterpiece, "Watchmen", last year. There are many themes repeated in the two works, and I can see where one idea would spark another, which gave me more insight into The Killing Joke, a relatively short work.

The Killing Joke is a very disturbing book, as the Joker tries to bring other characters into his insane world. It's a book full of tragedy, comedy, and insanity, and as such is very difficult to read if you care anything about any of the characters. Even with that, I'm glad I did read and that I own it, because it's a landmark story for all of the characters involved. None of them were treated the same way after this, and it's rare in a medium spanning generations that that can be said.

If you haven't read this, you should check it out--it's available at most public libraries, and it's still in print. If you enjoy it after you read it, you could pick it up for under 10.00 at a Barnes and Noble or even better, your local comic book store. It's well worth a brief hour of your time.