Adapting what may be the most popular of graphic novels, by the edgy Hard Case Crime author, adding layers and exploring the nature of morality.
A tragic, unnamed engineer-turned-criminal is immersed in chemicals that disfigure him bizarrely, driving him mad and thus giving birth to the Joker. While the insane criminal is imprisoned, Batman and Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) patrol Gotham City together, taking down perps such as the crime boss Maxie Zeus. Simultaneously Detective Harvey Bullock works with Commissioner James Gordon to take down a drug factory. Back in Arkham Asylum, Joker learns of a new technology he wants to acquire and escapes, setting out on a mission designed to break the Commissioner, forcing him to abandon his ideals as a police officer. In a violent home invasion he shoots and cripples Barbara, then takes Gordon hostage. Batman races to rescue Gordon, ultimately confronting his arch-foe in an amusement park fun house. This edgy adaptation by Hard Case Crime novelist Christa Faust expands upon the cast and adds intricate layers to the events of the graphic novel, further examining the nature of morality.
(A huge thanks to Bloomsbury India for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I'm going to start off by saying that I have
not read the comic, The Killing Joke. So my review won't be comparing the two but rather just be talking about the novelization by itself.
I found this book to be quite dark and gritty. There's
physical and mental abuse and quite a few things that can make people feel queasy.
That being said, the author has done an immensely good job of bringing together multiple plot lines and binding them together into one story.
This is not just the story of Batman and Joker.
This is the story of a girl who moonlights as a superhero and revels in the freedom.
It's the story of the girl who wants to escape from life under a drug dealer.
It's the story of a man who lost his family, it's the story of a cop trying to play the hero.
It's the story of a cop who loves his daughter.
It's the story of a boy who worked for the wrong man.
It's the story of how one bad day reduces the sanest man alive to lunacy...
or does it?
For me the character that stood out most was Barbara Gordon. Her character arc was the most dark and complex but I can't say much about giving away any spoilers. This book sets up the arena for the future DC novelizations from Titan Books. Introducing a certain character the way the author did at the end was
so genius and unexpected.
I enjoyed the conversations between Bruce and Alfred. Not all the conversations added much to the story but they sure added a lot to the characters' personalities.
Growing up with Nolan's version of Alfred, this Alfred seemed quite different to me and it was intriguing to learn about him. I also enjoyed the conversations between the patients of Arkham asylum and their conversations with the doctors there. It was interesting seeing how some criminal masterminds justified their crimes in their own twisted manner.
Although I was quite underwhelmed by Harleen Quinzel whenever she appeared in this novel.
Hopefully her character will be built more in Mad Love because it's about her and I'm really looking forward to reading that! I also missed seeing enough of Batman. He's probably considered the main character but he wasn't around as much and I wished we'd seen more of him throughout the book.
To sum up, this novelization of The Killing Joke is dark and gritty with a well written and brought together plot but I'd have liked to see more development when it comes to some characters.
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Do you read comics? Have you read The Killing joke comic or novelization? Tell me in the comments below!
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