The Killing Joke - Assessment
1. I find that The Killing Joke works as a self contained story that I think is well written in the deconstruction of the relation between Batman and the Joker. The philosophy behind the words is something that I feel is distinctively Alan Moore, especially towards the end. I did find its treatment of Barbara Gordon to be unnecessary, taking away her agency within the story to further Joker and Batman's story. I'm not entirely sure if Alan Moore/DC comics had intended this story to be canon, but writers had tried their best after this story to give Barbara her story back through Oracle. Over all, I think the artwork and the uses of visual transitions between the present and the "past"was effective in communicating the story.
2. The connections I find within the story is Alan Moores social commentary (especially in regards to poverty) with how the Jokers "origin" story plays out- in reflection to how he is able to twist his words in order to justify his actions (much like how he said in the documentary about being magicians). The unreliable narrator coupled with an ambiguous ending is part of the dystopian aspect of the story in which the visuals don't always match up with the words being said, connecting to what Alan Moore had said about doing things that only comics (and not film) could do (even though there are cinematic transitions when going into flashbacks). The coloring of the story blends the surreal, almost pop art version of the comic with the grittier realism that was dominant at the time. This connects the work to previous incarnations (1960s Jokers design pops up on the monitor).
3. If I were to adapt the story into another medium, it would be animation, as I find that the adaptation of superhero comics works better in animation that live action. I would not, however, take the not super great route that DC had done. I would give more story agency to Barbara, or at least make her arc more important at large than just tacked on to continue to excuse the point that she doesn't do much later on aside from furthering everyone else in the story. Or, focus on a different crime that the Joker could commit that furthers his "point", and drives that narrative to the ambiguous ending. I would keep as close to the artwork and transitions as possible, as I find the work to be visually strong enough to hold its own. I would also change some of the carnival scenes/characters, or at least try and explain where they came from? Because they just showed up out of nowhere? Having goons that are carnival themed is fine, but I feel like it should have been established sooner.
