The Killing Joke

Batman: The Killing Joke is a one shot graphic novel published by DC Comics in March 1988, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland with colors by John Higgins. The story intercuts an origin tale for the Joker, showing his transformation from a failed comedian into a disfigured criminal after a chemical accident, with a present day plot in which he shoots and paralyzes Barbara Gordon and abducts and tortures her father, Commissioner Gordon, to test his theory that anyone can be broken by one bad day. The book won the 1989 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album and is widely regarded as the definitive telling of the Joker's origin and one of the most influential Batman stories ever published, having reshaped later portrayals of the character across film, television and video games while also permanently altering Barbara Gordon's story by leading to her transformation into Oracle.