10 Controversial Batman Comics DC Wants You To Forget
3. The Killing Joke
In terms of standalone comics, The Killing Joke is pretty much the most famous Batman comic around. Love it or hate it, the story is incredibly well known, and has played a large part in establishing the tone of the franchise as it is today.
In spite of all this, The Killing Joke is probably also one of the most controversial comic books in existence, banned from countless libraries to this day for the graphic scenes contained within it. Although the comic is well-crafted, it's also heavily criticised, as it falls into a trap that comics succumb to to this day - that of mutilating its' female cast to give the hero some sort of justifiable emotional reaction.
The writer - comic icon Alan Moore - has openly expressed regret on the treatment of Barbara Gordon, stating "they should've reined me in, but they didn't," in an interview with the now defunct Wizard Magazine.
The Killing Joke is a cornerstone of the Batman series - and rightfully so - but it's worth keeping in mind that even the most famous and well-made of comics still have their questionable elements.