2. The Killing Joke
This is a no-brainer and, unarguably one of the most iconic moments in the Jokers colored and legendary existence. Released to much fanfare in 1988 and lauded ever since as not only the definitive Batman/Joker encounter, but also the definitive Joker origin the graphic novel has influenced every Joker story since, including the Heath Ledger version... The Killing Joke is full of iconic moments, but the one that leaps immediately to most readers minds is the chilling end to Batgirls career. Ruthless, bloodied and escalating villainy to a new level, Jokers paralyzing of Barbara Gordon with a single bullet struck a chill in the hearts of every comic fan who picked the book up. Many times has the Joker been a character fans have wanted to emulate or root for in some way, but this Joker, he was hard to lend your sympathies to. His face draped in shadow, eyes burning through, this Joker was death incarnate; wild, crazed but governed by a fierce, internal logic. How could anyone fight against such a force, even Batman? Thats what makes this such an iconic moment. Thats what makes Joker such an iconic villain.