Batman: The Killing Joke - 10 Disturbing Moments We Can't Wait To See

The first time that The Killing Joke really shows The Joker “proper” – as in the story’s present day Mr. J rather than any sort of flashback – we find him negotiating the purchase of a dilapidated fun fair. For anyone who knows anything about The Joker, however, you know that this deal isn’t going to end well for the poor sap who’s selling said fun fair.

At first we get what seems to be a reasonable and fair Joker who is happy to purchase the fair for what is deemed a more than worthy price. The unsuspecting seller thinks he’s quids in and can’t believe his luck. Of course, that’s when things take a turn for the worst.

Revealing that a deal had been, err, “arranged” prior by The Joker’s goons and the guy’s business partner, the Harlequin of Hate seals his twisted game with a firm handshake. A handshake that leaves the seller dead and with a maniacal smile on his face.

That Joker, ever the great negotiator.

What’s most troublesome here is just how The Joker plays along with the charade of what appears to be some sort of cat-and-mouse game, stringing along the poor guy who was innocently trying to offload his old fun fair. Seeing just such a twisted act play out calmly on screen before the eerie reveal should firmly set the stall for what's to come, whilst also serving as an eerie surprise for newcomers to this tale.