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

7. Strangers In The Night

The Killing Joke Joker
DC Comics

Having been made to look a fool by The Joker following the Jester of Genocide’s escape from Arkham, readers get to see a unique, reflective and poignant side to Batman.

In the confines of the Batcave and with Alfred at his side, the Caped Crusader remarks how he really doesn’t know The Joker at all. It’s a stark admittance from a hero who’s usually stubborn and prideful, and it seems that the Dark Knight is genuinely surprised when he pieces together this revelation.

Reflecting on his twisted relationship with the Clown Prince of Crime, as Bruce Wayne puts it himself, “How can two people hate so much with knowing each other?”

This was a bold move from writer Alan Moore, and it’s one that firmly hits home just how troubled Batman has become, realizing how deep his bond is with The Joker yet neither of them really know one another. It almost feels like a sense of bewilderment at how bad things have become without there even really being a solid reason behind any of their battles that have taken place over the years.

For Batman, a creature of rational thinking and reasoning, fighting The Joker for so long but without really knowing why is something that causes him great problems. Where the movie adaptation is concerned, rarely will audiences have seen any take on Batman be so starkly honest and troubled.

Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main dayjob, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg.