Batman: The Killing Joke is, in my opinion, a masterpiece and one of the greatest Batman stories ever written. Alan Moore’s writing is haunting and layered, exploring the thin line between sanity and madness through the parallel of Batman and the Joker. The way the Joker’s origin is presented—tragic, unsettling, and ambiguous—makes him more terrifying than ever, while also giving a glimpse into the broken humanity behind the monster.

Brian Bolland’s artwork is stunning. Every panel feels meticulously crafted, with expressive detail that heightens both the horror and the emotion of the story. The atmosphere is dark, oppressive, and unforgettable, perfectly matching the disturbing tone of the narrative.

What makes this book so powerful is how it challenges both Batman and the reader. It’s not just a battle of fists, but of philosophies. The ending is chilling, ambiguous, and endlessly debated—exactly what makes it linger in your mind long after you close the book.

For me, this isn’t just a Batman story—it’s a graphic novel that defines what the medium is capable of. more

Strange Tales Annual #2 is mostly interesting because of its historical value—it features an early team-up between Spider-Man and the Human Torch. Seeing two young, hot-headed heroes clash before eventually working together is fun in theory, and it gives a glimpse of Marvel experimenting with shared-universe storytelling in the early ’60s.

That being said, the story itself feels pretty thin. The plot is simple and predictable, and while it’s cool to see Ditko’s Spider-Man alongside Kirby’s Torch, the execution doesn’t fully deliver the excitement that the concept promises. The art has some charm, but the issue overall hasn’t aged very gracefully.

For me, this one lands right in the middle: historically notable, but not particularly engaging by today’s standards. more