The Killing Joke: Original vs Recolored

[cyberghostface]

With the rerelease of 'The Killing Joke' a few years ago Brian Bolland opted to recolor the original art to his liking as John Higgins' coloring wasn't what he intended the book to look like. This of course has proven to be controversial and has been compared to George Lucas messing around with Star Wars.

I'm in the minority but I actually prefer the new recolors with some exceptions. The big difference is that the original is much more garish and psychedelic whereas the new colors are much more stark and muted.

My only real issue is that the original coloring is technically out of print and not at all available in a digital format. DC is rectifying this somewhat with 'The Absolute Killing Joke' which contains both coloring so hopefully the original will be available in some capacity in the near future.

The one bit where I prefer the original colors are the scenes with Joker's funhouse at the end.









So yeah I think given the surroundings and what Joker's trying to do the garish colors work better and the more muted look doesn't capture the insanity as well. The "throne" with Joker doesn't have that oompf with the plain colors.

Another big change was the flashbacks; in the new recolor they're all black and white except for the color red culminating with the helmet and cape of the Red Hood.





Ultimately I really like the black and white coloring with use of red but Joker bleeding from the eyes as opposed to just crying was in my opinion an unnecessary change. I prefer the idea that Joker is laughing and crying at the same time.

I think the ending scene between Batman and Joker works better with the new colors.









From a visual perspective I just think the scene works better with the more gothic coloring over the garish one. I think it's a powerful moment and one of the best Batman/Joker scenes and the psychedelic coloring doesn't suit the story as much when we're out of the funhouse.

Curious as to which colors you prefer and why.

Comments

The changes for me messed the Timeline up a bit

[steverodgers5]

This will sound so trivial. But what got to me the most about the recoloured version was the removal of the yellow Bat octave on Bruce's costume. It was like they said, 'oh this story's too serious for that.'

However the story was set in a very specific time frame with it effectively setting up Barbara's transition into becoming Oracle. Bruce wouldn't lose the octave for a while yet in the old continuity. Plus you want the distinction of that 'present' day Batman contrasted to the early one in the Red Hood encounter.

So changing his costume just to make it more 'grimdark,' without even considering the time period it's set in, just undermines it all for me, for the silliest of reasons. So unnecessary.

Re: The changes for me messed the Timeline up a bit

[lego_joker]

Are you... are you him? That guy from the old CBR boards with the Lex Luthor avatar?

If you don't know what I'm talking about, I swear I'm not making fun of you, but I know only one guy who's ever had that complaint.