Batman #251

[cyberghostface]

"It’s this kind of terrible re-introduction to the Joker where he kills off all his henchmen. And of course, that’s how the Joker film ('The Dark Knight') was. Right at the beginning he kills off all his henchmen. I talked to the writer of the film and he said, 'Neal, a lot of people are going to tell you that we borrowed from ‘The Killing Joke.’ Bullshit. We borrowed from this.' This is the matrix of that film." -- Neal Adams

In honor of Neal Adams who passed away, here is one of his most iconic comics (and covers). It's also significant in that Adams along with Denny O'Neill had brought back the Joker after a lengthy absence and revitalized the character as Batman's archnemesis.

(On a related note it was also Neal Adams, per the book 'The Batman Files', who decided that the Joker was gay. While DC has yet to make this official canon it's still an element of the character that has long since persisted with different writers.)















As a bonus here's a print Neal Adams did of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.

Comments

[tinygaylaura]

"Don't sink your fist into me just yet Batman!"

I agree, you should at least buy him a drink first

[starwolf_oakley]

This was used in Batman: The Animated Series, with Hooley replaced with Harvey Bullock.

[blues32]

Is this the issue where Joker gives one of his targets an exploding cigar...and the guy knew it was an exploding cigar...and lit it anyway because he was expecting a tiny explosion? What a moron.

Ah, but these were the days. Back when Joker was creative, not creepy. Sinister, but also silly. When he was just as likely to swing a rubber chicken at Batman as he was a claw hammer.

[mazway_75]

Great bit where Joker catches Batman off-guard, knocks him out, could crush him...but decides it's too cheap and easy and not worth it without a grand sendoff to their game. Summed it up perfectly.

[bradygirl_12]

I've got this comic somewhere and remember it well. 🤡

[shakalooloo]

Is this the first use of "It's over -- finished!" ?

[pyynk]

With the limited number of pages to post, I have to (and I mean this sincerely) applaud the courage NOT to post one of the most iconic Neal Adams Batman pieces of all time.

With both Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams passing, I've been revisiting some of these classic Batman stories and it's reminded me how much I miss the somewhat grounded Batman of this period.