Problem
For this problem, you are to analyse critically Batman: The Killing Joke (originally published in 1988; Deluxe edition published in 2008) written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland. While doing your analysis, be aware of the entirety of the medium; text, visuals, and the arrangement of the panels. Be mindful of what is shown and not shown. If you make references to specific scenes in the novel, be sure to provide page references. Also, do not neglect information around the story. I encourage you to read about Alan Moore and Brian Bolland and their works for clues. This does not need to be exhaustive, but you should be able to find some exciting tidbits of information from a simple Google search. If you do decide to use outside information in your analysis, be sure to provide proper citation. While doing your analysis, you must consider the following questions:
i. In a 2001 interview, Alan Moore describes his inspiration for Batman: The Killing Joke stemming from a personal observation that "Batman and the Joker are mirror images of each other." In what ways does Moore explore this in The Killing Joke? In your opinion, how much are Batman and the Joker alike? If they are so similar, what distinguishes them as hero and villain? Be sure to provide examples by making references to the graphic novel.
ii. In her article, "The Shadow of a Past Time," Hilary Chute observes that "The effect of the gutter lends to comics its 'annotation' of time and space." How do Moore and Bolland use panels, and in particular, gutters to tell their story? In a broader sense, how does Bolland convey to the reader flashbacks or scenes set in a time earlier than the main story?