Brian BOLLAND; Batman: The Killing Joke, page 6 prelim

Artists: Brian Bolland (Penciller) , (John Higgins) (Colorist)

4 Comments - 17,217 Views - 4 Likes

Brian BOLLAND; Batman: The Killing Joke, page 6 prelim Comic Art

Click Image to View Full Size

Next Item:
Brian BOLLAND; Batman: The Killing Joke, page 32 prelim

Artwork Details

Title:	Brian BOLLAND; Batman: The Killing Joke, page 6 prelim
Artist:	Brian Bolland (Penciller)
Artist:	(John Higgins) (Colorist)
Media Type:	Pencil
Art Type:	Other
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	17,217
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Favorited on CAF:	3
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	5/27/2005
Comic Art Archive:	Batman: The Killing Joke Issue: [nn] Page: 6 View

Description

The three pages of prelims that you see in this gallery were purchased from the artist through Wallace Harrington, to whom I still owe a huge debt of gratitude.

If you haven�t seen any of these up close, you may be surprised to learn that they�re quite small--about 6 3/4� wide and just over 8� high. As such they�re even smaller than the printed page and not quite as tightly rendered as say, the cover prelims you may be more accustomed to seeing.

Still there�s a remarkable amount of detail here and it�s fascinating to compare them to the printed version, noting the changes made and trying to determine the reasoning behind those changes. Just as interesting are those visual elements that were there from the very beginning.

I chose this page as it had the first appearance of the Joker (not counting the cover).

For a version of Panel 3 much closer to that which was published, check it out in Jonathan H's gallery.

The following is excerpted from Alan Moore's script for Batman: The Killing Joke; Page 6, Panel 3:

NOW WE HAVE OUR FIRST CLOSE UP OF THE JOKER�S FACE. HE LOOKS OUT OF THE PANEL, STARING AT THE OFF PANEL RUIN OF THE CARNIVAL, AND HE SMILES, WRINKLES CREASING THE WHITE FLESH AROUND HIS COLD, DEAD, MALICIOUS EYES AND AROUND THE BLOODY SLASH OF HIS DISTENDED AND SMILING LIPS. HIS BILIOUS GREEN HAIR BLOWS IN THE NIGHT BREEZE AND HE LOOKS SO DELIGHTED THAT HE COULD ALMOST BE IN LOVE. LOOKING OVER THE JOKER�S SHOULDER WE CAN PERHAPS SEE A GLIMPSE OF MITCHUM AS HE LOOKS ON AT THE JOKER, NERVOUSLY AND UNEASILY, FROM THE NEAR BACKGROUND. (INCIDENTALLY, I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED SOMEWHERE IN MY DESCRIPTION ON THE PREVIOUS TWO PANELS THAT THE JOKER HAS A HAT WITH HIM..MAYBE A SLOUCH HAT OR MAYBE SOMETHING MORE UNCONVENTIONAL. HE ISN�T WEARING IT, BUT HE CARRIES IT WITH HIM AS HE WALKS AROUND ON HIS INSPECTION OF THE CARNIVAL. SORRY I FORGOT ABOUT IT.) HERE, WE SEE HIS GREEN HAIR BLOWING LIKE SEAWEED IN THE BREEZE AS HE SMILES A DEATHLY AND HIDEOUS SMILE OUT OF THE PANEL AT US.

JOKER: Don�t LIKE it?

JOKER: I�m CRAZY for it.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	J. Hiroshi Morisaki ( 1 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	March 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A J. Hiroshi's Classifieds Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

Steve W.
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/20/2006

Amazing pieces you've got there by a great artist ,!!

Keith Veronese
Member Since 2005

Posted on 10/24/2010

Epic piece!

Ron S
Member Since 2007

Posted on 9/20/2014

This is just great. Thanks for sharing!!

E DLS
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/6/2024

While the page 32 prelim is obviously more popular for what it is, artistically, I prefer this one. It's also much more interesting to me because of all the discernible changes made in the final version.

All
	Paul Handler 9/6/2025 1:15:00 PM
	J Murdock 9/6/2025 1:06:00 PM
	JN 80 9/6/2025 1:01:00 PM
	Jamo's Art 9/6/2025 1:00:00 PM
	Will Gabri-El 9/6/2025 12:52:00 PM
View All


	Spidey-Man4444 . 9/6/2025 12:42:00 PM
	P A 9/6/2025 11:49:00 AM
	COMIX ART 9/6/2025 11:30:00 AM
	Dave E 9/6/2025 11:22:00 AM
	Federico Bettini 9/6/2025 11:20:00 AM