Favourite Comics Covers - 'Batman: The Cult' + 'Batman: The Killing Joke'

‘Batman: The Cult’ and ‘The Killing Joke’ cover montage

Another set of Batman covers, this time a 4-part mini-series where the Caped Crusader is brainwashed; also what most consider to be the definitive Joker origin story.

Written by Jim Starlin with art by Berni Wrightson, ‘The Cult’ refers to a band of derelicts and homeless people led by an enigmatic man called Deacon Blackfire who claims to be over 100 years old even though he looks younger.

Operating from the sewers under Gotham City, Blackfire uses his cult to start a war on crime, before he eventually takes over the whole city.

We’re not far into the story before the cult kidnaps Batman who’s then kept captive for a length of time.

Despite his attempts to resist, Batman eventually succumbs to Deacon’s brainwashing and joins the cult.

‘Batman: The Cult’ Book One cover

‘Batman: The Cult’ Book Two cover

‘Batman: The Cult’ Book Three cover

‘Batman: The Cult’ Book Four cover

The first time I read ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’, it left me speechless.

Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland, the story gives us an origin story for the Joker, showing him as a family man and failed comedian, and the event that drove him insane.

It was definitely interesting to see the similarities and differences between Batman and the Joker, but Joker’s attempt to drive Jim Gordon mad was quite unsettling, not to mention what he did to Gordon’s daughter, Barbara.

‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ cover

Talk about an unforgettable cover, though.