RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Comic Books Gail Simone's Batgirl tpb

My impression was that Moore was trying to show that the Joker was the first madman who had already made the leap (works as a metaphor too, plus shows the power of madness), and was trying to help the other one over to the other side (though he's mad, his intentions are pure)...Batman is the second madman who refuses at first (at the end of the first line you, when he says, 'What, Are you crazy?') implying he's sane, only to reveal he's also mad when he gives his reason. Basically Joker is trying to make the point that Batman is in denial like the second madman who tries to espouse what sounds like sanity, but is just as crazy, albeit in a different, less obvious, scared way (in thoughts more than actions)

Never quite liked the Batman laughing at the end, really took away from the perfect story. Wish he had instead shown Batman being overwhelmed in a different way, maybe flashing back to his parent's senseless deaths after being confronted with the fact that the semblance of control he's built up all those years (Batman ultimately is a symbol of control, of triumphing over human frailties, and being able to master chaos) is all for nought, and he's again that young boy whose idyllic life could be shattered in an instant.