The Killing Joke (1988)
Written by Alan Moore
Artwork by Brian Bolland
Colors by John Higgins
Chef’s Note: The use of color* in this flashback sequence to focus the attention on the shrimp and their casual dismemberment is a potent and effective way to highlight the uncomfortable and tragic drama taking place here. A man not only being corrupted, but going along with it willingly – rationalization and desperation picking away at all the reasons not to do this risky and dangerous thing, not with these obviously untrustworthy men. A drama of disintegration – bit by bit by bit.
Chef’s Note: I’m assuming these are just boiled shrimp as there doesn’t seem to be any kind of batter or other seasoning. But I am curious as to whether they are de-shelling them or not. If you examine panels five through seven you will see the following: Mr. Bowler Hat shoves a dismembered shrimp into Mr. Not-Yet-The-Joker’s mouth, he then sits there with the tail hanging out while looking dumbly at the Red Hood helmet, and then the tail is gone (or maybe a bit of it is left?) and he is talking again. It’s hard to tell, but I think they may be eating them shell and all. Which is a thing some people do.
Chef’s Note: Happy National Shrimp Day!
Onomatopoeia: Scrit | Chep | Klitch | Risp | Plic | Hhech | Clec | Grik | Glep | Smic | Lup | Snop Snop | Chlop
So much cromulence! 5 stars (★★★★★)