Batman: The Killing Joke is getting a super rare Avant-Garde edition reprinting, complete with a leather camera slip-case.
The acclaimed graphic novel is packaged in an insane giant-sized camera carrying case, not unlike the camera that the Joker carries on the cover of the comic. In fact, the case is a beautiful leather case. It is handmade from calf leather, lined with purple plush, and completed with a tropic strap. You can take take the comic volume out and find a laser-engraved message from the Joker on the interior lining. “Madness is the emergency exit”
On the back, there is even a Joker card that you can press down. Furthermore, when opening the leather case, the graphic novel mimics a camera, complete with a fake lens. The mock lens is attached to the cover of the book magnetically and can actually twist to “focus”. The camera set-up also even has the brand “Witz”, just like what the Joker uses on the cover image.
High-Quality, Definitive Version of ‘The Killing Joke’
The reprint volume has a brand-new introduction by artist Brian Bolland. The actual reprinting process is done with a special high-quality, giclée process. Each page is on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Metallic paper, which gives the comic a glossy, shimmering effect to the colors.
The volume actually contains two reprintings of the storyline. They feature both the graphic novel’s original coloring by colorist John Higgins. It also contains the 2008 Brian Bolland recoloring. If you have seen the recoloring, you can tell it dramatically changes the mood and tone of the storyline. While Higgin’s more colorful and garish coloring complemented the story’s madness themes, Bolland’s coloring was more subdued and emphasized the seriousness of Batman and Joker’s standoff.
Additionally, they plan to also publish a Noir Edition where it features a black-and-white version of the same storyline at a later date.
So how rare is this Avant-Garde edition? There will only be 47 printed for the public. There are 5 additional printings, but that is exclusively for internal use for DC Comics and Argent Comics.
With something so fancy and limited print run, they don’t just let anyone buy it. If you are interested in a copy for yourself, you need to sign-up for their email list here. From there on, Argent Comics will let people know when the release date is and how much it cost.
Source: Argentcomics.com
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