Pair of 5-7/8x8.25" sheets of paper w/preliminary pencil art by noted comic book artist Brian Bolland for the critically-acclaimed Batman story "Batman: The Killing Joke," which was written by Alan Moore and published by DC Comics in 1988. This storyline is noteworthy as it featured the pivotal moment in which Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) is shot by Batman's arch-nemesis The Joker, paralyzing her. These two pages feature Bolland's preliminary layout and design for the iconic shooting scene. First page features seven panels (six of them w/art). First panel shows door opening to reveal The Joker standing in doorway in vacation clothes whilst holding a gun. Second panel shows a close-up of the gun. Third panel shows the horrified recognition in Barbara Gordon's eyes. The fourth and fifth panels show her being shot in the stomach, falling backwards towards glass coffee table (in front of her father, Commissioner Gordon) in last panel. Second to last panel is blank. This scene as it appears in the finished comic features the single panel image of Barbara Gordon falling through coffee table depicted on second sheet of paper. Panel orientation was initially different as well, w/image being perpendicular as opposed to horizontal as it was finally printed. First sheet has "13" page notation while second sheet also has "13" page notation and additional "Pan 6" panel notation indicating Bolland enlarged this art intended for sixth panel to show details. Second page also has "Arm Longer" pencil notation, indicating desire to have art slightly altered for publication. Art has some slight smudging but is Exc. overall. While many artists use very loose art styles for preliminary art, Bolland's pencils are extremely well-done in this instance, almost presenting the appearance of finalized art. There are subtle differences to this art and how it appeared in its published form (there is less blood shown here, Commissioner Gordon is less defined and Joker's outfit is slightly different), but this preliminary art is amazing in its presentation and historical importance, as "Batman: The Killing Joke" is often ranked as one of the most important Batman stories of the 1980s, if not the modern era. From the collection of Chip Kidd, renowned author, graphic designer and pop culture enthusiast extraordinaire.