28 year after it was first published, Alan Moore’s acclaimed graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke is has been adapted into an animated movie set for release in summer 2016.
It’s without question that sadly for some, gladly for most, Marvel is leading the race when it comes to movies. Not only did they start earlier, they just seem to go all out and have fun with their movies while DC is still trying to catch up (reports have turned up that reshoots have begun to make Suicide Squad funnier) oh and that’s not an attack on DC since it seems my four star review of the Batman v Superman is a minority now.
Despite all that’s been said, one area where DC rule without question is with their animated movies. Batman The Animated Series is usually regarded as one of the best ever and it is in my opinion and to be honest, most of DC’s animated films and series have been pretty good, and dark.
A few years ago we had The Dark Knight Returns (review soon) and while lacking in some respects, it was still pretty damn good. Now finally after a long wait we have Alan Moore’s graphic novel brought to the screen. Batman: The Killing Joke has usually been regarded as the seminal Joker origin story as well as one of the darkest Batman stories. Personally Arkham Asylum and The Killing Joke run alongside each other.
So a short synopsis of the story: The Joker has Lt. Gordon hostage at a funhouse as he tries to drive the former insane by mental torture. Batman is racing across the clock to save his friend. Meanwhile throughout the comic we are taken back to the Joker’s early days which explains why and how he is the way he is.
And that’s the end of that, revealing any more would just ruin it, but let’s put it this way. It’s brutal and dark to the point that Alan Moore himself has shown some remorse at his own choices. Will this be available for kids? I doubt it, trust me you think Batman v Superman was dark, you haven’t seen anything yet.
With series regulars, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill voicing Batman and The Joker respectively and directed by Sam Liu, the film is expected to be released around the summer. Stay tuned.
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