The First Trailer For Batman: The Killing Joke Is Here…Kinda?

Along the lines of Batman Year One and The Dark Knight Returns, 1988’s Batman: The Killing Joke is considered a classic and one of the best Batman (and Joker) stories ever.  Written by legend (and all around curmudgeon) Alan Moore and fantastic art by Brian Bolland, this one shot would lay the groundwork for many years to come in the Bat-books, particularly for one Barbara Gordon.  It is here that the tragic events that turn her from Batgirl to eventually Oracle occur.  (I kept that vague, just in case I have to worry about spoilers, which I probably do not.)

The book is violent and a physiological head trip for all involved, especially the Gordons.  We get perhaps the most definitive Joker origin (if there can ever be such a thing), in the pre-New 52/pre-Zero Hour/can anyone keep track anymore? continuity.  (On a sidenote, the upcoming issue of Justice League will supposedly reveal the Joker’s true name that Batman learned while God-ing out in the Mobius Chair.)

It will be interesting to see how honest the animated film is to the source material.  Warner Bros. has reportedly given the ok to make the film R-rated (isn’t everything these days?) but a rating has not been given yet.

You can watch the “trailer” (and more) after the break.  I found it a bit weak (and wonder how legit this is, more on that after the break as well) and I don’t know that it would draw in many fans who don’t already have some idea what is going on.  But they still have time, and this feels more like a teaser trailer than a full trailer.  But with Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill on board as Batman and the Joker respectively, count me in.

Going Through The DCAU Part Seventeen

And we’re back with more cartoon superhero talk with Tom and Jimmy.

This week, we’re covering “Zatanna,” “The Mechanic,” and “Harley and Ivy”.

Spiders, Spiders Everywhere Part 10 (Death Of Captain Marvel Edition)

The Death of Captain Marvel is one of those stories that routinely show up on critics “best of” lists, but that you never get around to reading.  Well, it has been that way for me anyway.  But I recently remedied that as I had to read it to see if it fit in with the Spider-Man Complete Chronology.  Given I’m writing about it in this column series and not in a Chronology update, I think reveals the answer to that.

More about The Death of Captain Marvel and it’s place in Spider-Man lore after the break.

Tom Recommends: Young Justice (Animated Series)

Animator Greg Wiseman has had a long string of animated series that have pleased fans but have always seemed to be cut short due to other factors.  He was forced off Disney’s Gargoyles and saw his Spectacular Spider-Man cut short due to the Spider-rights going to Disney.

Then there was Young Justice, an animated series set in the DC universe about a team of superhero sidekicks going on covert missions for the Justice League.

Let’s Here It For The Superhero Girls Of DC!

Back in April, DC Comics and Mattel revealed the DC Super Hero Girls to the world. At the time, there was little information about the toy line beyond vague promises of figures, dolls, comics, books and clothing themed around DC’s strong lineup of female superheroes. Recently at New York Comic Con, the world got its first look at the toy line, including dolls based on Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Harley Quinn and more!

ICYMI: Tom Recommends: Batman: No Man’s Land

I was thinking recently about how maybe we here at Gabbing Geek should consider a regular recommendation to readers along the lines of similar storylines or genre or something, and the first thing I thought of was Batman.

Now, to be fair, the first thing I think of in many instances is Batman.  What should I have for lunch today?  Batman.  Where did I leave my keys?  Batman.  Why is Watson such a perv?  Batman.

Batman has been in many classic incarnations, and some of them have been very well known.  So, which Batman storyline from the comics am I recommending?  Well, I’m going with No Man’s Land.

Lessons Learned From Superheroes

We all know “With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility”, but what else can we learn from the superheroes?

Going Through The DCAU Part Twelve

Once more, Jimmy and Tom return to work their way through the DCAU.

This week, we’re covering the Batman the Animated Series episodes “Heart of Steel Parts 1 and 2,” “If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich?” and “Joker’s Wild”.

Going Through The DCAU Part Eleven

After a long, unnecessary delay called “Tom’s vacation,” Tom and Jimmy are back with more DCAU chat.

This week, we cover Batman meeting an evil ninja, an evil guy giving diseases to stray dogs and cats, and an evil psychiatrist.

RIP Yvonne Craig

 

It’s been a bad week for people associated with Batman.  Actress Yvonne Craig, best known as Batgirl in the 60s Adam West-starring TV show, has died.  She was 78.