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.

Batman: Bad Blood (Mostly) Spoiler Free Review

From 1975 to 1978 DC Comics published a title called Batman Family which focused on the Dark Knight’s supporting characters.  They were mostly Batgirl and/or Robin stories that had little or no interaction with Batman himself.  This original DC Universe movie made me think of that series.  While Batman Family would not be as “cool” a title as Batman: Bad Blood, it would be a lot more fitting.

After the break I’ll look at the movie in a bit more detail and try to be as spoiler free as possible.

ICYMI: Going Through The DCAU Part 1

When poking around for stuff to go through next, I considered the DCAU.

So, apparently, was Jimmy Impossible.

So, we’ll be doing it together, starting where it all began with Batman.

A Hamill/Conroy Reunion For Animated Killing Joke?

I’m not sure what to think about Bruce Timm’s (Batman: The Animated Series, among others) adaptation of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s The Killing Joke due for release in 2016.  It is a critical, commercial and person favorite Batman/Joker story…but it is also exceptionally dark.  It can be disturbing and is famous for the shooting and crippling of then Batgirl Barbara Gordon.  It also features the naked tortures of Barbara and Jim Gordon that I’m sure won’t make it past the animated censors.  It’s already been reported that the story will feature a new 15 minute prolouge to introduce the story.  I wonder at the end of the day how much it will still resemble the source material?

I will guarantee  one thing, Alan Moore won’t watch it.

On the plus side, multiple sources are reporting Mark Hamill has agreed to come out of his Joker retirement to voice the Clown Prince of Crime one more time.  Hamill has said for years that he would love to do a version of The Killing Joke, even encouraging fans to rally DC for it.

While Heath Ledger took a memorable turn in The Dark Knight, and I like Nicholson’s version, Hamill will always be the ultimate Joker to me.  I’m sure it is a generational thing.  Now, if they can just convince Kevin Conroy to sign up and end both their runs with a bang.  And by the sounds of it, it might not take much convincing.

 

Going Through The DCAU Part Four

Continuing Jimmy and Tom’s rewatch of the DCAU.

Going Through The DCAU Part Three

Continuing Tom and Jimmy’s rewatch of the DCAU.

Going Through The DCAU Part 1

When poking around for stuff to go through next, I considered the DCAU.

So, apparently, was Jimmy Impossible.

So, we’ll be doing it together, starting where it all began with Batman.

Cast Announced For New Batman v. Robin Animated Film

Apparently Batman is in a “versus” mood.  We knew he didn’t play well with others, but we thought his rivalry in the versus department would start and stop with the Man of Steel in the movie theater.  Now he’s versing poor ol’ Robin!

Obscure Geek of the Week- He Could Be Sitting Next to You!

 

Who is the greatest Batman ever?  A popular choice is Christian Bale.  Others say Michael Keaton was and always will be the Dark Knight.  Old school geeks have an fondness for the great Adam West.  NONE of these are the right answer.  No.  It’s not Kilmer or Clooney.  Affleck is playing for second at best.  The right answer is this guy.  There never has been, nor ever will be, a better Batman than Kevin Conroy.