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 Sixteen

And we’re back with those wacky cartoon enthusiasts Tom and Jimmy for more of this feature.

This week, they’re covering the Batman the Animated Series episodes “The Man Who Killed Batman,” “Mudslide,” and “Paging the Crime Doctor”.

Star Wars Rewatch: Return Of The Jedi

And now, we come to the end.

Yes, it’s Return of the Jedi.

Luke Didn’t Say “Carrie!” After All

“You screwed up a name? Really?”

Star Wars fans have reveled in some of the mistakes in the original movie.  You can see Kenny Baker’s (the actor who played R2D2) legs behind the droid in some scenes.  The stormtrooper who hits his head on a door in the Death Star (hmmm…weren’t they all supposed to be the same height?).  Heck, here’s a nearly twelve minute video of all the mistakes you can find in Episode IV.  But the biggest mistake of them all, Luke calling out “Carrie!” after destroying the Death Star instead of “Leia!,” has just been refuted by an extremely credible source.  Find out the details after the break.

Classic Mark Hamill Autograph Trolling

Not sure if these are legit, but I have a rock solid source.  The internet.  I could see Mr. Skywalker having this sense of humor.  If not, enjoy the chuckle.

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 Five

Continuing Tom and Jimmy’s rewatch of the DCAU.

This week, we’re covering “Heart of Ice,” “The Cat and the Claw Parts 1 and 2,” and “See No Evil.”

Double Review of Kingsman: The Secret Service

Holy awesome Colin Firth. Just look at that photo. That alone should intrigue you to see Kingsman: The Secret Service. And if you haven’t quite finished your afternoon tea and made it out to the movies, then this review by Jenny & Ryan will satiate your palate until the next time you get a hankering for a little shower of bullets with your umbrella. Spoilers ahead, so watch your step.

What Star Wars Sequel? I Don’t Know What You’re Talking About!

Back when George Lucas was making the sequels to Star Wars (the original one), he was able to keep a lot of things secret simply by filming under an alternate title like Blue Harvest (which sounds like the title of  a 90’s era softcore porn thriller starring Shannon Tweed).  Today, with the interwebs, camera phones, and the hula hoop all the rage, it has gotten a lot harder!  Time to bring in the lawyers!!!!