So I just Watched… Batman: The Killing Joke (Warner...

So I just Watched… Batman: The Killing Joke (Warner Animation // 2016)

Before I begin I will say that I am sorry. I’m about to express some hard opinions and no matter how well worded I might think they are, odds are somebody is gonna be offended and I’m not gonna be sorry for it. Months ago this project was announced and the internet exploded with anticipation. Not only a killer writer like Brian Azzarello was adapting Alan Moore’s classic Batman story, it was going to feature long time partners in crime Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hammil as The Joker, both with almost 20 years under their respective belts voicing the characters. As the internet grew aware of what kind of story “The Killing Joke” was more and more of the eternally offended people raised their voices against it. The film received what most animated features of Warner doesn’t get: a theatrical release and even as the cash started to roll in so where the negative comments towards what I consider a goddamn classic of American comic masterpiece… all in line with this current trend of thinking that every single thing shown in the original book  is either misogynistic, offensive or both and going as far as calling out Alan Moore to prove the point stating that he hates the story these days (newsflash: he hates everything he has ever written for DC, even Watchmen). All in all, the original tale was receiving a beating and I am one the very few that will stand for it. “The Killing Joke” Not only defined the tone of Batman along Miller’s Dark Knight from there on for my generation. It set a new status quo for one of the most prominent female characters on the DC Universe for some good 20 years. Yes! maybe it’s tough to read but Barbara Gordon was a much better character as Oracle than she ever was as Batgirl. At least until the New52 came along.

Back to the animated film… The story has been expanded. Since the original one-shot it’s just 48 pages long an additional 25 minutes of story where created for this film to establish the bond between Batman and Batgirl that made him go almost over the edge for Barbara and Jim Gordon when the Joker decides that he will prove a point. By shooting Barbara and torturing Jim he believes that all a sane man needs to lose his sanity is one bad day. Frankly I could have done without it. It weakens Batman, it weakens Barbara it means to help to laid out to the first time viewer that this is a very personal story but if you can put two and two together (and you damn better well be able to since the film is rated R as in “not meant for kids”) you may be able to know that these character share some kind of history without the awkward sex scene. Other than that main gripe the story is picture perfect. You get everything that made the original such a great story the background tale of the man who would become the Joker it’s such a tragic story. It doesn’t justify his actions by any means but it humanizes a character that DC has overpowered so much in the current comic book lore that he has been relegated to events (don’t believe me? Check out the two big Joker stories in the last 5 years “Death In The Family and “Endgame” both have raised the character to Godlike status, these days the Joker is more a force of nature than a man). As always the animation on these films it’s top notch (for American standards at least) and the voices are spot on. Mark retired from the character almost three years ago but was more than willing to come back for this hell of a story and it delivers on every level. No one else would have done it this good.

Does this film deserve your time? I believe it does! Even with the botched introduction you get a defining Batman/Joker tale and the birth of one of the most resourceful characters in the DC Universe (be sure to check the mid credits scene!) Go for it and if you fucking love it feel no shame about it. It’s a damn good tale!

Posted in: Reviews & Appreciation