By Travis Johnson
This might be the first time a DC animated movie has hit the big screen since Batman: Mask of the Phantasm back in the day. Roadshow is putting Batman: The Killing Joke into selected cinemas for one night only on Sunday, July 24, prior to its digital release on July 27.
Based on the acclaimed and controversial graphic novel by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, and scripted by noted comics writer, Brian Azzarello, The Killing Joke is a brutal and disturbing look at Batman’s arch-nemesis, The Joker. It’s somewhat fallen out of favour in recent years due to the Joker’s treatment of Batgirl in the text (If you’ve read it, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t – it’s not pretty), but it remains a key work in the Batman mythos.
The animated adaptation is overseen by Batman: The Animated Series mastermind, Bruce Timm, and features the voices of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and The Joker, respectively, which should please many fans. Tara Strong lends her voice to Batgirl, while Ray Wise is Commissioner Gordon. The film is already notorious for being the first DC animated film to attract an R rating in the American classification system, which should make it an MA15+ hereabouts.
Check your local listings for venues and times, but move fast – this one will sell out quickly.
