Batman: The Killing Joke

 (Blogger's Note: This story and its film adaptation is not meant for younger Batman fans, and is darker than most Batman stories. Reader/viewer discretion is definitely advised, for children and adults. Seriously, this story is good, but it is messed up! You have been warned!) 

Let me ask you all something before we begin, have you ever had a "really bad day"? Have you ever had a day which pushed you over the edge, and changed your life forever? If so, then you could probably relate to the tale of a man whose bad day caused him to become one of the biggest comic book villains of all time. The Killing Joke is a 1989 Graphic Novel written by Alan Moore and published by DC Comics, as it is a Batman story. The graphic novel has two stories seamlessly running throughout. The first of the two stories involves Batman working to stop Joker after Barbara Gordon is shot in the spine for the purpose of driving Commissioner Gordon to insanity. The second story interspersed throughout the main story is the origin of Joker, depicted through sepia-toned flashbacks. The Killing Joke is definitely a recommendation for any Batman fan, and is considered by many to be the best Batman story ever written. The story also explains at the beginning how Barbara Gordon was confined to a wheelchair in many modern depictions, something I was curious about after playing through the Arkham video games. When reading the story, one will notice the tone and structure is mostly cinematic, almost as if the graphic novel is a collection of storyboards. I know that when I read it, I kept picturing the story as a film in my head and I was reading a visualized script. Luckily, those waiting for a film adaptation of The Killing Joke (such as myself) would soon have their wish granted.

On July 22, 2016, attendees of San-Diego Comic Con would be treated to a film adaptation of The Killing Joke. The film adaptation premiered to mixed reviews, and a similar reception was given in the theatrical and home video releases. The main reason for the film's mixed reception was the thirty-minute prologue of the movie. The film's prologue was unnecessary and had nothing relevant to The Killing Joke. If it had to be released, it should have been released as a separate short film on the DVD. However, when it transitions into adapting the graphic novel's story, the adaptation is nearly shot-for-shot and word-for-word aside from a musical number by Joker. Aside from faithfully adapting the story (thank you DC, you did an amazing job), fans are also treated to an amazing voice cast headlined by the popular Kevin Conroy as Batman, and Mark Hamill as Joker. Longtime Batman fans may recognize these two voices from their aforementioned roles in Batman: The Animated Series and the Batman: Arkham series of video games. Tara Strong also reprises her role as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl from the former of the two series. This film was definitely a gift to fans, as The Killing Joke has been requested to be adapted into a film fin the years since the graphic novel was released. 

Many interpretations of Joker have taken inspiration from the version in The Killing Joke, such as Jack Nicholson's and the late Heath Ledger's. Mark Hamill's interpretations of Joker from Batman: Animated and Arkham were also inspired by this story, as well as the interpretation from his soundalike, Troy Baker. 

Overall, the story and film adaptation are something I would recommend checking out. However, as I have stated before in the "blogger's note", I would not watch or read in front of younger audiences. This is a story that could significantly scar a younger Batman fan, making the film adaptation well-deserving of the R Rating it received upon release. What do you all think of this story? What did you think of the film? Feel free to post your responses in the comments below.