Fans get a first look at the highly-anticipated DC Comics animated film "Batman: The Killing Joke" after its first teaser was leaked online.
Making the rounds on the web is a 10-minute featurette where the creators talked about the "Batman: The Killing Joke." Tons of clips from the animated film were also included.
It was revealed in the featurette that this is the third attempt at a "Batman: The Killing Joke" adaptation, and that it is a concept that has always been "on the table."
"Batman: The Killing Joke" is based on the 1988 one-shot graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland released in 1988.
[Spoiler Alert! "Batman: The Killing Joke" details below]
"Batman: The Killing Joke" features an origin story of the Joker, who is regarded as one of the most mysterious and intriguing comic book villains.
Here, Joker shoots Barbara Gordon (that led to her paralysis), kidnaps Gotham's reputable cop Jim Gordon and attempts to drive him insane. Batman, on the other hand, tries to stop his nemesis from doing so.
The writers and creators of the show are aware of the success and the "pedigree" of "Batman: The Killing Joke," and the role it played in shaping DC Comics iconic villain The Joker.
"The effect the comic had on Joker as a character in mass media, it all kind started with "The Killing Joke,'" executive producer Bruce Timm said in the "Batman: The Killing Joke" featurette.
To make it a full-length film, the creators came up with a prequel or a prologue, which showcases much of Batgirl and for fans "to get a sense of who she was" before "Batman: Killing Joke."
"The audience gets to spend more time with Barbara Gordon as a person before the events of The Killing Joke," Timm said in the featurette.
According to The Verge, creators will level out the heavy Batgirl scenes in the "Batman: The Killing Joke" movie. In the graphic novel, readers will remember that Barbara Gordon's character, apart from being shot, was stripped nude and was allegedly sexually assaulted.
Thanks to this project, several voice actors from "Batman: The Animated Series" are reunited, according to CNET. "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill will play the role Joker while Kevin Conroy is back as the Dark Knight. Tara Strong also returns to lend her voice to Barbara Batgirl.
A release for the "Batman: The Killing Joke" animated film is yet to be announced. Watch the featurette here.
