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Anyone familiar with the comic version of The Killing Joke knows it is distinctly dark and heavy , even for the Batman comics. Ever since news broke at last year’s Comic Con that it was being adapted into an animated feature, fans have been speculating as to whether it was dark enough to earn an R-rating, and this morning EW broke news that the The Killing Joke animated film is, indeed, slated for an R-rating.

The comic version of The Killing Joke was originally penned by veteran comic scribe Alan Moore with art by Brian Bolland, and published in 1988. It tells the story of the recently escaped Joker from the Arkham Asylum perpetuating a distinctly violent attack on Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl, and permanently paralyzing her, while also kidnapping her father Jim Gordon and attempting to drive him insane via his torture of Barbara. It has received a fair amount of feminist criticism for its content, being considered a prime example of how female characters are more likely to have their heroic agency usurped, and how violence against them is often perpetuated strategically as a means to hurt other male characters.

Nevertheless, it remains a popular title and a defining chapter in the Batman comics canon. Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation & Warner Digital Series, stated:

“From the start of production, we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story — regardless of the eventual MPAA rating…‘The Killing Joke’ is revered by the fans, particularly for its blunt, often-shocking adult themes and situations. We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience — the comics-loving community — with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well.”

Voice actors Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Tara Strong will be bringing Batman, The Joker and Barbara Gordon to life respectively and it is set to debut at this year’s Comic Con prior to its subsequent release on Blu-ray.

Source: Flickering Myth

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Rachel Aparicio

Rachel is a PhD drop-out and fangirl extraordinaire (at least on her better days). She is painfully addicted to genre TV and cute cat videos. Currently a contributor to Legion of Leia, The Daily Fandom and Fan/Fic Magazine, she also has a BA and MSc in Women's & Gender studies, and the student loan payments to prove it.