Batman: The Killing Joke animated movie, based on Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s brilliant graphic novel, has been given a release date. Warner Bros. has announced that the deluxe edition and combo pack Blu-ray and digital HD editions will be released on August 2, 2016. Digital retailers will begin selling the digital HD version on July 23.
Executive producer Bruce Timm revealed that Batman: The Killing Joke will premiere at Comic-Con International: San Diego this July.
The deluxe edition and combo pack will have several special features. It will include two 22-minute episodes of The New Batman Adventures and Batman: The Animated Series. Featurettes are “Madness Set to Music,” a documentary on creating storyboards and the original score, and “Many Shades of the Joker: The Tale of the Killing Joke,” a making-of that dives into the graphic novel. The Blu-ray combo pack also comes with a limited edition Joker figure.
Based on Moore and Bolland’s graphic novel, it presents the Joker’s early days as a comedian and turn as the Clown Prince of Crime. He kidnaps and tortures Commissioner Gordon at a busted down amusement park.
“Batman: The Killing Joke presents, for the first time, one of the most compelling stories in the annals of Batman’s adventures: the evolution of the Joker from normalcy to criminal insanity, in all its graphic presentation as an R-rated animated film,” Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing, said. “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is proud to release Batman: The Killing Joke as an authentic representation of its revered story for both longtime fans and new fans alike.”
Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill have reprised their roles, voicing Batman and the Joker, respectively. The film also features the voices of Ray Wise (X-Men: First Class) as Commissioner Gordon and Tara Strong (Teen Titans Go) as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon.
Though brief, the trailer hints beautifully at the overall story while the bone chilling laugh of the Joker will leave you anxious for more.
