The buzz around the upcoming home entertainment (Industry talk for DVD and Blu-ray releases) release of BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE is considerable. The source material is an Iconic Batman story that is as dark as dark can be and the animated feature film apparently is faithful enough to the source material to snag an R rating. The film features Batman regulars Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill and is directed by Sam Liu, whose animated Batman work has earned him an Emmy Award. Warner has decided that there has been enough teasing and has released the date, art and extras.
Based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, Batman: The Killing Joke takes a journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime – from his humble beginnings as a struggling comedian to his fateful encounter with Batman that changes both of their lives forever. Years later, and now escaped from Arkham Asylum, The Joker devises a plan to prove that one bad day can make anyone as insane as he is – setting his sights on Commissioner Gordon. It’s up to the Dark Knight to put a stop to The Joker’s latest scheme and save one of Gotham City’s finest. Following a gripping prologue introducing Barbara Gordon’s heroic adventures alongside Batman as Batgirl, Batman: The Killing Joke stays true to the authentic tale that has held fans’ imaginations for nearly three decades – spotlighting the birth of a Super-Villain, the fortitude of a Super Hero and the punchline that will leave you speechless.
Blu-ray Extras:
An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie
Batman: The Killing Joke – Madness Set To Music – Jim Gordon must bear witness to the most disturbing images any father could imagine while a maniac entices his break from sanity in song. This documentary looks at the step-by-process of one of the most crucial scenes in Batman: The Killing Joke, including the methodology James Tucker used as he storyboarded Brian Bolland’s stunning work for the screen; Dynamic Music Partners composers/lyricists’ creative merging of original music with the poetic words from the graphic novel to provoke the desired feelings and emotions for this critical scene; and actor Mark Hamill’s physical, devoted performance to capturing the world¹s most notorious Super-Villain in song.
Many Shades of Joker: The Tale of The Killing Joke – Brian Bolland’s artwork is instantly recognizable to comic book enthusiasts all over the world. Known for his amazing cover art, it was a rare inclusion into the body of a graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke, that helped the perennial story of Batman and The Joker remain a fan favorite for decades to come. Combined with the graphic novel’s original script – which is more than just the telling of a story, but an intricate map explaining every stop along the way to the end of a fantastic journey – this documentary reveals the artistic process behind The Killing Joke’s distinct style. We’ll learn how artists and writers excelled at conveying story and human emotion one panel at a time, mesmerizing readers with unforgettable stories and humanized depictions of heroes and villains. And why after nearly 30 years in print, Batman: The Killing Joke is more thought provoking than ever, as its socio-economic themes are relatable to generation after generation.
From the DC Comics Vault – Two 22-minute episodes:
The New Batman Adventures – “Old Wounds”
Batman: The Animated Series – “Christmas with The Joker”
In addition to the BD/DVD/Digital Download combo pack, THE KILLING JOKE will also have a Gift Set featured a limited edition Joker “figurine.” BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE will be released on August 2nd.
