Review of Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) by Joey S — 25 Jul 2016

Batman: The Killing Joke is good... with a few issues, but these issues are definitely forgivable in this mostly excellent adaptation of the Alan Moore classic.

The first half of this movie focuses on an original prologue and deals with the relationship between Batman and Batgirl. While this part is good, and showcases how awesome Batgirl is as a crime fighter, there are a few elements that might displease longtime fans of Barbara Gordon. With that said, it's always welcome to see Batgirl in the spotlight, especially when she is brought to life by one of her original voice actors, the incredibly talented Tara Strong.

Where the film really shines, however, is the second half, in which the adaptation of Alan Moore's classic graphic novel truly begins. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill shine as they return to their iconic roles of Batman and the Joker, respectively. Hamill, in particular, relishes in his return to the Joker persona, as he has been advocating for an animated adaptation of this story for years. Kevin Conroy once again proves to be the best voice for the Caped Crusader, and hearing him make sounds that Batman rarely makes is awesome, amusing, and rightfully terrifying. The animation, akin to Batman: The Animated Series, is good, with a few uses of CGI that less than excellent. But the backgrounds, shading, and costume designs, all of them harken back to the original source material, bringing some of the more iconic panels of the comic to life right in front of me.

All in all, The Killing Joke is a respectful adaptation of one of the greatest Batman stories of all time, one that will please and disturb fans of the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime, and that is no joke.