Saturday’s Suicide Squad reveal obviously wasn’t enough Joker for the folks at DC Comics. At the panel for Justice League: Gods And Monsters, Bruce Timm dropped word that the signature Joker tale (arguably) is finally making its way to the DC Animated Universe.
Batman: The Killing Joke is a controversial tale obviously, painting The Joker as both a tragic figure and vile monster and it is well known for its treatment of Barbara Gordon / Batgirl (an act that still riles up fans and has even been denounced by Alan Moore in recent years).
Batman: The Killing Joke is coming to animated film 2016 — Just announced by Bruce Timm at our JL: Gods & Monsters panel! #DCSDCC
— DC (@DCOfficial) July 11, 2015
The folks over at Comics Alliance are cautious about the transition from page to animation, wondering if the more salacious and violent aspects will make the jump. I think knowing where the DC Animation department has gone with their recent entries, including the classic Batman tales by Frank Miller, it isn’t entirely the wrong venue. But it does speak to the strength of what happens in the story.
It’s a shock that this hasn’t happened yet, but it makes sense given The Joker’s almost starring role in Suicide Squad and his clear influences in Batman V. Superman. That tie-in potential is there and can’t be ignored. We’ll just have to wait until 2016 to see how it pans out.
(Via Comics Alliance / DC Comics)
