DC has not too long ago launched one other adaptation of probably the most well-known Batman comics of all time – which is made all of the extra attention-grabbing by the controversial outcomes of the earlier try and adapt the story right into a film 10 years in the past. Batman’s historical past accommodates a few of the most necessary comedian tales of all time, due to the hero’s prominence and the various gifted creators who’ve helped craft his escapades.
Whereas this implies there is a wealth of iconic and stellar Batman comics primed for diversifications, it additionally means there is a roster of comics that must be dealt with particularly fastidiously when they’re reimagined, since viewers can be extra conscious of the supply materials being utilized. As such, whereas it isn’t stunning DC have tailored the largest Batman shaggy dog story of all time once more, it is notable that this rendition is sort of totally different in some senses to the extra tumultuous 2016 film adaptation of the identical narrative.
The Killing Joke Has Been Tailored As soon as Extra Thanks To DC Excessive Quantity
In relation to Batman comics, The Killing Joke has stood the take a look at of time when it comes to remaining probably the most well-known tales that includes the Darkish Knight and his most infamous nemesis. Naturally, this has meant that The Killing Joke has impressed a spread of DC releases through the years, together with some direct diversifications – as is the case with the latest efforts to reimagine this story as soon as extra.
DC’s Excessive Quantity sequence – which adapts notable comedian releases from the annals of DC’s previous, and reimagines them in audio podcast format, full with utilizing a few of these tales’ panels or visuals to underline particular moments – launched the second and last chapter of its adaptation of The Killing Joke onto YouTube on January 7, 2026, roughly per week after the primary chapter debuted on the platform.
With abilities like DC voice actor Jason Spisak returning to the franchise to voice Batman right here – and Troy Baker returning to voice the Joker, after having beforehand performed the character within the likes of Batman Limitless, Batman: Assault on Arkham, and each elements of the difference of Batman: The Lengthy Halloween – it is no shock that Excessive Quantity’s rendition of The Killing Joke is one which adapts the supply materials properly.
Why DC Excessive Quantity’s The Killing Joke Adaptation Is Higher Than The 2016 Film
Years earlier than DC Excessive Quantity had even begun, The Killing Joke was tailored right into a full animated Batman film, although these efforts resulted in a launch that was much more controversial than the unique comedian itself, which has lengthy seen criticism for utilizing the torture and subsequent paralyzation of Barbara Gordon as a plot gadget meant so as to add drama to the tales of her father and Batman with out delving into what this implies for Barbara herself.
The 2016 adaptation of The Killing Joke made this matter much more advanced by including in a romance between Batman and Barbara Gordon, which drew fan ire each as a result of Barbara is conventionally in a relationship with Batman’s first adoptive son, Richard Grayson, within the comics, and since it might be seen to additional pigeonhole her right into a damsel in misery romantic curiosity position given the later occasions of the story.
In the end, DC Excessive Quantity extra straightforwardly adapting the Batman comedian with out including in a questionable and pointless romance avoids the added issues Batman: The Killing Joke created for viewers, making it arguably the preferable adaptation of the 2 regardless of having much less in the best way of visible components.