Batman: The Killing Joke had its World Premiere in front of an audience of thousands at San Diego Comic-Con before going on to play to sold out theaters last night in its theatrical debut. However, if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s now available as an HD Digital Download. (There are also additional theatrical screenings tonight, if you prefer to see it on the big screen. Tickets may still be available.)
But what if you’re on the fence? It’s based on one of the most widely read Batman comics of all times—we couldn’t blame you for being a bit uncertain. What if it’s not authentic to the comic? What if they’ve made a lot of changes? What if it’s not the story you remember?
Batman: The Killing Joke does feature a good-sized prologue sequence focusing on Barbara Gordon that’s not in the comic. Let’s face it, it would be a pretty short movie otherwise. However, once that wraps up and Batman heads to Arkham, it’s about as accurate to the source material as you can get. In fact, many of the “shots” in the film are lifted directly from the comic.
Take the comic’s famous opening, for example. If you haven’t read it, you can find it below. Note how the first two pages of Brian Bolland’s flawless art are completely silent, and yet rich with so much detail that you have no problem imagining the sounds and conversation.
Now let’s see how that sequence plays out in the movie. Most of this scene was featured in an earlier episode of DC All Access, which you can see by clicking here. Go on and check it out, and then come back to us for a comparison.
If you watched the scene, you likely noticed the similarities in dialog. Sections of Batman’s speech were lifted directly from the comic. However, the visuals are as equally respectful. Below, you can see a series of stills from the scene alongside the corresponding panels from the comic. Let’s see how well they match up.
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Bolland makes dramatic use of shadow as Batman enters Arkham. -
There's that use of shadow, dramatically conveyed in the film as well. -
This sequence is the bottom row on the first page. Note the three images, and particularly Commissioner Gordon's handoff of the coffee cup. -
That "through the gate" that started the previous sequence is in the film... -
...along with Gordon and his coffee cup... -
...and his handoff to the other officer as Batman walks by! -
These two panels kick off the second page of the comic. Again, note the camera angles here. -
Those same camera angles are in the film as well, and in the same sequence. -
One thing that's missing, the receptionist's "Crazy to Work Here" sign. -
There are some shot-for-shot similarities with this moment, as well as some key differences. Note that here, you see Harvey Dent's face. -
In the film, you don't. Instead, you see him scratching his cell door. -
However, you DO get this shot of Batman and Gordon passing in front of Two-Face's cell which is reproduced from the comic. Note that Gordon's even adjusting his hat. -
This shot, of Batman walking through the hall towards the camera, isn't in the comic. In fact, you don't see Batman's front out of shadows until he sits down across from the Joker. -
We've always kind of liked the guard's salute towards Batman in this sequence. Unfortunately, it's not in the film, but the prior two panels are! -
This shot is a bit tighter than it is in the comic, but it's essentially the same frame of the guard in front of the "Name Unknown" door. Heck, even the patient number is the same. -
Here's that second panel, as Batman walks towards the camera with the guard in profile. Jump to our next gallery for the Joker confrontation!
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Once Batman enters the Joker's cell (on the third page of the comic), this is what we see and it's largely recreated in the film as well. -
This is essentially the second panel in the prior image, with the Joker's card in the foreground. Heck, even the card is the same! -
As the Joker places the card in front of him, it's shown at the exact same angle Bolland uses in the comic. -
This is the largest panel in the comic at this point and the first one with any lettering. -
We get the same shot in the film as well, albeit a bit darker than in the comic. -
At the top of the fourth page, we get the start of Batman's classic monologue, which is largely reproduced for the film. So are these three panels. -
Here that first shot of Batman from the Joker's perspective. Like in the panel, the cards in the foreground, but here it's a different card! -
It's followed by this creepy shot of the Joker. -
And that's followed by the overhead shot of the table! -
Now, let's look at the moment where Batman discovers the Joker is a fake. Here's how that moment happens in the comic. Note the final panel. -
In the film, the moment starts the same way, with Batman grabbing the Joker's hand. -
However, in the film, we see the makeup on Batman's glove from this perspective. -
We don't get the shot of Batman pointing to the Joker, but we do see him holding his hand the way he is in the comic. -
Finally, let's look at the moment where Batman confronts the fake Joker. Two of these classic panels are in the film as well. -
We see Batman rub the makeup off of the phony Joker's face, just as he does in the book. -
And of course, we see this classic face-to-face shot, which in the book is the first time we see Batman's face in the light.
Pretty impressive, right? It’s really great to see the animators paying such respect to the original panel art all throughout the film. You throw in the peerless voice work of Ray Wise, Tara Strong and of course, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill and this is about as amazing as movie adaptations get.
You can see how the rest of the movie compares to the book by checking it out in Digital HD today, or if you’re more of a disc person, look for the Blu-ray Deluxe Edition, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on August 2, 2016. Turn down the lights, pop some popcorn and whatever you do, don’t answer the door.
