The Killing Joke Adaptation

1. The Killing Joke Adaptation
I chose to evaluate Alan Moore graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke to Sam Liu
Batman: The Killing Joke feature animated film. I chose this, as Alan Moore Killing
joke is one of my favourite graphic novels and I feel that the feature-animated film
does quite well to replicate the dark/brooding vibe of the comic, although they are a
few questionable differences. Alan Moore Batman: The Killing Joke Graphic Novel
was created in March 1988. Whereas, Sam Liu Batman: The Killing Joke was released
in august 2016.
To compare between the graphic novel and the feature animated film success. The
graphic novel receives more praise than the feature-animated film that varies from
often having some positive reviews to a lot of mixed reviews. Alan Moore Graphic
Novel receives a rating of 4.4/5 from Goodreads and it also receives a strong rating
of 4/5 from forbidden planet. Alan Moore has even received an Eisner award for
best writer for his Batman: The Killing Joke graphic novel. Compared to Sam Liu
Batman: The Killing Joke animated film, it received a mere average rating of 6.5/10
from IMDB and a poor rating of 50% from rotten tomatoes. With a budget of $3.5
million it managed to get a box office profit of $4.4 million.
To talk about it’s content, the film does well to conclude a variety of things that
occurred within the killing joke graphic novel, even showing us an insight to the
Joker mysterious/fuzzy past. However, one thing that seems to aggravate everyone
is the 30-minute non-canon prologue that focuses mainly on Batgirl. Within this
prologue, it focuses on Batgirl struggle of trying not to go to the ‘abyss’. The abyss is
basically a place where a hero no longer condones their code of honour to not kill or
they become very close to stepping on dangerous territory that breaks their code of
honour. Within this 30 minute prologue also, there’s a questionable sex scene that
occurs between Batgirl and Batman. Personally, I felt that this prologue was not
necessary. As a comic book fan you expect a faithful adaptation and you don’t
expect anything more already then what the graphic novel has given to you.

2. Moving on to legal and ethical issues. They weren’t any legal issues for the film and
the graphic novel. The film was able to successfully adapt the novel without getting
into any legal issues. However, they were ethical issues consulting the graphic novel
and also the film. Around May 2013, a patron of the public library in Columbus,
Nebraska issued that the graphic novel should be removed from the collection,
declaring that it “advocates rape and violence.” It is stated that about three out of
five library board members were present at the meeting where the challenge was
considered, and voted to keep Alan Moore Batman: The Killing Joke on shelves.
Another incident in relation to the graphic novel and it’s feature animated film
adaptation, is an article by the guardian where the writer (Will Brooker) issued that
‘Batman’s Killing Joke, and it’s ‘edgy’ rape storyline, is not a comeback I want to see’.