It's often cited as one of the most brutal and controversial comics ever made, but The Killing Joke is now going to be made into an animated film.

The one-shot comic - that's a comic with one story on its own, without any continuation - was first released in 1988 and was written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Brian Bolland. It went on to become one of the most iconic and well-known Batman stories and shaped how the Joker would be seen in later iterations.

When Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson were preparing for the role, both actors were handed copies of The Killing Joke as research. That's how important it is.

Anyway, the real story is that both Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are returning to voice the roles of Batman and The Joker respectively. You'll remember the excellent '90s TV series of Batman which featured both actors and, as well, the Arkham Asylum / City games.

Outside of Heath Ledger, Mark Hamill's got to be the best actor to have played The Joker. Just look at this, like.

As well as Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong - who voiced Batgirl / Barbara Gordon in the Animated Series - will be returning to voice the same character whilst Ray Wise of Twin Peaks fame will be voicing Jim Gordon. If you know what happens in The Killing Joke, you'll know that it's not going to be a happy trip for either of them.

The Killing Joke is headed straight-to-DVD / Blu-Ray later this summer.

 

Via CBR