This summer, DC Entertainment is going to prove a point and raise a glass to crime in Batman: The Killing Joke, the long-awaited adaptation of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s iconic graphic novel. While there’s an R-Rated cut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice coming down the line, Batman: The Killing Joke may be the first DC animated film to earn an R—and for good reason, as evidenced by the first teaser.

And as it reveals in the trailer, the Joker’s been incarcerated for two years. Which means that the Joker’s revenge is overdue, and he’s going to strike at the people closest to the Dark Knight to demonstrate that it only takes “one bad day” to push someone into madness.

For years, Mark Hamill promised that he would reprise his role as the Joker for The Killing Joke, and he’s kept his word. Hamill’s Batman: The Animated Series co-stars Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong are also back as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon, respectively. Ray Wise will be portraying Commissioner James Gordon in the film.

Veteran DC animation producer Bruce Timm is also onboard Batman: The Killing Joke alongside director Sam Liu. Over the weekend, an extended video preview of The Killing Joke leaked and revealed that the story will be extended by a new prologue sequence that focuses on Barbara Gordon’s heroic persona, Batgirl.

Batman: The Killing Joke will be screened at San Diego Comic-Con International in July, with a Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD release to follow.

What did you think about the Batman: The Killing Joke teaser? Let us know in the comment section below!

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HT: The Verge

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment