Batman: The Killing Joke Launch Date and Full Specs
DC Entertainment and Warner Home Entertainment have officially announced the release date and home video specs for Batman: The Killing Joke. The R-rated animated is due out on August 2 on Blu-ray Deluxe Edition, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. The Blu-ray Deluxe Edition is priced at $29.96, and the Blu-ray Combo Pack will be $24.98. The DVD only edition will cost $19.98. The Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie for Digital HD with UltraViolet.
The film will be available first on Digital HD on July 26, 2016. Speaking on the final release date announcement, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment VP of Family & Animation Marketing Mary Ellen Thomas stated: “Batman: The Killing Joke presents one of the most compelling stories in the annals of Batman’s adventures: the evolution of The Joker from normalcy to criminal insanity. This was a very challenging story to tell because of the intense, often disturbing storyline, but we are extremely pleased with how true to the graphic novel we have been in this original film. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is proud to release Batman: The Killing Joke as an authentic representation of its revered story for both longtime fans and new fans alike.”
The film features the voices of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker, Ray Wise as Jim Gordon, and Tara Strong as Barbara Gordon. The animated movie is directed by Sam Liu with a script by Brian Azzarello. Bruce Timm and Sam Register are executive producing the project, and Alan Burnett is co-producer. Here are the specs and extras for the DVD and Blu-ray versions (courtesy of Warner Bros.):
Batman: The Killing Joke – Enhanced Content
DVD
- An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie.
Blu-ray Combo Pack
- An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie..
- Featurette – “Batman: The Killing Joke – Madness Set To Music” – Jim Gordon must bear witness to the most disturbing images any father could imagine while a maniac entices his break from sanity in song. This documentary looks at the step-by-process of one of the most crucial scenes in Batman: The Killing Joke, including the methodology James Tucker used as he storyboarded Brian Bolland’s stunning work for the screen; Dynamic Music Partners composers/lyricists’ creative merging of original music with the poetic words from the graphic novel to provoke the desired feelings and emotions for this critical scene; and actor Mark Hamill’s physical, devoted performance to capturing the world¹s most notorious Super-Villain in song.
- Featurette – “Many Shades of Joker: The Tale of The Killing Joke” – Brian Bolland’s artwork is instantly recognizable to comic book enthusiasts all over the world. Known for his amazing cover art, it was a rare inclusion into the body of a graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke, that helped the perennial story of Batman and The Joker remain a fan favorite for decades to come. Combined with the graphic novel’s original script – which is more than just the telling of a story, but an intricate map explaining every stop along the way to the end of a fantastic journey – this documentary reveals the artistic process behind The Killing Joke’s distinct style. We’ll learn how artists and writers excelled at conveying story and human emotion one panel at a time, mesmerizing readers with unforgettable stories and humanized depictions of heroes and villains. And why after nearly 30 years in print, Batman: The Killing Joke is more thought provoking than ever, as its socio-economic themes are relatable to generation after generation.
- From the DC Comics Vault– Two 22-minute episodes:
- The New Batman Adventures – “Old Wounds”
- Batman: The Animated Series – “Christmas with The Joker”
Blu-ray Deluxe Edition
- Exclusive Limited Edition The Joker Figurine
- An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie..
- Featurette – “Batman: The Killing Joke – Madness Set To Music” – Jim Gordon must bear witness to the most disturbing images any father could imagine while a maniac entices his break from sanity in song. This documentary looks at the step-by-process of one of the most crucial scenes in Batman: The Killing Joke, including the methodology James Tucker used as he storyboarded Brian Bolland’s stunning work for the screen; Dynamic Music Partners composers/lyricists’ creative merging of original music with the poetic words from the graphic novel to provoke the desired feelings and emotions for this critical scene; and actor Mark Hamill’s physical, devoted performance to capturing the world¹s most notorious Super-Villain in song.
- Featurette – “Many Shades of Joker: The Tale of The Killing Joke” – Brian Bolland’s artwork is instantly recognizable to comic book enthusiasts all over the world. Known for his amazing cover art, it was a rare inclusion into the body of a graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke, that helped the perennial story of Batman and The Joker remain a fan favorite for decades to come. Combined with the graphic novel’s original script – which is more than just the telling of a story, but an intricate map explaining every stop along the way to the end of a fantastic journey – this documentary reveals the artistic process behind The Killing Joke’s distinct style. We’ll learn how artists and writers excelled at conveying story and human emotion one panel at a time, mesmerizing readers with unforgettable stories and humanized depictions of heroes and villains. And why after nearly 30 years in print, Batman: The Killing Joke is more thought provoking than ever, as its socio-economic themes are relatable to generation after generation.
- From the DC Comics Vault– Two 22-minute episodes:
- The New Batman Adventures – “Old Wounds”
- Batman: The Animated Series – “Christmas with The Joker”