Blake Maupin

Communications Department, University of Pikeville

Heroes of Our Time-Com-345

Dr. J.R. Briscoe

April 16, 2021

 Abstract

The Killing Joke is the first superhero film rated “R.” It is also the first batman film rater R as

well. The story was covered in two mediums. A comic book novel covering the story and a film

giving its spin of the story. Easily the novel is way better than the film and it is not even close.

Due to the change in the ending.

The Killing Joke is a highly anticipated film for me. I had never watched the film nor read the

novel. Honestly, I have not been a huge fan of the DC side of things until the recent years. I was

excited to read and watch this.

The biggest thing about this film that 1st stands out is its rating. Most films especially in this

industry are all family friendly! That is the biggest reason superhero movies do so well however

The Killing Joke is rated R. The biggest difference between these two mediums is the ending.

The novels ending has the joker at his defeat just laughing and thinking it is so funny which

drives Batman past the point no hero has ever went. Heroes are held up high because they always

get the job done without killing. Well, I am the novel this drives Batman absolutely insane and

past that point. Batman stabs joker in the side which kills him. Ironically, Batman did it as a joke

on the joker. This was the ultimate joke. He took the jokers life. In the film however they totally

went away from this ending and totally ruins the whole purpose of the title of this. The films

adaptation has the joker and the Batman together and once Batman has won, they both laugh

together and this leads and ends the film into the credits. I was shook. The film totally ruined it.

The rating was an “R” due to the tones of the film. Things are darker and harder throughout the

movie. Also, I think the relationship with batgirl and the aspects of that played a pivotal part in

the rating of the film. However, that totally was unnecessary for the film and for the story of the

killing joke. These matters because those difference made the film suck. The additional storyline
in the film was the whole concept of Batman and batgirl being in a relationship, plus as I have

already stated this was unneeded and was just extra for the film. The true “The Killing Joke

“storyline did not start for about an hour and 30 into the film. For me that’s way to long for a

film to really kick in and get going.

My overall opinion on the differences is honestly simple. The novel did such an excellent job

with showing that even the highest regarded people can have their breaking point. This made

Batman relatable to us common people who fall in love with our heroes. The heroes never do

wrong but in the novel Batman KILLS someone! Like that is just unheard of. The film adding

the relationship and ruining the end of the film was poor and totally ruined the irony of the tittle

of the story. The novel also had the story to be easy to follow. The story picked up fast and there

was not an issue with staying hooked into the film. The film should get a totally reboot and

reshoot. The skies the limit with this storyline and someone needs to pick up the slack and give

this story justice. Redemption is needed. The differences in the two mediums change my

perception in a Simple way. The addition of the whole relationship and the ruined ending makes

me never want to watch the story. The movie does not do the story justice and does a poor job

and making someone want to watch the film. However, if the novel is the only thing, you read

then you will love the story and will be at ease with the novel. If the film is what you watch then

you will feel like there is things missing and you will be uninterested in ever revisiting the story.