We all know Mark Hamill from one iconic role in particular, but in the words of Yoda, there is another. Taking up far more space on Hamill's CV than Luke Skywalker is his voice portrayal of The Joker, which he's been making his own since Batman: The Animated Series began in the early '90s.
Announced at Comic-Con last year, an animated adaptation of Alan Moore's classic Batman graphic novel The Killing Joke is almost upon us, and while everyone already knew he'd done it, Hamill has now been officially allowed to reveal he's The Joker once more. Furthermore, Kevin Conroy is once again the voice of Batman, with Ray Wise as Commisioner Gordon and Tara Strong as his daughter Barbara. And with all that also comes the first still from the film.
Moore wrote the standalone The Killing Joke in 1988. Brian Bolland provided the stunning artwork. It was initially concieved as not being part of any ongoing continuity, but its controversial treatment of Barbara Gordon led to its being folded into canon as the beginning of her becoming Oracle. Moore, with typical grump, sees it as one of his lesser works. He's said that, while most of his other writing has bigger themes, The Killing Joke isn't really about anything except Batman and The Joker.
Sometimes that's enough though. The slim volume sees The Joker trying to drive Commissioner Gordon insane in an abandoned funhouse. Batman, of course, is on their trail. But perhaps more significant than the present-day scenario are the flashbacks to The Joker's origins. Careful not to reveal too much - like who he actually is - the story picks up threads first pulled in the 1950s to give us The Joker as a failed comedian who takes a job as masked criminal The Red Hood and is betrayed by his colleagues. With horrible inevitablility, some chemicals and a transformation await.
Hamill has been reported as retiring from playing the Joker on any number of occasions, but keeps coming back for more and saying he's been misquoted. He had seemed to indicate that the Arkham videogames were the end for him, but he's always said he'd do The Killing Joke if it came up.
"The chance to work once again with Kevin Conroy, my favorite Batman, in what some consider the definitive origin of this iconic villain is a dream come true for me," says Hamill. "I am beyond thrilled to return as The Joker in The Killing Joke.
"I’ve had the great privilege of voicing Batman for more than two decades," adds Conroy, "and some of my favorite moments in the recording booth have been alongside Mark Hamill. Mark always enables me to be a better actor. I’m thrilled that we’re both back to bring these characters to life in one of the most heralded Batman/Joker stories of all time."
Batman: The Killing Joke will get its world premiere at this year's Comic-Con and then hit Blu-ray, DVD and digital later in the summer. Sam Liu, who was also behind the animated adaptations of The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One, is the director.