Batman: The Killing Joke first full length trailer released

The definitive Batman voice actors have returned for an animated adaptation of one of the most famous stories in comics history, and everything about it looks fantastic.

Based on the acclaimed and highly controversial graphic novel of the same name, the film will explore Batman's relationship with the Joker, and drive home the fact that they represent perfect arch-nemeses for one another.

Alan Moore's The Killing Joke, released as a one-shot back in 1988, is considered by many fans as the greatest, and perhaps most terrifying, Joker story ever written. It provides an origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime, and goes on to lay out how his obsession with Batman originated. Nonetheless, it is without question an ugly story — particularly to Barbara Gordon AKA Batgirl. Critics have decried the novel over the years for the scene in which the Joker shoots Barbara through the spine, leaving her paralyzed. He then photographs her nude to torment her father, Commissioner Gordon. The decision to bring that one aspect of the story into canon only deepened the tragedy; though these days Barbara is back in her cape and cowl in her own Batgirl series.

We’ve already learned that there will be some places where The Killing Joke strays away from the source material: namely that there will be a new prologue, and that Barbara Gordon will be getting a slightly more respectful treatment. Still, many of the scenes in this trailer are ripped straight from Brian Bolland’s pages, and will—if the original comic is any indicator—be among Mark Hamill’s most terrifying performances as Gotham’s clown prince.

The Killing Joke will premier this year at San Diego Comic-Con, with a release date sometime in July 2016.