History YMMV / BatmanTheKillingJoke

* {{Misblamed}}: Because Creator/BruceTimm allegedly held a fondness for [[spoiler:Bruce/Barbara (as previous works in the DCAU had hinted at them dating or having dated), he gets most of the blame from fans for the Bruce/Barbara subplot, including the scene of them having sex]]. While Timm is not entirely blameless, according to [[http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/batman-the-killing-joke-sexual-violence.html?mid=twitter_vulture an interview]], the [[spoiler:Bruce/Barbara subplot]] was a decision made by him, Alan Burnett, and screenwriter Brian Azzarello, with Brian allegedly being the one to propose the idea.

* {{Misblamed}}: Because Creator/BruceTimm held a fondness for [[spoiler:Bruce/Barbara (as previous works in the DCAU had hinted at them dating or having dated), he gets the majority of the blame from fans for the Bruce/Barbara subplot, including the scene of them having sex]]. While Timm is not blameless, since he (and the rest of the staff) did go along with it, the [[spoiler:Bruce/Barbara subplot]] was originally Brian Azzarello's idea, not Timm's.

* {{Misblamed}}: Because Creator/BruceTimm held a fondness for Bruce/Barbara (as previous works in the DCAU had hinted at them dating or having dated), he gets the majority of the blame from fans for the Bruce/Barbara subplot, [[spoiler:including the scene of them having sex]]. While Timm is not blameless, since he (and the rest of the staff) did go along with it, the Bruce/Barbara subplot was originally Brian Azzarello's idea, not Timm's.

** Rather than use the addition of a Batgirl prologue to amend the lack of focus she got in the original story and how she copped with being crippled, which [[CreatorBackLash Alan Moore regretted]], or to alter the context to provide a better alternative to just [[StuffedInAFridge Joker shooting her to spite Batman]], it instead spends all its time on a sleazy plot disconnected from the main story. There was an opportunity to have Barbara undergo a unique arc that lead to her drawing Jokers wrath on her own, such as her undergoing a [[HeroicBSOD brief disillusionment with the vigilante lifestyle]] that leads her to put aside the batsuit for a spell, only to [[ChronicHeroSyndrome spring into action to help thwart a Joker plot]] while out of costume, making Joker's attack, very in-character, revenge on a HeroicBystander, and him using to torment Batman being just a twisted afterthought.

** Rather than use the addition of a Batgirl prologue to amend the lack of focus she got in the original story, which [[CreatorBackLash Alan Moore regretted]], or to alter the context to provide a better alternative to just [[StuffedInAFridge Joker trying to spite Batman]], it instead spends all its time on a sleazy plot disconnected from the main story. There was an opportunity to have Barbara undergo a unique arc that lead to her drawing Jokers wrath on her own, such as her undergoing a [[HeroicBSOD brief disillusionment with the vigilante lifestyle]] that leads her to put aside the batsuit for a spell, only to [[ChronicHeroSyndrome spring into action to help thwart a Joker plot]] while out of costume, making Joker's attack, very in-character, revenge on a HeroicBystander, and him using to torment Batman being just a twisted afterthought.

** Rather than use the addition of a Batgirl prologue to amend the lack of focus she got in the original story, which [[CreatorBackLash Alan Moore regretted]], or to alter the context to provide a better alternative to just [[StuffedInAFridge Joker trying to spite Batman]], it instead spends all on a sleazy plot disconnected from the main story, there was an opportunity to have Barbara undergo a unique arc that lead to her drawing Jokers wrath on her own. Such as her undergoing a [[HeroicBSOD brief disillusionment with the vigilante lifestyle]] that leads her to put aside the batsuit for a spell, only to [[ChronicHeroSyndrome spring into action to help thwart a Joker plot]] while out of costume, making Joker's attack, very in-character, revenge on a HeroicBystandered, and him using to torment Batman being just a twisted afterthought.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: The film introduces a prologue section not included in the comics that's supposed to flesh out Barbara's backstory more. However, critics complain that the prologue and the second half of the film feel completely disconnected from one another, the stuff that happens to Barbara in the first half is never brought up at any point during the second. The prologue fails to build up Barbara as a character, and instead just establishes her as MsFanservice, while mucking up the friendship that she had with Batman in the comics. Some felt that if the movie had to extend its story for the running time, they should've added more flashbacks to the Joker's backstory, like showing how the stand-up comedy routine failed or what he did after he emerged from the polluted river.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Even the fans who absolutely ''despise'' this adaptation are prone to thinking Joker's VillainSong [[https://youtu.be/f0wJNl320eQ "I Go Looney"]] is an absolute treat. The fact that he makes a BreakThemByTalking lecture into a song, and a catchy one at that, that he sings while torturing Jim Gordon with an amusement park ride from hell, just adds to the RefugeInAudacity feel of the song.

** A [[spoiler:Barbara/Bruce]] relationship originated in Creator/BruceTimm's ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond''. In ''Beyond'', set decades in the future with older characters the relationship (which ended on a bad note) was treated as a NoodleIncident and it was intended to have taken place years after [[spoiler:Batgirl and Batman]] fought crime, with the latter driving away all his remaining allies and/or LoveInterests and [[spoiler:Barbara]] (long broken up with [[spoiler:Nightwing]]) essentially becoming their final chance at love which they then threw away to become a reclusive hermit. Here [[spoiler:it happens while Barbara is still at college and hardly a superhero for a long time]]. The relationship was received negatively back then, though not nearly as vocally, as it was less noticeable. [[note]]The LooseCanon ''ComicBook/BatmanBeyond 2.0'' comics [[http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/08/12/exactly-what-happened-between-bruce-wayne-and-barbara-gordon-that-so-estranged-dick-grayson-on-batman-beyond-spoilers/ reveal that]] [[spoiler:their relationship occurred while Barbara and Dick were still together, with Bruce and Babs hooking up while Nightwing was away in Blüdhaven; not only that, she was also ''pregnant'' with Bruce's sons, but suffered a miscarriage.]][[/note]]

* FanonDiscontinuity: The prologue is already being ignored by viewers due to [[spoiler:the sex scene between Batman and Batgirl]], partly due to its {{Squick}} nature, partly due to what they feel is [[spoiler:poor characterization of Barbara as a ClingyJealousGirl and Batman as a creepy older man.]] A common recommendation is to just skip the first half-hour altogether.

** Paris Franz is near-universally hated by fans for being a two-dimensional, repellent sleazeball with no redeeming or interesting qualities and for having no relevance to the rest of the plot past the prologue.

** Paris throughout the entire prologue. His rapey crush on Barbara, with some over-the-top misogynist remarks to boot, were cringe-worthy for many, and only added fuel to the UnfortunateImplications fire.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Even the fans who absolutely ''despise'' this adaptation are prone to thinking Joker's VillainSong "[[https://youtu.be/f0wJNl320eQ I Go Looney]]" is an absolute treat. The fact that he makes a BreakThemByTalking lecture into a song, and a catchy one at that, that he sings while torturing Jim Gordon with an amusement park ride from hell, just adds to the RefugeInAudacity feel of the song.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Even the fans who absolutely ''despise'' this adaptation are prone to thinking Joker's VillainSong ''[[https://youtu.be/f0wJNl320eQ I Go Looney]]'' is an absolute treat. The fact that he makes a "BreakThemByTalking" lecture into a song, and a catchy one at that, that he sings while torturing Jim Gordon with an amusement park ride from hell just adds to the RefugeInAudacity feel of the song.

* RunningTheAsylum: Bruce Timm has always stated to be a [[spoiler:shipper for Batman and Batgirl (despite them having a father-daughter or teacher-student relationship in the comics and in most adaptations), but now he finally gets to write about them being together in one of his stories.]]

* UnfortunateImplications:
** While the AdaptationExpansion was intended by the writers to help remedy Barbara's treatment in the original graphic novel, the film [[http://comicsalliance.com/animated-killing-joke-batman-batgirls-relationship/ has been criticized]] for making her treatment even more misogynistic than in the source material. Critics have cited [[spoiler:that she was mischaracterized as an emotionally needy girl seeking out a relationship with Batman rather than a platonic friend and heroic protege]], and having the character being a victim of two accounts of sexual assault does not help matters.
** The film establishes that the Joker regularly frequents prostitutes. When interrogated by Batman as to the location of the Joker, one prostitute makes a comment that it was odd for the Joker to not pick up a call girl after his latest escape, [[http://collider.com/batman-the-killing-joke-bruce-timm-controversy/ leaving viewers with the interpretation that the Joker had raped Barbara]]. It doesn't help that this dialogue was added in, and not in the original novel. Creator/BruceTimm has insisted that was not his intention, but the screenwriter Brian Azzarello has written Joker as a rapist in [[ComicBook/{{Joker}} past works]].

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids: As if the previous PG-13 ratings aren't violent enough, this film takes it up to eleven by being the first ''R-Rated'' animated DC film, and it earned it though its intense violence and sexuality.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids: As if the previous PG-13 ratings aren't violent enough, this film takes it UpToEleven by being the first ''R-Rated'' animated DC film, and it earned it though its intense violence and sexuality.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter:
** Don Francesco is established as Paris' straight boss uncle who wants his nephew to control his sadistic habits and start falling in line with his practices. However, [[spoiler:he's KilledOffscreen after less than 2 minutes of screen time.]]
** Paris himself is a wasted character, as he could have been a much more entertaining villain if he was utilized properly and not pointlessly inserted into this adaptation of one of the most popular Batman comics.

** There are those who like the art style of the film and those who think it's too different and simplified from the original comic. It doesn't help that the art style is largely based off of the also divisive Deluxe Edition re-coloring and the animation itself is considered some of the weakest of the movies.

** There are those who like the art style of the film and those who think it's too different and simplified from the original comic. It doesn't help that the art style is largely based off of the also divisive Deluxe Edition re-coloring.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Readers of the original graphic novel have always been split on the question of whether Joker [[RapeAsDrama raped Barbara Gordon]] or "merely" crippled her, [[ShamefulStrip stripped her naked]], and took photographs of her to use to torment her father. Creator/AlanMoore eventually made it clear it was the latter. However, this adaptation adds fuel to the fire by adding a scene in which a group of prostitutes tell Batman that the Joker usually seeks out their services shortly after escaping from Arkham but hasn't this time around and speculate that he's "found himself another girl." It could refer to Barbara, or is merely [[MythologyGag a nod to Harley Quinn]].
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Even the fans who absolutely ''despise'' this adaptation are prone to thinking Joker's VillainSong ''[[https://youtu.be/f0wJNl320eQ I Go Looney]]'' is an absolute treat. The fact that he makes a "BreakThemByTalking" lecture into a song, and a catchy one at that, that he sings while torturing Jim Gordon with an amusement park ride from hell just adds to the RefugeInAudacity feel of the song.

** Batgirl comes across as this since she openly admits that the only reason she became a superhero was because she did it all to [[spoiler:impress Batman and gain his love]]. It doesn't help that she views each of her missions in the film as a step to get closer to that goal as opposed to actually bringing justice. In fact, she randomly assaults a man in broad daylight to blow off steam since [[spoiler:Batman never called her back after sex]]. Nevertheless, we're supposed to view her as a tragic heroine for not getting her way.

* FanonDiscontinuity: The prologue is already being ignored by viewers due to [[spoiler:the sex scene between Batman and Batgirl]], partly due to its {{Squick}} nature, partly due to what they feel is [[spoiler:poor characterization of Barbara as a ClingyJealousGirl and Batman as a creepy older man]]. A common recommendation is to just skip the first half-hour altogether.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: This is not the first time that Creator/BruceTimm [[spoiler:[[TeacherStudentRomance put Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon together into a romantic relationship]]]]. However, while still negatively-received [[WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond the first time 'round]], it at least took place between the characters offscreen once they were OlderAndWiser, rather than [[spoiler:while Barbara was still a fairly young crimefighter under his tutelage]]. The blow was also softened by the inclusion of several hints that [[spoiler:both Bruce and Barbara had several regrets about their romance in retrospect and looked back at it as somewhat of a mistake]]. At the time, Bruce Timm even admitted that it was thrown in for shock value, as a testament to the DarkerAndEdgier tone of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond''.

* InformedWrongness: For all the crap Batgirl gives him about "[[DudeWheresMyRespect not taking her seriously]]," Batman's concerns are actually valid. Every single instance we see Batgirl take on Paris Franz, she nearly gets killed in the process while Batman rescues her.

** Creator/DougWalker ranting about how Batman having sex with Jim Gordon would make more sense than [[spoiler:Batman having sex with Batgirl]] led to the Internet joking about other Batman {{Crack Pairing}}s that would make more logical sense and produce less {{Squick}} than [[spoiler:"Batcest"]].

** [[spoiler:Batman and Batgirl]]'s relationship has immediately triggered a lot of disgust with some people because of the fact that they're co-workers, [[spoiler:have a father-daughter like connection, and have a great age difference, never mind how this very idea would affect Jim Gordon, who's ''friends'' with Batman]].

** A [[spoiler:Barbara/Bruce]] relationship originated in Creator/BruceTimm's ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond''. In ''Beyond'', set decades in the future with older characters the relationship (which ended on a bad note) was treated as a NoodleIncident and it was intended to have taken place years after [[spoiler:Batgirl and Batman]] fought crime, with the latter driving away all his remaining allies and/or LoveInterests and [[spoiler:Barbara]] (long broken up with [[spoiler:Nightwing]]) essentially becoming their final chance at love which they then threw away to become a reclusive hermit. Here [[spoiler:it happens while Barbara is still at college and hardly a superhero for a long time]]. The relationship was received negatively back then, though not nearly as vocally, as it was less noticeable. [[note]]The LooseCanon ''ComicBook/BatmanBeyond 2.0'' comics [[http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/08/12/exactly-what-happened-between-bruce-wayne-and-barbara-gordon-that-so-estranged-dick-grayson-on-batman-beyond-spoilers/ reveal that]] [[spoiler:their relationship occurred while Barbara and Dick were still together, with Bruce and Babs hooking up while Nightwing was away in Blüdhaven; not only that, she was also ''pregnant'' with Bruce's sons, but suffered a miscarriage]].[[/note]]

* RatedMForMoney: Many of the changes to the source material (especially the prologue) can be viewed as being added just for the sake of pushing the film towards an R rating. Screenwriter Brian Azzarello admitted that [[https://www.vox.com/2016/7/27/12277518/killing-joke-controversy-batgirl they added controversy for the sake of controversy.]]

* SignatureScene: [[spoiler: The infamous Batman-Batgirl sex scene]] became more memorable than the NightmareFuel that is the Joker's SanitySlippage.

** ''Everything'' about Paris' [[LustObject lust for Batgirl]]. He actually goes so far as to [[spoiler:[[RetargetedLust hire prostitutes to dress up as her]]]].

--->'''Batman''': You don't need to be alone, we don't have to kill each other. Let me help you.\\
'''Joker''' : ...I'm sorry, but no. No, it's far too late for that.

** Don Francesco is established as Paris' straight boss uncle who wants his nephew to control his sadistic habits and start falling in line with his practices. However, [[spoiler:he's KilledOffscreen after less than 2 minutes of screen time]].

** The film establishes that the Joker regularly frequents prostitutes. When interrogated by Batman as to the location of the Joker, one prostitute makes a comment that it was odd for the Joker to not pick up a call girl after his latest escape, [[http://collider.com/batman-the-killing-joke-bruce-timm-controversy/ leaving viewers with the interpretation that the Joker had raped Barbara.]] It doesn't help that this dialogue was added in, and not in the original novel. Creator/BruceTimm has insisted that was not his intention, but the screenwriter Brian Azzarello has written Joker as a rapist in [[ComicBook/{{Joker}} past works]].

* {{Wangst}}: Barbara's whining about how Batman "doesn't take her seriously."

** Commissioner Gordon doesn't fare much better. In the middle of a weekly father-daughter get-together with Barbara, he has to watch in horror as she is grievously wounded by the Joker out of nowhere and finds himself brutalized by the Crown Prince of Crime's lackeys not long after. Then, he awakens in an abandoned amusement park, is stripped naked, and subjected to [[MindRape psychological torture]] by Joker and his [[TheFreakshow sideshow carnival]] goons, including having his friendship with Batman--a vigilante operating outside of the law--tested in a KangarooCourt because of his principles as a member of law enforcement and being forced to look (and scream) at photos of his daughter during her above ordeal. The shock of that last bit is so great it briefly renders him ''catatonic''. Like his daughter, however, Jim [[IronWoobie does rebound]], and makes it clear to Batman before letting him go apprehend Joker that they have to do things "{{by the book|Cop}}" to show the Joker that their way works (and thus refute [[StrawNihilist his]] [[HumansAreBastards views]]).

----

* FetishRetardant: The Batman/Batgirl sex scene, considering their age difference and father-daughter/mentor relationship.

* TheScrappy: Barbara's GayBestFriend Reese has got some intense dislike from fans (both homosexual and not) for essentially being a walking stereotype and having absolutely nothing plot-related except for being a shoulder for Barbara to cry on. It doesn't help that he doesn't even visit her in the hospital at all after she's crippled by the Joker.