Batman: The Killing Joke: First trailer for R-rated, Mark Hamill-voiced animated film

The direct-to-video film will adapt the controversial 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland

This year isn't all about Jared Leto's Suicide Squad Joker; for there's a rival in town.

DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation have offered a first look at their R-rated animated film Batman: The Killing Joke, adapting the controversial graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland.

Though both Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy reprise their roles as Batman and the Joker, respectively; their long history voicing the characters on Batman: The Animated Series takes a new turn here. Choosing to remain faithful to the comics' infamously dark, violent narrative; Batman: The Killing Joke is the first non-PG/PG-13 rated movie in the nine-year history of the DC Universe Original Movie franchise.

The Killing Joke has become an absolute staple of DC's legacy; with its revamped take on the Joker's origins recasting the iconic villain as a tragic character, though it's since received its fair share of criticism for its brutal, sadistic treatment of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. This new animated adaptation looks to be following the narrative closely, though an original 15-minute prologue will set up the story for newcomers to comics.

Batman: The Killing Joke heads straight to DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital HD later this year.