Batman: The Killing Joke, the upcoming direct-to-video animated film based on Alan Moore’s comic of the same name, has been given an R-rating according to Entertainment Weekly. The film is now the first movie in the DC Universe Original Movie franchise to receive an R-rating and the second Batman film to do so, following the extended home-video version of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Mark HamillMark Hamill voices The Joker in Batman: The Killing Joke.

The film features Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne, Mark Hamill as the Joker, and Tara Strong as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon. Based on Alan Moore’s controversial 1988 comic, The Killing Joke is an origin story in which The Joker taunts Batman by kidnapping Batgirl.

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Moore’s comic has always polarised fans of the caped crusader, with some finding it misogynistic and others hailing it as the definitive story of The Joker. Speaking about the animated film, Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation & Warner Digital Series said the team had been encouraged to stay faithful to Moore’s source material.

“From the start of production, we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story — regardless of the eventual MPAA rating,” Register told EW.

“The Killing Joke is revered by the fans, particularly for its blunt, often-shocking adult themes and situations. We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience — the comics-loving community — with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well.”

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At present there are said no be no plans to release an edited PG-13 version of the film. Batman: The Killing Joke will premiere this summer at Comic-Con International in San Diego and will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD later in the year.