"The Killing Joke," written by Alan Moore and published in 1988. Since then it has become one of the most popular and influential DC comics of the past 30 years. So when DC announced they were making an animated feature about it, many fans were ecstatic. I was not one of those people. The idea of "The Killing Joke" movie made me nervous because I have a lot of trouble looking past its infamous treatment of Barbara Gordon.

In the story, Barbara is shot and crippled by the Joker. She's then sexually assaulted. Commissioner Gordon is then forced by the Joker to look at images of the assault, in order to drive him insane. The problem here is that Barbara Gordon's sole role in the story is to be assaulted in order to motivate the male characters. What makes it even worse is that according to Alan Moore himself, when he asked DC editorial about their thoughts on crippling Barbara they told him to "cripple the b***h."

So when the animated movie was announced, I was extremely cautious. But then I heard that the filmmakers were adding on a 30-minute "prologue" featuring Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. I hoped that by having her in a prominent role, the filmmakers would be able to make her more than just a plot device for the male characters. I was very wrong.

Somehow, they managed to make it even worse. Barbara Gordon is given more screen time, but her story is even more about the men in her life. She spends most of the prologue pining after Batman. This eventually culminates in a scene where they have sex on the roof. Barbara is then rejected by Batman and decides to stop being Batgirl because of it. You'll notice how every decision Barbara makes is because of the male figures in her life, specifically Batman.

After the prologue, she is again assaulted by the Joker in order to motivate her father. It was here I realized that Barbara's extra screen time was not for her sake, but to motivate Batman during his struggle with the Joker.

Unfortunately, the story gets worse. At Comic-Con, there was a screening of the film and a Q&A with the filmmakers afterwards. Understandably, many in the audience were concerned about the film's treatment of Barbara Gordon. One fan asked why the story was more about the men in Barbara's life instead of Barbara herself. The question was applauded by the audience.

As those on the panel fumbled in answering the question, one journalist shouted out in frustration. One of the writers of the film, Brian Azzarello responded by calling him a pussy. Even with my expectations I still managed to be disappointed. Somehow, DC took something that was already problematic and made it much, much worse.