Batman fans 'traumatised' by Batgirl sex scene we never wanted

When it comes to mature storytelling in the comic book universe, DC is a brand not afraid to push the boundaries from time to time but this one Batman and Batgirl scene was too much for many fans to bear.

One of the most iconic graphic novels in the DC universe is Batman: The Killing Joke created by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland and John Higgins which was first released in 1988 as a singular issue. Honestly, if for whatever reason you’ve never read this graphic novel, I can wholeheartedly recommend checking out this mature Batman tale.

Check out Batman: The Killing Joke trailer below!

“According to the grinning engine of madness and mayhem known as The Joker, that's all that separates the sane from the psychotic,” reads the synopsis of the graphic novel. “Freed once again from the confines of Arkham Asylum, he's out to prove his deranged point and he's going to use Gotham City's top cop, Commissioner Jim Gordon, and his brilliant and beautiful daughter Barbara to do it.”

However, in 2016, an animated adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke was released in cinemas and it’s one that I can remember being very excited to see. Yet, for good reason, I had seemingly erased a scene that is the topic of today’s discussion and now it has resurfaced, wonderful.

I am about to go into spoiler territory for the animated version of Batman: The Killing Joke, so consider this to be your spoiler warning. Like many who had read Batman: The Killing Joke graphic novel, I was caught very off-guard by a scene that was exclusive to the animated adaptation.

At the time, I remember thinking “WTF is going on?” as I looked at the big screen in sheer bemusement. That scene (and here’s the spoiler), was Batman having sex with Commissioner James Gordon’s daughter, Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl.

https://t.co/jeF5oeA8uS pic.twitter.com/wF6Sil2jsz

— mo (@mofromyt) July 11, 2024

The fact that Barbara is the daughter of one of Batman’s closest and trusted allies is creepy enough but it’s extra puzzling, that to this day, I still don’t get this scene's purpose, other than shock value, I guess. Responding to a tweet asking “Traumatise your fandom with one image,” Twitter user mofromyt shared an image of Batgirl from the animated movie.

“She looks great here, but yeah what they did with her was just…” replied mandalorymory, sharing the pain we all felt. “NOOOO, I HATE IT HERE,” screamed doc_comic.

“They were sick in the head when they thought about this idea, could've been acceptable if she did it with Nightwing or something but goddamn,” exclaimed QteeFoxx.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe the animated version of Batman: The Killing Joke is a fantastic adaptation, but that scene did not need to exist whatsoever.