What did everyone think of Joker's Wild? Watch more Bat-May here - bit.ly/BatMay Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome Follow Walter on Twitter - twitter.com/Awesome_Walter
I actually think it's one of my favorite Joker episodes in the Animated Series. The plot is so much fun and I can give the animation a pass since I've seen worse than this and this isn't that bad.
I love Joker's reaction when Batman tells him about how Kaiser is using him for insurance fraud. Joker (after a few seconds): I HATE it when he makes sense!
yeah i liked that aspect too, its also kind of the reason i'm not a big fan of the whole "batman is the real personna", i like to think both sides are an act, and this moment shows a glimmer of bruces true self/a bit of him always wanting to fuck with the joker
To me the the best part of this episode was Joker and Poison Ivy bickering. "That's right you're always blaming me! And the children wonder why we fight." I just imagine that this Joker would do that with to all the other inmates to pass time whenever he's locked up.
@@jordanread5829 I always like imagine Batman’s rogues as a well associated, but loosely connected group that often gets into fights and arguments, in contrast to Flash’s rogues who act more like good friends
I do appreciate how this is one of only two episodes from this show, along with “Joker’s Millions” to feature Joker as more or less the protagonist. It’s surprising how rare it is to see things from his POV.
Most of the Joker episodes on this show aren’t actually all that deep, especially when compared to episode staring other rogues like Two-Face and such. As fun as he is, Joker remains pretty static throughout this show and the rest of the DCAU (just compared him in his first appearance in “Christmas with the Joker” with his penultimate appearance in “Wild Cards"), when even Lex Luthor received character development. Joker was a fully fleshed-out in his debut and didn’t change at all.
@@daliborjovanovic510 only that he became darker and more unginged as the DCAU progressed. He was pretty goofy in Batman TAS but in Batman Beyond: TROTJ, he was a total monster.
@@magallanesagustin4952 Um no, that’s not character development, that’s just a change in tone, or more specifically, the censors became more chill with the DCAU after the original Batman The Animated Series. And you're utterly wrong, Joker was always a vile, twisted and sadistic sociopath, they just couldn’t show him succeeding at doing anything too bad in BTAS (but they had no reservations about him voicing his murderous intentions in every appearance). But even that’s a moot point, since in Batman The Mask of the Phantasm he was already as unhinged as he was in Return of the Joker, down to explicitly murdering two people.
@@daliborjovanovic510 yes, I know DCAU Joker was always a murderous psychopath. What I mean is that at the beginning, he was pretty funny and goofy, while he's more gritty and not as funny in Return of the Joker. And in the case of Mask of the Phantasm it's because it was a theatrical movie, while the censors had to tone him down for the tv format.
Ivy: He started it! I was just sitting here! Joker: That's right! You're always blaming me! And the children wonder why we fight. Ivy: Crazy. Joker: I know you are, but what am I?
I liked the unlikely allies team-up of Batman & Joker in this episode against Cameron Kaiser. The witty encounter between Joker & Bruce Wayne, where Bruce gives his best "snobby rich man" behavior in the series to piss out Joker, was a nice touch as well.
The entire grapple gun breaks the laws of physics. It's not large enough for the rope and engine to fire it. I gave up disbelief a long time ago with this show.
I noticed in this episode Joker broke the 4th wall when he says "don't try this at home kids" and when he saw Bruce Wayne he said "say you look familiar"
*"It was a scheme worthy of me Kaiser!"* "Oh please Mister Kaiser! You of all people should know there'd always be a Joker in the deck!" *"Why can't he ever STAY DEAD?!"*
To paraphrase one of my favorite lines in this episode: Joker: what hideous concoction is Joker making? Something poisonous? Or just something to make the floor extra slippery?
The Blackjack scene is one of my favourite moments of the entire show. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill make the casual dialogue between Bruce Wayne and the Joker so engaging to watch even when there’s no fighting going on. I just love how Bruce can still defeat the Joker even when he’s not Batman. Even without his mask, Batman can still kick the Joker’s ass without throwing a single punch.
Un spite of the animation, this is probably my second favorite Joker episode of the show. Everything is so ingenious you cant help but revel right alongside Joker in the havoc hes causing. The mystery of Kaisers not bad either. Like Joker said 'It was a scheme worthy of me.
Joker here is not dangerous & scary as usually, but he is pretty funny. He in Cesar Romero mood. Also for some reason I love this episode. No matter that Bruce Timm said that animation here was bad. I enjoyed.
My favourite part of this episode is the beginning where the Joker is continuously annoying Poison Ivy. Their interactions between them are hilarious and it also paints a picture of what they think of each other later in the episode Harley and Ivy.
God this was one of the greatest Joker episodes!( I don't care what the reviewer says- I LOVE IT!) Just jokers mannerisms with cellmates, Bruce, the decore and the hilarious turnaround with Joker wanting to keep the casino! Add in Irvings introduction and its great!
In my opinion this episode is entertaining as hell. I find it funny that Bruce make fun of Joker right in front of his face. The casino was a great setting. The Jokermobile was awesome. Ernie Hudson is always awesome to hear.
Anyone who's fought with a sibling over the remote knows what that Joker and Ivy part is like. I'd like to know how Kaiser got the Jokermobile, and why it didn't appear again.
I don't understand why people don't like this episode. I really enjoyed it, for many reasons: the Joker and Poison Ivy fighting like children over what to watch on TV; Summer Gleeson snarking about the casino when she forgets that the cameras are rolling; the Joker reacting in rage when the casino owner calls him a "criminal fruitcake"; the casino workers disguised as clowns, allowing the Joker to blend in as one of his own impersonators; and the deadly roulette wheel!
@@raynwolfsbane2084 I know it's months after the fact, but just in case you or anyone else is still mystified, It was _supposed_ to read, "Win the Original Jokermobile", but the animation studio screwed up so badly they ended up with complete gibberish... and never batted an eye. "What's that mean?" "Who knows? I never understood Americans!" "Should we double-check?" "Mehhh... it's close enough!"
Out of all the animated series episodes, this one sticks out the most with me. And I consider it one of my favorites. Joker comes off as relatable as he finds himself a rat in Kaiser’s maze. Yet in a strange way you also pull for him to regain the upper hand as he confronts Kaiser. And while Joker is still the villain here, plus Batman prevents Joker from doing anything horrific to Kaiser, you can understand his motivations in this episode. He also comes off amusing in many areas of this episode. In Arkham and the Black Jack table. For me, this is one of the best episodes of the animated series. And Mark Hammil gives a strong and solid performance.
I’ve seen “Joker’s Wild” at least 12 times and I can honestly say; I have no issue with the animation of the program as well the plot of the episode. I agree the whole “Bruce Wayne with brown eyes” thing can be a little misleading but like the animation for this episode in relation to the previous chapter (I.E. The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne episode) I have no issue with it. Some people (and I’m not naming names) don’t have to like the animation, but I think *everyone* should appreciate this type of animation style in particular, that certain episodes of Batman, have to offer.
Intentionally designing a casino to be destroyed just to collect insurance? Sounds similar to Uwe Boll intentionally creating flopping movies just so he would have to pay as little taxes as possible.
I really loved this episode of Batman the Animated Series. The one part I really liked was the spinning Joker laugh on the casino's roof, that's what I remember seeing in the episode.
This is actually one of my favorite episodes, but I'll take your word for it on the low animation quality. I think my ability to gauge animation quality is wrecked, I never notice the times when animation is bad until they're pointed out to me a few times.
This episode is notable for being one of the two examples in this show that directly states Joker’s birthname, as we see a file on him that lists it once again as Jack Napier. I always found that name a neat fit for the Joker and was kind of rolling my eyes when they tried to retcon it into being a mystery later on with Mask of the Phantasm and The New Batman Adventures, even though the former actually showed us a bit of his backstory (him being an enforcer, chauffer and hitman for Sal Valestra). I don’t think knowing Joker’s name would really detract too much for his mystique as long as his life before the acid bath and reasons for snapping are left vague and much like a lot of the redesigns and in some cases character rewrites during the revamp (like with Penguin and Scarecrow), it feels the producers just said “fuck you” to continuity.
Actually, the Jack Napier backstory is just the most plausible one, so much so that it's the officially accepted one in this universe. Joker could very well have made it all up and they wouldn't know, but if he did, then it's the one with the most fake evidence planted to back it up.
@@SpeedyCheetahCub Did you even watch Mask of the Phantasm? His backstory from that movie IS true, as we see his pre-acid self from Bruce and Andrea's point of view, and it's even reaffirmed in the Creeper episode in the new adventures.
The original script for Mask of the Phantasm, then titled "Masks", had more direct use of the Napier origin. Not only would the name be seen and spoken, when Jack is leaving Andrea's home after the murder, he speaks to her. All that was removed because someone on staff, probably Bruce Timm, isn't a big fan of Burton's influence. Fact is the show already established his name and the movie showed us said past. TNBA should have been a completely new narrative where Joker used to be the Red Hood while in BTAS he was Jack Napier. I've always liked the idea that Jack Napier is his real name but like any career criminal, he used various aliases and started the rumor that his real name was one of them, just to play a joke on everyone including Mr. World's Greatest Detective!
3:44 I forgot that was a Curly from The Three Stooges moment. I always associate it with Ren and Stimpy. Like the episode Insomniac Ren and the episode Nurse Stimpy. But then again I think I read Ren and Stimpy takes things from The Three Stooges too
I never cared that much for the episode; A Joker themed Casino should be the Joker's idea and moving him down to plot device akin to an actual fire for insurance money is just a dumb position for the Clown Prince of Crime. If he has to be let in on the joke then there is no joke. Also, Joker immunity and Joker Revolving Door tropes. Use them, don't abuse them. "I know, I'll make a plan involving a dangerous and unpredictable psychopath. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?"
God, I love this one. I just love how Mark Hamill helped provide Joker when he had his funny moments like when he was doing the Curly singing. Cointantly fun, nyuck nyuck nyuck nyuck. And of course, Paul Dini and the late Boyd Kirkland did a great job working on this. I mean, yeah, the animation by Akom sucks in most episodes when they seemed to have better luck with other Batman: TAS episodes, X-Men, Tiny Toon Adventures (in some episodes, of course), Gargoyles (again, in some episodes), Dilbert, Animaniacs, and the OG Transformers cartoon. Still, I really did like the voice cast's hard work, the writing, music scoring and composing, and editing that was done for this episode. Personally, I liked it when the funny stuff came up, like Joker being the dealer at one of the Blackjack tables, when he did the Curly singing, and when he had to switch it back to the news after having Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and even Mad Hatter shout at him after changing it over to Looney Tunes (by the way, good cameo of Bugs Bunny, Dini) and got all pouty with his fellow inmates. Heck, his interaction with Bruce Wayne was a personal favorite of mine as outside of Batman, Wayne got one over Joker and during a game of Blackjack, no less. God, I love it when it's just Bruce Wayne and he trolls one of his foes like that since it brings such a smile to my face. Also, this was about as close to getting a Trump-like character in the DCAU before Lex Luthor came to town in Superman: TAS and Kaiser was the best to be created. Not to mention someone who tricked Joker and played him like an all day sucker. Almost. Heck, he almost came close to pulling one over Joker after what Charlie Collins did to him at the end of Joker's Favor, a pretty damn good episode featuring the Joker and the same one that debuted Harley Quinn, too. Not to mention King Barlow doing the same later on The New Batman Adventures episode Joker's Millions. Oh, and one more thing, I also liked Joker's Looney Tunes impressions at the beginning of the episode. Mark Hamill did a great job humming the Looney Tunes theme and doing his Beaky Buzzard impression. As well as Joker's threat he made to Kaiser after he destroyed the TV set in his anger. What he says next is and I quote: I'll sue. Yes, I'll sue. Then, I'll rip his lungs out! And I will, too. Funny, yet menacing as well. Classic Joker. Just what I found to be funny to me.
It was one or two years ago when I realized that Cameron Kaiser was the show's version of... Donny. He looked like Donny did, back in the 1980s/early 1990s. He had a casino that was going bankrupt. Even the name Kaiser, which means king, is German, and Donny has German ancestry (plus his name means "the top") Anyone else see the connection, or was it just me?
I'm surprised you didn't mention that this was the first Joker episode since Harley's debut where she doesn't appear at all. The only other ones are "Make 'Em Laugh" and arguably Mask of the Phantasm.
Must be oblivious me but I didn't notice the poor animation until it was pointed out to me. Although I admit the way Joker quickly shakes his head was something I saw before in Cat Scratch Fever.
One of my favorite lines (Besides the dialogue between Bruce and Joker) is what Joker says when he reaches the casino; "Jumping Jiminy Christmas, it's a homage to me! I'm almost sorry I have to blow it up."
I've tried to figure that out with cities populated by superheroes period. There are cleanup crews in Marvel comics that just take care of supers fights exclusively, so there must be something.
2:43 Yeah when I watched this episode on DVD years ago, I was always curious about what that said. I think eventually I went online or listened to a commentary track which explained what it was supposed to be. I'm glad they stopped using Akom after a while.
THIS IS THE ONE WITH THE GIANT LAUGHING JOKER HEAD! I saw it years ago and have been trying to remember it since. That thing cracks me up for some reason.
Now I know what Episode he's going to talk about tomorrow which I'm excited but nervous about either way no matter what he says that episode will always be my fourth favorite
Fun fact: when Batman is looking through the file on Joker, if you pause it and look at his name it reads "Jack Napier", nice little nod to the 89 film.
I think there were 2 memorable aspects of episode...one, the Bruce Wayne direct interaction, you mention...and also the reporter, Summer Gleeson I think, saying "How Hideous" when it's unveiled to be a Joker themed casino, on live air....which is what she'd probably say.
I never noticed the Arkham security guard being one of Kaiser's henchman when I was a kid and just thought the asylum had really bad security (which made sense to me at the time since the inmates kept escaping)
All these years I didn't know Kaiser had an inside man working at Arkham to let help the Joker escape. Now their security doesn't look incompetent just corrupt.
I honestly don’t mind Akom animations episodes of the show, sure some parts of it don’t look all that great but as long as I enjoy the episode, I have a fun time, this episode is an underrated gem imo.
You are correct that this episode definitely loses some points for the poor animation. In particular, in the scene when Joker has tied Batman to the roulette wheel and is taunting him, he (Joker) looks like crap. A plus to this episode is the segments in Arkham Asylum in the beginning (Before Joker escapes). Joker's interactions with Poison Ivy in that scene are hilarious, and I even like that they included Scarecrow and the Mad Hatter playing chess in the background. In many bits of Batman media, those two are portrayed as being friends or at least having some level of respect for each other due to their mutual interest in manipulating the human mind, so featuring them in that way here was a nice touch.
Honestly, how could you review this episode and not mention the absolutely terrifying iteration of Joker's laugh at the end, when he's pissed off and trying to kill Batman? That moment alone showcases so much of what I love about Hamill's Joker-sure, he's funny and prime for silly kid friendly hijinks, but five seconds later he can be so genuinely threatening without any warning.
What was the original car-sign supposed to say any how? Was it just a trick to make people think there was an actual meaning there. Or was it just some bizarre easter egg?
Something about this episode felt really out of place in this series, and I just now realized what: it's TAS Batman thrust into a 60s Batman plot, complete with oversized death trap. Still a fun episode, though!
What did everyone think of Joker's Wild?
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It's one of my favorite episodes of the series.
I actually think it's one of my favorite Joker episodes in the Animated Series. The plot is so much fun and I can give the animation a pass since I've seen worse than this and this isn't that bad.
A re-write suggrstion: Take a gamble and take a gander at this episode.
I love Joker's reaction when Batman tells him about how Kaiser is using him for insurance fraud.
Joker (after a few seconds): I HATE it when he makes sense!
This is a really fun episode and we don't usually see Bruce and Joker directly interact with each other outside of trying to beat each other up
Outside of Return of the Joker Of course ;7
yeah i liked that aspect too, its also kind of the reason i'm not a big fan of the whole "batman is the real personna", i like to think both sides are an act, and this moment shows a glimmer of bruces true self/a bit of him always wanting to fuck with the joker
Or trying to be friends. *points to Telltale Batman*
They did it again in joker's millions
Another time was the Superman episode ‘World’s Finest.’
To me the the best part of this episode was Joker and Poison Ivy bickering.
"That's right you're always blaming me! And the children wonder why we fight."
I just imagine that this Joker would do that with to all the other inmates to pass time whenever he's locked up.
It also sets up Ivys distaste for the Joker and why she tries to convince Harley to dump the clown in Harley and Ivy.
@@jordanread5829 I always like imagine Batman’s rogues as a well associated, but loosely connected group that often gets into fights and arguments, in contrast to Flash’s rogues who act more like good friends
GUARD!
The banter between Bruce and Joker when playing blackjack is priceless.
"...he's here."
Yep.
This really showcases their yin and Yang enemy chemistry.
I do appreciate how this is one of only two episodes from this show, along with “Joker’s Millions” to feature Joker as more or less the protagonist. It’s surprising how rare it is to see things from his POV.
Honestly I don’t know if I can call this the most compelling Joker episode but it sure is the most entertaining
Most of the Joker episodes on this show aren’t actually all that deep, especially when compared to episode staring other rogues like Two-Face and such. As fun as he is, Joker remains pretty static throughout this show and the rest of the DCAU (just compared him in his first appearance in “Christmas with the Joker” with his penultimate appearance in “Wild Cards"), when even Lex Luthor received character development. Joker was a fully fleshed-out in his debut and didn’t change at all.
@@daliborjovanovic510 ya I remember I didn’t start really getting into him until JL/JLU
@@daliborjovanovic510 only that he became darker and more unginged as the DCAU progressed. He was pretty goofy in Batman TAS but in Batman Beyond: TROTJ, he was a total monster.
@@magallanesagustin4952 Um no, that’s not character development, that’s just a change in tone, or more specifically, the censors became more chill with the DCAU after the original Batman The Animated Series. And you're utterly wrong, Joker was always a vile, twisted and sadistic sociopath, they just couldn’t show him succeeding at doing anything too bad in BTAS (but they had no reservations about him voicing his murderous intentions in every appearance). But even that’s a moot point, since in Batman The Mask of the Phantasm he was already as unhinged as he was in Return of the Joker, down to explicitly murdering two people.
@@daliborjovanovic510 yes, I know DCAU Joker was always a murderous psychopath. What I mean is that at the beginning, he was pretty funny and goofy, while he's more gritty and not as funny in Return of the Joker. And in the case of Mask of the Phantasm it's because it was a theatrical movie, while the censors had to tone him down for the tv format.
(Joker walks in & changes the tv channel)
Poison Ivy:"Hey, I was watching that!"
Joker:"And now you're watching this!"
Imperial royal guard where is the emperor
Taking a bath. And I get to help him out in a few minutes.
@@imperialguard28 oh @#$% you have to help him bath good luck royal guard I would not want to be anywhere near him when he bathes
Ivy: Change it back!
Joker: (acting like Beaky Buzzard) Ahuuh nope, nope, nope, nope, don't want to.
@@alexiaNBC Who's beaky buzzard?
I do love the twist that the joker is actually being manipualted by Kaiser, who's technically the REAL villain of the episode
Yeah it was clever plan
It's funny how a master manipulator like the Joker can be turned into a mere pawn, like he does here and in Hush.
@@magallanesagustin4952 yeah it kinda makes him more of a secondary villain
@@srstriker6420 Even the Joker was impressed
What I love more is Joker's reaction when Batman tells him about him being used by Kaiser.
"I hate it when he makes sense!"
"You can't just leave Arkham, Joker!"
"They turned me into a Casino!"
"Oh, ok sure, go ahead then."
Ivy: He started it! I was just sitting here!
Joker: That's right! You're always blaming me! And the children wonder why we fight.
Ivy: Crazy.
Joker: I know you are, but what am I?
If Joker can't fighgt Batman, he'll troll his fellow villains.
that is simply awesome
my absolute favorite scene from any BTAS episode
I liked the unlikely allies team-up of Batman & Joker in this episode against Cameron Kaiser. The witty encounter between Joker & Bruce Wayne, where Bruce gives his best "snobby rich man" behavior in the series to piss out Joker, was a nice touch as well.
One of the weirdest things in this episode is Batman somehow manages to hide a grapple gun in his utility belt buckle, defying the laws of physics.
The entire grapple gun breaks the laws of physics. It's not large enough for the rope and engine to fire it. I gave up disbelief a long time ago with this show.
I noticed in this episode Joker broke the 4th wall when he says "don't try this at home kids" and when he saw Bruce Wayne he said "say you look familiar"
Yeah
I think that's his superpower. Like Deadpool.
*"It was a scheme worthy of me Kaiser!"*
"Oh please Mister Kaiser! You of all people should know there'd always be a Joker in the deck!"
*"Why can't he ever STAY DEAD?!"*
LMAO how The Joker just strolls out of Arkham.
To paraphrase one of my favorite lines in this episode:
Joker: what hideous concoction is Joker making? Something poisonous? Or just something to make the floor extra slippery?
There is a Easter egg here, showing the Joker’s name as Jack Napier which is a call back to the 1989 Batman film.
The Blackjack scene is one of my favourite moments of the entire show. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill make the casual dialogue between Bruce Wayne and the Joker so engaging to watch even when there’s no fighting going on.
I just love how Bruce can still defeat the Joker even when he’s not Batman. Even without his mask, Batman can still kick the Joker’s ass without throwing a single punch.
Un spite of the animation, this is probably my second favorite Joker episode of the show. Everything is so ingenious you cant help but revel right alongside Joker in the havoc hes causing. The mystery of Kaisers not bad either. Like Joker said 'It was a scheme worthy of me.
I had no idea until watching this video that guard was planted in by Kaiser. That explains why he just lets Joker walk out despite seeing him leave.
Joker here is not dangerous & scary as usually, but he is pretty funny. He in Cesar Romero mood. Also for some reason I love this episode. No matter that Bruce Timm said that animation here was bad. I enjoyed.
My favourite part of this episode is the beginning where the Joker is continuously annoying Poison Ivy. Their interactions between them are hilarious and it also paints a picture of what they think of each other later in the episode Harley and Ivy.
Poison Ivy: "I'm not a fan."
God this was one of the greatest Joker episodes!( I don't care what the reviewer says- I LOVE IT!) Just jokers mannerisms with cellmates, Bruce, the decore and the hilarious turnaround with Joker wanting to keep the casino! Add in Irvings introduction and its great!
In my opinion this episode is entertaining as hell. I find it funny that Bruce make fun of Joker right in front of his face. The casino was a great setting. The Jokermobile was awesome. Ernie Hudson is always awesome to hear.
Anyone who's fought with a sibling over the remote knows what that Joker and Ivy part is like.
I'd like to know how Kaiser got the Jokermobile, and why it didn't appear again.
"Hey, I Was Watching That!" Truly My Favorite Line In This Classic Episode, and Another Favorite Batman TAS Episode.
The episode also deserves some additional props for once again emphasizing Batman/Bruce as a detective rather than a mere vigilante
"Nope nope nope, don't want to."
GUARD!
I don't understand why people don't like this episode. I really enjoyed it, for many reasons: the Joker and Poison Ivy fighting like children over what to watch on TV; Summer Gleeson snarking about the casino when she forgets that the cameras are rolling; the Joker reacting in rage when the casino owner calls him a "criminal fruitcake"; the casino workers disguised as clowns, allowing the Joker to blend in as one of his own impersonators; and the deadly roulette wheel!
Like Walter said, the mediocre animation ruined whatever good the episode had.
@@jlev1028 But you could wan the cirinqnal Joker Nocile!
Ah, yes. "Wan the Cirin Gnal Jokernocile"
A classic sign.
I don't get it. Somebody explain it to me???
@@raynwolfsbane2084 I know it's months after the fact, but just in case you or anyone else is still mystified, It was _supposed_ to read, "Win the Original Jokermobile", but the animation studio screwed up so badly they ended up with complete gibberish... and never batted an eye.
"What's that mean?"
"Who knows? I never understood Americans!"
"Should we double-check?"
"Mehhh... it's close enough!"
This was one of my favorite episodes. The look on Jokers face when he realized he was played.
Such an entertaining episode. Especially the card game between Joker and Bruce. Any episode that involves the Joker is perfect.
Despite AKom's substantial animation, this is still one of my favorite episodes of B:TAS. It's just a friggin' fun premise!
Out of all the animated series episodes, this one sticks out the most with me. And I consider it one of my favorites.
Joker comes off as relatable as he finds himself a rat in Kaiser’s maze. Yet in a strange way you also pull for him to regain the upper hand as he confronts Kaiser. And while Joker is still the villain here, plus Batman prevents Joker from doing anything horrific to Kaiser, you can understand his motivations in this episode.
He also comes off amusing in many areas of this episode. In Arkham and the Black Jack table. For me, this is one of the best episodes of the animated series. And Mark Hammil gives a strong and solid performance.
Bruce and Joker playing cards is my favorite scene in the show 🥰🃏
I’ve seen “Joker’s Wild” at least 12 times and I can honestly say; I have no issue with the animation of the program as well the plot of the episode.
I agree the whole “Bruce Wayne with brown eyes” thing can be a little misleading but like the animation for this episode in relation to the previous chapter (I.E. The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne episode) I have no issue with it.
Some people (and I’m not naming names) don’t have to like the animation, but I think *everyone* should appreciate this type of animation style in particular, that certain episodes of Batman, have to offer.
Intentionally designing a casino to be destroyed just to collect insurance? Sounds similar to Uwe Boll intentionally creating flopping movies just so he would have to pay as little taxes as possible.
2:55
Joker doing his best Ozzy Osbourne impersonation.
🦇👄 *CHOMP!*
Jumping Jiminy Christmas it’s an homage to me I’m kind of sorry I have to blow it up
Love how this episode showed that Joker is an absolute unit on his own without any henchmen
First Tim Curry voices a no-name henchman and then Ernie Hudson. You’re telling me they couldn’t find a more iconic role for either legend?
Well, Tim Curry was originally going to voice Joker himself.
@@jlev1028 considering he was deemed too scary, they could’ve easily recast him as Scarecrow. Massive missed opportunity.
@@jeffjones2463 Jesus that’s depressing 😂
I really loved this episode of Batman the Animated Series. The one part I really liked was the spinning Joker laugh on the casino's roof, that's what I remember seeing in the episode.
This is actually one of my favorite episodes, but I'll take your word for it on the low animation quality. I think my ability to gauge animation quality is wrecked, I never notice the times when animation is bad until they're pointed out to me a few times.
Loved this episode. Paul Dini has the best episodes. Joker's always entertaining.
2:34 - Holy hell how did that not become an infamous meme? XDXDXDXDXDXDXD
Warn the crime qanon?
Win the crown anal?
I haven't seen this episode in years, watching these videos makes me really want to revisit the show
Joker doesn't appreciate copyright infringement.
2:46 Should be used as a riddle at the Riddler just to annoy him.
If nothing else, I think this episode has a great premise and I love the interactions between Bruce and Joker.
As a big fan of this series Joker, this episode was a present to me
This episode is notable for being one of the two examples in this show that directly states Joker’s birthname, as we see a file on him that lists it once again as Jack Napier. I always found that name a neat fit for the Joker and was kind of rolling my eyes when they tried to retcon it into being a mystery later on with Mask of the Phantasm and The New Batman Adventures, even though the former actually showed us a bit of his backstory (him being an enforcer, chauffer and hitman for Sal Valestra). I don’t think knowing Joker’s name would really detract too much for his mystique as long as his life before the acid bath and reasons for snapping are left vague and much like a lot of the redesigns and in some cases character rewrites during the revamp (like with Penguin and Scarecrow), it feels the producers just said “fuck you” to continuity.
Actually, the Jack Napier backstory is just the most plausible one, so much so that it's the officially accepted one in this universe. Joker could very well have made it all up and they wouldn't know, but if he did, then it's the one with the most fake evidence planted to back it up.
@@SpeedyCheetahCub Did you even watch Mask of the Phantasm? His backstory from that movie IS true, as we see his pre-acid self from Bruce and Andrea's point of view, and it's even reaffirmed in the Creeper episode in the new adventures.
The original script for Mask of the Phantasm, then titled "Masks", had more direct use of the Napier origin. Not only would the name be seen and spoken, when Jack is leaving Andrea's home after the murder, he speaks to her. All that was removed because someone on staff, probably Bruce Timm, isn't a big fan of Burton's influence. Fact is the show already established his name and the movie showed us said past. TNBA should have been a completely new narrative where Joker used to be the Red Hood while in BTAS he was Jack Napier. I've always liked the idea that Jack Napier is his real name but like any career criminal, he used various aliases and started the rumor that his real name was one of them, just to play a joke on everyone including Mr. World's Greatest Detective!
3:44 I forgot that was a Curly from The Three Stooges moment. I always associate it with Ren and Stimpy. Like the episode Insomniac Ren and the episode Nurse Stimpy. But then again I think I read Ren and Stimpy takes things from The Three Stooges too
3:24 Batman just copped a feel on Harley.
I like this Bat may theme I love the old Batman cartoon episodes
Wait, the casino guy's henchmen let Joker escape? Um, that's something I never picked up on.
Me: Joker's Wild, which one is...
[Sees giant rotating head]
Oh, THAT one.
I never cared that much for the episode; A Joker themed Casino should be the Joker's idea and moving him down to plot device akin to an actual fire for insurance money is just a dumb position for the Clown Prince of Crime. If he has to be let in on the joke then there is no joke.
Also, Joker immunity and Joker Revolving Door tropes. Use them, don't abuse them. "I know, I'll make a plan involving a dangerous and unpredictable psychopath. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?"
This is probably one of the most memorable Joker episodes for me, simply because of that helicopter chase. 👍
Joker is actually identified as Jack Napier in this episode.
God, I love this one. I just love how Mark Hamill helped provide Joker when he had his funny moments like when he was doing the Curly singing. Cointantly fun, nyuck nyuck nyuck nyuck. And of course, Paul Dini and the late Boyd Kirkland did a great job working on this. I mean, yeah, the animation by Akom sucks in most episodes when they seemed to have better luck with other Batman: TAS episodes, X-Men, Tiny Toon Adventures (in some episodes, of course), Gargoyles (again, in some episodes), Dilbert, Animaniacs, and the OG Transformers cartoon.
Still, I really did like the voice cast's hard work, the writing, music scoring and composing, and editing that was done for this episode. Personally, I liked it when the funny stuff came up, like Joker being the dealer at one of the Blackjack tables, when he did the Curly singing, and when he had to switch it back to the news after having Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and even Mad Hatter shout at him after changing it over to Looney Tunes (by the way, good cameo of Bugs Bunny, Dini) and got all pouty with his fellow inmates. Heck, his interaction with Bruce Wayne was a personal favorite of mine as outside of Batman, Wayne got one over Joker and during a game of Blackjack, no less. God, I love it when it's just Bruce Wayne and he trolls one of his foes like that since it brings such a smile to my face.
Also, this was about as close to getting a Trump-like character in the DCAU before Lex Luthor came to town in Superman: TAS and Kaiser was the best to be created. Not to mention someone who tricked Joker and played him like an all day sucker. Almost. Heck, he almost came close to pulling one over Joker after what Charlie Collins did to him at the end of Joker's Favor, a pretty damn good episode featuring the Joker and the same one that debuted Harley Quinn, too. Not to mention King Barlow doing the same later on The New Batman Adventures episode Joker's Millions.
Oh, and one more thing, I also liked Joker's Looney Tunes impressions at the beginning of the episode. Mark Hamill did a great job humming the Looney Tunes theme and doing his Beaky Buzzard impression. As well as Joker's threat he made to Kaiser after he destroyed the TV set in his anger. What he says next is and I quote: I'll sue. Yes, I'll sue. Then, I'll rip his lungs out! And I will, too. Funny, yet menacing as well. Classic Joker. Just what I found to be funny to me.
It was one or two years ago when I realized that Cameron Kaiser was the show's version of... Donny.
He looked like Donny did, back in the 1980s/early 1990s. He had a casino that was going bankrupt. Even the name Kaiser, which means king, is German, and Donny has German ancestry (plus his name means "the top")
Anyone else see the connection, or was it just me?
I'm surprised you didn't mention that this was the first Joker episode since Harley's debut where she doesn't appear at all. The only other ones are "Make 'Em Laugh" and arguably Mask of the Phantasm.
There are waitresses dressed like her, so it’s close enough.
Must be oblivious me but I didn't notice the poor animation until it was pointed out to me. Although I admit the way Joker quickly shakes his head was something I saw before in Cat Scratch Fever.
One of my favorite lines (Besides the dialogue between Bruce and Joker) is what Joker says when he reaches the casino; "Jumping Jiminy Christmas, it's a homage to me! I'm almost sorry I have to blow it up."
A fun and classic episode....anything involving casinos and gambling is cool!
I wonder what the insurance game is like in Gotham. You think they specifically include clauses for supervillain related shenanigans?
I've tried to figure that out with cities populated by superheroes period. There are cleanup crews in Marvel comics that just take care of supers fights exclusively, so there must be something.
Whoa! I never realised that the Arkham guard was working for Kaiser.
2:43 Yeah when I watched this episode on DVD years ago, I was always curious about what that said. I think eventually I went online or listened to a commentary track which explained what it was supposed to be. I'm glad they stopped using Akom after a while.
Mark Hamill doing the Curly Howard singing brings me so much joy
My favorite of the joker episodes.
The DOPEST part of the episode is when Bruce leaves his game with the Joker, gives Alfred his hidden card, and says "He's here"...!
Poison Ivy and Joker deserve to interact with each other more often.
😂
0:52 Joker's reaction to the his Bat-May review of this episode
This has always been one of my favorites. "Chew him up and spit him out!"
THIS IS THE ONE WITH THE GIANT LAUGHING JOKER HEAD! I saw it years ago and have been trying to remember it since. That thing cracks me up for some reason.
My favorite line in that episode is I'll sue then I'll rip his lungs out which was a complete reference to Jack Nicholson's Joker
3:05 As a blackjack player, its hard for me to watch this episode and that scene. The director had NO IDEA how Blackjack is played.
Oooor, given the horrendous job they did on the sign, possibly it was the animation company again.
2:44 What the heck is that even remotely meant to read?
Now I know what Episode he's going to talk about tomorrow which I'm excited but nervous about either way no matter what he says that episode will always be my fourth favorite
Fun fact: when Batman is looking through the file on Joker, if you pause it and look at his name it reads "Jack Napier", nice little nod to the 89 film.
I think there were 2 memorable aspects of episode...one, the Bruce Wayne direct interaction, you mention...and also the reporter, Summer Gleeson I think, saying "How Hideous" when it's unveiled to be a Joker themed casino, on live air....which is what she'd probably say.
I never noticed the Arkham security guard being one of Kaiser's henchman when I was a kid and just thought the asylum had really bad security (which made sense to me at the time since the inmates kept escaping)
All these years I didn't know Kaiser had an inside man working at Arkham to let help the Joker escape. Now their security doesn't look incompetent just corrupt.
you missed the fact Batman cheats at poker to win
The one thing the animation did right in this episode was all the fantastic Joker smiles
Imagine if they did a Joker Casino in real life XD
It's more cost effective to license the brands so all the casinos have Joker in them. Which they do.
Circus Circus in Vegas is the closest thing.
Yeah
Cameron Kaiser: And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for that meddlesome Batman ! And the Joker too !
I love the Joker's line after Batman escapes:
Joker: Why can't he just stay dead
Correction, Joker: Y can't he ever stay dead
I honestly don’t mind Akom animations episodes of the show, sure some parts of it don’t look all that great but as long as I enjoy the episode, I have a fun time, this episode is an underrated gem imo.
Fun fact: There's a casino in my home city called Jokers Wild. It opened up nearly 5 months after this episode aired, but it's not themed in any way.
In this epeisode, Jokersays "All work and no play." If that is a nod to Jack Nicholson, the 1989 Joker, that is pretty cool.
What if the casino like Joker was real? Would you guys still go to it and play?
You are correct that this episode definitely loses some points for the poor animation. In particular, in the scene when Joker has tied Batman to the roulette wheel and is taunting him, he (Joker) looks like crap.
A plus to this episode is the segments in Arkham Asylum in the beginning (Before Joker escapes). Joker's interactions with Poison Ivy in that scene are hilarious, and I even like that they included Scarecrow and the Mad Hatter playing chess in the background. In many bits of Batman media, those two are portrayed as being friends or at least having some level of respect for each other due to their mutual interest in manipulating the human mind, so featuring them in that way here was a nice touch.
Can’t wait until Mean Seasons and Babydoll are covered
3:24 very smooth bats
What's the circus music in the background called?
It's actually one of my favorite episodes. 😂
Honestly, how could you review this episode and not mention the absolutely terrifying iteration of Joker's laugh at the end, when he's pissed off and trying to kill Batman? That moment alone showcases so much of what I love about Hamill's Joker-sure, he's funny and prime for silly kid friendly hijinks, but five seconds later he can be so genuinely threatening without any warning.
What was the original car-sign supposed to say any how? Was it just a trick to make people think there was an actual meaning there. Or was it just some bizarre easter egg?
It was poor translation from a South Korean animation studio.
Something about this episode felt really out of place in this series, and I just now realized what: it's TAS Batman thrust into a 60s Batman plot, complete with oversized death trap. Still a fun episode, though!