Charlie getting Batman to sincerely laugh at his bomb trick while the Joker cowers behind him will forever be the greatest victory over the Clown Prince of Crime. And it perfectly ties into an underrated aspect of this Joker that I really love in that his ego is very easily bruised and goes a long way of showing how he’s not really a good comedian.
One could say the reason he’s so violent is because no one genuinely finds him funny. He thinks he’s a comedian but he’s really just a schoolyard bully who wants attention.
Arleen Sorkin was actually the inspiration for Harley Quinn's character. She went to college with Paul Dini and when he saw her play a jester in an episode of Days of Our Lives he decided to have her voice Harley and based her appearance and personality off of her.
Ladies and gentlemen...the 3rd achievement of Batman the Animated serie after the rebuild of Two-Face and Mr Freeze characters...The creation of Harley Quinn !!! It's crazy how fast it clicked with her...She became a favorite really fast !!! Before her, it was mostly weird bandits or insane asylum patients as hendchmen...Here it became more personnal and later, more disturbing...Also great voice actress for her with Arleen Sorkin !
Sadly, many years later Arleen retired from voicing Harley because she was disgusted over what DC and WB was starting to do with her character. It's only gotten worse since.
@@kayokango Arleen retired because she couldn't do the voice anymore and it hurt to do. Harley's character has evolved incredibly, like a mirror for society's growing efforts to condemn domestic abuse as well as feminist progress. She's gone from Joker's henchman and punching bag to her own zany chaotic ball of fun, and she's one of the best things going for DC right now with her highly rated TV show. Don't use Arleen to peddle your gross misogynist narrative about Harley, she would spit on you lmao
@@ryanquinn5884 to be fair, it stumbled a bit here and there when they made her a fanservice ditz in a few stories or would try to delegitimize her tragedy by making her an awful person before she met the joker, even her original creator did that with the comic version of mad love and her The Batman cartoon origin. The domestic abuse survivor angle took a few attempts to become the mainstream version of her, and repurposing the cheerleader outfit as a rejection of the joker seemed to be the compromise between the two interpretations that finally let that version stick.
Yes René Montoya is also a creation of this show. Batman laughing at Charlies prank gets even funnier if you have seen the Batman beyond movie, where you learn that the Joker never made Batman laugh even once.
Something that I really like about this episode's ending and that the rest of the DCAU supports with how it builds and establishes this version of the Joker's character is that Charlie and his family really are safe, because if Joker goes after them then it's basically him admitting that Charlie got to him. The DCAU version of Joker is vain. He has an ego to bruise, and he can't stand the idea of everyone knowing that some nobody got the best of him so badly that he then had to retaliate. He would rather just not draw attention to what happened and forget about the matter entirely.
Also, unlike many other versions of the character, DCAU Joker is actually capable of fear. He looked into the eyes of crazy that day, and was threatened with his greatest fear: an ignoble, anticlimactic death. The Joker's number 1 motive in the DCAU is to be a showman and to have 'epic' battles of wits with Batman. Yeah, he *could* go after Charlie and his family for revenge, but if he does he runs the risk of Charlie coming after him. Charlie knows his weakness and fears, and if he failed to finish off Charlie in his attack then Charlie would track him down and deliver him the fate he absolutely fears more than anything else. What's the point of that? There's no joke there, only a huge risk to his life. He knows that if he leaves Charlie and his family alone he'll be safe. If he doesn't, he might lose everything he values.
Obviously I love Hamill's Joker like everyone else but we definitely need to give credit to the writers of this show too, especially with how every modern take on the Joker, be it in comics or live action, keeps focusing way more on the crazy murderous side of the character to the point that he doesn't even feel human anymore. A plot like this episodes would not happen in the comics today because Joker would just kill Charlie or torture him in a really gory, over-the-top way. He's too much like a boogeyman and a serial killer. THIS version is scary and intimidating but still feels like an actual person, and I know for some that might be why they prefer the comic version more because they like Batman taking on unstoppable, unknowable monster Joker but I'm the opposite. What this version gets right, and actually why I prefer a lot of the animated Jokers over the live action ones, is that he's got personality. He's genuinely funny and can carry on a conversation without having every punchline be "I killed you!" (it's not a good joke if it's the only one he ever uses). He's chaotic but not because he's some symbolic "chaos incarnate" or out to prove a point, he's chaotic because he lets his whims carry him towards whatever he thinks will be funny, which can be anything from bombing the police to coming up with a big complicated scheme just to throw a regular pie in Batman's face.
Exactly. Mere murder is not enough. It has to be funny! Done in a way that will make witnesses and cops laugh for a moment before crossing themselves in shame for laughing at murder.
Question is, would a modern Batman comic even feature the Joker? Seems like they mostly make up new villains that last for three weeks before being dropped for being boring. Some villain that is either like Batman but evil, or maybe some knockoff of Prometheus. Either that or a clichéd evil organisation - Spyral, Court of Owls, Leviathan, etc. They have introduced so many new villains over the last 20 years, and except for Pyg and maybe Hush none of them left an impression.
@@MaxMustermann-hy9in Joker's pretty overused in the comics now to the point he either appears in or is the main villain of almost every Batman story where before there'd be times he'd only have minor roles in some stories and not be in others at all because they knew a hero's arch enemy didn't have to be in every story then.
much in the same way modern batman is an invincible smart god that can't lose it robs the character of the humanity and puts them in pedestals of REALLY alñways being the best
Props to Arron for noticing Detective Montoya, especially since none of the other guys knew. And yes, she was created for this series. Though, I'm going to have to deduct him points for thinking Bullock also started in the show.
Renee Montoya was created for this cartoon and has a great character arc in the comics despite being completely underutilized. Also Bullock 100% existed before this cartoon.
The joker was originally played by Tim Curry but he was dropped due to his bronchitis. Mark Hamill was brought in as a replacement and ended up being the greatest joker ever
This is untrue. Tim Curry was let go because one of the producers just didn't like him. Andrea Romano, the casting director, explains as much in the documentary film "The Heart of Batman".
It's funny how we're 8 episodes in already and there's still so many iconic characters who we haven't met or even had mentioned yet. Even the Joker had to wait until this far in (though I think in some other viewing orders I think the first episode is a Joker one?) Either way, gotta love how one of his first appearances has him calling out to Batman for help lmao
Eight episodes back in the 90s was nothing. It's only in the streaming era that an entire season can last that short. Most long-running comic books have enough popular characters & storylines to last several seasons.
@@tehdipstick yeah, glad this order has this as his intro. when I went thru the dcau again a few years back after not seeing most of it since the 90s, i went production order, and well, thats not a great ep. lol not only that, it has robin, then we don't see robin again until the ep thats his origin story.
The episode is a fantastic display of what Mark Hamill loves about the villain: "The Joker never gets tiresome because he's insane I love that he has the emotional maturity of a 9-year-old and he can turn on a dime."
PSA on the dangers of road rage. But also the introduction of two great characters with Harley and Charlie. Charlie is one of my favorite archetypes for this show; an average dude who gets caught up in the twisted schemes of the rogues, yet manages to stay brave long enough to do something that foils the plan despite lacking Batman's training and resources. Everyday heroism. You see that a lot in this show.
I feel like some fans are hard on this episode in terms of Harley. This was only her first appearance and she was originally just there to be a henchwoman. I think it's nice to see how characters got their starts.
The character design of Charlie Collins was the show's executive producer Alan Burnett. The Joker's henchman reading Tiny Toon Adventures comics (which also occurred in the "On Leather Wings" episode) was an intentional nod to both Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's earlier work - they both worked on the Tiny Toons cartoon series.
THe best Joker in all of fiction voiced by the best...Mark Hamill !! What is the lesson today guys ? Road rage can get you kill !! I swear, the Joker is a model citizen on that part !! lolll I Just love how he just see a nice opportunity to do a little chaos over nothing. That is pretty much classic Joker, no reason needed !
Originally, the script called for the Joker to appear in drag. The writers decided this was out of character for him and created a one-shot female character to fill this role instead. The character became extremely popular and was soon upgraded from one of Joker's goons to a major player in the Rogues Gallery: Harley Quinn.
This is where DC made history. Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy became the most notable Joker/Batman duo ever, Harley Quinn was introduced, & Mark Hamill became notable for something else besides just being Luke Skywalker. He became the prominent voice of The Joker even decades later.
And here we go. With the 30th anniversary officially in effect, it's another breakthrough episode. The debut of Joker finally and Harley Quinn. It wasn't till after this episode that I would learn of Mark Hamill as Joker, just incredible. Didn't know the voice of Harley Quinn (originally) till seasons later when Tara Strong had taken over. The overall story of your average joe making the wrong move on the wrong person is quite relatable. Standing up to the Joker gave Charlie Collins more value in his own life. Things aren't as bad as they seem. Just keep it humble. ........and who doesn't love Meatloaf?! Btw, Ed Begley Jr. (voice of Charlie Collins) was in Batman Forever. Uncredited in the role of Fred Stickley, who was killed by E. Nygma
@@jp3813 Yes, you're right. Batman: Arkham Asylum and DC Universe Online were the last times Arleen reprised the role. Batman: Arkham City was Tara's debut playing the character.
Rocco and Henshaw are characters from Sgt. Bilko, aka The Phil Silvers Show. It's a classic Army sitcom. Around the time when Batman The Animated Series first aired, Comedy Central was showing Sgt. Bilko during the afternoon lineup. I guess Paul Dini thought that some parents (or some kids) probably saw it on Comedy Central, so they'd get the reference in the cartoon.
Mark's Joker doesn't sound different because he hadn't found his voice yet, he had at this point in production, but because of time. The change in Joker's tone and how he pronounces certain words wasn't introduced until the sequel show "The New Batman Adventures", which has a slightly grittier, more grown-up tone than BTAS. The change in tone, as well as the couple of years that passed between production on BTAS and the production of TNBA, meant that the producers wanted something a little different, so Hamill gave the Joker a slightly darker quality to his voice and even gave him more of a Mid-Atlantic/Transatlantic accent to really push the idea of Joker's narcissism and how he sees himself as better than others.
Loved Mark Hamill as the Joker! 😁❤️ His vocal range was so amazing. His performance never fails to put a smile on my face! 🙂 10:40 The joke's on you Joker! 🤣❤️
The origin of my all-time favorite comics character. Arleen Sorkin was brilliant and deserves so much more credit than she gets for co-creating Harley Quinn--Paul Dini has been open about basing the character on a jester Sorkin played in a sequence she wrote for Days of Our Lives. Renee Montoya was created for this show, and then brought into the comics. The comics did a lot more with her, though. This wasn't Mark Hamill's first time playing the Joker--that was "Christmas with the Joker", which was made well before this episode even though it aired after. This was the fourth episode produced with Hamill as Joker. As far as what year it is, this show deliberately fucks with timelines. It's set sometime in Batman's career when he's still young but also pretty experienced, and there's background stuff placing it simultaneously in every decade from the 1940s through 90s, sometimes in the same episode.
Fun Fact Charlie Collins and Terry McGinnis are the only 2 people that got Inside to Joker's head, and Charlie Is the only person who managed to make Batman's laugh.
Renee Montoya was indeed created for this series. In the comics she eventually left the Police Force and after a series of events she became the superhero detective known as...The Question! If you weren't aware, the original version of The Question was the character that Watchman's Rorschach was based on.
I seem to remember the first time I saw the Joker was an episode with blimps... Is it that one that Eric was referring to? Also, even if this show wasn't one of the best animated shows, just for the creation/introduction of Harley Quinn would be in my favourites. I just love her character, in everything
One of the censorship things B:TAS had to deal with was breaking through windows. They didn't want Batman or the heroes breaking through glass, because it might be a bad influence on children. Bad guys though? Well, there's a reason they get defenestrated every so often.
Yes, all kid shows had that issue. I remember an episode of 'Reboot' where Bob used the command 'BS&P!' to teleport through a window instead of breaking through. 'BS&P' was 'Broadcast Standards and Practices'.
Tara Strong took over the video games after the first Arkham Asylum game where Arleen Sorkin reprised the role. She just got tired of doing the character and moved on from it. Arleen was a friend of Paul Dini and a soap actress, he wanted to create a hench girl for this one episode and based her look off her, he couldn't picture anyone else doing the voice so got her to do the role, she didn't even have a name back then was just random hench girl. The character took on a life of it's own since then, got her name and Paul Dini developed a back story for her with the "Mad Love" comic story that was eventually turned into an episode. Arleen Sorkin kept doing the voice and I believe the only character she voiced apart from a couple of cameos in other projects by the same producers as Batman. I don't think she was big on being known as a voice actress in the first place and has rarely done any conventions or signings related to Batman. She'll always be legendary for providing that voice though. It's actually basically her own voice lol, check out interviews and the voice and looks is exactly her.
The Tiny Toon Adventures comic the henchman was reading is a bit of an Easter egg. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini both worked on TTA, in fact they were responsible for writing nearly all the episodes where Plucky Duck plays Duckman and Hamton played Decoy.
Tara Strong took over Harley for Arkham City and onwards. Arleen's last performance was Arkham Asylum. Arleen is irreplaceable in my opinion. The accent, the cadence is perfect.
This is not actually his first appearance. This is really the 22nd episode of the show. The Joker's first appearance was in the 2nd episode of the show "Christmas with the Joker." The order on HBOMax is weird.
Arleen is definitely my definitive Harley. I think Tara's imitation of her is pretty close but unfortunately because her voice is so well known, I can't not hear Tara behind it. Also Arleen voiced Harley in Asylum as well. Only City onwards did Tara take over.
It’s been forever since I last watched this show, so I was quite surprised to see this episode appear so early in the series. I guess in my head it was later on or something. Still, I just love Harley first appearance ever and the rest of the episode was fantastic as well. Joker yelling for Batman was absolutely great.
There's a podcast called Batman: The Audio Adventures. And one of my favorite recurring gags in it is that there's a downtrodden birthday clown who can't get much work because of The Joker.
Harvey Bullock is from the comics. He's been around since the 70s. Detective Montoya, like Harley, was created for this show but made her way into the comics and other media.
25:40 Montoya has a pretty big role in the Gotham Central series that I'm rereading since I got the omnibus. Rogues appearances so far... - Clayface: 2 - Catwoman: 2 - Joker & Harley: 1 - Mr Freeze: 1 - Manbat: 1 - The Mob: 1
The Arkham trilogy Batman and Joker is the definitive Batman and Joker. To me, it is Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s greatest performances as those characters.
27:32 Rick mentioning Calender Man reminds me of one of my favorite episodes back in the day from this series. 👀 So, with their first viewing of this classic series of Batman, I'm re-watching the series along with them but with director's commentary on (1 episode a week before I watch their reaction). After they're done with B:TAS I wonder if they'll do the sequel and eventually my favorite, _Batman Beyond._ Especially Beyond, I think it would make for some interesting discussions seeing that some corrupt things are (unfortunately) relevant in todays society, but also some of the cool futuristic technology that's kinda there but not yet there in our modern society. Just an overall cool evolution of Batman.
If I'm not mistaken, the first episode that aired with Joker was "Christmas With the Joker", but the DVD, Blu-Ray set and HBO Max changed the order. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me
"Christmas With The Joker" wasn't the first Joker episode that aired, but it was the first Joker episode that was produced. It was meant to be the first episode, but the executives at Fox Kids chnged the airing order, so this one aired first instead.
12:45 *Calvin:* _"Arleen Sorkin. Is she related to Alan Sorkin?"_ ● I think you mean *Aaron Sorkin,* and no, they are not related. However, she is married to _Christopher Lloyd._ . .Just not *_that_* _Christopher Lloyd._ 😉 Btw, I too thought he said, _The kid needs braces and my body's makin' meatloaf for dinner."_ 🤭 *EDIT:* Ed Bagley Jr. has been in shows like _St. Elsewhere_ and _Curb Your Enthusiasm._ His father, Ed Bagley senior, played a famous role in the 1957 film _12 Angry Men._ ··•●✺●•··
Officer Rene Montoya was invented for Batman TAS. She was later introduced into the comics and everywhere else. She eventually becomes the new version of The Question - the character Rorschach (from Watchmen) is based on. She's basically Jim Gordon's right-hand woman. His most trusted and loyal officer. She's a lesbian and has a relationship with Batwoman, primarily.
Mark Hamill is THE best Joker ever! I can never stop loving his great voice! And Arleen Sorkin is also fantastic as Harley Quinn! Hearing them again in Arkham Asylum was exciting! Kudos to Andrea Romano for the great casting choices!!!
What are the chances these guys react to episode 8 introducing Harley just after the Harley Quinn show does it's 8th episode of the season which is a tribute episode to Batman the Animated Series.
Arleen Sorkin will always be the main Harley Quinn voice. I think Tara did a great job as her in the games but in the end it was just an Arleen impression she was doing. Also Harley’s full name is Harleen Quinzel so even the character is named after Arleen.
(SPOILER) 15:37 I just realized that not only is Joker treated this way so early in the series, but it's how he's defeated in his very final (chronological) appearance in the DCAU. Kinda takes the punch out of his end tbh.
Peregrinator: A traveler or wanderer. It's some sort of social club originally for wealthy explorers and world travelers. Edit: Never mind, I should have watched until the end before posting.
I was wondering if y’all were gonna react to “Christmas with the Joker”. That episode was actually the first to introduce both the joker and Mark Hamill’s voice as the Joker in the series. And it’s a personal favorite of mine
Same. I was glad when Arleen Sorkin came back for Harley in _Arkham Asylum_ but a little sad that Tara Strong took over again in _Arkham City_ and beyond. While I don't dislike Tara Strong's version at all, I just love Arleen's performance the best.
That doesn’t work because that episode also has Robin and then he disappears for ages then you see robins origin story later, I think the hbo order is working pretty well so far.
@@danteflame87 Well they kinda explain why Robin doesn't show up much at the start of the show. He's away at college nad is only visiting Bruce for Christmas in that episode. The real reason, of course, was that Bruce Timm didn't really want to include Robin in the show, but was pressured into it by studio executives. The HBO Max order also doesn't work if you're going by characters not showing up again for a while, because now Harley is going to be missing from the next few Joker episodes.
Raw Rider Patrons can watch the Full Length Reaction HERE: blindwavellc.com/batman-the-animated-series-1x08-full/
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They know that Christmas with The Joker was before this right? And that This was not the first episode Hamill voiced as the clown prince of crime.
Charlie getting Batman to sincerely laugh at his bomb trick while the Joker cowers behind him will forever be the greatest victory over the Clown Prince of Crime. And it perfectly ties into an underrated aspect of this Joker that I really love in that his ego is very easily bruised and goes a long way of showing how he’s not really a good comedian.
One could say the reason he’s so violent is because no one genuinely finds him funny. He thinks he’s a comedian but he’s really just a schoolyard bully who wants attention.
@@cartoonking1789 Indeed. Without going into spoiler territory for future DCAU properties: Terry McGinnis was right.
@@neilhenderson5581 exactly, which is why it’s one of my favorite DCAU moments!
@@cartoonking1789 This show's viewers usually find him funny.
@@jp3813 oh yeah we find him funny but most people in the show don’t.
Arleen Sorkin was actually the inspiration for Harley Quinn's character. She went to college with Paul Dini and when he saw her play a jester in an episode of Days of Our Lives he decided to have her voice Harley and based her appearance and personality off of her.
I LOVE that you know Harley's origin with Arleen! ❤❤
@@jasonstrickland9245 you aren’t a true Harley Quinn fan if you don’t know the exact DoOL clip with Arleen this person is talking about. 😆
Also Arleen is doing an impression of Judy Holliday from "Born Yesterday".
And the inspiration is literally in the name as well: Arleen = (H)arleen Quinzel.
Exactly! Thank-you!
Ladies and gentlemen...the 3rd achievement of Batman the Animated serie after the rebuild of Two-Face and Mr Freeze characters...The creation of Harley Quinn !!! It's crazy how fast it clicked with her...She became a favorite really fast !!! Before her, it was mostly weird bandits or insane asylum patients as hendchmen...Here it became more personnal and later, more disturbing...Also great voice actress for her with Arleen Sorkin !
also the creation of Renee Montoya
Sadly, many years later Arleen retired from voicing Harley because she was disgusted over what DC and WB was starting to do with her character. It's only gotten worse since.
Did Two-Face need rebuilding? I know Tommy Lee Jones' version was pretty bad, but was it so influential that Two-Face as a whole needed fixing?
@@kayokango Arleen retired because she couldn't do the voice anymore and it hurt to do. Harley's character has evolved incredibly, like a mirror for society's growing efforts to condemn domestic abuse as well as feminist progress. She's gone from Joker's henchman and punching bag to her own zany chaotic ball of fun, and she's one of the best things going for DC right now with her highly rated TV show. Don't use Arleen to peddle your gross misogynist narrative about Harley, she would spit on you lmao
@@ryanquinn5884 to be fair, it stumbled a bit here and there when they made her a fanservice ditz in a few stories or would try to delegitimize her tragedy by making her an awful person before she met the joker, even her original creator did that with the comic version of mad love and her The Batman cartoon origin. The domestic abuse survivor angle took a few attempts to become the mainstream version of her, and repurposing the cheerleader outfit as a rejection of the joker seemed to be the compromise between the two interpretations that finally let that version stick.
Yes René Montoya is also a creation of this show.
Batman laughing at Charlies prank gets even funnier if you have seen the Batman beyond movie, where you learn that the Joker never made Batman laugh even once.
Harley also made Batman laugh... unintentionally.
He probably never laughs at Joker's jokes just to annoy him.
@@artboymoy That, and they're rarely any good.
20:05 "Even Arkham Asylum can't hold him" - implying Arkham can hold ANYONE.
Yeah Arkham has got to be the worst facility ever 😂 Batman’s got to know early on to stop sending them there
I'm sure it can hold most low level criminals, but not supervillains.
@@jp3813it can’t even hold people without powers, it’s made out of cardboard
10:55 - Batman's laugh got one of my favourite collective reactions in a while.
Anyone should win a metal for making Batman legit laugh at a joke 👍
"Look at the size of that cake man!!" hahahahaha. I fogot how good an episode this was. All for a Favor.
Something that I really like about this episode's ending and that the rest of the DCAU supports with how it builds and establishes this version of the Joker's character is that Charlie and his family really are safe, because if Joker goes after them then it's basically him admitting that Charlie got to him. The DCAU version of Joker is vain. He has an ego to bruise, and he can't stand the idea of everyone knowing that some nobody got the best of him so badly that he then had to retaliate. He would rather just not draw attention to what happened and forget about the matter entirely.
Really well said!
It’s even implied in Joker and Lex’s conversation during the Batman Crossover episode in 90s Superman Animated Series.
So, Charlie > this Joker.
@@roxtechs what really?! I have seen that so many times guess it’s time to rewatch!
Also, unlike many other versions of the character, DCAU Joker is actually capable of fear. He looked into the eyes of crazy that day, and was threatened with his greatest fear: an ignoble, anticlimactic death. The Joker's number 1 motive in the DCAU is to be a showman and to have 'epic' battles of wits with Batman. Yeah, he *could* go after Charlie and his family for revenge, but if he does he runs the risk of Charlie coming after him. Charlie knows his weakness and fears, and if he failed to finish off Charlie in his attack then Charlie would track him down and deliver him the fate he absolutely fears more than anything else. What's the point of that? There's no joke there, only a huge risk to his life. He knows that if he leaves Charlie and his family alone he'll be safe. If he doesn't, he might lose everything he values.
Obviously I love Hamill's Joker like everyone else but we definitely need to give credit to the writers of this show too, especially with how every modern take on the Joker, be it in comics or live action, keeps focusing way more on the crazy murderous side of the character to the point that he doesn't even feel human anymore. A plot like this episodes would not happen in the comics today because Joker would just kill Charlie or torture him in a really gory, over-the-top way. He's too much like a boogeyman and a serial killer.
THIS version is scary and intimidating but still feels like an actual person, and I know for some that might be why they prefer the comic version more because they like Batman taking on unstoppable, unknowable monster Joker but I'm the opposite. What this version gets right, and actually why I prefer a lot of the animated Jokers over the live action ones, is that he's got personality. He's genuinely funny and can carry on a conversation without having every punchline be "I killed you!" (it's not a good joke if it's the only one he ever uses). He's chaotic but not because he's some symbolic "chaos incarnate" or out to prove a point, he's chaotic because he lets his whims carry him towards whatever he thinks will be funny, which can be anything from bombing the police to coming up with a big complicated scheme just to throw a regular pie in Batman's face.
With some modern versions of Joker writers have forgotten that sometimes Joker pulls harmless pranks, sometimes really sadistic evil stuff or both.
Exactly. Mere murder is not enough. It has to be funny! Done in a way that will make witnesses and cops laugh for a moment before crossing themselves in shame for laughing at murder.
Question is, would a modern Batman comic even feature the Joker? Seems like they mostly make up new villains that last for three weeks before being dropped for being boring. Some villain that is either like Batman but evil, or maybe some knockoff of Prometheus. Either that or a clichéd evil organisation - Spyral, Court of Owls, Leviathan, etc. They have introduced so many new villains over the last 20 years, and except for Pyg and maybe Hush none of them left an impression.
@@MaxMustermann-hy9in Joker's pretty overused in the comics now to the point he either appears in or is the main villain of almost every Batman story where before there'd be times he'd only have minor roles in some stories and not be in others at all because they knew a hero's arch enemy didn't have to be in every story then.
much in the same way modern batman is an invincible smart god that can't lose it robs the character of the humanity and puts them in pedestals of REALLY alñways being the best
Joker spends so much time as the manipulator in these instances that it is always a joy to see the rug pulled out from under him like this.
"It is to laugh, Mr. J". I don't mind the new Harley voices, I just miss her way of speaking, ha ha.
Props to Arron for noticing Detective Montoya, especially since none of the other guys knew. And yes, she was created for this series. Though, I'm going to have to deduct him points for thinking Bullock also started in the show.
Is this Montoya's first appearance too? I associate her with the episode "POV" but this aired first right?
@@LamontWayne POV was produced first, and was supposed to serve as the character's introduction, but this episode was aired first, yes.
Hearing Batman laugh will always be the greatest gift this show ever gave me
This ain't his best laugh though.
The funniest thing is, Charlie was actually right about the Joker and how things would end for him.
Renee Montoya was created for this cartoon and has a great character arc in the comics despite being completely underutilized. Also Bullock 100% existed before this cartoon.
Hell, she even became the Question!
Montoya was so good in the Gotham Central series!
@@fynnthefox9078 I was trying not to spoil that for people😅
@@SpiralSine6 it's on my read list for sure
I thought Renee Montoya was from "The Batman" series more recently? At the least I recall her more strongly from there, than here.
The joker was originally played by Tim Curry but he was dropped due to his bronchitis. Mark Hamill was brought in as a replacement and ended up being the greatest joker ever
In all fairness, Curry would have done a different but fantastic joker.
This is untrue. Tim Curry was let go because one of the producers just didn't like him. Andrea Romano, the casting director, explains as much in the documentary film "The Heart of Batman".
@@tehdipstick I know Kevin Conroy said he was deemed too scary, like "locking up kids in the basement" scary.
It's funny how we're 8 episodes in already and there's still so many iconic characters who we haven't met or even had mentioned yet. Even the Joker had to wait until this far in (though I think in some other viewing orders I think the first episode is a Joker one?)
Either way, gotta love how one of his first appearances has him calling out to Batman for help lmao
The production order has "Christmas With The Joker" as the second episode.
Eight episodes back in the 90s was nothing. It's only in the streaming era that an entire season can last that short. Most long-running comic books have enough popular characters & storylines to last several seasons.
@@tehdipstick yeah, glad this order has this as his intro. when I went thru the dcau again a few years back after not seeing most of it since the 90s, i went production order, and well, thats not a great ep. lol not only that, it has robin, then we don't see robin again until the ep thats his origin story.
The episode is a fantastic display of what Mark Hamill loves about the villain: "The Joker never gets tiresome because he's insane I love that he has the emotional maturity of a 9-year-old and he can turn on a dime."
Charlie is such a fucking legend. He had Joker begging for his life and made Batman laugh all in the span of a couple minutes.
PSA on the dangers of road rage. But also the introduction of two great characters with Harley and Charlie. Charlie is one of my favorite archetypes for this show; an average dude who gets caught up in the twisted schemes of the rogues, yet manages to stay brave long enough to do something that foils the plan despite lacking Batman's training and resources. Everyday heroism. You see that a lot in this show.
I feel like some fans are hard on this episode in terms of Harley. This was only her first appearance and she was originally just there to be a henchwoman. I think it's nice to see how characters got their starts.
I think it’s impressive how much they nailed on their first try
The character design of Charlie Collins was the show's executive producer Alan Burnett. The Joker's henchman reading Tiny Toon Adventures comics (which also occurred in the "On Leather Wings" episode) was an intentional nod to both Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's earlier work - they both worked on the Tiny Toons cartoon series.
Fun fact: This episode is the first appearance of Joker's sidekick Harley Quinn in any media ever.
Calvins "They're like the british!" made me laugh WAY too loud for WAY too long.
The joker screaming for Batman so hilarious 😂
This show held up much better than I thought it would. So much goes over your head as a kid.
THe best Joker in all of fiction voiced by the best...Mark Hamill !! What is the lesson today guys ? Road rage can get you kill !! I swear, the Joker is a model citizen on that part !! lolll
I Just love how he just see a nice opportunity to do a little chaos over nothing. That is pretty much classic Joker, no reason needed !
Well, no, he has a reason. The best reason for the Joker to have.
Because it was funny.
Originally, the script called for the Joker to appear in drag. The writers decided this was out of character for him and created a one-shot female character to fill this role instead. The character became extremely popular and was soon upgraded from one of Joker's goons to a major player in the Rogues Gallery: Harley Quinn.
The Dark Knight would go on to portray the Joker wearing hospital drag - RIP Heath Ledger
This is where DC made history. Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy became the most notable Joker/Batman duo ever, Harley Quinn was introduced, & Mark Hamill became notable for something else besides just being Luke Skywalker. He became the prominent voice of The Joker even decades later.
This episode and the Jokers IRS statement from the later episodes always stand at the forefront of my mindbrain when i think about BTAS
And here we go.
With the 30th anniversary officially in effect, it's another breakthrough episode.
The debut of Joker finally and Harley Quinn.
It wasn't till after this episode that I would learn of Mark Hamill as Joker, just incredible.
Didn't know the voice of Harley Quinn (originally) till seasons later when Tara Strong had taken over.
The overall story of your average joe making the wrong move on the wrong person is quite relatable.
Standing up to the Joker gave Charlie Collins more value in his own life.
Things aren't as bad as they seem.
Just keep it humble.
........and who doesn't love Meatloaf?!
Btw, Ed Begley Jr. (voice of Charlie Collins) was in Batman Forever.
Uncredited in the role of Fred Stickley, who was killed by E. Nygma
I believe Tara first took over Harley's voice in Batman: Arkham City.
@@jp3813 Yes, you're right. Batman: Arkham Asylum and DC Universe Online were the last times Arleen reprised the role. Batman: Arkham City was Tara's debut playing the character.
Rocco and Henshaw are characters from Sgt. Bilko, aka The Phil Silvers Show. It's a classic Army sitcom. Around the time when Batman The Animated Series first aired, Comedy Central was showing Sgt. Bilko during the afternoon lineup. I guess Paul Dini thought that some parents (or some kids) probably saw it on Comedy Central, so they'd get the reference in the cartoon.
Mark's Joker doesn't sound different because he hadn't found his voice yet, he had at this point in production, but because of time. The change in Joker's tone and how he pronounces certain words wasn't introduced until the sequel show "The New Batman Adventures", which has a slightly grittier, more grown-up tone than BTAS. The change in tone, as well as the couple of years that passed between production on BTAS and the production of TNBA, meant that the producers wanted something a little different, so Hamill gave the Joker a slightly darker quality to his voice and even gave him more of a Mid-Atlantic/Transatlantic accent to really push the idea of Joker's narcissism and how he sees himself as better than others.
Glad someone said it, had to scroll way too far to find this.
Loved Mark Hamill as the Joker! 😁❤️
His vocal range was so amazing.
His performance never fails to put a smile on my face! 🙂
10:40 The joke's on you Joker! 🤣❤️
The origin of my all-time favorite comics character. Arleen Sorkin was brilliant and deserves so much more credit than she gets for co-creating Harley Quinn--Paul Dini has been open about basing the character on a jester Sorkin played in a sequence she wrote for Days of Our Lives.
Renee Montoya was created for this show, and then brought into the comics. The comics did a lot more with her, though.
This wasn't Mark Hamill's first time playing the Joker--that was "Christmas with the Joker", which was made well before this episode even though it aired after. This was the fourth episode produced with Hamill as Joker.
As far as what year it is, this show deliberately fucks with timelines. It's set sometime in Batman's career when he's still young but also pretty experienced, and there's background stuff placing it simultaneously in every decade from the 1940s through 90s, sometimes in the same episode.
Fun Fact Charlie Collins and Terry McGinnis are the only 2 people that got Inside to Joker's head, and Charlie Is the only person who managed to make Batman's laugh.
Joker screaming "Batman!" and Batman's laugh was great, although it would have been better if Joker shouted "Batman!" once 🤣🤣🤣🤣.
I was confused for a second when Harley picked up Charlie from the airport, like "what's Mercy doing in this episode?".
And Happy 30th Anniversary to the famous legendary Arleen Sorkin for her Role as the 1st Harley Quinn!
"All this excitement with... *BATMAN!!!!* "
🤣
Probably my favorite version of The Joker. I love him in the Animated Series. Really fun reaction guys, just had a blast the whole way through. :)
Love Harley's intro, she's such a good character and she's only gotten better imo. The Harley Quinn show is some of the best animated dc I've seen!
I was foolishly drinking lemonade when Batman laughed and god did that hurt lol
Renee Montoya was indeed created for this series. In the comics she eventually left the Police Force and after a series of events she became the superhero detective known as...The Question! If you weren't aware, the original version of The Question was the character that Watchman's Rorschach was based on.
10:24 BATMAN!
And with this episode the legend of Harley Quinn began.
I think I heard in an interview Mark Hamil was trying to find the Joker laugh right, and he did on the high way. Funny how the Ep starts out.
I seem to remember the first time I saw the Joker was an episode with blimps... Is it that one that Eric was referring to?
Also, even if this show wasn't one of the best animated shows, just for the creation/introduction of Harley Quinn would be in my favourites.
I just love her character, in everything
One of the censorship things B:TAS had to deal with was breaking through windows.
They didn't want Batman or the heroes breaking through glass, because it might be a bad influence on children.
Bad guys though? Well, there's a reason they get defenestrated every so often.
Yes, all kid shows had that issue. I remember an episode of 'Reboot' where Bob used the command 'BS&P!' to teleport through a window instead of breaking through. 'BS&P' was 'Broadcast Standards and Practices'.
Mark is my Joker. It's the performance that comes to my mind any time I'm reading his dialogue in a comic.
6:13 | The original Invincible meme
10:24 | What a coward
10:57 | The Bat Who Laughs
Tara Strong took over the video games after the first Arkham Asylum game where Arleen Sorkin reprised the role. She just got tired of doing the character and moved on from it. Arleen was a friend of Paul Dini and a soap actress, he wanted to create a hench girl for this one episode and based her look off her, he couldn't picture anyone else doing the voice so got her to do the role, she didn't even have a name back then was just random hench girl. The character took on a life of it's own since then, got her name and Paul Dini developed a back story for her with the "Mad Love" comic story that was eventually turned into an episode. Arleen Sorkin kept doing the voice and I believe the only character she voiced apart from a couple of cameos in other projects by the same producers as Batman.
I don't think she was big on being known as a voice actress in the first place and has rarely done any conventions or signings related to Batman. She'll always be legendary for providing that voice though. It's actually basically her own voice lol, check out interviews and the voice and looks is exactly her.
One of my favorite episodes.
Joker askin for help of Batman is comedy gold
Harley's chauffeur outfit was later reused for Mercy Graves in Superman TAS
omg, I watched this series but not really since I only remember some clips, but never expected Joker to cry out "batman" or for batman to laugh XD
It’s about time y’all reacted to Batman Mask of the Phantasm
Look at the size of that CAKE!
The Tiny Toon Adventures comic the henchman was reading is a bit of an Easter egg. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini both worked on TTA, in fact they were responsible for writing nearly all the episodes where Plucky Duck plays Duckman and Hamton played Decoy.
Time to sit down, relax, and let my body make meatloaf!
Tara Strong took over Harley for Arkham City and onwards. Arleen's last performance was Arkham Asylum. Arleen is irreplaceable in my opinion. The accent, the cadence is perfect.
^This
This was the first appearance of the Joker and the first time you see him is so terrifying its just perfect.
This is not actually his first appearance. This is really the 22nd episode of the show. The Joker's first appearance was in the 2nd episode of the show "Christmas with the Joker." The order on HBOMax is weird.
@@jmacmallHBO Max uses the airdate order. "Christmas with the Joker" was the 2nd episode produced but the 38th aired on television.
Arleen is definitely my definitive Harley. I think Tara's imitation of her is pretty close but unfortunately because her voice is so well known, I can't not hear Tara behind it.
Also Arleen voiced Harley in Asylum as well. Only City onwards did Tara take over.
It’s been forever since I last watched this show, so I was quite surprised to see this episode appear so early in the series. I guess in my head it was later on or something.
Still, I just love Harley first appearance ever and the rest of the episode was fantastic as well.
Joker yelling for Batman was absolutely great.
There's a podcast called Batman: The Audio Adventures. And one of my favorite recurring gags in it is that there's a downtrodden birthday clown who can't get much work because of The Joker.
Harvey Bullock is from the comics. He's been around since the 70s. Detective Montoya, like Harley, was created for this show but made her way into the comics and other media.
The very first appearance of Harley Quinn, a great character who made her way into the comics.
Tara Strong took over for Harley starting with Arkham City.
yeah this show is what baseline of what batman characters should be based on
25:40 Montoya has a pretty big role in the Gotham Central series that I'm rereading since I got the omnibus.
Rogues appearances so far...
- Clayface: 2
- Catwoman: 2
- Joker & Harley: 1
- Mr Freeze: 1
- Manbat: 1
- The Mob: 1
Only a few episodes rely on release order. I kind of like what they are doing. Just can't predict what is next. Nice vid.
Probably my favorite episode of the early run.
People everywhere the greatest man “Charlie” the man who did the one thing joker could never do, make batman laugh. Applause everyone.
The Arkham trilogy Batman and Joker is the definitive Batman and Joker. To me, it is Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s greatest performances as those characters.
There’s very little Bruce Wayne in the Arkham series though. Kevin Conroy had to do more work in the animated series
27:32 Rick mentioning Calender Man reminds me of one of my favorite episodes back in the day from this series. 👀
So, with their first viewing of this classic series of Batman, I'm re-watching the series along with them but with director's commentary on (1 episode a week before I watch their reaction). After they're done with B:TAS I wonder if they'll do the sequel and eventually my favorite, _Batman Beyond._ Especially Beyond, I think it would make for some interesting discussions seeing that some corrupt things are (unfortunately) relevant in todays society, but also some of the cool futuristic technology that's kinda there but not yet there in our modern society. Just an overall cool evolution of Batman.
If I'm not mistaken, the first episode that aired with Joker was "Christmas With the Joker", but the DVD, Blu-Ray set and HBO Max changed the order. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me
Well not the DVD, because I remember that the DVD had the production order and not the order that was aired
"Christmas With The Joker" wasn't the first Joker episode that aired, but it was the first Joker episode that was produced. It was meant to be the first episode, but the executives at Fox Kids chnged the airing order, so this one aired first instead.
12:45 *Calvin:* _"Arleen Sorkin. Is she related to Alan Sorkin?"_ ● I think you mean *Aaron Sorkin,* and no, they are not related. However, she is married to _Christopher Lloyd._ . .Just not *_that_* _Christopher Lloyd._ 😉
Btw, I too thought he said, _The kid needs braces and my body's makin' meatloaf for dinner."_ 🤭
*EDIT:* Ed Bagley Jr. has been in shows like _St. Elsewhere_ and _Curb Your Enthusiasm._ His father, Ed Bagley senior, played a famous role in the 1957 film _12 Angry Men._
··•●✺●•··
Joker couldn't make Batman laugh but a "so-called nobody" did. How's that for salt to your wounds Joker! :P
Officer Rene Montoya was invented for Batman TAS.
She was later introduced into the comics and everywhere else.
She eventually becomes the new version of The Question - the character Rorschach (from Watchmen) is based on.
She's basically Jim Gordon's right-hand woman. His most trusted and loyal officer.
She's a lesbian and has a relationship with Batwoman, primarily.
Mark Hamill is THE best Joker ever! I can never stop loving his great voice! And Arleen Sorkin is also fantastic as Harley Quinn! Hearing them again in Arkham Asylum was exciting! Kudos to Andrea Romano for the great casting choices!!!
Mark Hamill was Trickster on 1990’s Flash so we see a semi prototype to his Joker in that.
Definitely using "my body's making meatloaf" the next time I have an upset stomach.
He said Bonnie. That's Charlie's wife.
RIP Arleen Sorkin, the original voice for Harley Quinn!!! 6x winning actress. ❤🖤❤
What are the chances these guys react to episode 8 introducing Harley just after the Harley Quinn show does it's 8th episode of the season which is a tribute episode to Batman the Animated Series.
Arleen Sorkin will always be the main Harley Quinn voice. I think Tara did a great job as her in the games but in the end it was just an Arleen impression she was doing. Also Harley’s full name is Harleen Quinzel so even the character is named after Arleen.
I love Charlie he just has the worst bad days
(SPOILER)
15:37 I just realized that not only is Joker treated this way so early in the series, but it's how he's defeated in his very final (chronological) appearance in the DCAU. Kinda takes the punch out of his end tbh.
Renee Montoya was invented for the show, but ended up being in comic issues released before the show came out.
The two goons Rocco and Henshaw are named after two of the characters in the classic 50s comedy The Phil Silvers Show 😊
Yo I love the different themed intros
9:54 a severely underappreciated joke from Rick there
Peregrinator: A traveler or wanderer. It's some sort of social club originally for wealthy explorers and world travelers.
Edit: Never mind, I should have watched until the end before posting.
I was wondering if y’all were gonna react to “Christmas with the Joker”. That episode was actually the first to introduce both the joker and Mark Hamill’s voice as the Joker in the series. And it’s a personal favorite of mine
This was the first appearance of Harley. Dhe was created for this show
I really hope they watch superman the animated series too!
Same!!!!
Man i miss this version of Harley so much
Same. I was glad when Arleen Sorkin came back for Harley in _Arkham Asylum_ but a little sad that Tara Strong took over again in _Arkham City_ and beyond. While I don't dislike Tara Strong's version at all, I just love Arleen's performance the best.
@@PierceArner not really voice. Cause i also like Tara Strong as her.
I miss the way she was written
@@PierceArner Hynden Walch's Harley is pretty good too.
Blonde haired jester costume Harley is better than Hot Topic Harley.
How did you comment three weeks ago if they just uploaded video
Funny thing is this is like the 3rd or 4th Joker episode produced.
Probably the fourth. "Christmas With The Joker", "The Last Laugh" and "Be A Clown" were all produced before this one.
Damn guys! It's 4:30 AM where I'm from at the time of the video being posted lol
I swore the first joker appearance was the Christmas episode which was supposed to be the second episode
It is. The HBOMax order is wrong.
That doesn’t work because that episode also has Robin and then he disappears for ages then you see robins origin story later, I think the hbo order is working pretty well so far.
@@danteflame87 yup
@@danteflame87 Well they kinda explain why Robin doesn't show up much at the start of the show. He's away at college nad is only visiting Bruce for Christmas in that episode. The real reason, of course, was that Bruce Timm didn't really want to include Robin in the show, but was pressured into it by studio executives.
The HBO Max order also doesn't work if you're going by characters not showing up again for a while, because now Harley is going to be missing from the next few Joker episodes.