Seven best Joker episodes of Batman: The Animated Series

By Alex Wiggan

Across the entire run of Batman: The Animated Series, the Joker appeared as a main character in many great episodes of the show. But what are the best Joker episodes of Batman: The Animated Series?

In this post I am highlighting the seven best Joker stories from B:TAS. Some of these tales are Joker-focused, while others include the character in a supporting role – but every single episode is a zinger!

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Joker’s Millions

First up, is a comical tale in which the Joker is the recipient of a vast inheritance. A welcome occurrence, right? Not so. As the story unfolds, the Joker finds himself out of his depth and at the mercy of his worst enemy – the IRS!

Joker’s Millions is one of the funniest Joker stories ever written, and easily the most comical episode of Batman: The Animated Series. The episode puts an interesting spin on the Joker, and demonstrates that the Clown Prince of Crime isn’t always concerned with Batman.

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The Man Who Killed Batman

Ever wondered what would happen to the Joker if Batman died? Well, you can find out for yourself in The Man Who Killed Batman; an intriguing tale in which it appears as if the Caped Crusader has passed away.

This isn’t a Joker episode as such, but rather an episode in which the Joker becomes a key figure. When he appears on screen to deliver his eulogy, he takes an already great episode and cranks it up to excellent, making The Man Who Killed Batman a must-see tale.

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The Laughing Fish

The Joker, a batch of disfigured fish, and the patent office. Those three elements alone should be enough to interest you in The Laughing Fish – a darkly comic tale in which the Joker attempts to patent his own brand of sea creature. Madness? Yes – but also brilliance.

There’s a dark heart to this tale and some great visuals. The Laughing Fish is often regarded as one of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, and rightly so; it puts Batman and the Joker at odds over a very bizarre story.

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Almost Got ‘im

The Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Penguin, and Killer Croc meet up to play cards and swap tall tales. The subject of each tale? An ‘almost got ‘im’ story, about how close each villain has come to bumping off Batman.

Across the course of the twenty-minute episode, each villain recounts their story – sometimes with humorous results. But there’s a lot more going on than it first seems in Almost Got ‘im, and the Joker plays a key role.

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Trial

Batman is put on trial. His crime? Being the catalyst for all the rogues in Gotham. No Batman, no villains, right?

Trial is a superb episode of Batman: The Animated Series, which features many iconic villains including the Joker. The character is one of the central figures in this captivating tale, which gives the Clown Prince of Crime the opportunity to decide Batman’s fate.

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Mad Love

Mad Love is a quintessential Joker story, which depicts the character’s unhealthy relationship with Harley Quinn. Mad Love explores Harley’s origin, and explains how the Joker manipulates her into doing what he wants.

Comedy and tragedy go hand-in-hand in this story which often ranks as one of the great episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. Many will tell you this is purely a Harley tale, but in truth, it is very much a Joker story.

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Joker’s Favor

And finally, while driving home from work, an ordinary Joe crosses paths with the Clown Prince of Crime, when he cusses him out on the freeway. The Joker could let the incident slide, but instead he decides to ask for a favour in lieu of an apology.

For years, the Joker keeps tabs on the man without bothering him. Then one day, out of the blue, the Joker comes a callin’ – he wants to collect on that favour, whether the man wants to help out or not.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit I’ll Get Drive-Thru. If you’re new to Batman: The Animated Series or you are simply trying to recall some of the best Joker stories, I hope this list of seven great Joker episodes helps you out.

As a reminder, here are the best Joker episodes: