Monday, 25 November 2024

Batman: The Animated Series- Be a Clown

 "If it wasn't risky, I wouldn't enjoy it."

I suppose, on the basic level, this is a by-the-numbers and very typical Joker episode, for said villain has now appeared three times and I'm perhaps in a position to gauge what's "normal". Mark Hamill is, as ever, splendid. The creepy abandoned amusement park- often seen in Batman in various media since the '70s- is nicely used, and there are lots of excellent set pireces. Interestingly, some of them are riffs on Harry Houdini- not only are the clothes and cars reminiscent of the 1940s, the same is true of the pop culture references here.

Yes, there's an annoying kid. But the point here, I think, is to introduce us properly to Mayor Hamilton Hill- bad father, selfish and ambitious climber, useless obstacle and busybody, and blinkered about the Batman. And that introduction is well done as we now know and disapprove of him.

The Joker as clown, though? Brr. But I do begin to worry if the character, while well portrayed, is coming across as pretty one note? We shall see.

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