I somehow can’t think of anything worse than spending Christmas with the Joker. Yet, this episode makes it work in the weirdest of ways.
Maybe because I’m thankful for all the moments I don’t have to deal with Joker trying to ruin my holidays. At least, not this Joker. The universe likes playing its own jokes enough.
This episode sort of perfectly depicts why Joker and Batman are synonymous with each other.
They can’t have one without the other in some ways. Joker needs someone to mess with and Batman needs the challenge few others provide like Joker’s unhinged antics.
Just like in this episode when all this appears to be one big joke just to get Batman’s attention to give him a Christmas present.
Even though he’s upset things get foiled, it appears his mood is fine when he’s returned to Arkham after managing to give the Dark Knight his gift. A pie to the face.
On the flip side, Batman couldn’t rest and enjoy his holiday in peace knowing that Joker was out there somewhere. He wasn’t convinced. Ever. Looking for some reason not to enjoy the holiday or acknowledge.
Somehow, Joker’s chase is exactly what Bruce needs to get into the spirit.
A reminder that he’s in the world still to do the right thing and stop the Joker’s of the world.
It’s a pretty wild story from beginning to end, but I do enjoy the chaos that ensues.
I love that Joker brings his own flair to the Christmas holiday. Promising mayhem and bloodshed if Batman won’t play his game. Going out of his way to ensure that Batman finds him. Stringing people up over bubbling plastic to ensure that Batman would open his very special gift.
It’s all very Joker.
He’s obsessed with Batman in the best of ways.
He doesn’t understand him. Not really.
Someone who does the right thing and won’t kill. That even on his worst day, won’t become like Joker. Because that’s what he wants to prove to the world in a lot of stories. Given enough horrible things, enough tragic events, and even the best person can become unhinged and evil like the Joker.
He needs to believe that to excuse his behavior.
It’s not his fault if the world made him this way.
Except people like Batman and even Commissioner Gordon prove him wrong at every turn.
Doing the right thing. Restraining themselves even in the wake of horrors. They get up every morning and try to make their city a better place.
Arguably, they could do a better job. I mean, Gotham has been sliding further and further into an abyss of darkness since 1939. Time to step it up guys or change tactics. Gotham is a sink hole at this point in comic, TV, and movie history. To the point where in Supergirl when a family is nearly killed in National City, they say they’re moving back to Gotham.
Who moves back to Gotham?
I wouldn’t.
It’s perpetually night there and people like the Joker regularly escape the asylum which appears to actively make their patients worse.
If I saw Joker escaping on a Christmas tree out of Arkham, I’d start packing right then and there. Seems like a terrible city to live in.
Meanwhile, I love that Robin wants some Christmas normalcy and just wants to be kid and watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ His desire to show it to Bruce is very sweet as he tries to cheer him up and make the holiday more than a reminder that his parents are gone.
They may be gone, but Bruce is still here.
He can still celebrate and remember them at the same time.
Although, I would like a nod to his Jewish roots. I do believe this is before it’s established that he has a cousin named Kate Kane whose aunt is Bruce’s mother, thereby making him Jewish. This series predates that addition to the comics. However, as I said before now that it is part of the comics and his family, I really wish people would pay more attention to it.
I don’t need a whole Hanukkah episode, but a little something to acknowledge his mother and her faith would be lovely.
I will excuse this episode for coming before that addition to the comics.
Every one since Kate Kane joined the family needs to do better. That’s all I’m saying.
Overall, this episode is a nice blend of festive holiday cheer with Joker craziness and Batman broodiness offset by the young one he cares for.
What about you? What’s your favorite superhero holiday special?
Thanks for reading! See you next Superhero Sunday in the new year!
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