Batman: The Animated Series is a well-loved and nostalgic show for many audiences, having originally aired on Fox Kids from September 1992 to September 1995. With a total of 85 episodes over the course of four seasons, The Animated Series was short-lived but massively influential, not only setting a standard for voice acting but also having been praised for its noir elements.
Starring the likes of Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, and Arleen Sorkin, Batman: The Animated Series is known for its compelling storyline and excellently written episodes. From fantastic characterization and witty dialogue to heart-wrenching drama and betrayals, there are plenty of instances in the series that left audiences reeling. Humor is particularly prevalent, unsurprisingly considering the bonkers nature of many Batman villains.
10 Almost Got ‘Im: Villains Bickering Over Poker
Like many episodes of The Animated Series, season one’s episode 35 is a simple yet hilarious concept. The episode focuses mainly on the villains of Gotham; The Joker, Killer Croc, the Penguin, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy; who meet at a poker table. The group share their tales of occasions when they almost defeated Batman, including Killer Croc’s exclamation “I threw a rock at him!”.
“Almost Got ‘Im” introduced a new dynamic between Gotham’s villains, and considering they all have vastly different personalities it’s unsurprising the episode was so hilarious. From simple witty banter to amusing anecdotes, the episode showcases how Bruce Timm and Paul Dini wrote the characters to be both outlandish and human.
Episode seven of season 3, “Make ‘Em Laugh,” is another episode that showcases Joker’s dastardly and bizarre plots. This time, Joker has stolen microchips from Mad Hatter in order to brainwash comedians into committing various crimes and ruining their reputations. Inevitably, with the episode following comedians and various types of humor, “Make ‘Em Laugh” is one of the funniest episodes in the series, particularly because the comedians are turned into ridiculous villains like Condiment King, Pack Rat, and Mighty Mom.
8 The Last Laugh: Laughing Gas And A Giggling Alfred
People always say laughter is contagious, and “The Last Laugh” certainly proves this. Despite being another example of the Batman: TAS writers blending dark themes with humor, the fifteenth episode of season one leaves many viewers with aching cheeks.
In the episode, The Joker has sprayed a cloud of laughing gas over Gotham City, affecting Alfred in the process. Batman races to get the antidote from the Joker before all of Gotham dies smiling. Mark Hamill’s Joker is villainous and genuinely hilarious all at once and absolutely steals every scene he is in with dark humor and his signature infectious laugh.
7 Christmas With The Joker: Gotham With A Seasonal Twist
“Christmas With The Joker,” from season one, episode 38, is a bizarre and absolutely classic episode in the series. The episode avoids the dark nature of The Animated Series, instead keeping with the theme of a lighthearted superhero story with a seasonal twist. The episode has become a holiday classic, following the Joker as he gets up to Christmas-themed villainy, even starting the episode off with a wicked version of “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.” Additionally, Dick Grayson / Robin doles out wisecracks to both Batman and Joker throughout the episode, which also features a running gag relating to It’s a Wonderful Life.
6 Harlequinade: Batman And Harley Quinn Join Forces
Season two, episode 10 was one of Harley Quinn’s first big outings as a standalone character in the DC universe. “Harlequinade” follows Batman, Robin, and Harley Quinn as they stop Joker’s plot to nuke Gotham City. The pair-up is a hilarious twist, putting a hyper spin on the usually stoic Batman. Moreover, the episode also set up the tensions between Joker and Harley while showcasing how effective Harley is as an anti-hero. Harley’s zaniness makes for some of the funniest interactions throughout the episode, with the always-serious Batman barely holding it together and putting up with her the best he can.
5 The Laughing Fish: Joker’d Fish And Copyright Issues
“The Laughing Fish” is the 46th episode of the first season of The Animated Series, and much like “Make ‘Em Laugh” or “The Last Laugh” is full of contagious laughter throughout. In the episode, the Joker develops a toxin that mutates fish in Gotham City harbor into Joker fish, which have his same smile and coloring. The humor comes in not only because of the comical appearance of the fish, but because Joker tries and fails to get the invention copyrighted as a product.
After failing to market his discovery, Joker goes on to target innocent people who refuse to copyright the fish but is thwarted by Batman. The episode comes to a giggling conclusion when Joker leaps into the sea to escape and believes he is safe with his duck float ring until he realizes that an escaped shark is waiting for him.
4 Harley And Ivy: Harley Gets Fired And Joins Poison Ivy
After “The Laughing Fish” came the episode “Harley & Ivy,” following the dangerous duo as they get up to all sorts of crimes across Gotham City. The pair have become one of Batman’s most iconic duos. Ivy’s deadliness contrasts fiercely with Harley’s wackiness and the two, despite being chalk and cheese, work so well together. The amusing kickstart to the whole team-up is that Joker fires Harley Quinn, a hilarious notion in itself. The Joker and Batman both set out to stop the duo for their own personal reasons, from jealousy to simply wanting to end Harley and Poison Ivy’s crime spree.
3 Trial: Batman And The DA Put On Trial By Villains
Like “Almost Got ‘Im,” “Trial” captures the various zany personalities of the villains in The Animated Series. During the episode, Batman is captured by Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, and others. The episode subverts others in The Animated Series, putting Batman on trial and blaming him directly for the number of villains in the city. The entire concept is hilarious, particularly as Joker acts as the judge in the courthouse. Moreover, matters get even more amusing when an anti-Batman lawyer is forced to defend Batman. The trial is nothing like that actually seen in a court of law, instead putting joking twists on every manner of the process, with the villains often arguing amongst themselves.
2 Joker’s Favor: A Man Owes Joker A Favor After His Awful Driving
Despite not directly following Batman, the season one episode “Joker’s Favor” sees Joker eventually team up with Batman. However, the episode starts and mainly focuses on a down-on-his-luck man named Charlie who, after mouthing off to Joker and almost killing him with his bad driving, must owe Joker a favor.
The episode is full of humor as Charlie can’t tell if Joker is going to kill him or not, but gets particularly entertaining as Joker eventually calls out to Batman for help. Any instance that makes the Joker scream for Batman is hilarious and bound to make the audience split with laughter.
1 I’ve Got Batman In My Basement: Two Kids Must Battle Gotham Villains While Batman Is Injured
“I’ve Got Batman In My Basement” is similar to “Joker’s Favor” in that it barely follows Batman at all. Instead, it focuses on two kids after they rescue Batman, hiding him in their basement while he recovers from nerve gas. The episode is tongue-in-cheek and laughter-inducing throughout, as Batman is helpless and at the mercy of two excitable kids. The clincher of the episode is that the children manage to fend off and thwart Penguin, who put Batman out of action in the first place, with newspaper headlines proclaiming “Pint SIzed Pinkertons Pluck Penguin.”