THE MOST DIVISIVE JOKER 

I love this Joker because he's so unique. Most, if not every Joker, have that comedian look: the nice but ostentatious suit. The Batman's Joker is a circus sideshow freak, and it works. I like how this Joker can actually put up a fight compared to other Jokers. Joker can fight but when Batman gets a hold of him, its over. I can see this Joker holding his own against TAS Batman.

Batman 2004 is amazing, Joker included

I like how this joker feels very clown-like. There aren't a lot of Jokers that I could imagine doing a circus performance as a performer. Most have ring-leader vibes, but this Joker I could see riding around on a unicycle while juggling knives or something.

Ya know something funny? This show did The Batman Who Laughs better than the book itself in my opinion. Instead of a convoluted drawn-out story about Bruce getting corrupted or some bs, it’s instead Joker dressing up as Batman to get the police force off his back. But for very, very petty crimes at the cost. Less is more sometimes people

I still absolutely love that introductory shot of him swaying back and forth in the darkness with only his eyes and teeth visible.

The fact that some people have pointed out that this Joker basically INVENTED the Batman who laughs is just wild, so do with that as you will.

This joker was fire af One of my favorite renditions of him

I don’t know where it came from but, I do remember hearing about an interview with the shows creators that said they very specifically wanted every villain to have their own fighting/martial art style, which is why Joker’s very much resembles monkey style

This Joker feels like what would happen if you crossed the Bruce Timm Joker with Freakazoid. The character design embodied the chaotic evil side of Joker that IMO few Jokers truly embodied. He represents the closest we'll ever get to the comic book meme of "what would happen if the Joker got a hold of The Mask?".

I think I like this joker more then all the rest because of his uniqueness. And I honestly love that he started wearing the suit. Mostly because he wears it like a clown rather then a comedian. He’s trying to dress nice using well chosen bits of found clothes like a colorful vagabond. It’s slightly I’ll-fitting and missing proper pants. No shoes, but still wears spatter-dashers like a wealthy cartoon duck. All features found in the shared visual design source for clowns and toons, minstrel shows. It all fits him so well as the Clown Prince of Crime. How he drifted into being a gizmos-guy rather then a anarchic-acrobat on the other hand, that’s what always bugged me.

The batman show is very underated. I actually like how that batman ends up with Nightwing and oracle still being by his side before retirement It's a nice mirror of tas batman that ended up alone

The Batman 2004 was very different in great ways and that's why I love it. The show wasn't scared at all to change things and experiment, and that's what makes it great. While I don't think any of it should be the definitive version of these characters, it's still a very good and unique Batman show. However, the reasons I love the show are reasons a lot of others don't like it, which I totally get. But I think everyone should at least give it a shot.

He was clearly based on the Insane Clown Posse and the juggalo aesthetic mixed with an escaped insane asylum patient.

Although Mark Hamill Joker is the definitive Joker, The Batman Joker is the clown I grew up with (I was born in1999) and some of his best episodes like Topsy Turvey and Strange Minds are up to par or even better than some BTAS joker episodes IMO. I'm glad to see someone out there standing up for the Kevin Michael Richardson Joker!

I like that this is the joker that made Clay face.

This is the joker I grew up with, I used to think that the 90’s one was his dad, smh.

He didn’t mention my favorite Kevin Micheal-Richardson role, he was the most intimidating Shredder ever put to screen in TMNT 2012

Kevin has such crazy range and you won't believe how high pitched he can go while also going very low pitched. His role as Demongo in Samurai Jack is probably is recording of his highest pitched voice work he has done and to me I think that role probably made him idle for the Joker role. Can't say that is exactly how it is, but if you heard demongo's voice then it's pretty clear this man made for a good joker performance.

I think a mix of the traditional suit and the straight jacket would have worked better than the regular suit. Imagine a light purple, tattered long jacket with the swirls over the yellow jacket instead. Long, ripped trousers with the purple half shoes that he wears, complete with the fingerless gloves

I personally agree he probably didn't need to have an outfit/design change later on but honestly I actually amount that to how he starts the series seemingly imprisoned but after breaking out he begins to settle back into a healthier and more well kept state. Just one of those head canon things really but still I like both looks of this Joker just fine.

I remember back in the day thinking the look of him was weird, mainly the straightjacket. But I quickly warmed up to him. I think they did what was right for the show they were making. They needed a Joker who could actually tussle with the bat on even footing, and the circus acrobat elements of the design fit perfectly.

In my opinion, if Mark Hamill set the bar for Joker voice actors, then Kevin Michael Richardson did freaking gymnastics on it. And that’s why he’s one of my faves. 😍

7:53 strange how this predates Arkham Asylum titan Joker, most likely the inspiration

My third favorite Joker, after Ledger and Hamill. In that order.

People disliked and some _still_ dislike this Joker?? This Joker's awesome! I love how this one is so different from any other cartoon, live action, or comic version of him. The Batman's Joker is absolutely bat shit insane, even by Joker standards. He's so wacky and wild, utilising the clown and playful aspects of the character in such unique ways while still making him a threat, due to his more animalistic side. The episode where he dressed up as Batman for reasons, only to end up deluding himself into _thinking_ he's Batman was both hilarious and kind of freaky to see. He was being a hero, but doing it in a lethal way to both villains _and_ bystanders because he's nuts. Kevin Michael Richardson did a phenomenal job voicing him as well. He deserves all the credit he gets for this and other performances. Additionally, this is a Joker and Harley partnership that actually kind of _works_ for once, in _both_ of their favours ... for the most part. That's very different to see, but welcome, nonetheless.

This Joker is very "Agent of Chaos" and I enjoy that. He feels like a circus performer instead of a stage performer and it's a fun route to take

I always liked this version of Joker. I really dig how acrobatic he is and how unique his voice is compared to most other animated Jokers.

I love this Joker, one of the best in my opinion. He's scary, unhinged and funny. But also terrifyingly, he's competent, he sometimes wins. That's what I love, sometimes he actually won. Like with Clayface, he wanted to see if he could break a man mentally AND physically and did it. Batman couldn't save him. I also think Joker becoming more "civilized and clean" is because as time passed he became more and more driven by his obsession with Batman, and that obsession was manifested in him having a more put-together look. He was no longer animalistically running around everywhere, instead he was methodically walking towards his goal, the Batman. A form of symbolism

I don't know why people dislike this Joker but I love his character, his design, everything. He's the second iteration I was introduced to but one I really resonated with. The BTAS Joker is still number 1 for obvious reasons but I think 2004 Joker stands out & deserves his own gold.

You should do an episode on The Batman's Penguin, which kind of revived the character after BTAS had no idea what to do with him and TNBA demoted him to snitch

I love this iteration. His mannerisms, design, overall his chaotic personality as well as his fighting style, acrobatic & wild is perfect for the Joker, I hate that no one has ever done this again....

I like the outfit and demeanor change because it fits with time passing because a few years pass during the duration of the show so Joker is becoming more skilled and adding the refinement he lacked when he first began his career. Its like he was a blade that has been polished and sharpened to look more elegant but is even more dangerous.

This is probably my favourite Joker next to Mark's. It's really true to the aspect of the character that just wants to make people laugh. I find modern adaptations have a habit of completely missing that and misunderstanding the point of the character.

Love it or hate it, this version was a BOLD move and and honestly kinda respect it. You can't say they didn't have an idea

_The Batman_ (2004) is probably my second favorite version of the Joker, only beaten out by the DCAU Joker as performed by Mark Hamill. I actually favor his "hybrid" look when he ditches the straightjacket *not* because I hated the straightjacket *but* because I hated the straightjacket's colors. I didn't even realize this until your video, where you showed some toys with different color schemes for it. The black-and-white stripped looked _really_ good! Channeling a bit of Beetlejuice, or just blending vintage psychiatric ward with vintage prison garb.

Glad you included the interview from talking toons. Loves how he poured his emotion into the role and it’s what gave him the part. I’ve always loved this very of Joker and his showmanship. This was the Joker I grew up on and his portrayal is up there with Hamill. I revisit The Batman for KMR as Joker and the sibling rivalry of Robin and Batgirl.

This show really grew on me. When it first came out, I was mad salty when this replaced the series before it.

The BTAS Joker was always portrayed as man that was criminally insane. He was dangerous, sure, but he was still just a man. And that’s how almost every single portrayal of the Joker has been depicted since then. “The Batman” (2004) Joker was chaos incarnate. Sure, he didn’t actually have anymore superpowers than Batman did, but he was always treated as less of a person and more of a force of nature. Which, in a lot of ways, is how most Batmen are seen and treated as in Gotham, making this Joker a lot more like an anti-Batman both thematically and narratively. Also, like he mentioned I like how this Joker could hold his own in a fight against Batman. With most Jokers, as soon as Batman is within punching range, the fight’s over. With the ‘04 Joker, even if you found him, he was still very much a threat.

Him? A bad Joker? HA! Now that's a laugh!

I wouldn't mind The Batman making a bit of a return in the public consciousness, because for about twenty years it felt like outside of me and my siblings no one remembered this show. Still love this version of the Joker. It's easy to mess up the idea of a fighting Jester, but for this version it just felt right. Especially with all the wacky inventions that he would weaponize each episode and all the energy that exploded out of him.

I first came across The Batman 2004 universe when I rented The Batman vs. Dracula for my kid. At first, I hated the Joker, but he soon grew on me, to the point where I ended up getting all 5 seasons on DVD. That version of the cartoon is underrated.

Personally I loved this Joker. He was very different, but that was like 90% off The Batman stuff. And the design was something I REALLY liked. It clicked to me as a Jester, which is really fitting considering he's named after the card that uses a jester as its depiction. And making him act almost animalistic really sold him as a maniac. And his agility matched that design choice, jesters are lively and chaotic (due to them all being insane). It was just so visually great to watch, especially since his design was made to match with the looseness. The hanging sleeves and long hair flew around as he did, it was great.

This Joker is personally my favourite Joker, i love the voice, the look and the more acrobatic fighting style, most of all i love the hair, it's awesome

I loved this version of the joker. He's acrobatic and athletic, can put up a proper fight like you pointed out, and Kevin knocked it out of the park with the voice acting.

I love the fact you talked about The Batman 2004. Quite underrated.

Kevin Michael Richardson’s portrayal of Joker was both unique and a joy to watch. He was one of my first introductions to The Joker and I will always love his version.

His huge singular middle tooth never stopped bothering me.

Absolutely love this version. The design, physicality, looniness, *the voice*

Hamill and M. Richardson both playing different Jokers in a multiversal story. I'd pay to see that.

This has always been my favorite joker.

This Joker is in my top 3 Animated Jokers, along with Joe Dimaggio for being the creepiest one you would NOT want to see outside your bedroom as a kid and Mark Hamill. I like him because he CAN ACTUALLY FIGHT with a wild and unpredictable style. This Joker was like a crazed hobo which made it stand out from the other versions. Him going to a suit was just him going "Oh, wait, OTHER villains are here, well I can play dress-up too!" and doing an attempt at one. I really like the black circles around the eyes because it helps make the red eyes stand out more. The Joker + Harley relationship here isn't toxic because this is THE START of the relationship; years down the line when being abused, *these* good times are what she will remember.

This joker was my childhood joker despite having so many incarnations around. I always liked that he was not only to be very smart but able to physically match batman, it made him feel more of a threat then most versions imo. And since he had a deeper voice he just had such an intimidating vibe

When this Joker originally debuted, I wasn't a fan, I was just too used to Mark Hamil's definitive performance, but in retrospect, that's exactly why this version of the Joker needed to be so different... anything else would have felt like a lackluster imitation. That pretty much goes for this particular series as a whole, because it wasn't just the Joker either. So much of what we think of as modern Batman was defined, or in some cases outright invented by BtAS, and the only way for _The Batman_ to make any kind of name for itself was to be as different as possible.

I know people considered Mark Hamill The joker when it comes to animated Jokers both in well, animation and video games, but this joker is honestly The joker I grew up with when I was first introduced to Batman ever in my life as a little kid. And now watching this video it's crazy to think that he himself was not very happy about playing The joker once upon a Time just out of respect for Mark. No I did not grow up with the original Batman animated series but I have seen some of it and I have heard a lot of his voice work in many iterations of the joker where he voices him. The man is fucking fantastic and I do not deny that he is one of THE Jokers when it comes to animation and video games. But I cannot give this guy some love because he did such a fantastic job, and honestly again I just grew up with this joker. And that's not just childhood bias, I can recognize just how fucking fantastic Mark Hamill as the joker. And I can understand why nobody can ever imagine anybody else but him as the joker. There's a reason why I say he's one of *'THE' Joker's* . Unless you're only talking about animations and video games and people will say he is THR Joker. But I say one of because I'm including all of the iterations including live action. But again, he was the one I grew up with so this is the joker that was part of my childhood. And he did a pretty damn good job and in all honesty, I did not know he played all those other roles mentioned. I love it when voice actors are in more rolls than you realize. You don't notice when they're right in front of you speak. Because you're too immersed in their role & acting.

He never looked better than his very first appearance with the long unripped sleeves. Not only the most unique Joker look to date, it also increases the sense of unease as you can never be sure exactly what hes doing or hiding even while staring right at him.

I like to call him the 'Demonic Carnie Joker' :D

This Joker is probably my FAVORITE animated Joker ever. He's the first one I remember growing up with besides Heath Ledger. Even then, I didn't understand The Dark Knight as a kid. I love how different he's to every other Joker to exist. I agree that his original attire fit him best, but like the redesign's darker shaded eyes. Please do a Mark Hamill video, I have yet to watch all his Joker work and see in full why he’s so beloved as the Crowned Prince of Crime!

I LOVED this Joker as a kid. Especially with the Clayface Arc. I remember I finished 4 seasons of it on Netflix, but it got deleted before I could finish the series.

This would always be my favourite version of batman and Joker was *chef kiss*! His voice, his antics, his look everything was just great. And seeing a Joker that can ACTUALLY FIGHT was a breath of fresh air honestly

Can we hear your takes on some of the other villains on this show, because they were all pretty interesting and different. This show had a completely different origin of Clayface, a Mr Freeze that was actually meta human, and a really fun Penguin that wasn’t just the boring mobster that he usually is nowadays.

This Joker feels much more like an actual lunatic psycho than the usual Joker. He truly feels unpredictable to me and when i was kid he actually gave me nightamares. skipped all the episodes with him for years

This Joker was a good setup after Batman the Animated series. Best episode with him was with Riddler, Penguin, and Joker having a competition to take down the Batman

That vampire scene in the blood bank legitimately scared the crap out of me when I was younger

This Joker has always been one of my favourites perhaps even my second favourite after Mark Hamill's but I can understand that it's not for everyone. Even though I've never seen any hate for Kevin Richardson's Joker.

My favorite Joker(love when he impersonates Batman). The Batman 2004 was one of my favs. Only thing I hated was Bane's design.

I love this version of Joker, to the point I'd put him in my top 5 (behind Cesar Romero and tied with Hamill), but I've definitely noticed how many people hate this iteration. But hey, we can all agree they did Hugo Strange amazingly, right?

One thing I really like about this joker was that he was the only one that seemed to be able to go toe to toe with Batman in concerns to physicality. He’s a fit acrobatic madman who can easily parkour his way out of most entanglements.

This is one of those things that only ever works in this specific iteration but should never be done again.

Batman: Let the boy go Joker! (joker actively trying to throw a boy into chemicals) Joker: am trying too! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

The batman is super underrated. That joker is perfect for what the show is going for.

This was my first joker. With my first Batman movie being Batman vs Dracula

I love the design and that he's much more themed after a circus/asylum combo. He has a lot more circus and toy themed gadgets and weapons, not just a prop gun or an electro shocker or the acid flower. The "normal" Joker is, if you think about it, just a generic sociopath wearing a purple suit and clown face paint. This version meanwhile is more "thematic" and closer to other Batman's Rogues.

This rendition of Joker is everything I enjoy in an alternate setting, and I wish more people would be brave enough to try this. He's my favorite Joker, personally and I'm glad for the run he had.

Joker’s inspiration from the Man Who Laughs, to a white painted mustache, to having a dragon tattoo on his back, to being a dragon. Yeah, this isn’t too wild.

Probably one of my favorite designs for how it captured the more "greasy disgusting feral goblin" side of the Joker, which is also a trait used well for Ledger Joker.

Loved the kind of chaos that radiated from this joker. Going full unhinged clown-creature-man

Really wish Kevin Michael Richardson voice joker more often

One of the most underrated of all Jokers. Had the balls to be different but still true to the character. Every Joker these days seems like a POSER

Very good video Vee. Hope I get to see your view on the Caesar Romero Joker, and also, Cardiacs, Tarred and Featherd.You'll want to watch that video.

7:49 Don’t show me that, you’re gonna give me flashbacks to Arkham Asylum’s final boss

I love this joker due to the fact that he reminds me to a mad jester, similar to Cicero from Skyrim. It is undeniably my favorite iteration

This was AMAZING! I'd love to see you do more videos on The Batman!

I remember watching this show on kids WB in the morning next to Shaolin showdown and a few other shows. This is my joker because it’s the one I happened to grow up with, really happy to see it getting some love from ya Vee 🤙

Batman 2004 was so underrated. I loved their interpretation of Joker as well as Mr. Freeze

Dude I take this jokers voice as the next main one anytime really also his hiss in the Batman vs Dracula is amazing

Thank you for having a clip of the bit crunched leapster joker laugh. I had the game growing up and I adored it. 12:23

This is legit my favourite animated cartoon joker he's just so insane wacky slapstick, and scary, not to mention legit funny. The Batman 2004 series is GOATED

I’ve never seen any hate for KMR’s joker

It's also funny how this Joker still sounds very Mark Hamill inspired. But he's still his own thing. And all around just a good performance.

The Batman's Joker is so good, he's iconic in his own way. He looks and acts like a mad baboon, much more physical than your average Joker. And KMR nailed the line between sounding goofy and scary!

One thing that always stood out to me was the creepy circus music that accompanied his appearances. Really sells the vibe they were going for.

Being black myself, I’ve always accepted this Joker as the first and only “black joker”. Sure he’s canonically white, sure his dreads and voice actor are only coincidence, but Richardson is such a noticeably different breed of Joker and I certainly welcome more black villains in ANYTHING

I loved that joker . It was a little hard to get used to him but after a while I grew to love it !!! And he’s really fun to draw .

This is my favorite show ever, and definitely favorite Batman show, and I absolutely love the heck out of this characterization, with the voice being the energy core for all of it. I love that early show design, especially because of how he moved, he spoke, he acted, he felt, and how he existed as a part of the world. That initial crazy design for me is so special, and so necessary for the character, and it lays down exactly the blueprint of how the character is in this universe. He’s so ANIMATED, and WILD, and sort of…carnal in his quest for humor and, as we see from that one Strange episode (Strange Minds) where Batman peers into his mind, pain. Pain he feels inside, and the rage, his outlet for the inner sadness. To me, having that sort of depth with the character, particularly later on as the series develops, is indicative of growth for his character, and more complexity. So for me, when I see the suit design and the features of him being more subtle, I don’t look at it as merely changing to the corporate standards of the execs, but as a defining of who he is. He BECOMES more pronounced, his goals more materialized, and his very nature more established. There’s somewhere in that S1-S2 and Batman vs Dracula that just strikes me, and it feels right. Kinda like the right voice for the role. He’s BECOME the Joker (or just _Joker_, in this case). It’s when his character felt the most real to me. TL;DR, and all of that to say, I think the suit and a lot about his antics and decisions after S1 are good and natural for his character, and it helped him develop. I don’t think it’s just me trying to put some reason on what’s ultimately the studio going in a different direction, but if it is, there’s nothing wrong with that. This is the way I want to view the character, and the world at large

This is the Joker I grew up with, so honestly it was kind of a shock to go from crazed monkey clown that has an impeccable fashion sense to match his comedy bits to several zoot suit mobsters with a sense of humor and varying degrees of murderous insanity. Like you said, the Harley in this show had a relatively wholesome relationship with the guy, so him being an abusive monster in the previous series to me felt like an odd "change" of character, but I could understand it since y'know, evil bad guy and all. In any case, this Joker just feels more "fun" to me. He can fight like a dancer while dressed like a train conductor, he's a few steps out from being a Looney Tunes character. It contrasts nicely with this type of Batman that's got a stick up his ass about even considering Batgirl joining in on the caped crusade, despite the fact that him being a vigilante and later recruiting Robin makes him a hypocrite. The Batman has to fit the mold of "good guy" even if he has to bend over backwards to justify himself, while Joker doesn't bother with the facade when he's dressed up as a different role.

Not gonna lie but I wasn't a fan of this Joker at 1st. His design choice had me like wtf? As I saw more of him he won me over. He has since been one of my favorite animated Jokers

Honestly, as somebody who grew up on the BTAS take on the characters... I actually really liked The Batman in general, and its take on the Joker especially. I loved that "mad circus freakshow escapee" vibe it went for, and I also think he actually lost something when they tried to make him more like the BTAS version. Also, hands down theirs is the sweetest take on Harley and the Joker; you really said it when you described them as feeling like real partners and even genuinely being attracted to each other. It's different from the abusive manipulator and his dangerous but pliant victim vibe of BTAS, and honestly I would have preferred if the comics had taken them in the direction this show did and not how it ultimately did.

I actually just recently watched The Batman and I remember seeing this form of Joker but wasn't sure where it was from. So when he showed up it was like being splashed by cold water and as the show went on he became one of my favorite portrayals of the character.

Between the hair, and what I interpreted as Capoeira styles of movement, I assumed this Joker was Brazilian in origin.

I guess I can see it landing on either list. It's just so separate from all the other versions of the Joker that it doesn't even seem like the same character. He just doesn't *act* like I expect the Joker to act. The biggest thing that caught me off guard was his fighting style. The joker just... doesn't fight really. He has his joke devices like the acid flower and joy buzzer and sometimes a gun or a knife, but this joker has this wild parkour monkey fighting style. It just seems way out of character.