Batman: The Animated Series

I later found out that this episode is from one of Batman's own comc books. Detective Comics #475 published in 1977 with the same title. There are few differences such as Harley Quinn not in this issue of #475 since the comic is before her time. Other characters in the comic not really necessary are not used in the animated series. I was surprised that an animated series did more than just base an ep on a comic book. The writers/creators/staff brought a Batman story from the comic book to life. They did a great job of being true to Batman and his fans.

This episode is only second to hilarity and craziness to "Christmas With the Joker." Only the joker would choose fish. There are no words that can really do this episode justice. Batman was smart enough to change places with the No. 2 guy after Mr. Francis was put out of commission. But Joker, knowing that, had drugged the cat whom went straight for his master who was in the Batman costume. If Bullock would not be so pigheaded and determined to out do Bats, he wouldn't always end up with egg on his face. After saving my bacon a time or two, I'd just shut up and take my clues from him. This is an episode that one needs to watch when down and needs a pick me up. This is just crazy. It reminds of another episode late in the series when Harley sees a trap that her 'Mr J' has put together, but hasn't carried out against Bats because he doesn't know how to have the 'perpetrators' smile. She takes the plan, figures it out and has Batman beat. But Bats gets in her head and gets her to call 'Mr J.' That buys him the time to get loose from the trap.



Even though it is animation, this is some of the best television out there.

The comic relief in episodes including the Prince of Pranks, the Clown Prince of Crime, the Harlequin of Hate… The Joker is the reason I watch the series. Watching the commercial Harley and the Joker created make me laugh so hard I thought I’d burst a gut. I notice that this episode was created using the ideas of more then just the comics “the laughing fish”, but also another comic, the name escapes me at the moment, but I know that’s where the Shark came from. The relationship with Harley Quinn and the Joker is shown quite clearly in this episode, yet there are other episodes that explain more about Harley’s obsession such as “Mad Love” or “Harley and Ivy”. Not knowing how to write about this particular episode without spoiling it has caused me to make a mess out of my writing skills and I apologies for that.

The Joker has infected several fish with a toxin, giving them a wide grin. With this, Joker hopes to copyright the smiling fish and obtain a cut of the profits from every fish product sold. When this offer is refused, the Joker plans his revenge.



I actually found this episode one of the most amusing of the series. Mark Hammill once again plays a convincing Joker, with lots of humorous lines. One joke he made at the expense of KFC had me laughing for ages, as did the fake advert he created for 'Joker fish'.



Also, for fans of the 1960's Batman movie, guess what? Batman fights a shark not made out of plastic and without shark repellant! Also, the ending was rather chilling.



A funny, exciting episode.