The Rubberface of Comedy is the twelth episode of the first series of The Batman. It features the Joker returning with a new weapon in the first of a two-part story.
Overview
On the rampage with his newly created substance-altering “Joker Putty,” the Joker is out to remake artifacts and landmarks in his image. With his new "putty" he's able to melt and alter the texture of any surface, to warp it in his own vision like silly putty. Both the police and The Batman are hot on his tail, with Chief Rojas demanding both the The Joker and The Batman be brought to justice like a common criminal.
During the excitement, The Batman decides to let best friend Officer Ethan Bennett in on his secret identity, to gain a new ally in his fight against Gotham city’s underworld.
This eventually leads to a dramatic showdown between The Joker, in a showdown “fun house” no less, The Batman, and Officer Bennett and Officer Ellen Yin. During the struggle, Bennett inhales fumes from a broken canister of “Joker Putty,” instantly having an ill effect on the cop. In short, the Joker is captured, The Batman disappears, and Bennett is suspended for crediting Batman with The Joker’s capture, and failing to apprehend the Dark Knight.
Later that evening at Bennett’s apartment,he is still feeling ill from gas inhalation earlier in the day. After receiving a phone call from Bruce Wayne, aka The Batman, to meet tomorrow to discuss some important matters, we see him stumble towards the bathroom. He peers in the mirror, looking sickly. He rubs his face and is shocked to discover…his skin begins to melt.
Cast
- Rino Romano as Bruce Wayne/Batman
- Alastair Duncan as Alfred Pennyworth
- Steve Harris as Detective Ethan Bennett
- Ming-Na as Detective Ellen Yin
- Kevin Michael Richardson as The Joker
- Jesse Corti as Chief Rojas
Credits
- Supervising Producer Duane Capizzi
- Supervising Producer Michael Goguen
- Producer Linda M. Steiner, Jeff Matsuda
- Associate Producer Kimberley A. Smith
- Written by Greg Weisman
- Directed by Sam Liu
- Music by Thomas Chase Jones
Trivia
- Joker didn't have enough time to mold the statue into his face
- Joker has been touching putty all along, how come he isn't a clayface
- This has some similarities to Batman: The Killing Joke.
Quotes
Yin: Freeze, Batman. There's no escape. (after a standoff, Yin lowers her gun and sighs) Go. You saved my partner's life. This is the repayment of that debt. The next time we meet, Batman, the mask comes off.
Joker: Such an award-winning smile, Monfraire. (looks to other face) Ashamed about your ugly stepsister? (putties the face) Turn that frown upside down. (laughs) Oops.
Ethan: Yeah, oops.
Joker: I hope this means that your chief finally considers me more of a menace than the Batman. By the way, detective, have you met my colleagues, Judy, and ... Punch? (Punch punches Ethan, knocking him out)
Joker: Have a rotten day, detective.
Rojas: Kudos to my department for capturing Joker without the Batman's help I might add.
Ethan: You gotta be kidding. We were playing clean-up like always. The Batman saved my butt tonight.
Reporter: Chief, did the Batman catch Joker?
Rojas: There will be no further comment. No comment!
Ethan: The Chief has a zero tolerance policy just for creeps like you, Joker. He'll never pay ransom for me.
Joker: I don't need ransom, handsome. Gotham is putty in my hands. I take what I want, when I want. I'm simply out to prove to your beefy Chiefy, once and for all, that Joker is the master of menace by breaking one of Gotham's finest. I won't break your bones, detective. I'm going to ... snap your twig. (spins the dizzy wheel) When Joker's done clowning with you ... you won't know where to find your mind.
Ethan: Yin!
Joker: The Yin to his Yang!
(As Ellen Yin holds the Joker at gunpoint)
Joker: (points putty gun at Ethan) Drop it, or laughing boy gets it. You don't know what this stuff does to humans. (Ellen lowers her gun) For that matter, neither do I. Let's find out!
Joker: Ha ha! The circus is in town!
Joker: When Joker's through clowning with you, you won't know where to find your mind!
Joker: A very thin line separates normality from insanity!
Joker: Ah, so we have issues with ze boss, eh? Well, who doesn't? Bosses make terrific tormentors. "Tote that barge, lift that bale, rewrite that script, sort that mail!" All it takes is one too many orders to make the cuckoo call.
Joker: Hold the mayo! I'm the vandal here! You mean to tell me the Chief of Police considers this ... vigilante (Batman) a greater menace than the Clown Prince of Crime?! Why, that's an outrage! An insult! In fact, detective, I resemble that remark!
Joker: (to Bennett) I won't break your bones, Detective. (points to head) I'm going to snap your twig!
Joker: All it takes is one rotten day to transform a normal man into a monster! Well, in my case, a rotten day and a chemical bath!
Joker: Through the looking glass, Batsy. Where comedy is tragedy, down is up, black is white. You're outta luck!
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