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A fishing boat has just returned from a harvest in Gotham Harbor. As the ship unloads its catch onto the docks, the crewmen are horrified to find that every one of the fish possesses a creepy Joker-like grin on their faces, while Batman looks on from a distance. Newspapers all over Gotham feature ar

Quote1 You're right, Harley. Fish are disgusting. I think I'll start using my toxin on cattle. Joker Burgers! Ha! Talk about a happy meal! Quote2
The Joker


The Laughing Fish is an episode of season 1 of Batman. It premiered on January 10, 1993.

Synopsis for "The Laughing Fish"

A fishing boat has just returned from a harvest in Gotham Harbor. As the ship unloads its catch onto the docks, the crewmen are horrified to find that every one of the fish possesses a creepy Joker-like grin on their faces, while Batman looks on from a distance. Newspapers all over Gotham feature articles discussing Joker's latest scheme, and everyone is baffled. Upon returning to the Batcave with a Joker fish, Bruce asks Alfred to fetch the dissection tray. Based on what he finds, Batman is relieved to find that the toxin in the fish has no effect on humans, leaving only the question "What is Joker really planning if he's not out to poison people?"

The Joker intended to copyright the smiling fish, but he was told that it was not possible. Joker then planned the killing of the man who denied him his wish by intoxicating him with his Joker Venom. Batman prevented saved the man by injecting his antidote and the police learned from a second victim. Batman and the cops tried their best to protect the man but again, the Joker came up victorious and almost killed the second man. Harvey Bullock was tired of waiting for the Joker to act and he decided to start looking for the clown. Batman did the same.

Bullock ended up in the Aquarium and he found Joker but he was trapped by Harley Quinn and tied up by the Joker. The clown threatened to drop Bullock into a shark's tank when he decided that the cop might be useful when Batman showed up. Batman arrived a few minutes later and was ambushed by Joker and his men. Batman and Bullock were both dropped in the shark's tank and Batman managed to tame the shark using the handcuffs Joker had used to tie him. The shark broke one of the tank's walls and Bullock and Batman were free. Joker's henchmen fell down to another tank and the Joker tried to escape through the ceiling but Batman followed him. After a brief fight, Joker decided to drop down to the sea below just to realize that the shark has escaped his tank and was waiting in the waters.

The police arrived and took the Joker gang, but when Commissioner Gordon asked Batman if he believed that the Joker was gone, Batman told him that as much as he wishes it were true, he doubts it deep inside. In the end the shark appears again, but there is no sign of the Joker.

Appearing in "The Laughing Fish"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

  • A shark
  • G. Carl Francis (Single appearance)
  • Thomas Jackson (Single appearance)

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:



Notes

  • This is the 34th episode to be produced and the 46th to be aired.

Trivia

  • The episode is based on the comics stories "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" (Batman #251) by Dennis O'Neil, and "The Laughing Fish" (Detective Comics #475) and "Sign of the Joker!" (Detective Comics #476), by Steve Englehart.
  • Joker's mention of "Colonel What's-his-name" is a reference to Colonel Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Later in the episode, he mentions another plan that would create a "happy meal", referring to the children's meal package from the fast-food chain McDonald's.
  • The Joker apparently died in this episode ate by a shark, but, in "Harley & Ivy", is revealed that survived the shark's hunger.


See Also

Recommended Media


Links and References

Footnotes

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