Batman / Batman Joker

Is Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker After the Series?

If you’re a fan of the Batman Beyond series, you might be wondering whether the movie ‘Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker’ takes place after the events of the show. Let’s dive into this question and explore some theories.

Background on Batman Beyond

Batman Beyond aired on television from 1999 to 2001 and followed the story of Terry McGinnis, a high school student who takes up the mantle of Batman in a futuristic Gotham City. The original Batman, Bruce Wayne, serves as Terry’s mentor and provides him with advanced technology to fight crime.

Return of the Joker Plot Summary

Return of the Joker is a movie that was released in 2000. The plot revolves around the return of the Joker, who was believed to be dead for many years. Terry must uncover the truth about Joker’s resurrection while battling his old enemy and his own inner demons.

Does Return of the Joker Take Place After Batman Beyond?

There is some debate among fans about whether Return of the Joker takes place after or during Batman Beyond. Some argue that it is a standalone story that does not fit into the continuity of the show. Others believe that it takes place after season three, which ends with a cliffhanger involving Tim Drake (the third Robin) becoming jokerized.

Evidence for Taking Place After

One piece of evidence for Return of the Joker taking place after Batman Beyond is that it features an older Bruce Wayne who has retired from crime-fighting. This suggests that Terry has been serving as Batman for some time and Bruce has since stepped down.

Additionally, in one scene, Bruce tells Terry that he had hoped to never see the Joker again, implying that their previous encounters took place before Terry became Batman.

Evidence for Taking Place During

On the other hand, some fans argue that the events of Return of the Joker take place during Batman Beyond. One piece of evidence for this theory is that the movie features Harley Quinn, who was a main character in the show but is absent from later episodes.

Furthermore, the movie does not address any of the cliffhangers from season three, such as Tim Drake’s fate or the return of Ra’s al Ghul.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to whether Return of the Joker takes place after Batman Beyond or not. While there are arguments for both sides, it ultimately comes down to personal interpretation.

Regardless, Return of the Joker remains a popular and well-regarded addition to the Batman Beyond franchise and is definitely worth watching for fans of the show.