10 Most Embarrassing Moments For Comic Book Villains

9. The Joker Doesn't Laugh Last (Return Of The Joker)

Although Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm is rightly considered to be the finest Batman movie ever, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is a definite close second.

A spin-off film from the animated series of the same name, the feature centred around the Joker as he, well... returns - seemingly from the dead - hellbent on exacting his revenge on Batman and the city he once called home. It's a stellar flick, and while the jury's still out on Batman Beyond more generally, the 2000 film is right up there with the very best Bat-adaptations to have ever been put to screen.

Fans will likely note the film's infamous flashback sequence for being its standout moment, but there's a scene later in the feature that deserves attention as well. Found in the film's climactic fight, the new Batman (Terry McGinnis) turns the tide against his predecessor's most notorious adversary by throwing the Bat-book out altogether. He mocks the Clown Prince repeatedly, laughing in tow, and the Joker can't bear to stand it.

This isn't his Batman, and this isn't the way that Batman fought either. Infuriated at the notion that someone as young as Terry could beat him, he flips, forfeiting his advantage and granting McGinnis the time to set things right. A humiliation of the highest order.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.