10 Times The Joker Basically Defeated Himself
8. He Gets Distracted While Talking About Movies - Detective Comics #826 (2007)
In this excellent tale from Paul Dini and Don Kramer, while the third Robin, Tim Drake, ran away from a gang of armed thugs, a passerby asks the Boy Wonder to seek refuge in his car. Only when Robin jumps in does he realise the vehicle belongs to the Joker.
After gassing Batman's sidekick and tying him up, the jolly jester takes Robin for a joyride, killing anyone who gets in his way.
Realising that the Joker will murder him as soon as he gets bored, Robin keeps his kidnapper entertained by quoting the comedian, Chico Marx. Since the Joker adores the Marx brothers, he keeps Drake alive a little while longer to have a bit of banter with him.
But when Robin deliberately mixes up the details of the Marx brothers' films, the Joker flies into a rage, accusing his hostage of not being a real fan. As the mean-spirited clown recounts the details of the comedic troupe's movies, he's left distracted enough for Drake to sock him in the jaw, knocking him out of the car.
It's funny how the Joker could've killed Robin any time he wanted, but left himself vulnerable when someone insulted one of his favourite comedians. Just goes to show that nerd rage doesn't pay.