The Untold Story of Why They [Bleeped] Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

Remember how "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker" got split into two versions because of censorship? Well, do you remember WHY that happened? *Joker hand buzzer noise* WRONG!

0:00 - Intro
1:21 - Brought to you by RedMagic
3:27 - A Brief Rundown
5:41 - Bats and Violence
7:23 - Derek
8:22 - Batteries to Power, Turbines to Speed
10:35 - Grotesque and Offensive
14:03 - Giveaway
14:28 - Censored vs Uncut
16:54 - Deliver the Punchline
18:58 - Fallout: New Changes
20:26 - You're Not Batman
23:39 - Old Man Yells at WB Logo
25:50 - A New Hope
28:15 - Outro

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The Watchtower Database and its creators are unaffiliated with Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, or any other official DC Animated Universe producer or source. WDb is a fan-run, non-profit website and does not claim to own any of its presented properties. "Batman: the Animated Series," "The Adventures of Batman & Robin," "The New Batman Adventures," "Superman: the Animated Series," "The New Batman/Superman Adventures," "Batman Beyond," "The Zeta Project," "Static Shock," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited," and all related names, logos, and indicia are trademark and ©1992-2006 DC Comics and Warner Bros. All rights reserved.

Hashtags:
#BatmanBeyond #ReturnOfTheJoker #DCAnimatedUniverse

Extra tags:
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[steelydyl]

I definitely think of uncut as canon mostly just because it seems more to be what the writers/creators wanted and intended

[soldier]

The censored death was definitely just as horrific as watching him get shot, but knowing that Tim actually broke that one rule, makes his departure from the bat family even more impactful.

[yuishishido]

The fact even the people of Warner Brothers even acknowledge your standing as a DCAU expert is truly something.

[noahbeutel]

The idea of Bruce going to Arkham and seeing Joker’s corpse still there just kinda….hanging out, would’ve been awesome and terrifying to see.

[gonzo]

With physical media diminishing, having the official uncut DVD feels sweeter than ever; one of my souvenirs from working at Blockbuster. Imo its the definitive version, maturing with the audience and showing the Joker fully unhinged like we never have seen before but always knew the potential was there.

[BobLogical]

The idea of Joker dying twice to electricity is interesting, but it sort of feels like a parallel just for the sake of it. For me, I think Tim being the one to literally pull the trigger is just better, not only for how it affects him but also that Robin killing a villain is the kind of event that would break the family, at least more so than Joker accidentally killing himself because he was cavalier with childproofing his laboratory.

[cobygreif]

I think Tim Drake killing the Joker seems to be more tragic for that character and explain better why the Bat Family is so shaken after the events and why this version of Bruce is originally so against having kid sidekicks again.

[RemyL]

You have actually cured me of a particular case of insanity. I thought I was remembering the Joker's death scene wrong. I swore that he was electrocuted, so when I saw the uncut version, I was like "WTF". So, thank you. Now I know there are two different versions out there.

[jrr]

That last part of the video explains why I remember seeing censored things but still the uncensored Joker death. Crazy

[samsung]

Reeling at jokers reaction to being shot. Dying broke his persona, and he was scared at the end. He legit didn't see that coming and lost composure

[thevenom]

I think the uncut version is canon since that was the original vision made. Also, it makes more sense for Tim to directly have killed Joker since it parallels Bruce being ashamed of pointing a gun in the first episode's opening scene. I imagine Tim Drake's shooting scene went through Bruce's mind in that moment and contributed to Bruce hanging up the cape.

[jorg]

Funny enough as a kid the cut version always seemed darker, the uncut version he just get shot but in the other one, what you don't see is what makes it worse. In my mind was "oh he got burnt by electricity so bad they didn't even show it" imagination can be scarier.

[TetsuShima]

Tim Drake: "I see him... every night... His voice... His laugh... And the way he died..."
Terry: "And how did he die?"
Tim Drake: "That depends... Censored version or uncensored version?"
Terry: "Censored Version"
Tim Drake: "Electrocuted while he stepped on a puddle of water"
Terry: "Very funny, Tim. Now, how is the death of him in the censored version?"

[Watchingyu]

Beyond was my favorite show as a kid and still is as an adult. I used to have an uncut VHS copy and my mom would tell me how special it is and now I can’t find it anywhere, but I hope it eventually turns back up.

[FinalGuyKris]

I remember watching the censored version as a kid and do recall seeing some sort of ad somewhere for the Original Uncut version. I don't remember if it was a video ad or a print ad. but I know I saw an ad cause that's what made me go to my local Target and use my allowance to buy the DvD. It was the first DVD I ever bought and the first thing I ever got signed at my first convention. I met Kevin Conroy in 2010 and he was delighted to sign my copy and informed me it was his proudest work as Batman.

[Duskof]

Weirdly enough, here in Brazil I only remember seeing the uncut version shown on tv when I was a kid, never the censored one. I'm very grateful it taught me not to play with guns, nor sir, only wet high-voltage cables for me. Best childhood ever.

[puertoricansithlord]

This is gonna sound insane, but this is the 1st time I've heard of an uncut version. When I got out of the Army in 02, I immediately bought the DVD of this movie and had watched it several times over the years. Eventually, when the Blu-ray box set was released, I bought that not knowing it contained the uncut version of the movie. It still remains sealed at home. As soon as I get home from work today, I'll be opening that up and watching this uncut version of the film. Very exciting.

[DiamondBlade]

I actually like the Batmobile seatbelt. It simply makes sense for it to be there, more realistic. Plus, in a weird way, despite being such a small thing, in my opinion it makes Batman feel just that much more "prepared". Like it's yet another piece of everything he takes to battle, yet another contingency he's protected against.

[gilition]

What I find ironic is that at one point Ace is watching the Looney Tunes cartoon "Hare Ribbin" which had its own censorship problems before its release for being too violent.

[SpookyBoogie]

My original copy of the film was a screener copy on VHS, so the uncut death is what's canon in my mind. I used to have arguments with my friends all the time, because they said the Joker was electrocuted, and I insisted he was shot. We finally watched my copy during a sleepover, and they were so confused by how different my copy of the film was. I also played the Return of the Joker PS1 game until it stopped working. xD