Batman
The Joker's Hard Times (2)
TV Flash files “The Joker's Hard Times (2)” as hour 72 of 120 in the TV Flash guide — Batman (1966–1968) on ABC, season 2, episode 38, aired 1967-01-12, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S02E38: listed hour 72 of 120 in the Batman guide, hour 38 of 60 in season 2. It aired 1967-01-12 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “The Zodiac Crimes (1)” (S02E37). Next is “The Penguin Declines (3)” (S02E39).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Joker runs the Gothham City Police Department ragged with his crimes based on the zodiac. Meanwhile, Venus warms to Batman.
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Joker's Hard Times (2) sit in the Batman guide?
S02E38 is listed hour 72 of 120 — hour 38 of 60 in season 2, season 2 episode 38.
When did Batman S02E38 air?
The Joker's Hard Times (2) aired 1967-01-12 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Where should I start?
Season 1's twice-weekly cliffhangers are the full candy-colored contract: West, Ward, onomatopoeic graphics, and a guest villain. The 1966 feature film sits between seasons as a longer dose of the same style.
In the series
Why this series still plays
ABC's Batman is camp as a national style guide: Adam West's deadpan virtue, Burt Ward's earnest Robin, and celebrity villains between freeze-frame fight bubbles. Twice-weekly cliffhangers and Pow! graphics locked comic-book TV into prime time. Required viewing before you pick a side in every later dark-versus-fun Batman war.
The freeze-frame is the argument. ABC's *Batman* (January 12, 1966–March 14, 1968) does not wink after the fight; it prints the onomatopoeia on the air itself — Pow, Zap, the candy-colored grammar of a color-TV generation. Adam West plays Bruce Wayne / Batman as deadpan virtue. Burt Ward plays Dick Grayson / Robin as earnestness without an exit. Sincerity is the gag; the gag is the point. William Dozier leaned into camp until camp became a national style guide.
Filed against
- Adam West as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Adam West’s Bruce Wayne / Batman made ABC’s twice-weekly camp a national style guide — deadpan virtue, Burt Ward’s earnest Robin, celebrity villains between freeze-frame Pow! bubbles. Cliffhangers locked comic-book TV into prime time. TV…
- Burt Ward as Dick Grayson / Robin
Burt Ward's earnest Robin made ABC's Batman a national camp style guide — Adam West's deadpan virtue, celebrity villains, freeze-frame fight bubbles, twice-weekly cliffhangers. Pow! graphics locked comic-book TV into prime time. TV Flash…
- Alan Napier as Alfred Pennyworth
Alan Napier’s Alfred Pennyworth kept Wayne Manor mannered while ABC’s Batman went twice-weekly Pow! — Adam West’s deadpan virtue, Burt Ward’s earnest Robin, celebrity villains, freeze-frame fight bubbles. Camp as a national style guide.…
- Neil Hamilton as Commissioner Gordon
Neil Hamilton’s Commissioner Gordon kept ABC’s Batman from becoming only freeze-frame fight bubbles — 1960s camp as a national style guide, Adam West’s deadpan virtue, Burt Ward’s earnest Robin, celebrity villains, twice-weekly…