Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
The Joker is back with a vengeance, and Neo-Gotham's Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, needs answers as he stands alone to face the old Gotham's most infamous Clown Prince of Crime.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker earns high Novelty for its bold fusion of cyberpunk dystopia with classic Bat-mythos, bringing the Joker into the futuristic Beyond setting in a genuinely surprising and dark way — the origin reveal is one of the DCAU's most disturbing moments. The plot is solid and serviceable, weaving past and present Gotham effectively, though it relies on familiar hero-vs-villain mechanics. Voice acting is competent throughout, with Mark Hamill delivering a memorably unhinged Joker performance. Cinematography (for animation) is above average with strong atmospheric design and moody Neo-Gotham visuals, but not exceptional enough to stand out beyond its TV roots. The ending resolves the conflict satisfyingly but not memorably, landing as a competent conclusion rather than a striking one.