Language is fluid and the meaning of words changes over time.Here’s why it’s no surprise that the Joker unleashed a wave of “stupid crimes” on Gotham in 1951 Batman #66.
To be clear, “stupid” in this context refers to any type of blunder or mistake a person might make – and there is nothing Otherwise – so some background knowledge is required. In a particularly embarrassing failure, the Joker and his gang attempted to rob the Gotham Electric Company, only to have their escape fail because no one realized that cutting the power to the building would render the elevators useless. Throwing away their loot and heading up the stairs, the criminals barely escaped Batman’s clutches, and the Joker angrily read the next day’s headline: “Joker Wins Idiot of the Year!”
Gotham City’s Clown Prince of Crime exclaimed, “So! Are they going to laugh at my stupidity?! I’ll show them! I’ll show them how many stupidities the Joker can make!” The caption seemed to inspire: “The emphasis on idiots gave me an idea for a new crime adventure! Gotham will regret the day it mentions the word idiot!” The Joker develops a crime plan based on the biggest “idiot” in history, his first The attack recreated the 1950 grounding of the USS Missouri, only this time it was a ship filled with diamonds. The next day, the headline read: “Shocked by his boner, Joker fights back hard! Booty stalled!”
The Joker continues his spree by promising he’ll “design a special goofball just for Batman.” His next crime is based on the failed infrastructure of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which the Joker calls “one of the greatest buildings in history!” The Joker destabilizes a mansion tower in order to gain entry and rob the building, claiming its design The Joker “…didn’t bargain with the Joker – and his stupid crimes!” The Joker took over Gotham’s radio station, gloating over his feat and promising “more stupid crimes to come,” And “soon, Batman will be the silliest crime of the year.”
“What does he mean, Bruce?” Robin asked. “How could he drive you crazy?” Unsure of the meaning of this cryptic message, Batman advises the two, “…continue our study of the greatest idiot of all time.” The Joker finally unveils his Batman Madman, whose master plan was to trick the Batplane’s navigation into landing in England instead of California. That’s it. That’s all there is to his sinister “Special Idiot.”
But it worked, and this glaring misstep turned public opinion against Batman to the extent that the next day’s newspapers declared it “Batman’s greatest goofball ever!” But when the Joker throws a celebratory dinner, the energy The duo break down the door and reveal that they have deduced and planned the Joker’s plot to smear them. After taking down the Joker and restoring their good name, the final group sees the Joker being imprisoned, with Batman triumphantly declaring: “Wish we could have the last of such things as Goon and Joker!”
It’s hard to end such a silly story on any serious note, so here are just a few selected quotes Batman #66:
- “But only a man with a sense of humor like the Joker could think of turning stupidity into crime!”
- “Those stupid crimes are a disgrace to us! I’m afraid he’s preparing something stupid for you!”
- “I was ready to bait him, which was good. his Fool! ”
- “You were so busy driving me crazy that you forgot you made this mistake yourself!”
- “Our city – and indeed our country – owes you an apology, Batman! In fact, they made the stupidest mistake of all – losing faith in you!”