The Zodiac Crimes The Zodiac Crimes "The Zodiac Crimes" is the 71st episode of the "Batman" television series. It first aired on ABC January 11, 1967 in its second season and repeated June 14, 1967. The first of a three-part story, it was dubbed a ""Batman" special", simultaneously celebrating the show's one-year anniversary and helping to open ABC's "second season." It featured both Cesar Romero as The Joker and Burgess Meredith as The Penguin (dubbed as an "Extra Special Guest Villain"). The Joker pays a visit to Commissioner James Gordon's office at Police HQ and swipes a rare art map. Alerted, Batman and
Batman: Cacophony a fake bloodpack, only for Onomatopoeia to escape when he stabs the Joker. After a moment of indecision, Batman stays behind and tries to save his archenemy, allowing the other villain to escape. Gordon urges Batman to let the Joker die, arguing that he is not asking Batman to kill the Joker, but merely asking him not to save his enemy, but Batman insists that he must do everything he can to save another human being — even one as evil as the Joker. A few months later, Batman, in his "Matches Malone" disguise and claiming to be a lawyer,