Powerless: What is The Joker's Status on the Show?

Tonight's series premiere of Powerless was chock full of Easter eggs to various elements of the DC Comics universe. One recurring reference, however, is sure to excite even the most casual of DC fans.

Batman's most infamous foe, The Joker, was referenced several times throughout the episode. Early on, when commercials for the various products made by Wayne Security are shown across the screen, one of them is a Joker antivenom, which helps victims reverse the effect of Joker Gas.

With this product being an established part of the Powerless universe, it's clear that there is a need for it, meaning that the Joker has been currently active in that world.

At the episode's end, a news report shows the Joker being apprehended in Gotham City. According to the newscast, Batman was able to use a device eerily similar to the Wayne Security team's supervillain tracker, which warns of incoming villains by picking up on their scent.

This is played as a great joke about the Bruce Wayne/Batman dichotomy - since Bruce's cousin, Van Wayne (Alan Tudyk) first brought the tracker to him. But the Joker's arrest also establishes a significant piece of the Powerless universe.

While it is likely, due to liscensing issues, that we will never see the Clown Prince of Crime's face in Powerless - he is shown with a sheet over his head as he is escorted by police - there is a chance that he could reappear in similar newscast-style cameos.

After all, if there's one thing the Joker is good at, it's coming back onto the scene when you least expect him.

Emily Locke lands her dream job as Director of Research and Development for Wayne Security in Charm City, home to super heroes and villains and citizens fed up with the collateral damage of their constant fighting. Full of confidence and big ideas, Emily quickly learns that her aspirations far exceed those of her new boss and officemates, so it will be up to her to lead the team toward their full potential and the realization that you don't need superpowers to be a hero.

The cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Tudyk, Danny Pudi, Christina Kirk, and Ron Funches.

Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Len Goldstein, Marc Buckland and Dean Lorey are executive producers of Powerless. Buckland served as the director of the pilot. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and is based on the characters from DC.

MORE: Joker Reference in Wayne Security Commercial for NBC's Powerless / Alan Tudyk Explains Why Batman's Cousin Admires Lex Luthor / New Powerless Trailer Features Starro / Showrunner Explains How Powerless Connects To DCEU / New Powerless Promo Reveals Alan Tudyk is Playing Batman's Cousin / New Powerless Promo Drops Superman Joke / NBC Debuts New Powerless Teaser / New Powerless Image Contains Batman Easter Egg

Powerless airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.