Here is an description of the Jokers characteristics in "five way Revenge". Found it on a comic discussion board. The question was whether "The Laughing Fish/Sign of the Joker" or "Five Way Revenge" was the better or more important Joker story overall. The post is from May 04, so it was not TDK related at all:
"There is no doubting "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" (1973) is notable for three reasons. Number one, it marked a return to form for the Joker. Under writer Denny O'Neil, this Joker was no longer encumbered by Wortham's stifling legacy (the original version of the Comics Code) or the stigma of the "Batman" tv program. He once again became the deadly menace portrayed in his original appearances, as evidenced by the re-introduction of the laugh-inducing Joker-venom. Secondly, the Joker regained his sense of humor, and actually became funny instead of annoying. This Joker was a far cry from the one in the 50s/60s, who was just a goofy, irritating freak (check out "The Great Clayface-Joker Feud"). He used style (the exploding cigar) and wit (the shark) and sly banter, instead of obnoxiousness. Finally, and most importantly, "Five-Way" established the groundwork for the entire Batman/Joker dichotomy that's become the core of the Bat-mythos: reason/rationality vs randomness/insanity. When the Joker clubs Batman into unconsciousness, the grinning gargoyle decides not to kill his nemesis; instead, the Joker pontificates about how any death for Batman must come solely from a battle of wits and madness--anything else would be cheap and pointless."
