Recently due to the new Fox show Gotham, a television show about the origins of Batman villains, and the upcoming release of DC movies through 2020 it's only a matter of time before they bring back Batman's greatest nemesis. So in honor of those brave talented performers who have mastered this maniacal and mischievous madman, here is my list of the top 5 portrayals of The Joker.
5. Richard Epcar
Best known for the 2013 Video Game Injustice Epcar's Joker is Ruthless and unforgiving. His high pitch laughing reverberates though out the levels as he pummels and beats you with knives, or anything he can get his hands on while never losing the jovial sense of fun that is a trademark of this callous clown.
4. Jack Nicholson
Who could the forget the permanent smile plastered on Nicholson's face after he is transformed from Jack Napier to the psychotic Joker? His actions are erratic and destructive as he terrorizes Gotham with his "Smilex" chemical. He also truly emotes the madness with through his bulging eyes. The reason he is not higher on this list is because there is more playful characterization rather then the bone chilling danger portrayed but other actors.
3. Troy Baker
Most recently Troy Baker voiced the Joker in Batman: Assault on Arkham, an animated feature derived from the Suicide Squad plot line. His Joker has an immensely broad depth to him. While part of it is written in to script, Baker find his own way to justify the Joker beyond pure insanity or a destructive nature. For example, Harley Quinn comes to Arkham and when he sees her he immediately begins taunting and berating her, standard joker behavior. When he finds out she has got a new man you can see/hear the anguish and surprise. Baker also has a distinct way of making the joker truly sound like a dangerous killer while maintaining the clown like sense of fun. Last who could forget his performance of
The Killing Joke monologue and New York Comic Con last year?
2. Heath Ledger
There is only one performance in the history of the Joker that is as creative as that of Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. He found a way to take the personality we know and love and meld it into this lord of ingenious chaos with no real goals or end game other than to destroy the Batman, even if that means Gotham goes up in flames as a direct result. He also creates a voice that is plainly inspired by those who came before him but unique to his manic , bipolar Joker. He has absolutely no empathy and would turn on his mother if given the opportunity. He did such an amazing job DC is taking as long as possible to introduce a new live action Joker because honestly who could top Ledger?
1. Mark Hamill
If you haven't seen the original Batman: The Animated Series stop reading this get Amazon Prime and start! Mark Hammill is the originator of the Joker we love today down to the iconic Joker laugh. It is his work in other shows like Justice League and Birds of Prey; and video games like Arkham Asylum and Batman: Vengence; that have inspired all the Jokers who came after him. The sense of fun and frivolity that exudes from his chosen voice is as close to perfection as anyone has ever gotten and maybe ever will. Joker fans have come accustom to the iconic Joker laugh that will endure as along as he continues to terrorize Batman and the citizens of Gotham. For that Batman fans everywhere are grateful!
