G33K LYFE: Look who's laughing now - the top five Jokers over the decades

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Heath Ledger was one of the five most memorable Jokers, embodying the true psychological torture of a madman.

Since his first appearance in Batman 76 years ago, the Joker has risen in popularity to the point where he is not just the most famous comic book villain, but arguably the most infamous antagonist of any medium. With more than 250 appearances in various films, television shows, video games and countless comic book issues, one would be hard pressed to find somebody who has never been exposed to the clown prince of crime.

Nearly 30 actors have appeared as Joker over the decades, with the various portrayals ranging all across the psychotic spectrum of his personalities. Though most actors have brought something different to the character, these five stand out as the most iconic.

Cesar Romero (Batman 1966- 1968)

The original live-action Joker, famously moustachioed actor Cesar Romero portrayed a campy, prankster version of the clown against Adam West’s campy, possibly gay ’60s Batman. With an arsenal of weapons that included exploding cigars and literal jumping beans and schemes that usually followed a predictable theme, Romero’s Joker may have been one of the less sinister incarnations to hit the screen, but laid important groundwork for how the character would be portrayed in the future. He was also notable for his refusal to shave his moustache, causing it to be visible underneath his white face paint in the majority of his scenes.

Jack Nicholson (Batman 1989)

The first Hollywood Joker, dual Academy-Award winner Jack Nicholson brought the villain to life amongst the pseudo-gothic styling of Tim Burton’s vision of Gotham City. Controversially giving the villain a pre-clown identity, this Joker was originally Jack Napier, the man who killed Bruce Wayne’s parents before being chucked into a vat of chemicals by Batman many years later, coming out crazy and laughing. He fell somewhere between the camp of Romero and the unhinged killer that was growing in prominence in the comics of the ’80s. Nicholson’s portrayal captured the manic, showboating side of the character, while still managing to be a legitimate threat to the population of Gotham with his mixed arsenal of deadly weapons and wacky gadgets.

Michael Emerson (The Dark Knight Returns 2012)

The most unique and outlying portrayal on this list, Michael Emerson was tasked with bringing to life Frank Miller’s take on an aged Joker from the classic 1986 comic miniseries. A far calmer take than most, Emerson was brilliant at conveying the effeminate yet vicious killer that served as one of several antagonists in what is widely considered to be the most important Batman comic in history. The performance is subtle and wonderfully creepy, yet all the more effective for this highly unique take on Joker, one that is directly at odds with many of the more well known versions.

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight 2008)

The definitive live-action portrayal, the late Heath Ledger terrifyingly embodied the most twisted aspects of the character, completely abandoning the pranks and gadgets of his movie predecessor for the knives, bombs and psychological torture of a true madman. This Joker didn’t waste his time with smiling gas and acid-spitting flowers. This Joker blew up hospitals, massacred police and civilians and left the type of video warnings that are all too familiar in today’s political climate. The dark glee Ledger portrayed at every life he ended, every punch he took and that haunting final laugh as he was left to the mercy of the police was that of a man with no regard for life, and easily Batman’s most dangerous cinematic foe.

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series, Arkham series, others 1993-present)

The man with the most appearances under his belt, Mark Hamill is widely considered to be the definitive portrayal of Joker. Hamill’s array of the Joker’s laughs, ranging from a humoured chuckle to a maniacal wail will forever be synonymous with the character, and I can vouch from personal experience, who scared the hell out of children. In the Arkham series of video games, Hamill would take his joker to another level, no longer restricted by network rules, turned in a gleefully chilling vocal performance as his Joker killed hundreds of people, taunting Batman every step of the way. His return for the animated adaptation of The Killing Joke is highly anticipated, pairing the Joker’s most iconic actor with his most sinister moments.