JJ’s Five Favorite Versions of "The Joker"

The Oscar buzz is already saying that Joaquin Phoenix is a shoe in for a nomination and, potentially, the Best Actor statue next year.

Those are other people’s words. Mine are the following.

The Joker is an amazing villain. Possibly the most complex comic book villain out there – not to mention the most entertaining. There is something simple about his outright zaniness that has made audiences go wild for Joker appearances for more than 50 years.

Here – in order – are my favorite versions of The Joker.

1. Batman: The Animated Series – voiced by Mark Hamill

This is THE best Joker. The episodes written around him are amazing, the design is perfect and the voice will always be my favorite. This Joker is the best. No one will ever be able to get me to change my mind. Many of tried, but none have done it. Come on, Bats!

2. The Dark Knight – played by Heath Ledger

It was dark…the darkest version of Joker we’d seen to date. But there was also some humor in there. Ledger brought an insane calm and physicality to The Joker.

3. Batman (1989) – played by Jack Nicholson

Batman on the big screen and they opened up the new franchise with a great Joker. Tim Burton’s vision allowed a goofy, yet terrifying Joker. I will never forget the gag about hitting a guy with glasses and the terror of seeing what Joker did to his girlfriend’s face. Great Joker laugh too.

4. Batman (1966) – played by Cesar Romero

Funny, over the top, colorful and featuring a mustache! This Joker is wild. Probably the most out there Joker of them all. It doesn’t surprise me that Joker dolls sold almost as well as Batman dolls during the TV show’s run.

5. Joker – Joaquin Phoenix

I am putting this in here as just barely above the Joker from the Batman Arkham video game series (which was also voiced by Mark Hamill, but included cursing). While the movie didn’t float my boat as much as it seemed to butter up the masses, I do see some amazing intensity to the performance. The last half hour is awesome.