Joker's wild! Portrayals range from campy to eerie
HEATH LEDGER
Like James Dean, he passed after a short time making movies.The film: "The Dark Knight," officially opening Friday.
The voice: Mostly low-key, disturbed and punctuated with an active tongue.
His first line: "Whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you stranger."
Effectiveness: A-
JACK NICHOLSON
Three-time Oscar winner and perpetual sunglasses wearer.
The film: "Batman" (1989)
The voice: He sounds a little like a groggy Jack Nicholson.
Good lines after Batman says he'll kill him: "You idiot! You made me. Remember? You dropped me into that vat of chemicals. That wasn't easy to get over, and don't think that I didn't try."
Effectiveness: B
MARK HAMILL
You know him better as "Luke Skywalker."The TV show: Various animated shows, including "Batman" (1992-94) and "The New Batman Adventures" (1997-99).
The voice: Maniacal "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha." Hamill says he uses a fusion of Hannibal Lecter and Jerry Lewis.
Comment: From online user HardcoreSouma regarding Spill.com's video compilation of Hamill's Joker laughs — "LOL!!!!!! Mark Hamill is greatness."
Effectiveness: A-
CESAR ROMERO
B-movie mainstay in Hollywood for three decades before donning white makeup and green hair.
The vehicles: The campy "Batman" (1966-68) and the campier "Batman: The Movie" (1966).
The voice: Clownish. "Ho ho ho ho ho ho." And with a lot of rolling R's and an occasional falsetto twirl. "Commissionerrrrrr."
Typical line: "A joke a day keeps the gloom away!"
Effectiveness: B-
— Bob Longino
