HEATH LEDGER

Like James Dean, he passed after a short time making movies.

Warner Bros. (ENLARGE)
Heath Ledger's first line as the Joker is, 'Whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you stranger.'
(ENLARGE)
Jack Nicholson's portrayal just sounded like he was groggy.
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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