10 Best Comic Book Characters Mark Hamill Has Played

Mark Hamill has played a swathe of comic book characters, with the very best quickly becoming iconic and quintessential. Mark Hamill is most famous for voicing the Joker throughout the DC Universe, but he also voiced several more DC characters and many Marvel heroes and villains. Each of these reflects both Hamill’s impressive acting abilities and his love for comic books. Hamill’s performances have been celebrated, even though some were so subtle that many might have missed his presence.

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Mark Hamill is an icon in pop culture, celebrated for his legendary role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. However, his career extends far beyond the galaxy far, far away, particularly in the realm of comic book adaptations. Whether through voice work or live-action performances, Hamill has brought countless characters to life with his incredible versatility. The ten best comic book characters Mark Hamill has portrayed demonstrate his ability to delve into heroism, villainy, and everything in between.

10 Gargoyle

The Incredible Hulk: TAS (1996-1997)

In The Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series, Hamill voiced Yuri Topolov, also known as the Gargoyle. Unlike his comic counterpart, who is often portrayed as a tragic villain, this version of Gargoyle is imbued with a mix of cunning and pathos, thanks to Hamill’s nuanced voice work. The character, a Soviet scientist deformed by gamma radiation, is desperate to reverse his condition.

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Hamill captures Yuri’s bitterness and intellect while hinting at his humanity, creating a villain who is both menacing and sympathetic. His voice alternates between a growling menace and moments of vulnerability, elevating what could have been a standard villain into a layered character. This role highlights Hamill’s ability to adapt his performances to suit the tone of a series. His portrayal of Gargoyle adds depth to a show already known for exploring themes of identity and redemption.

9 Maximus The Mad

Fantastic Four: TAS (1994-1996)

Mark Hamill’s take on Maximus the Mad in Fantastic Four: The Animated Series is an underrated gem. The character, a member of the Inhuman royal family and brother to Black Bolt, is a complex mix of intelligence, envy, and unhinged ambition. Hamill’s performance as Maximus perfectly captures the character’s descent into madness. His voice drips with disdain and arrogance, but there’s always a hint of instability, making Maximus unpredictable and dangerous.

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Hamill uses subtle vocal inflections to convey Maximus’ genius, as well as his simmering jealousy towards Black Bolt and the rest of the royal family. This portrayal stands out because of its theatricality. Hamill’s flair for dramatics enhances Maximus’ grandiose schemes, making his monologues both entertaining and menacing. Although the series is often overshadowed by other Marvel adaptations of the time, Hamill’s Maximus remains a standout performance in the Inhumans narrative, and indeed the entire series.

8 Swamp Thing

Justice League Action

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Mark Hamill’s portrayal of Swamp Thing in Justice League Action is a departure from the typically theatrical characters he plays. Hamill brings a unique gravitas to Swamp Thing, giving the character a distinctly more human inflection than typical. Hamill used something close to his own voice, highlighting he inherent pathos in the tragic monster. In the episode “Abate and Switch,” Hamill’s Swamp Thing combines the character’s mystic wisdom with a dry, understated humor that contrasts sharply with the series’ typically high-energy tone.

Hamill’s delivery carries an almost poetic cadence, reflecting the character’s thoughtful and contemplative nature. At the same time, Hamill skillfully conveys Swamp Thing’s reluctance to engage in the Justice League’s usual chaos, adding subtle aspects of personality. What makes Hamill’s performance truly memorable is its balance. He brings enough seriousness to honor the character’s mythic roots while aligning Swamp Thing’s demeanor with the show’s lighthearted tone.

7 Arnim Zola

Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble, & Marvel’s Spider-Man

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In several animated Marvel shows, Mark Hamill brought the devious Arnim Zola to life. Known as one of Captain America’s most persistent foes, Zola is a Hydra scientist whose experiments push the boundaries of ethics and humanity. Hamill’s portrayal emphasizes Zola’s mad genius and unwavering loyalty to Hydra’s twisted ideology. His voice work for Zola is distinct, with a thick accent and a tone that conveys both intelligence and menace.

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Hamill leans into Zola’s eccentricities, making him an especially memorable villain despite his relatively minor screen time. This role allowed Hamill to demonstrate his talent for playing mad scientists, a niche he has mastered over the years. Zola’s cold and calculating demeanor is perfectly balanced by Hamill’s ability to inject a touch of dark humor, making the character more engaging. Hamill’s Zola is a standout among each shows’ impressive roster of villains.

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6 Tony Zucco

The Batman (2004-2008)

In The Batman, Mark Hamill voiced Tony Zucco, the mobster responsible for the death of Dick Grayson’s parents. This role is a departure from Hamill’s more flamboyant characters, offering a grounded and gritty performance. Zucco is a cruel and cowardly figure, and Hamill’s voice captures his desperation and malice perfectly. His portrayal makes Zucco a loathsome yet believable antagonist, heightening the emotional stakes of Robin’s origin story.

Hamill’s ability to convey fear and arrogance in equal measure adds depth to a character who could have easily been one-dimensional. This performance demonstrates Hamill’s range as a voice actor. While he is best known for his over-the-top villains, his turn as Zucco proves he can deliver a more subdued and sinister portrayal when needed. Zucco’s appearance is a pivotal moment in The Batman, and Hamill’s performance ensures it leaves a lasting impact.

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5 Solomon Grundy

Justice League (2001-2004)

In Justice League, Hamill voiced Solomon Grundy, the undead brute with a tragic backstory. Unlike many of his villainous roles, Hamill’s Grundy is portrayed as a sympathetic figure, driven by confusion and rage rather than malice. Hamill’s performance captures the character’s childlike innocence and overwhelming anger. His deep, gravelly voice gives Grundy a sense of physicality, while his delivery of the character’s more poignant lines hints at the tragedy of his existence.

Grundy’s arc in episodes like “The Terror Beyond” is made all the more powerful by Hamill’s nuanced voice work. What makes this role so memorable is the balance Hamill strikes between Grundy’s monstrous exterior and his vulnerable interior. It’s a testament to Hamill’s talent that he can make audiences feel empathy for a character who is essentially a zombie supervillain. Grundy remains one of the most beloved characters from the Justice League animated series, thanks largely to Hamill’s performance.

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4 The Spectre

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2009)

Mark Hamill voiced the Spectre, one of DC’s most powerful and enigmatic supernatural heroes in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The Spectre, a vengeful spirit of divine retribution, is a morally complex character, and Hamill’s performance neatly captures his eerie presence. Hamill’s voice work is haunting, with a calm yet menacing tone that underscores the Spectre’s otherworldly nature. His portrayal emphasizes the character’s unwavering commitment to justice, even when it leads to morally ambiguous decisions.

The contrast between the Spectre’s cold demeanor and Hamill’s subtle inflections adds depth to the character. This role allowed Hamill to explore a different side of comic book storytelling, moving away from traditional villains to embody a figure of cosmic power and moral ambiguity. Hamill’s performance made Spectre one of the best guest appearances in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

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3 The Trickster

The Flash (1990 & 2014)

Mark Hamill’s portrayal of the Trickster is one of his most iconic live-action roles. First appearing in the 1990 The Flash series and later reprising the role in Justice League Unlimited and the 2014 CW reboot of The Flash, Hamill brings a manic energy to the character that makes him unforgettable. As James Jesse, the Trickster is a blend of flamboyance and danger, with Hamill’s performance leaning into the character’s theatricality.

Hamill’s over-the-top antics and dark humor make the Trickster a standout villain in each iteration. However, the CW series gives Hamill’s Trickster a much more menacing edge, exploring his influence on a new generation of criminals. Hamill’s ability to balance humor and menace is on full display here, making the Trickster a precursor to his legendary portrayal of the Joker. For fans of The Flash, Hamill’s Trickster is a beloved character who brings a unique energy to every episode he appears in.

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2 The Hobgoblin

Spider-Man: TAS (1994-1998)

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Hamill voiced the Hobgoblin, one of Peter Parker’s most cunning adversaries. Hamill’s portrayal emphasizes the character’s intelligence and ruthlessness, setting him apart from other Spider-Man villains. The Hobgoblin’s trademark cackling laugh and sharp wit are brought to life by Hamill’s dynamic performance. He captures the character’s penchant for manipulation and chaos, making him a formidable foe for Spider-Man.

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Mark Hamill’s voice work is perfectly suited to the Hobgoblin’s sinister persona, adding a layer of theatricality that makes him a fan favorite, rivaling even the Green Goblin. What makes Hamill’s Hobgoblin so memorable is his ability to balance the character’s humor with his darker tendencies. This portrayal in Spider-Man: TAS helped define the Hobgoblin for a generation, solidifying Hamill’s status as one of the best voice actors in animated superhero history.

1 The Joker

Batman: The Animated Series (1992) and Beyond

No list of Mark Hamill’s comic book characters would be complete without the Joker. Widely regarded as the definitive voice of the Clown Prince of Crime, Hamill’s performance as the Joker spans Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Arkham video games, and various other DC projects. Hamill’s Joker is a masterclass in voice acting. His maniacal laugh, unpredictable tone shifts, and chilling delivery make the character both terrifying and captivating.

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Hamill brings depth to the Joker, exploring his relationship with Batman and his descent into madness. The role allowed Hamill to push the boundaries of his craft, delivering performances that range from hilariously unhinged to deeply unsettling. For many, Hamill’s Joker is the gold standard, influencing countless interpretations of the character across different media. It is undoubtedly Mark Hamill’s most iconic and revered role in the superhero genre.

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