Mark Hamill’s Most Impactful Comic Book Role Isn’t Actually The Joker

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Luke Skywalker, a character from Star Wars, stands out as one of the most significant in cinema. Originally a farm boy, he discovers he can harness an otherworldly power called the Force and transforms into a Jedi Knight. Mark Hamill’s acting skills play a crucial role in making Luke relatable and inspiring to audiences. In a short span, Hamill turns a whiny, ordinary farm boy into a hero, convincingly so. Yet, there are those who might argue that Luke is not Hamill’s most impressive character. After all, he has been lending his voice to The Joker in Batman productions for many years, and while he won’t resume this role following the passing of his co-star Kevin Conroy, his impact will live on.

One point worth considering about this perspective is that Hamill also plays another significant comic book role which carries a similar weight to the Joker. Although this character doesn’t appear as frequently, it addresses a part of superhero narratives that is usually underestimated.

The Trickster’s Time in Justice League Unlimited Hits Hard

In the universe of DC Animation, a variety of series reside, among them the popular debut of Hamill as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. Yet, one of the franchise’s less recognized productions is Justice League Unlimited, which chronicles different members of the Justice League as they tackle issues spanning the galaxy. Although the original cast of Justice League continues to be cherished, a standout display can be found in Season 3, Episode 5, titled “Flash and Substance.” This episode focuses on the Flash preparing for a grand event being held in his honor within Central City. He extends invitations to all his friends, but the city’s nefarious villains are determined to ruin the celebration by causing chaos.

In the bustling city, where Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master cause chaos, The Flash finds himself struggling to maintain order. He enlists Orion and Batman for assistance, and they propose a visit to the villains’ lair. Upon arrival, only one antagonist is found: Jesse James, alias the Trickster, portrayed by Hamill. He’s disgruntled because the other villain didn’t approve of his ideas, so he informs The Flash about them. Instead of reacting angrily towards Trickster, Central City’s swift hero inquires about his well-being and if he’s taking his medication. The two engage in a friendly conversation, and Trickster decides to surrender. Grateful for the help, The Flash promises a friendly game of darts with his adversary once everything settles down.

In this portrayal of Flash and Trickster, we see a dynamic that reveals the villain’s human qualities. Trickster isn’t merely a foil for the hero but a complex individual grappling with his own issues. The poignant moment when Flash connects with Trickster on a personal level remains powerful enough to garner attention on social media even after two decades. Naturally, this doesn’t elevate Trickster to the status of the Joker, but it’s fascinating to see Mark Hamill reprise the role multiple times.

Mark Hamill Has Played Trickster in Live-Action

The concept behind Justice League Unlimited was to bring Mark Hamill into the role of Trickster due to his prior familiarity with the character. Following his departure from Star Wars, Hamill swiftly found himself cast as a villain in the TV series The Flash, starring John Wesley Shipp. This role saw Hamill portraying James Jesse, a notorious serial killer who targeted Megan Lockhart, a private investigator in Central City. Despite lacking superpowers, Jesse managed to give The Flash quite a challenge throughout the series until its conclusion. Interestingly, Hamill continued his portrayal of Trickster in live-action even after the conclusion of the ’90s Flash show.

In 2015, Mark Hamill returned to play his character in The CW’s “The Flash”. After spending 20 years behind bars, it seems that the Trickster is causing havoc again in Central City. However, it’s not the original Trickster, but a copycat killer who frees James from prison and reveals himself to be the villain’s son. This pair causes trouble for Barry Allen, but the new hero eventually outsmarts them. Given the evil nature of the Trickster, The Arrowverse’s Flash can’t treat him as his animated character would. Yet, the differences between the two versions showcase Hamill’s versatility. Although Trickster may not be as famous as the Joker, he certainly adds depth to Hamill’s acting portfolio.

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2025-07-27 20:41