Mark Hamill's Joker Returns With A Live-Action Twist

Every fan of superhero fiction has their own favorite screen iteration of Batman. As such, each of those can likely also name their favorite screen iteration of The Joker, who has been portrayed by more actors than most supervillains can claim.

For many, the cream of the crop is Mark Hamill, who voiced the criminal in several animated titles for more than three decades. Well, it looks like the actor's iconic version of the Joker is finally back, but not in the way most people would have expected.

Mark Hamill's Joker Graces A DC All-In Special #1 Variant Cover

Only a handful of actors can say they have portrayed the same comic book character in both live-action and animation, such as Kevin Conroy, who played a corrupted version of Bruce Wayne in a special episode of Batwoman. However, the Joker to his Batman, Mark Hamill, has never received that chance... until now.

A special variant cover for DC All-In Special #1 features a photo-realistic illustration of the actor dressed just like his iconic DC villain role in Batman: The Animated Series, green hair, purple suit, and all. While holding a scepter adorned with the head of his animated iteration at the top, Hamill is seen kicking a Batman, seen from behind, who can only respond with the actor's last name when the impact of his foot on the Caped Crusader's face creates the sound effect "MARK!"

The image, shared online in the above social media post by Batman - Noir Alley, is designed by artist Mitch Gerads, who has many comic books centered on the Dark Knight on his resume, which also includes helping write Wonder Woman: Black and Gold 2026 Special #1. The variant cover is available for purchase in a limited supply on the shop_fan_expo page on eBay.

DC All-In Special #1 is a one-shot originally published in 2024 to usher in the launch of the now widely acclaimed Absolute Universe imprint. It sees a countless number of iconic characters, from Batman to Booster Gold, coming together just as Darkseid returns and, subsequently, creates a new reality where familiar heroes are treated as outcasts and evil reigns supreme.

A Brief History Of Mark Hamill's Joker

Every generation is lucky to say it has its own definitive portrayal of The Joker, from Cesar Romero on the 1960s live-action Batman series to Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning portrayal in The Dark Knight, and plenty more where they came from. However, many die-hard BatFans of all ages still consider Mark Hamill to be the ultimate Clown Prince of Crime.

The Star Wars franchise actor actually crossed playing a DC villain off his bucket list in 1991. He starred in two episodes of the short-lived The Flash TV series as The Trickster, whom he would later reprise on The CW's hit, Arrowverse-canon reboot in mid-2010s.

One year later, when Tim Curry was cast as Joker and let go soon after, Hamill would debut his instant classic version on Batman: The Animated Series. This would become the start of a long career voicing the grim, grinning Gothamite, such as in films like Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and in video games, including most installments of the Batman: Arkham series.

Hamill rarely reprised the role without Conroy starring opposite him as the Dark Knight, which is why the actor would confirm he was retiring from playing The Joker following the beloved Batman voice actor's untimely death in 2022. The pair would appear in their respective roles one last time for Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three, which was released two years after Conroy's passing in 2024.

DC All-In Special #1 is available wherever comic books are sold.