Mark Hamill has had an impressive voice-acting career that saw its pinnacle with Batman: The Animated Series, where he played the Joker. There are many names that come to mind while talking about the Joker, be it the iconic Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson, Cesar Romero, or Joaquin Phoenix. There are many legendary actors who have played the Joker. However, none is perhaps as iconic as Mark Hamill, who lent his voice to this classic comic book character for decades.

Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill (Image via. The Independent)

Recently, when he was asked whether he would return to DC again as Joker, he gave an impossible condition that made the fans go into a sad nostalgic state.

What’s Mark Hamill’s impossible condition if DC wants him back as the Joker?

Recently in FAN EXPO San Franciso (via Culture Crave Tweet), Mark Hamill said that he would only consider playing Joker in Batman: The Animated Series if Kevin Conroy plays Batman.

He also went on to cite his infamous Joker quote by saying:


“Without Batman, crime has no punchline”

Also Read: 4 Marvel Stars Who Almost Played Batman in DC Cinematic Universe

Kevin Conroy died at the age of 66 after putting up a brave fight against cancer. Although he was a working actor, he is best known for lending his voice to Batman. Kevin Conroy’s last role as The Caped Crusader would be in Rocksteady’s game, The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Naturally, the fans had an emotional reaction to this:

Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy collaborated on many projects together besides Batman: The Animated Series, such as the 1993 movie Batman: Mask of Phantasm and 2016’s Batman: The Killing Joke. Batman: The Animated Series is perhaps the most important collaboration between them in DC, as the series is one of the most faithful versions of Batman comics, even to this day. 

Why won’t Mark Hamill ever return as Joker again?

Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy had a fantastic partnership and friendship. Whenever Hamill got approached to play the Joker, he would always inquire whether Conroy was playing Batman before picking up the role, as he once told Empire magazine (via ScreenRant): 

“They would call and say, ‘They want you to do the Joker,’ and my only question was, ‘Is Kevin Batman?’ If they said yes, I would say, ‘I’m in.’ We were like partners. We were like Laurel and Hardy. Without Kevin there, there doesn’t seem to be a Batman for me.”

Also Read: Batman: The Animated Series Reboot Coming To HBO Max Says Kevin Smith

Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill
Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill (Image via. Syfy)

Also Read: “Batman” Kevin Conroy Gets Wished By “Joker” Mark Hamill On His Birthday

Even in the comic books, there is a dynamic between Batman and the Joker that feels like one cannot exist without the other. They share one of the greatest bonds in pop culture history, although maybe in a much more twisted manner than Hamill and Conroy’s camaraderie. Throughout their careers, they have always complemented each other, ultimately bringing out the best in each project they touched.

It is quite heartwarming to see Mark Hamill paying tribute to their friendship and partnership in this manner now that one-half of the duo is no more.

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