Jack Nicholson’s Joker tops list of best comic book villains

"As my plastic surgeon always says; if you gotta go, go with a smile."

According to a survey with 2000 Brits, Jack Nicholson’s 1989 portrayal of The Joker has been voted the best-ever film version of a comic book villain.

Narrowly beating out Heath Ledger’s 2008 depiction of the same character, Nicholson's Joker from Tim Burton's 1989 Batman movie claimed the top spot in the study commissioned by Casumo.com.

Nicholson’s twisted turn as Batman’s infamous nemesis was selected by 23% of those polled, just ahead of Heath Ledger’s performance in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 movie The Dark Knight.

Danny DeVito’s demented rendition of The Penguin in 1992’s Batman Returns came third place in the poll.

The top five best-ever comic book movie baddies list was rounded out by Gene Hackman as Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor, and Tom Hiddlestone’s mischievous Loki, who went up against a gallery of iconic heroes in 2012’s The Avengers.

It wasn't just the best baddies that were listed either, the worst were voted on also.

The dubious honour of worst-ever comic-to-screen baddie went to Arnold Schwarzenegger for his appearance as Mr. Freeze in 1997’s Batman & Robin - although oddly he landed at number seven on the best-ever villain list also.

With cheesy catchphrases like: "Allow me to break the ice" and "Chill out!" you wouldn't expect anything else, would you?

THE TOP 10 COMIC BOOK MOVIE VILLAIN PORTRAYALS:

1. Jack Nicholson – The Joker
2. Heath Ledger – The Joker
3. Danny DeVito – The Penguin
4. Gene Hackman – Lex Luthor
5. Tom Hiddlestone – Loki
6. Ian McKellen – Magneto
7. Tom Hardy – Bane
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Mr. Freeze
9. Margot Robbie – Harley Quinn
10. Terence Stamp – General Zod

Casumo.com's brand new game, Joker Strike, is exclusively available until the April 10th.