The Quest for the Best Batman: A Personal Perspective

The question of who the best Batman is can be quite subjective and often depends on personal preference regarding the portrayal of the character in various media. Christian Bale, Kevin Conroy, and many other actors have played the iconic role, each bringing their unique interpretation to the character. While opinions vary, in my personal opinion, Christian Bale stands out for his dedication and challenging portrayal.

Personal Favorite: Christian Bale

I enjoyed Christian Bale as Batman, and the entire movie was an art by him. His role in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy was particularly challenging but also rewarding. Bale's Batman is characterized by his perseverance and strength, making him a formidable and serious character. His dedication to the role is evident, especially in "The Dark Knight", where he truly challenged himself to turn into the Batman we see on the big screen.

Notable Batmen Across Media

Here’s a ranking of the theatrical Batmen, based on their respective works:

Kevin Conroy: Mask of the Phantasm Christian Bale: The Dark Knight Trilogy Robert Pattinson: The Batman Michael Keaton: Batman 1989 and Batman Returns Will Arnett: The LEGO Batman Movie Adam West: Batman 1966 Ben Affleck: The DCEU Batman George Clooney: Batman and Robin Val Kilmer: Batman Forever

While Batman has been portrayed in various ways, the animated portrayals, especially the work of Kevin Conroy, stand out. Conroy's voice has been the voice of Batman in numerous cartoons, games, and animated series for over 30 years, bringing the character to life in ways that have been both dynamic and expressive.

Personal Ranking of Batmen

My ranking of the theatrical Batmen, based on my personal preference:

Kevin Conroy: Mask of the Phantasm Christian Bale: The Dark Knight Trilogy Robert Pattinson: The Batman Michael Keaton: Batman 1989 and Batman Returns Will Arnett: The LEGO Batman Movie Adam West: Batman 1966 Ben Affleck: The DCEU Batman George Clooney: Batman and Robin Val Kilmer: Batman Forever

Kevin Conroy's voice work is truly remarkable. He has been the voice of Batman for so many years, and his last work is yet to be published. In the animated realm, Batman is fully realized in ways that are unmatched in live-action films. I value the animated portrayals and the voicework of Kevin Conroy, who has been a constant presence in the Batman universe.

While I enjoy quite a few Batmen in the live-action variety, I find Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman to be more suitable for serious roles. I appreciate his determination and the intensity he brought to the character. However, I don't think he himself was that good as Batman for a few reasons. I also hated the cowl/neck/head of his costume.

Michael Keaton, on the other hand, did an excellent job. He was a good dramatic Batman who didn't talk too much. He relied more on body language and facial expressions, making for a compelling Bruce Wayne. His performance in Batman 1989 resonated as a charming and slightly socially awkward character, just like you'd expect from someone who doesn't want to be part of high society.

Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Batman is also commendable. He brought a skilled yet immature version of the character, which was an excellent portrayal for a year one Batman.

In the end, none of these performances quite match the animated portrayals and the voicework of Kevin Conroy. While Batman has been portrayed in many ways, the animated elements of the character have a unique charm and vitality that is difficult to replicate in live-action.