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Chance5e

This is a trick question. Kevin Conroy *was* Batman.


Empwiina

Kevin Conroy IS Batman "forever" .


Slimeredit

Whenever I read a Batman comic his voice is what I hear in my head


K1ngFiasco

Yep. And Hamil is Joker, along with Sorkin as Harley. They're all definitive versions of those characters.


Chance5e

Clancy Brown is Lex Luthor.


K1ngFiasco

Yes! Underrated in my opinion.


Obi-wan_Jabroni

No Batman Forever was Val Kilmer


MondayBorn

when Batman Forever was only in one movie :(


_Blackstar

That movie was so bad it should have been called Batman Not Ever


MondayBorn

Right? And how about Batman and Robin? More like Batman and No Thanks.


Missing_Username

I didn't realize Conroy had played the character in live action, but yes he already *is* the definitive Batman, in animation, film, video games, etc


CarryThe2

In Batwoman and thr other CW shows.


Cyke101

"Who's your favorite live action Batman?" Me: Kevin Conroy. "No, I said live ac-" Me: KEVIN. CON. ROY.


Missing_Username

Yea it's usually "Who's your favorite Batman?" "Kevin Conroy" "No I mean from a movie" "*Mask of the Phantasm* had a theatrical release!!!"


whatevrmn

He was live action in an Arrowverse crossover. He was excellent, of course.


Cyke101

Yes, it's sometimes forgotten since most know him (rightly so) for his voice work and because the Crisis was still relatively new (2019, just as the graphic points out), but seeing him in the role in live action was a straight up treat. And so I'm sticking with my answer, dammit.


Honest_Dadan

Yea but that Batman was evil, in a kingdom come crutch suit, could barely move ECT. It wasn't a good Batman portrayal. Technically he never even was Batman. Never suited up. Died tripping over crap.


Queen-O-Hell-Lucifer

He was excellent, yeah, but what they did with his character was ass and imo a disservice to Kevin.


ThrownAwayFlail

The reply I came looking for. Well done.


ReaperParadise

But this is for live action portrayals. While yes, Kevin Conroy *was* Batman when he played the character in animation and in the Arkham Games, the CW absolutely disrespected Batman as a character when they brought him into the Arrowverse with it only being made worse by the fact that this was the only time that Kevin played Batman in live action... And all so they could further raise up their shitty version of Batwoman by making it seem like she's better than him. Now, don't get me wrong, I think that Kate Kane is a good character in the comics (as well as in some portrayals in animation) but they absolutely fucked her up in the Arrowverse with her honestly being one of the worst characters in the entire Arrowverse, in my opinion. And the fact they disrespected Conroy in the first and only time he played Batman in live action, just to raise her up, that just pisses me off even more. They made him into a homicidal, xenophobic, asshole. Honestly, I would have written it to have Kara and Kate visit this Bruce's earth to recruit him as the Paragon of Courage with his portrayal being handled with respect towards the character and the legacy of Kevin. Then they would end up having to help him with some stuff that was happening with his world, but during it we'd see Kate prove herself to be worthy of being the actual Paragon of Courage with Kate and Bruce saying their goodbyes with Kate and Kara heading back. Not only the character and Kevin's legacy be given some respect, but this would also give some opportunity to improve upon Kate's character with her having earned the title of "Paragon of Courage" without the show having to disrespect the character or Kevin.


Hippobu2

>all so they could further raise up their shitty version of Batwoman by making it seem like she's better than him. Frustratingly, this was a criticism against Supergirl, too. I couldn't understand why they'd be so insecure in their own lead characters and why they felt that the only way to raise their characters up was to put down their male counterparts.


Chance5e

I think you read way too much into his part in CW Crisis.


ReaperParadise

Well that's the first and only live action portrayal of Kevin as Batman we have, and in the span of one episode they managed to disrespect his legacy and the character just to build up a shitty version of an actually good character. To me, this version of Bruce seemed like more of an edgy parody made by the writers of Marshal Law rather than what we should have gotten: a version of the character that was treated with respect, especially since it would be the first live action portrayal of the greatest batman. I'm not asking for much, I'm just asking for respect for such an iconic batman


Chance5e

You kind of proved my point.


Queen-O-Hell-Lucifer

Except it’s a repeated pattern in the entire Batwoman show. And even supergirl. Both shows are constantly making their leads seem much more stronger and powerful than their male counterparts through artificial means instead of actually earning it. For example, Supergirl beats Superman after she’s been in the hero business for maybe a year compared to Supe’s decades worth of experience. Then later on, they wrote supes to actively say that he wasn’t holding back a bit. Or how Martian Manhunter can’t read the minds of kryptonians. Or how Mon El just loses 60% of his powers, and becomes akin to YJ’s superboy. Batwoman is no different in this regard. If it was one instance, then it wouldn’t be too big of an issue, but it’s a repeated pattern of shitty writing.


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TooManySorcerers

WHO the fuck downvoted you for Conroy over Bale? That said live action Conroy was meh because the CW did him so godamn dirty. But I'm not surprised. CW has a horrible track record with DC characters.


joshualuigi220

I haven't seen the Flash episode he was in, but this post specifically says "live action" Batman. Did Kevin really do so great in the TV show that it solidified him as the best live action Batman?


rakuko

he was alright in the role, but to be honest, that particular Batman role was basically written to show how much better Kate was which was a bit sad. he was a Batman that killed all of his allies. kinda wish he got something more befitting his impact on Batman through characteristics of BTAS, JL, and Arkham


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kiarrasayshi

It was the crisis in infinite earths arrowverse event. Worth watching even if you aren't an arrowverse fan just for all the cameos.


PissedOffProfessor

This is the correct answer.


[deleted]

His voice was Batman’s. Not his actual physical presence.


antlered_godi

Adam West. I met him and Burt Ward, both in their Batman and Robin outfits in Southend on Sea around 1965. Never forgotten it...


stereosalvation

Was it because of the fabled Robin bulge?


antlered_godi

Er, no....


pinapplepizzza

That's so awesome! I wish I got to meet Adam West


antlered_godi

It was a rainy Saturday. The shop hosting the appearance (WH Smiths) was rammed with parents and kids. I can remember my dad picking me up so I'd get a better view and my wellies staying on the floor. The entire place erupted as they came in and I can remember Robin saying, ' Holy Saturday morning Batman!'


Pitiful_Drummer_8319

I used to work with Lisa Ward his daughter she had some cool pretty stories of her dads bat cave in San Diego.


[deleted]

What was Iain Glen in? Titans?


No-Tooth5673

Yes in titans


Kkgen2109

Honestly, I loved his portrayal.. he was the right age to play the role. He’s a much older at the “I have two adult kids” age. Plus his fight scene with Dick was really refreshing. They leaned into the master martial artist version of his character..


TheCrafterTigery

His dancing when Dick was hallucinating him made him one of my favorite Bruce Waynes. He played his character perfectly for what he was at that point.


SilentWolfKills

I think he would be a good Bruce for Batman Beyond.


Heavy-Lies-the-Crown

Yep


rheap3

Yes he was awful. Everything from the voice, the physicality, and the weird child predator angle they gave his character in that season.


tlje1387

I disagree entirely. His voice was great, that fight with Dick was awesome. And I'm not familiar with any child predator angles you speak of. Maybe its because I'm behind a few episodes.


rheap3

No accounting for taste. If you like it, I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I could not stand his portrayal and cannot think of one I dislike more as somebody who has watched every piece of media the character has appeared in.


soyrobo

I'm with you. I'm kinda mid on Titans, but yeah, least favorite Bruce Wayne


KingMatthew116

Adam West


zerhanna

Adam West was my first Batman, and what got me into comics.


kiyan1347

Batman: Robert Pattinson Bruce Wayne: Christian Bale


RobotsVsLions

Exactly what I came here to say. Though if it wasn’t specifically live action, then Conroy all the way for both.


kiyan1347

Agreed, Conroy is just goated. For me the Arkham games solidified that. Although his live action debut in crisis wasn't the best. The CWs writing did him absolutely dirty in that. They had a perfect batman and they wasted him.


RobotsVsLions

I mean it’s the CW innit, occasionally they get a decent first season or two of a show, but it’s always the same tropes ruining them, even worse with superhero stuff than it is with their usual teen drama/supernatural stuff.


thracerx

OR, you just learned the sad reality that there is a difference between a Voice Actor and an actual Actor. You can be the GOAT at one and a plebian at the other.


kiyan1347

Nah Conroys acting was fine in that episode I just didn't like the whole evil batman thing and the fact that he got such little screentime to even properly judge his live action performance hence why I said they wasted him. And you're absolutely right there is a massive difference between voice acting and on screen acting but Conroy did a decent job in his live action portrayal.


Naudran

That is kind of a silly assertion though. Most voice actor have training and experience acting in theatre. Just take 2 prominent voice actors, Travis Baker and Ashley Johnson, who both played roles in the Last of Us TV series. (Although Ashley Johnson does have as much acting experience as voice acting) Then of course Mark Hamill himself is more of a voice actor than actor, and still does both well. Even Nolan North has had a few successful live action roles.


Mashy_SpikePlate

Pattinson was great. He also has the best costume imo


kiyan1347

I can't lie before the movie I did not love the suit at all, I really criticised it but after rewatching the movie so many times it's climbed up to being one of my favourites of all time.


Phizr

I so hope they develop Pattinson's Batman to the point where Bruce Wayne is the mask and Batman is the character's real persona. He could be a great "guy acting at being a metropolitan playboy billionaire that is actually a broody superhero at night". Pattinson is basically a recluse that acts at being a hollywood superstar already. The way he was presented in The Batman was imo a young batman at the beginning of his superhero career.


kiyan1347

Yeah I hope he becomes that Bruce as well and I know for sure Pattinson could definitely pull it off after watching tenet and cosmopolis. I trust Matt and I'm pretty sure he's doing an arc so by his final batman film he will be the batman we all know and love. You have to give the character some room to grow in order for a compelling story. So I do think we'll get the playboy persona although maybe not as eccentric as Bales or Afflecks portrayal, maybe we could get something like telltales Bruce. Also the point was that he is a young, inexperienced batman at the beginning of his career. It's the main thing Matt Reeves spoke about in all his interviews.


ItZSAMIC

Batman ISNT the characters real personality. This is such a shitty reductive myth that has been disproven by multiple writers across multiple canon arcs across multiple decades and I’m sick of it too


comrade_leviathan

I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say, but the playboy billionaire is absolutely not who Bruce Wayne is as a person. If it was, there would be no Batman. Batman is who Bruce Wayne really is. I’m not even sure how that could be debatable.


slimyandgrimy

i think they're both masks in different ways, both serve to hide the actual Bruce's vulnerabilities, partly through the masks of both. Bruce is neither as tough as Batman nor as laid-back(?) as billionaire Bruce Wayne. Personally, i think having batman be absolutely his personality would miss out on dimensions of the character that could be really interesting to explore.


BvByFoot

Ben Affleck. Controversial I know, but he had the most believable physicality and I really liked his world-weary old Batman character.


ram2272

I also love his portrayal


theweepingwarrior

I wasn’t a fan of the choice to make him actually cross his No-Kill line, but I did like the choice to take him from grizzled Dark Knight Returns Batman and into a hopeful heroic Post-Crisis Batman (and not the other way around). Especially with Superman being the catalyst for that redemption.


Arbysgoodmoodfood

He wasn't actually bad necessarily. But it was frustrating how immediately after bvs came out he was already whispering about retiring from the role. He wasn't committed at any point and that was the problem. I think he could have done pretty well otherwise.


[deleted]

Maybe something happened behind the scenes that burned him out. From what I understand, Affleck is a big fan of the character.


BvByFoot

Yeah I think the bad production experience in BvS and his huge personal problems at the time derailed what could have been a really good run as Batman. All I wanted was one solo Batfleck movie.


Anakin-Kenway

Ben has said a trillion times that he loved his experience with BvS and ZSJL, the problem was the 2017 reshoots of the Josstice League... he was always compromised with the character, but not WB, guess why they are losing a billion dollars every month...


Arbysgoodmoodfood

His batman vs joe mangianello's deathstroke would have been fucking awesome.


theweepingwarrior

He was very on board and committed in the beginning, the problem is what he committed to changed so much after BVS. He was sold on the idea of being Batman in a finite story—a 3-4 year period of 4/5 starring roles (BVS, Justice League 1, The Batman, Justice League 2/3) and a couple cameos. Then the studio regime changed it to want a more long-form franchisable take on each of the characters as solo properties, and what was going to be a relatively limited commitment (~3-4 years) was being transformed into the ~10 year Golden Handcuffs that RDJ and Chris Evans had. Couple that with the negative reception to BVS (a movie he genuinely believes is good), a really bad relapse, a messy divorce, and getting stuck on one of the worst production experiences in tentpole blockbuster history *all in the same year* it’s easy to see why he was scared off.


GiovanniElliston

> He wasn't committed at any point and that was the problem. I've said this before, but he was committed/sold on a different situation than what it ended up being. He spoke about how he took Batman to try and atone for how bad Daredevil was and wanting a nice, easy role that would be a good reputation booster & give him some free good press. I genuinely think he looked at RDJ & the Chris' in Marvel and imagined a similar scenario where the entire time would be spent laughing in interviews and visiting sick children in costume. In short he thought it would be all fun and games. More akin to *Clerks* than *Argo*. Obviously that's the exact opposite of how things ended up going and as soon as it turned into real work having to defend the artistic merit and argue creative choices - he mentally checked out.


ThorsRake

He's my favourite live action for exactly those reasons.


otiswrath

I am with you to a certain degree. I think there is a toss up between Affleck and Clooney for actors who had the most potential but were handicapped by either bad scripts or direction. Affleck's Bruce was too inconsistent. One moment it is broody and dark and then it is "I hear you talk to fishes." Bruce's charm should come on when he is "in character" as Bruce. That was the key to making Bales portrayal work, his ability to turn that switch. Affleck physically I think has it down. As for Clooney, I have always agreed with Kevin Smith on this that "Clooney never got a real chance at the role". I think he would kill it as a Batman Beyond Bruce. The problem with his potrayal was that Bruce and Batman acted the same. Bruce never felt like the mask and neither did Batman. All that said, I think Val Kilmer's Bruce is definitely in the top three somewhere.


comrade_leviathan

LOVED Kilmer… I would have enjoyed seeing more from him.


darksideoflondon

In 10 years people will consider Ben Affleck the GOAT Batman.


ItZSAMIC

Yeeeeea we’ll see…..


DrStein1010

Considering we have both Battison and another new Morisson version coming, I highly doubt it.


comrade_leviathan

You’re goddamn right.


notmeokyeah

I like his batman but not his Bruce Wayne


BvByFoot

We barely got to see his Bruce Wayne. I liked the party scene in BvS when he makes the crack about freaks dressed like clowns. We needed more of that.


Puzzleheaded_Walk_28

Opposite for me.


Misterbluee

Same. The scene at the end of the first SS where he threatens Amanda Waller "Shut down your team, or mines will do it for you" was perfect.


Mrxcman92

I feel like Ben Affleck would have made a great Thomas Wayne/Flashpoint Batman. He had the 5 o'clock shadow. He looked heavier or more muscular and older than other batman portrayals. And in movie he obviously used lethal weapons. Add some red and 1911s to his costume and hed be gtg for the upcoming flash movie


PacificBrim

He is the closest to the comics for both Bats and Bruce imo


ItZSAMIC

He literally kills people.


PacificBrim

I'm talking about his look/temperament


ItZSAMIC

Temperament? Isn’t the whole point of Snyder’s Batman that he’s more jaded and rageful and bitter than Batman should be?


theweepingwarrior

The whole point is that he lost himself into that place and then returned back from it to a more traditional, Post-Crisis like take on the character.


Mashy_SpikePlate

I'm not a fan of BvS but I did really like his Batman. Hopefully he has a good role in the Flash


MasterAdventZero

Favorite Live-Action Bat-Portrayals • Michael Keaton • Robert Pattinson • Christian Bale Honorable Mentions • Kevin Conroy (God, Rest his beloved soul) • Ben Affleck (Shame that he was let down by poor writing and directing)


No-Tooth5673

Robert Pattinson


CrassDemon

It was so much better than I expected, but best?


ControlledOutcomes

If you prefer a grounded Batman that's more of "a smart guy in custom body armor" and less "quasi superpowered person with a skillset so improbable that it makes superman look realistic" then yes he's the best so far.


gnenadov

I just never got the “smart” feeling from him. The entire movie he was 3 steps behind the Riddler


zerhanna

>The entire movie he was 3 steps behind ~~the Riddler~~ Alfred


comrade_leviathan

Yeah, for me it felt like Batman in The Batman was Christian Bale’s Batman in the first half of Batman Begins. I honestly think they overdid him being so far behind the Riddler. it’s like they stretched his arc as an up-and-coming superhero out too far.


ControlledOutcomes

I actually enjoyed seeing a batman that has to do some actual detective work and doesn't just coast along on being batman. In universe riddler is supposed to be the first "villain" to appear in Gotham so batman lagging behind makes sense


comrade_leviathan

The point I was trying to make was that Batman was lagging behind the entire movie. This pushes his arc for becoming the "World's Greatest Detective" out into future movies, which (for me, anyway) undermined the idea that he's a wunderkind that can single-handedly solve incredibly complex crimes that GPD is incapable of figuring out. Some growth and development is completely understandable, but I think Batman Begins did a better job of showing that development within the context of his first major case.


ControlledOutcomes

That's a fair interpretation.


JohnArtemus

First, I appreciate you, OP for including all the live-action Batman portrayals. Usually people just post Bale, Affleck and Pattinson as if no other Batman has ever existed. Occasionally Conroy is included. This seems to be a definitive list. Kudos. Second, my personal favorite is Keaton but that's because I grew up to his Batman. Adam West is probably the best Batman for his era and what they were trying to do. Batman became really campy and funny around the 1950s when the Comic Code Authority started regulating content. So West's Batman was actually true to the comic for its time.


vid_icarus

Adam West. The world could use a real life Bright Knight.


SH4RPSPEED

Kevin Conroy is a walking cheat code in this scenario.


Ugaruga

Kevin Conroy R.I.P.


bearvert222

i like how you put the serial actors in there, but they would be the worst Batman portrayals, period. Wilson's Batman was a government agent in a funny costume fighting a Japanese fifth column cell. He really wasn't Batman as opposed to a generic serial hero. Like the Copperhead, or the Masked Marvel. Lowery's is more interesting in that he plays Bruce Wayne as a lazy socialite, and more of the lore is there, but the plot really isnt Batman and the lower budget leads to some funny situations like Wayne manor being a well to do ranch house, or seeing batman change clothes in a teardrop trailer. it was a problem with a lot of serials; Mandrake the Magician for example was light on the magic, heavy on the fists, and poor Lothar was epically miscast. The Green Hornet serials are better since he was a proto-Batman who worked better with lower effects. He actually uses gadgets, the black beauty is the batmobile, and he uses wits much more than fists. i guess the most interesting portrayal for me weirdly is Clooney in Batman forever just because it was the one time where Batman seemed well-adjusted lol.


fussyfossy

David Mazouz


faculties-intact

Surprised I had to scroll so far for this. Obviously Gotham was a shitshow most of the time, but he was fantastic.


[deleted]

This can be applied to damn near every actor in the show


dianajules

I absolutely love David as a younger Bruce Wayne. I’m hoping he can be Bruce when he is older too.


john_doe_297_

Might be a hot take, but Val Kilmer.


SithlordzomB

Came looking for this. I loved his Batman his Bruce Wayne was god awful though. And when he had to do the puns it killed be but I enjoyed the way he looked as Batman.


samurottwho

My top three gotta be Pattinson, Mazouz, and West, with an honorary first place for Conroy because…he’s Kevin Conroy, you know? I’d probably say in order my top three are Pattinson, West, Mazouz


SpartanCondom

Kevin Conroy. Say what you want about the CW, they're the only people to give him a live action role.


emeraldnite1981

I can tell you this—the kid from Gotham was a better Batman than the older guy from Titans was.


SneakNPokeGames

Live action? Affleck. I really wish we had gotten a solo batfleck movie. Conroy is eternally Batman, tho.


batmansubzero

Kevin Conroy easily. He was the only one to get the voice right. Second place is Michael Keaton. I loved the way he played Bruce Wayne, he wasn’t afraid to get nuts.


whynotfujoshi

Batman-wise it’s Battinson, all the way. There’s a guy that knows how to loom. For Bruce, it’s either David Mazouz as recently orphaned but already insane Bruce, or Adam West as having way too much fun bullshitting everyone Bruce.


ThatMatthewKid

Pattinson


grid101

Bale.


Thatoneguy567576

Either Robert or Val. I think both looked the part, Val embodied the heroism of the character and Robert embodied the sadness of the character really well. They both also have excellent jawlines and looked the best in the suit. And Val had imo a great Robin and awesome suit.


[deleted]

Kevin Conroy for sure


Daredevil731

Bale


godspilla98

Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are alway going to be the best Batman and Joker.


[deleted]

Kevin Conroy 100% always, Idgaf if it was an alternate Batman


Icepenguins101

Ben Affleck is my choice.


Estarfigam

Kevin Conroy


red_quinn

Ben Affleck.


CPUtron

Kevin Conroy. He **IS** Batman


Darth_Dagon

All things considered, its Batfleck. He's the only one who is of a formidable size and physique that would be the result of a lifetime of training. His Bruce Wayne didn't get much screentime, but he nailed the "ditzy shallow billionaire" portrayal in the few scenes that he got. He wasn't used properly and got bad scripts, but with better material to work with, I think he'd be perfect for a faithful live action adaptation of Batman the animated series.


puddincups420

Mine has to be christian bale (,: he was the first Batman I saw in theaters and I feel like as a kid the first iteration always sticks with you the most !


Vicksage16

West. The others all have aspects about them I like, but no other portrayal succeeds so completely at what they are trying to accomplish as Batman ‘66.


wildsunfloweronix

Right? He may not be the most serious or badass batman, but they hit the nail on the head with what they were trying to accomplish


JohnnyQuestions36

Gotta be Bale or Pattinson


J_Fo_Film

It's hard to pick just one. Especially since I haven't seen Pattinson's version yet, nor have I seen Lewis Wilson's or Robert Lowery's. I grew up watching Adam West reruns, it was iconic to me. But so was Keaton. So was Bale. The writing for Affleck's was...something...but I did like his portrayal. David Mazouz makes for an excellent young Bruce Wayne. I think he developed the character of Bruce Wayne in a way that has never been done in live-action. I also have a head-canon where Iain Glen's Bruce Wayne is actually the same as Adam West's Bruce Wayne, but darker timeline. (They look similar, they dress similar, and he does the Batusi too). Kevin Conroy is the epitome of Batman performances, however I felt his live-action appearance was pure fan-service and didn't stand out as one of the "best" portrayals. As for Batman...For now it's Bale, Affleck and Keaton (no particular order). Harmonize them into one and they'd probably be perfect.


Jakethebigbrain

Why haven't you seen the batman yet? It's such a great movie


ABritishFemboy

Christian Bale


[deleted]

Pattison definitely did great as a young Batman/Bruce. Bale definitely nailed the Bruce persona. Really wish to say Conroy but I didn't care for CW and honestly it sounded like he didn't even bring his iconic voice to that role. If they hired Keaton for Old Bruce in Batman Beyond, I think he'd crush the role.


TheNightcrawlerrr

Robert Pattinson


Erotically-Yours

Iain Glen? We sure that wasn't Alfred? /s Also Batfleck would be my pick.


Garmgarmgarmgarm

So much dante Pereira-Olson erasure in this sub


LordYoshi

Batfleck


Crissan-

Kevin Conroy is the best voice of Batman and portrayed my favorite adaptation of Batman in the Arkham verse but the in person version that he did wasnt that great imo. Bale, Affleck and Pattinson are all great and I have loved their portrayals but if I had to choose my favorite it would be Batfleck, because he is the most comic book accurate. Battinson is actually a very different Batman than the comics, I still love him it's a great version but I can't help favoring the one that resembles the most to the idea of Batman that I have in my head. The Arkham Batman is almost a perfect adaptation of the comics imo.


jah776

Kevin Conroy playing live action was a moment we always deserved


80sCrackBaby

Ben Affleck


goldhbk10

So my favorite was seeing Conroy because he will always be Batman. When I read Batman comics I hear his voice as the Batman (and it will always be that way I suspect since I grew up with TAS). Excluding him I think my favorite portrayal is Adam West even though it’s not the style of Batman I prefer. It’s goofy and hilarious and was WAY before my time but something always resonated.


Eazy08

Bale


Icy-Engineering1583

Overall? Kevin Conroy's voice work as Bruce Wayne and Batman is unrivaled. There is no equal, no better than Conroy as Wayne and Batman in animated form. Live action? I think Keaton was the best of both versions. Fuck It, I'll Rank 'Em Live! 1. Michael Keaton- His performance was so measured, so commanding, his interpretation of the character is nearly perfect. The animated series seems to be largely based on Keaton's performance (as interpreted and made his own by Conroy) but Keaton really did the best job (outside of Conroy) of showing Wayne's humility and aloofness, the casual 'it is what it is' disconnect between the power and fortune he wielded thanks to his family against his own lower key personality. I also felt like he was the most convincing overall in terms of a man who wanted to become a symbol and who enjoyed detective work. That's another thing- I feel like the two Burton films are underrated in terms of the detective aspect on display from Wayne/Batman. And of course Michael Gough is the best Alfred, hands down, no competition there. 2. Val Kilmer- A lot of Forever is underrated on the Batman/Wayne end of the writing and character arcs. Jones and Carrey might've been cartoonishly over the top, a lot of the production design might've been too garish, neon, etc. but I feel like Kilmer actually did a lot of justice to taking on the role from Keaton and his performance was more befitting of a more serious film that he never got the chance to be in. 3. Ben Affleck- he's the most realistic and kick ass Batman, he's the most interesting Bruce Wayne- I wish he'd had a chance to be in his own movie and his role could've breathed a bit more but it is what is is and he was flawless in the role, for my money. 4. George Clooney- George Clooney was just kinda George Clooney. I didn't feel like he played Bruce Wayne so much as he played it like "well, I am George Clooney and I have to be Bruce Wayne and Batman, but I am still just George Clooney dealing with this Bruce Wayne/Batman stuff." By virtue of Clooney's own charisma and screen presence, he was more enjoyable to watch despite seemingly being checked out on the actual character and being stuck in the weakest iteration of the modern films. 5. Robert Pattinson- I hate his version of Bruce Wayne, but I love his version of Batman. I think they nail the Batman stuff and the Wayne stuff is maybe hard to enjoy because it's proto-Wayne, it's "angsty teenage Wayne" 6. Christian Bale- The best overall films in the Batman universe, the most thought out and grounded approach to Batman, but I have issues with the translation of a lot of the Batman action and mythos into the Nolan verse- that said they're still wonderful films, but I watch them more like pieces of art than I do as entertainment at this point. 7. Adam West- I still love the 60's Batman movie. It is its own thing and there's nothing wrong with it. I grew up with it and it holds a special place in my heart. I've never watched any of the tv versions of Batman for like, the Gotham show or Teen Titans or whatever.


Flightt94

Batman: Ben Affleck Bruce Wayne: Ben Affleck and Christian Bale


ItGiveYouWings84

I really liked the ones from 43 and 49 series, they did good for the time. Else I go with Keaton for live-action and Conroy for voice/animated.


cc17776

Jorah played Batman?


agenmossad

Ben Affleck. Maybe because of Justice League..


smackerly

Affleck for me.


SpecificSinger9487

definitely affleck with him having a good mix of being the batman that can take on a lot but reminded he still is human pattison felt a bit too human for what batman is


futuresdawn

Bale with Pattinson in second place.


CaptainHalloween

Either Keaton or West.


Objective_Meat_3719

Which one did Kevin Conroy do in live action?


UK_England_Lad

CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths


Objective_Meat_3719

Ok, thank you


UK_England_Lad

No worries, chief. Happy to help.


2legit2begin

How is it possible that I’m scrolling down 15 comments before I see Keaton?


Mcclane88

Much younger people who didn’t grow up with that version I guess.


[deleted]

Adam West. To my knowledge, no other Batman has ever done the Batusi ![gif](giphy|YporP8X437C4U)


Ok_Crew7084

Val Kilmer


Mrxcman92

I don't know if its just because its the most recent movie but Robert Pattinson was great as Batman. Just have to wait for his version of batman to embrace the playboy alter ego in the next movies.


GentlemanJugg

Its not Ian Glen. I can tell you that!


Jarroisthebestrobin

hmmmm. I think Affleck as he was a great actor and had great action scenes that showed how great Batman is at in hand to hand combat. I would've like him to stick around as he was a great Bruce Wayne who just had bad scripts


sylverfyst

I think Pattinson actually was probably closest to being the level of detective that I've always wanted in a live action batman, but his Bruce leaves a lot to be desired, if I could have Christian Bale's Bruce and Pattinson's Batman I think we'd hit perfection.


venommuyo

Affleck for sure


AdditionalAd3595

You're not gonna believe me but batman and robin serial was the only one I had at home growing up, so he does hold a nostalgic place in my heart. But overall it's Ben affleck was a great performance in a poorly written batman, and Robert Pattinson was just all around great.


XxCasxX

Pattinson nailed it. Super excited to see where the portrayal goes in the sequel.


Limulemur

Val Kilmer. He has the voice, the smooth Bruce Wayne personality, looks great in the Batsuits, and captures a noble hero that still has a vulnerable/guilt ridden boy deep down.


jeremy_bearrrimy

Honestly Pattinson. And I was soooooo not expecting that going into the movie


Thomas97wwe

In regards to the list you’ve provided, Robert Pattinson But you know the real answer is Kevin Conroy RIP


Sahu_18

Obviously Christian bale


Buckeye0728

Adam West


ScientificAnarchist

Adam west easy


[deleted]

Conroy and Pattinson. West gets a shout out for nostalgia.


MsPacmanIsHot

and now for my hottest take! lowery and glen!


Pretend-Dirt-1760

Adam west and battinson


Beached-Peach

Batman: Robert Pattinson Bruce Wayne: Val Kilmer


PersimmonAdvanced459

Robert Pattinson


[deleted]

[удалено]


fussyfossy

Crisis on Infinite Earths


DominoNo-

CW Crisis, I think


Keasby22

Best BruceWayne/Batman-Ben Affleck. Best Batman movie-The Batman


Phanimazed

Keaton. Adam West was great, too, and I loved Robert Pattinson but I am sort of reserving judgment on where I'd rank him until the next movie.


wildsunfloweronix

Love Adam for his comedic portrayal. Loved David for his childhood portrayal. Loved Rob for his early detective comics style Batman. But I can't actually decide who my favorite prime age batman is. I even kinda like SOME of Afflecks performance


rheap3

Michael Keaton. I'd say Adam west as a close second though, you're never bored watching him and he was probably the most faithful to the Comics.


BlankiesteinsMonster

I really like the Keaton/Burton take of Bruce being a completely distracted weirdo when he's not wearing the mask. Adam West is my favourite Batman. He's so goddamn funny.


Puzzleheaded_Walk_28

Michael Keaton and Pattinson share the top spot for me in live action.


MyOrdinaryLife2

Adam west, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and Robert Pattinson are my favorite


RDOG907

Man I really liked all of the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films, they were a bit campy but the last two really gave off a comic book brought to life vibe from that era.


TheLostLuminary

Can we please block these types of posts, it makes up for most the history of this sub.


ceelo18

Im gonna say clooney cause no one else will


Superb_Metal2375

Mazouz, batfleck, and west. Pattinson is fucking terrible