Kevin Conroy

The problem with the question is that the character himself has been depicted so incredibly differently over the entire course of the production run of his comics and each and every actor has portrayed the character perfectly, in accordance with at least one version of how he was depicted in the comics.

Aside from Conroy. Affleck was the most comic accurate imo. Suit. Lifestyle. Combat. Presence and fear.

Ben afflict 100% as older Batman detective who gave up on the justice system and only wanting payback. He gave up on the system. He didnt care if he was seen as "justice". His size was amazing too. Not a fake bulked up suit but actually put on huge muscle mass like no other batman did. His version of bruce was great too with 1 simple line "whats your super power" "am rich" perfection. He showed fear too. When superman showed his strength he just was in ahh but as well knew he was fd. He knew needed an uperhand.

In BvS, Affleck’s Batman was a Batman who’s been around for so long that he no longer cared about how he appeared as Wayne. He only used the Bruce Wayne persona to further his mission as Batman. Contextually it made sense for the character.

In both Keaton movies, he does the detective work, investigating the joker's chemicals, investigating the penguin's past etc...

If you combine Keaton’s theatrical charisma, Bale’s raw no BS attitude and Pattinson’s detective work/good nature: that’s batman

Batman did do detective work in Batman 1989

I actually think the Pattinson portrayal (mostly due to the writing), does capture one element of Batman that I have not seen in any other live action portrayal. That being the focus on helping people. Lots of people forget how compassionate and selfless Batman is; it's the reason why he doesn't quite fit the definition of an anti hero. He's not just going after criminals, he's trying to help people in general. Easiest examples I can give; in the animated series, he volunteers his time at shelters, he gives jobs to people who need it, he supports projects that help the people who need it the most. When he's dealing with the criminals he tries to help them to "come back to the light". Sympathizing with Mr. Freeze, offering Clayface to find a cure, trying to help Harvey Dent recover his identity, giving the Ventriloquist a job to get back on his feet, even down to giving Harley Quinn the dress she wanted to buy when she's recommitted to Arkham. Justice League the animated series, jumping into a burning building to save a little girl and telling her she's going to be alright. In the animated universe, trying to talk a mother down from throwing her baby off a roof and then telling the baby he's sorry when he can't save the mother. Comforting a crying child he's just released from a cage saving her from being horribly disfigured. There's a saying that I love "If you can't picture this incarnation of Batman comforting a small child, it's not Batman." Nothing against any of the prior actors, it's just the movies never really took the time to focus on this (Affleck helping the civilians in BVS does not count as far as I'm concerned because of how Zack Snyder reacted to the question of why Batman kills in this movie. Showed me where his mind was when he was writing this character). The movies typically portrayed Batman helping people he either had a personal connection with or would have a connection with (Robin, Vicky Vale, Rachel, Harvey etc.) , or saving them in general by defeating the bad guys. There wasn't much focus on Batman going out of his way to save the people directly. When Pattinson's Batman cut the wire, led the people to safety, and then helped with the rescue efforts, that was the moment where I felt that Matt Reeves understood this character. That is the first time in my memory that we ever had a scene like that in a live action Batman movie. It was that moment that I could see Pattinson meeting that requirement I listed above, and I think it's important because it was the defining character change of the movie; Batman changing from a symbol of vengeance to a symbol of hope and protection. Again, that's on the writing, but man does that earn some points in my book. If we could combine the Bruce Wayne that Christian Bale gave us, the physicality of Bale, Affleck, and Kilmer, the detective nature and compassion of Pattinson, I think we would have a perfect portrayal of Batman. But only if it's Kevin Conroy's voice

The way Batman moved in the Flash movie fighting that huge kryptonian is how I imagined Batman will fight. Not too bulky yet not too thin and but very agile.

ben affleck's batman nailed it in batman vs superman, from the height, body mass the chin, the darkness and brutalness captured it all

We were robbed of Bens Batman, he really does it for me.

Christian Bale came closer than any to a real life Batman. That’s the point of a live action film. His was more believable, it made you feel like he really could be Batman. That’s what did it for me with The Dark Knight trilogy.

Affleck's Batman + Bale's Bruce Wayne + Conroy's voice = the perfect Batman

The only one i wouldn't want to piss off was Afflecks. That being said, that would make him the best.

I aint never seen Christian Bale like that i my life

I’ve been saying this for years and I wholeheartedly agree with you. Ben Affleck‘s ferocity in Batman V superman was unmatched. While Christian Bales, Bruce Wayne was suave, so sophisticated and intelligent. Perfect combination.

The 1989 batman had detective work. He figured out who the joker was and figured out how he was poisoning the city.

Batfleck - "Men are brave" 🔥

Rewatched this due to the last video. It’s a great assessment and review of those who have played the dark knight. Love the channel and the Batman in depth analysis. Appreciate it

Batman 1989 - his detective skills were definitely on display. He figured out the way to avoid getting poisoned by the Jokers chemicals. He also figured out who the Joker was. In Batman Returns he also figured out Penguins scheme with the children.

I think the second Batman film is gonna be about Bruce becoming the philanthropist we know and love. I think that’s why Reeves focused so much on Bruce’s obsession with Batman in the first movie. To show that he’s learned over the time in between films and now realizes he has the means to help the city during the flood and restore his family name

Michael Keaton did detective work. He's the one that figured out what the Joker was doing with the grocery products.

Christian Bale is my favourite, he nailed the character of that billionaire who everyone hates yet at the same time he's willing to sacrifice himself for the people, and he struggles while doing that because he's one man after all, his shape was perfect tbh, let's be honest he was wearing armor, realistically speak, if he was big and wore armor he would've looked ridiculously overburdened.

Look, suit, voice and physicality = Batfleck Morality, code and ethics = Battinson Gadgets, tech and weaponry = Baleman Vehicles = Keaton

The Michael Keaton Batman did figure out how Joker was poisoning people, so detective work, but they did do that in the background and only show the end result of him solving the problem.

West: has his cheesy quirks, but was certainly a product of his time, by being brought into the mainstream. Keaton: where would the hero be today, hadn’t been for this iconic depiction, especially for the modern world. Conroy: very dreamlike, so aesthetically surreal. Kilmer: leaves me speechless, in the weirdest way possible. Clooney: we don’t speak of such things. Bale: a fan favorite in the history of cinema, though very realistically approaching. Affleck: so unnerving, very otherworldly. Pattinson: a fresh restart, for something so comic accurate.

I agree that Bales Batman wasn't as an intimidating figure as Afflecks. To have seen Bane man handle Afflecks Batman and break his back would have made a very terrifying scene indeed.

Kevin Conroy said himself he thinks #Batfleck is the best batman of all time! Mad respect for him because he was the best! R.I.P

Why does everyone like Ben Affleck’s Batman? He was just the punisher in a bat suit.

I think Christian Bales portrayal is the best of them all, as far as live action goes. I loved the fact that he disguised his voice the way he did. Out of all of them, he's the only one you really can't recognize with the mask on. I've been a Batman fan for 60 years, and Nolan truly captured his essence in his triolgy. I always hated that, in the live action versions, you could always really tell who the Bat was, just by looking at him or listening to him, especially Adam West. I will also say, that to me, Kevin Conroy is the best Bruce Wayne and Batman, of all time, animated or other wise. His decades long portrayals, gave him a depth and breadth that no one else will ever achieve. I miss his Batman/Bruce so much, what a great artist, thank God for DVD's. I had to admit that I was wrong about Robert Pattisons attempt, I was very pleasantly surprised by the strength of his performance, and am looking forward to his next go. I would rate them, Conroy 1st, Bale 2nd, Affleck 3rd, and Pattison 4th. I always thought that the Burton films were too much Burton and not enough Batman, his touch was a little too much like his body of work, an early Scissorhands/batdude so to speak. The first film should have been called, ''The Joker' and not Batman, Nicholson is the best realized character in Burton's versions. and bumping him off at the end of the film was borderline insanity/stupidity. I also loved Ben Afflecks portrayal and will forever wonder if the film he was going to direct, would have been as great as his directorial skills would have allowed. He is a great director, just direct the damn thing Ben!!!! Joel Schumacher is the reason why Clooney's film sucked so much, not the actors, and that's why it is the absolute worst of the bunch, bad writing,editing, and directing and who in the hell decided to make Batgirl, Alfred's neice or whatever in the hell she was, this film truly stank up the theater.

In 1989 BATMAN, Batman cracks the Joker's chemical combination that is killing people. He provides the information he discovers to Vicky Vale who then gives it to the news. Detective work in the movie, just not entirely shown as to how he solves it. The fact is, there is some detective work in his character, it's just not predominantly displayed.

Adam West was technically the only live-action portrayal that accurately adapted the source material because it was the most like the comics published at the time. Episodes were even based off issues of Detective Comics and Batman from the Silver Age.

I’m really surprised that you didn’t make note of the fact that the Adam West Batman (and Burt Ward Robin) were VERY faithful to the Batman and Robin of the Dick Sprang years.

Robert Pattinsons Batman yes made him kind of a loner instead of an excentric billionaire because it was more based on the comic Batman Year One, which shows a young Bruce Wayne and early Batman who is just trying to get it right and figure out what it means to be the Dark Knight of Gotham while also tryin to figure himself out as Bruce Wayne. I thought his performance was amazing. But Kevin Conroy will always be my Batman

Val’s performance deserves more love from casual fans. He portrayed Bruce’s fractured psyche as well as anyone has. He didn’t put on the eccentric mask as much but he still felt like a playboy with how he treated Kidman’s character.

Claiming Michael Keaton didn't do detective work is absolute nonsense. His portrayal, to date, has leaned into actual detective work and intellectual prowess more than any other.

Michel Keaton's Batman rule

So basically after watching this video again, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck are the two actors who were the most accurate when it comes to Batman. I can believe that because I've since moved Affleck up on my ranking list at #2. Though, he started off rocking with me when he first started, he did get better as he went on. Bringing two versions of the character to live action.

While Bale is generally the most beloved Batman to the oublic as well as the most reality-grounded, I think Ben Affleck is more faithful to the character in the comics. He also does some great detective work which is essential to his character.

I'm going to disagree about the lack of detective work of Batman in the Keaton movies. He discovers the Joker's poison combination, which while not shown a lot of on screen, he still purchases the items, does the tests, and cracks the toxic combination, saving the city with the information. He is often shown doing research in the Batcave, also tying Penguin to the red triangle gang. I'd say it shows his detective side rather well.

Michael Keaton. He balanced every aspect of Batman perfectly, crime fighter, scientist, and detective. Other actors tend to focus on one aspect. But Michael balances all three

Bit harsh to criticize Keaton of all Batman portrayals for a lack of detective work, as he was by far the one who did the most prior to Pattinson. And one knock against Bale which is a cardinal sin for any Batman to me : he’s by far the dumbest of them all. Batman is supposed to be a master tactician, that’s the one thing that makes him better than the rest, and in every single one of his movies, he blindly rushes into action like an idiot and gets outdone by the villain who thought everything out, and then does the exact same thing again in the final act but gets away with it that time due to one element of luck that was completely out of his control.

I like how Bales voice changed over the movies it became more animalistic overtime like he was losing more of himself the longer he was Batman.

Considering Adam West was portraying Batman in the 60's (the character didn't take a darker turn until the mid-late 70's), his portrayal was pretty spot-on for the time. ALSO, did you not re-watch Batman '89 for this video? A big part of his story with Vicky Vale is the fact that he figured out Joker's chemical poisoning scheme and he wanted her to give the evidence the authorities.

I honestly loved Bale, Affleck, and Pattinson and all 3 are so different.

You forgot Lewis Wilson from the 1940’s Batman. And don’t Forget David Mazouz from the most underrated Batman esk show Gotham. Loved seeing young Bruce developing into the dark knight. While the finale left something to be desired and we did see a little of Batman, it was an excellent portrayal of Bruce Wayne.

After seeing the flash, I Am reaffirmed that Michael Keaton is the best Batman. He is probably the only person who could play the character in his late 60s and did not matter at all.

I think Pattinson has yet to portray the Philanthropic aspect of Bruce Wayne and being the playboy. He even has a line in the end narration. I think we’ll see his evolution into the Bruce Wayne/ Batman that we know and love, but it’ll be a process.

Personally I loved the depiction of "Batman" by Michael Keaton #1 followed by Christian Bale and #3 Pattinson because of the darker "Batman" personality he depicted! Kevin Conroy's voice definitely #1 of all!!!

Makes me realize just how deep Batman and Bruce is. Took all these actors to bring different aspects of him. I’d say Patterson(best detective cuz you can see him working everything out in his head, also had some pretty gritty/brutal writing for fight scenes), afleck (most intimidating in terms of body appearance), Christian bale (best Bruce Wayne billionaire interpretation. )Those are my top 3😂

I think something that's missed about Battinson is that EVERY SINGLE STEP he takes, especially while in the suit, is almost lethally calculated and the tension is so tight that you can physically SEE how deliberately he's moving around. Take the scene in the beginning, when Gordon is escorting him through the hallway to the crime scene, or later at the funeral when the DA has the bomb as a neck collar. When he enters that room and the cops notice him on the monitors slowly creeping across was so satisfying to me for some reason. The subway scene (and beginning monologue) also come to mind. I think these are all definitive Batman moments. It really shows the depth that Robert was able to create and how studied he was in the psyche of actually being Batman (in the suit), IMO. Hopefully he bulks up for the next couple movies and we see his Bruce Wayne mask take form.

You forgot about the old black and white batman TV show from the 40's it looks corny now but its part of the history

TBF, we also have to consider the different ages of the comics. Adam West, despite the camp, was an accurate depiction of the Silver Age, when a Comics Code was implemented that prevented writers from depicting characters too seriously. In fact, the entire series pretty much depicted all the characters the way they were depicted in the Silver Age.

The Twilight guy did it the best. And he had the best suit, all of the previous suits before his looked wrong.

Adam West portrayed Batman EXACTLY as he was in the comics of the time. Gold and Silver Age superhero comics were written for children, and the 1966 TV writers constantly lifted scripts directly from the comics

It really is criminal how underrated kilmer was...sucks being between a batman everyone loved and one everyone hates

Actually Keaton Batman did do detective work in both movies. It was just done behind the scenes of the story. In the first movie he is the one that cracked which products not to combine to prevent Joker’s toxin to activate on peoples system. In the second movie he did investigate the Penguin’s past and his connection with the Red Triangle Gang.

Adam West was perfectly accurate to the comics at the time

Yes, yes, yes. Batfleck in BVS was the best Batman - 100%. Although, I agree his Bruce Wayne could have used some work, but I really think that was due to Snyder's direction. If Batfleck had Kevin Conroy's voice, that'd be perfection.

I was gonna say Kevin Conroy is the best. There isn't even competition, he is Batman. When you say who is the best, what you really mean is who's the most like him. But then you stated that's what you were comparing too. You did the right thing, you compared them to perfection. Kevin Conroy will always and forever be the best.

I think Pattinson has the potential to be the most accurate. If the next movie focusses on him adapting the playboy persona, while also growing as Batman, he might just become the closest to the comics.

Christian Bale is the best representation of batman since it shows the begining and the end of batman

I feel like Val Kilmer did an excellent job and was the best part of BF. He is underrated if you ask me.

Something I think that is often overlooked with Clooney's Batman portrayal is that he seems to choose the different approach to the Wayne portrayal more in the sense of how some with ptsd cope. Some people often reach a point of emotional numbness that they do tend to come off as clownish or insincere when discussing tough topics because it's not new to them and they're numb to the pain, and often death, topics that Bruce Wayne must endure. I think his Wayne impression is underrated because of that aspect because it requires that deeper level of perspective to notice. Clooney is far from my favorite portrayal, but I think the Clooney slander is often misplaced.

I'm surprised you never mentioned his no kill rule, people love to bring that up when they talk about accuracy.

It's really Batfleck, the answer is simple you can quickly reference him to a comic book issue like The Dark Knight Returns. While Battinson, Bale, and Keaton have no direct comic book issue where you can say oh that's Battinson, that's Keaton.

Michael Keaton. He nailed bruce being uncomfortable outside the suit and the change when he becomes his true self in batman.

Pattinsons Batman is definetly the most intriguing take on Batman considering his very distinct style and the fact that this is a Batman thats still very early on in his crime fighting career. I hope we get more movies with him and see further character development. he has so much potential

Micheal did do detective work he looked into Jacks medical records, also found out about penguin being in the circus, and also found out the Jokers trick to the chemicals.

I loved Batfleck. For me there was always the brooding, disenchanted, cynical, alcoholic persona of Batman who I missed from the screen which was brought to life by Affleck. Batman's persona was something in parallel with Marvel's Ironman, and although everyone loves RDJ's Ironman, I would like to see the character's dark side too.

If you combine Affleck BATMAN with Keaton Wayne you'll get the perfect balance

Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck nailed the role physically and characteristically. Both portrayals are most accurate to the source material. Both personified the character and brought nuance, added depth, complex layers to batman. Also Kevin Conroy is an honourable mention. His voice alone encapsulates the essence of batman at his core.

Ben has the looks, Bale has Bruce down pat however I think rob captured batman the best, the suit is good, his mannerisms, ethics, morals etc. I even love how he almost doesn't move like a human, he way he stands and stares uncomfortably, moves like an animal, I think hes just perfect. I also think the point of his trilogy is to see how Bruce changes over time, and him realizing that he also has a role to play as Bruce Wayne that being said I think his Bruce is accurate for his early years.

Keyton is my personal favourite, but in portrayal I like Aflecks. He was clearly going for Frank Millers version, (but a lot of Bats v Supes was lifted from Millers Dark Knight mini-series/graphic novel) and I think his more jaded version fitted Millers vision of an older Bruce perhaps more than other comic writers of Bruce Wayne.

Pattinson is the best off the fact that he is the ONLY one to never kill. I suspect that as his Bruce grows up, we will see more eccentric playboy and less recluse and brooding. Keep in mind his Batman is on year 2, aside from Bale, he’s the only Batman we see that is fresh in his career. Bale definitely has a great Bruce Wayne, and Affleck looked the best and was the most accurate in the suit, and I feel like Pattinson will do the best of both as his films progress.

Realistically, Adam Wests Batman might be the most comic accurate considering the comics that were coming out at the time. Also the New 52 series, Batman '66 continues that shows vibe in the comics

I really enjoyed the Pattison version and I think it does capture a lot of what he was in the original comics, a menace to criminals and the worlds greatest detective

Despite not being in line with our modern version of Batman, the Adam West Batman is an extremely accurate portrayal of the character at the time of the show's release. If you read any Batman comic from the 50s or first half of the 60s, you'll find a Batman that is near exact to West's portrayal. In a lot of ways, this makes him the most accurate depiction of the character. That's the thing with determining the accuracy of a Batman live action portrayal, there are many versions and interpretations of the character in the comics, so comparing a live action interpretation with the source material with a character like Batman is sort of impossible, unlike a Superman or Spiderman character.

The BEST was, is , and always will be Kevin Conroy. His reading of 'The Dark Night' final lines was amazing. Bale's performance was not quite a duality, it was like a triple-sided Bats. The Batman with that over-the-top gutural voice, the public Bruce Wayne (really on-spot) and the real Bruce on his dialogues with Alfred, Rachel and Fox. There is a glimpse of the detective work on Keaton's Batman on the 'Let's go shopping' sequence. He bought all the make-up products, made a chemical analysis and gave the results to the police and the media. A second Pattinson's film will reveal more of his take on Bruce Wayne. In The Batman he rejected and neglected his public persona, he focused everything on being 'vengance'. At the end he learned he needed to be something else, so maybe we'll see more of his public Bruce Wayne persona afterwards. The problem with Batfleck is the material Ben had to work with. Snyder was goint into a very dark place with his vision, WB turned him into a comic relief in The Flash. We'll always be sorry about the Ben Afleck directed (and written) Batman film that never was. So, James Gunn, we're watching... carefully.

Michael Keaton really portrayed the craziness and obsession of Batman.

Keaton was the best and most accurate one to me. It’s not just the big stuff but all the subtleties …the way he moves…his demeanor ..etc. But I also can say that each actor has moments where I was particularly impressed with the comic book accuracy. Bale’s “swear to me!!” intensity in that scene is perfection ..the look…everything about it. Affleck’s warehouse scene is absolutely epic.

Adam West was actually a very accurate portrayal of Batman as he existed during the Silver Age. That squeaky-clean time when the Justice League was holding bake sales and stuff.

Pattinsons Batman perfectly captures what Batman has always been that almost all movies irresponsibly didn’t include.. Batman is a NOIR DETECTIVE. And it was perfect how the first movie was a very young and inexperienced Batman, leaving room for legit character arcs.

Thanks for the props in Kilmer’s direction…I’ve always enjoyed the nuances and subtleties of his performance, both as Bruce and bats.

*Hot take:* Adam West was the most comic-accurate Batman, considering the comics his version was based on.

As a Batman fan my entire life, I approve this list:) Good break down of the characters. Fun video

Neil Adams -- the artist who is responsible for resurrecting Batman in the comics. Unheralded and largely forgotten outside of the circles of comic fandom.

I’ve been a Batman fan my entire life. I think you have to look at where Batman is in his career. Pattinson is a Year 2 Batman and quite exceptional. Bale did a great job, but as a “seasoned” Batman he wasn’t imposing. Aflec was spot on as Batman for the story he was in. But Michael Keaton is MY favorite Batman of all time. He was dark and a little crazy and could be scary. Especially in the first movie.

I’m torn between Bale, Afleck and Pattinson. If we could squeeze them all into one we’d have a perfect Batman. Although I personally think a stand alone with Afleck would be absolutely amazing. He just fits the role of the Arkham games that I’ve loved and imo his ferocity as Batman is what made the cut for me. I also liked his portrayal of Bruce. I mean, he’s been at this for 20 years, and idk about you but at 45-50 yo no matter what my social status I doubt I’d be the charming cute playboy type after all of those years in the cape. Just my two cents on it.

Imagine Bad Man voice: WHEREEEE ARE THEEEEEY 😂😂

In terms of the voice, Kevin Conroy is uncontested, he IS the voice of Batman. In terms of on-screen portrayal, as far as the modern portrayals go at least, they all did a good job portraying batman. Pattinson depicted a younger and angrier Batman in his starting years, and Bale kinda depicted a Batman in his prime, as Bruce he was less moody and nailed down the “playboy billionaire” act, and in Ben’s depiction, he was an older, more experienced Batman, also the most physically intimidating. Adam West - George Clooney portrayals were more comic book-y type of depictions

Why do people always overlook when Keaton had to collect and analyze all of the various makeup samples and formulas to figure out how the Joker was poisoning everyone? That is legitimate detective work.

4:23 - Keaton's Bat-Man did detective work - he solved the Smilex combinations, working out which compounds in which cosmetic and household products would create the lethal agent 🃏

I say Keaton because Bob Kane actually had his hand in that one. He was alive, he was part of the creative process. He has admitted in the past that the previous Adam West versions were not what Batman was meant to be, it was just the only way the networks would agree to present the character. Aside from the Joker being made to be the killer of Bruce’s parents…Batman himself was the closest to Bob’s vision. Sort of like Stan Lee’s hand in the Marvel films before he passed.

personally, i think the batfleck's only reason of being so scary is bcs all of his scenes have a weird -200 exposure tint, that, and the fact that he kills

Bale is the best Bruce Wayne by far, but Pattinson is the best Batman as alter ego. Affleck's fight when he's rescuing Superman's mom is overall the best, most accurate fight.

While I agree wholeheartedly with the result... Keaton's Batman did do some detective work. He looked through Napier's criminal records & also figured out the ingredients of Joker's Smylex. All Batmen at some point during their respective films had done some detective work & (not you) a lot of people think that Pattinson is the first to do it where he was doing EXACTLY what Kilmer was doing! It just bugs me.

Best: Kevin Connroy Best live action: Batfleck Also note that Kevin also stated his favorite and best was Ben's version.

patterson did not come to any answers from his own detective work. it was always via someone else giving him the answer. this removed him from batman contention and you explained why the wayne was removed for accuracy keaton did detective work off screen. who mentioned the products need combination? again, the results are mentioned, but the detective work is not in the script for him. i think aside from those two misses you did a great job. i doubt my love for the Keaton version (i grew up in the 1980s, first with the campy 60s repeats then with Keaton obviously hot on those tails and reading the comics the whole time) as an overall (both sides) i think its a hard choice between Keaton and Affleck. i'd pick Keaton though. as for wayne, bale easily did the best, i think keaton and clooney would be a hard choice for 2 and 3 with affleck fourth as for batman, based on your analysis with the additions i put in, affleck followed closely by keaton i think it would then go kilmer followed by bale i could be wrong, but i wonder if anyone agrees with me so im posting my thoughts.