Batman has been around since 1938. Countless comic books; books; TV shows both live action and animated; merchandise and of course films. Not just direct to video quality, I am talking of Feature length variety that you need to but popcorn and tickets to see.
Basic idea stays the same though. Orphaned as a child, witnessing the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne now alone in the world wants revenge. Devotes his life and wealth to this crusade. Taking on the guise of a Bat to invoke mystery and menace in his actions.
Never directly killing but not against playing the long game with both friends and foes as pawns. The body as well the mind is quite powerful but not invulnerable. We have seen him fight the isolation of trusting no one truly. Fear of losing that which he loves once again. Back up plan to a back up plan. Gadgets to fight super human odds. The powerless equal to the powerful.
Protects the innocence but needs people around, a family, to keep him in check. The dark brooding loner has changed in tone depending on the film. Goes from being border line psychotic to slapstick goofy. Depends on the audience as well.This list only counts the actors who portrayed Batman in theatrical releases. Otherwise, we be here quite a long time with very long list. This will necessarily be a plot summary but a description of that version of Batman.
12. George Clooney: 'Batman and Robin' (1997); 'The Flash' (2023)
This version has no real anger. No darkness in the persona. This Bruce Wayne/Batman appears to be more at peace with his past. Laid back with a tone charisma. Yeah, it's not a disguise. You know how people say that Bruce Wayne is the disguise and Batman is the true persona. Not in this case.
Cracking flat jokes; civil minded; showing up in public as Batman with no real brooding nature. Why are you doing this? Doesn't completely trust Dick Grayson/Robin, but not as a mentor/student relationship but more like an older brother. An older brother in a fraternity.
It comes across more like, 'I'm afraid you will get in my way' instead of, 'I want you to keep you safe.' Also, Bruce has a girlfriend. Who really doesn't matter to the story since she know nothing about his secret identity. Know it all detective, yeah. Nonthreatening, yeah. Cares about Alfred dying and that gets real emotion out of the character. That is where it ends.
But, Bruce is Batman, you know he won't lose. That is problem. His plans and easy overcoming makes it hard to feel anything.
11. Robert Lowery: 'Batman and Robin' (1949)
This version was bland. The character was not mysterious or living in the shadows. Genius intelligence; martial arts skills or even counter planning seems not to be present. Good at disguise but operating on sheer luck. Basic crime story type noir of the time. Since it was a fifteen part black/white serial shown in theaters on a weekly basis, had to stretch the story.
Stumbling in and out of traps dealing with little side stories. Generic car still. Working with police openly with no question by anybody as to why are trusting guy who wears a bat costume and uses an alias.
10. Lewis Wilson: 'The Batman' (1943)
This was World War II patriot driven Batman. Mysterious; unknown and considered a potential criminal. Uses disguises and over thinking to stop Japanese Terrorists who are trying to win the war. Black and white fifteen part serial as well. Cloth costume that appeared to be home made and poorly fitted. Cloth costume originated here. Bad fit and all.
9. Keanu Reeves: 'DC League of Super Pets' (2022)
Animated stereotype version of Batman. Brooding and dark. Typical black armor looking costume but overly muscular. Super gadgets in hand and ready to fight against absurd odds. Also adopts a dog, Ace. Love this version.
8. Will Arnett: 'The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
This is the ego driven one. A bit arrogant and impressed by his own existence. To him, he is the best at all things and needs no one to back him up. He is the good guy but he wants to appreciated. Also, he is self aware that he is a lego.
7. Adam West: 'Batman The Movie' (1966)
Here comes wacky. This was perhaps the most beloved and at the same time absurd of Batman. He was not the 'Dark Knight'. He was the Caped Crusader, who drank milk; was a deputized police officer; came out during the day; beloved by all law abiding citizens and was civic minded. Not to mention overly bright.
Oh, and he wore a bright blue costume, which looked home made and quite campy. Ridiculous logic saved the day along with Batman always planning for every possible scenario thus carried every needed gadget in his utility belt. Very kid friendly.
Also during this time the villains were kind of dumb. Capture Batman and Robin; place them in overblown traps; explain their plans and then leave. Not waiting to watch them die. Not unmasking them. Nor just shooting them with guns. Silly but fun.
6. Christian Bale: 'Batman Begins' (2005); 'Dark Knight' (2008); 'Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
This version is strange. I see this one as almost demonic. In the costume, Bruce Wayne doesn't look human. The black armored suit and the mask fit perfectly to his form. Looks like skin. A loud raspy voice with dead eyes. Vicious and quite violent. Code of ethics is very questionable. Very withdrawn even when playing the millionaire playboy. A guise that most versions would attempt. Here the grieving tone never fails.
5. Ben Affleck: 'Batman vs Superman' (2016); 'Suicide Squad (2017); 'Justice League' (2017); 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' (2021); 'The Flash' (2023)
Beefy and trusts no one but Alfred. Years as Batman has taken it's toll. Violence and possibly killing is no longer a last resort. Doesn't not trust nor likes those with superpowers. To Batman, a guy like Superman, will eventually become a dictator enslaving mankind.
Best to kill such a threat? The costume is more like a military armor style then cloth or mere rubber. The Batmobile has guns similar to the 1989 Batman. This Batman is scarred mentally. Almost a villain in some ways. His paranoia leads to Superman's death leading to redemption of reaching out to super powered heroes but still he tortured by fear that he cannot hold back.
4. Robert Pattinson: 'The Batman' (2023)
He is an outcast. Fits nowhere either as Batman or Bruce Wayne. As Bruce, he is de-shoveled; quiet and numb. As Batman he openly works with Gordon while other see him as a terribly liability or threat. Completely obsessed with fighting crime. No need or want to be people oriented. Only the affection of Cat woman, do we see a hint of humanity. By the way, armor.
Even his father figure, Alfred, cannot break through. Bruce is in pain. Grieving. As if he is dead. Interacting with others is weird to watch. Bruce is quiet alien never trying to hide it. Vicious against crime devoting all effort to plans and weapons. Will not kill but might be tempted. He wants to help and will but is very awkward.
3. Val Kilmer: 'Batman Forever' (1995)
This is a Batman at a crossroads. Being Batman is not making Bruce happy. No matter how many villains he catches or kills, nothing changes. Working with Commissioner Gordon exclusively and still seen by most not trusted as an ally. Haunted by guilt over his parents death. Believing that it was his fault being in that alley that night. The pain continues to live inside him, making him question that maybe it is time for Batman to retire.
Facing that pain he finds the balance. His new love, Chase, and a new partner, Dick Grayson/Robin, he can mentor, possibly healing himself. Bruce sees he doesn't have to be Bruce or Batman, he chooses to now. The same coin with different sides.
2. Michael Keaton: 'Batman' (1989); 'Batman Returns' (1992); 'The Flash' (2023)
This defined the theatrical version of Batman for the next four films from 1989 to 1997. The latter two were a little light hearted. The first two were violent; dark; edgy and twisted humor. This Batman is not one of outer anger but has a calm internal anger that makes him quite dangerous. His tone never goes beyond a whisper of sorts. The costume is molded rubber with a neck that cannot turn. Must face forward.
He lives on fear and will kill. No one trusts him at first. A focused mind. Watching the world to make up for something that was not his fault. Revenge never satisfying. He is human as Bruce but mere passable. Withdrawn into the crusade.
1. Kevin Conroy: 'Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm' (1993)
In my opinion, this is the true The True Batman in many ways. Is he perfect? Of course not. This is the closet we can get to comic book version. Both sides literally have a different pitch. Batman is gravelly/almost dead, but as Bruce is lively with an upbeat tone. This Dark Knight keeps a moral balance. He is haunted by his past. The crusade gives him purpose. Will not kill though might be tempted to. Costume was dark blue and was apparent cloth but looked majestic. Like a code of arms.
This version of Batman first debut in 'Batman: The Animated Series' (1992) and is a continuation of that Universe. In this movie, we see that Bruce wants to be happy. Vengeance would gladly be healed for the right reasons. Which would be love. There is loneliness in the character. Works with Commissioner Gordon but not totally trusted by politicians; civilians or police.
A true detective which uses his mind more then his fist. Punishment given by out thinking his enemy then breaking them. He wants to truly save the day. Carrying the pain when he clearly may not.
This Batman would continue on in series such as 'Batman The Animated Series'; Adventures of 'Batman and Robin'; 'The New Adventures of Batman'; 'Batman Beyond' 'Justice League' and 'Justice League Unlimited'. Kevin Conroy would also voice Batman in various other animated films direct to video.
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