The Batmen: My Thoughts on the Men Who Wore the Cape & Cowl
Today—September 21, 2024—is Batman Day. A day where comic nerds and superhero fans alike honor one of the most celebrated literary, illustrated, and cinematic figures in history. The Caped Crusader. The Dark Knight. The Batman.
For 85 years, Gotham’s watchful guardian and silent protector has been sewn into the fabric of global pop culture, spanning beyond his American routes. The character’s appearances and styles have changed over the decades, but his never-ending commitment to striking fear in those who prey on the fearful is everlasting.
In television and film, a number of artists have had the honor of portraying the billionaire Bruce Wayne/vigilante Batman combination. The following are my own thoughts and opinions on the individuals who brought The Batman to life on screen.
Christian Bale: My “Real World” Bat
Growing up and experiencing the fantastical world of the Bat, I would often yearn for a cinematic Batman story that was grounded in reality—or as close to reality a comic book movie could get. My request was answered in 2005 when “newcomer” filmmaker Christopher Nolan took over the reigns of Warner Bros.’ Batman franchise. Instead of exaggerated architecture and over-the-top villains, we had a story focused on organized crime and corruption. Mob boss characters like Carmine Falcone and Salvatore Maroni were brought in, along with more of Batman’s Rogues Gallery with a slightly more realistic presentation. With that came Christian Bale’s perfect performance of the three face of Bruce Wayne: the billionaire playboy Bruce, the Bruce that Alfred has known since birth, and the Bruce who “works late.” You could say I was very satisfied with what Nolan, Bale, and everyone involved in The Dark Knight Trilogy gave us.
Keaton & Affleck: My “Comic Book” Bats
Michael Keaton was my first introduction to Batman. Watching him scare criminals on the streets and do battle with Joker & Penguin, I was hooked on this dark and brooding figure. Keaton beautifully understood the assignment, presenting as both Bruce and the Bat flawlessly. Keaton was the first “Dark Knight,” and will arguably go down as the greatest Bat presentation of all time.
Say what you will about his films, but one cannot deny that Ben Affleck did his homework. With the Frank Miller The Dark Knight Returns comic run as his inspiration, Affleck nailed that darker portrayal. Playing an older Bruce, Affleck gave us a vigilante that has seen his share of devastation and is no longer playing by the rules he first set. A different Bat that the mainstream may have not been used to, but a performance worthy of praise nonetheless.
Kevin Conroy: The Animated Bat
For many a millennial, Kevin Conroy is THE Batman. Whereas the others gave us 2–3 hour singular cinematic stories, Conroy was our Bat every afternoon and Saturday morning for years. His voice channeled both Bruce Wayne and Batman with perfection. Fully understanding the darkness within Bruce, he gave us a Batman who defended the innocent and even displayed empathy for certain antagonists like Mr. Freeze, Harley Quinn, and Clayface. Conroy’s Bat taught us a lot and we’ll always love him for it.
Robert Pattinson: The Alternative Bat
No, I don’t call Pattinson “the alternative Bat” just because Nirvana is heavily featured, although that plays a small part. Unlike those before, Pattinson’s portrayal lacks the billionaire playboy vibe, opting more for a emo-bordering-on-goth portrayal. While not the norm, I appreciated this turn—giving us something new when it comes to the psyche of Bruce Wayne while continuing with the brooding darkness of his Gotham City.
Val Kilmer: Good Bat, Not So Good Bruce
Val Kilmer was easily one of the best artists of his craft (if you haven’t, go watch Tombstone right this second). That said, his Batman Forever performance gave us only one side. While his Batman was good, his Bruce Wayne felt like he forgot to turn off the Bat switch, still feeling too much of that brooding vibe while in a tux at a party. At least his story still contained a little of the Tim Burton darkness we love—unlike the following sequel.
George Clooney: Good Bruce, Not So Good Bat
Opposite of Kilmer, George Clooney easily embraced the playboy Bruce vibe but forgot to turn it off once he put on the cowl. Clooney and the rest of the cast are hardly the main reason Batman & Robin failed. That ultimately belongs to the writing, direction, and the overall erasure of the foundation set by Burton. Thankfully, this one misstep didn’t come close to ruining Clooney’s career, but it nearly destroyed the Batman franchise. Bless you, Christopher Nolan.
Adam West: Not My Bat, But Respect Nonetheless
Adam West was not my first experience with Batman, so I understand that plays a part in him not being one of my favorites. I also have an issue with making a comedy series about such a dark character with an even darker past, so there’s that. However, one can’t deny that Adam West gave his all in playing the character he was given. While his Batman is not my cup of tea, he was an amazing artist in everything he did and I will always respect his devotion to playing the Bat of his era.
Feel free to comment on this. This isn’t law—just a random writer’s thoughts on one of his favorite characters. Happy Batman Day to you all, and remember… “it’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”
Anthony Esteves.
