Top 25 Kevin Conroy Performances as Batman

 

Kind of like with Stan Lee, Kevin Conroy has left an impact on my life in a way. Not only did he voice and eventually play Batman/Bruce Wayne, but he understood him far more than probably any other actor that has played him. The complexities, the weight he carries and all the things he has endured. He has been Batman for multiple generations across many mediums and was the first one to introduce the idea of giving Batman and Bruce Wayne two distinctive voices. Today, I am picking out 25 of his best and most memorable performances as the character. Everything on this list are the times I have seen or heard him play the character or be in another capacity, but still very much Batman related. All personal preference, with a few that have left a bit of an impact on me. The last time he was Batman was in the video game MultiVersus which isn't quite as memorable as say anything from the Arkham games or the DC Animated Universe. He was and still is vengeance, he was and still is the night, he was and still is BATMAN! Let's go and be aware there may be spoilers ahead:

25 - Robin, where are you?! (Teen Titans Go: Real Orangins)

Let's start the list with a silly one. Most of us will be used to Conroy being a somber and serious Batman. But here, he goes all silly as Robin once again explains the origins of the Teen Titans. If there is one thing this show is good at, it's replicating different animation and art styles, and the style of the original animated series is well represented here. Many of us forget that Conroy is actually a lovely man who even though takes playing Batman very seriously, he is also a funny guy too. Even channelled his Batman to boost morale during the 9/11 incident. So yes a funny one for Conroy this one and certainly not the last in this list.

24 - Epilogue (Justice League Unlimited)

This episode of Justice League Unlimited is a pretty special one. Not only was it considered a potiental ending to the show, but also the storys that are tied to Batman and Batman Beyond. Because none of these animated shows the form the DC Animated Universe wouldn't have happened if the original Batman animated series wasn't a success and it definitley was. In this episode, Terry McGuinness goes to visit a much older and retired Amanda Waller who explains how he and Bruce are very much alike. Both being family and each sharing the same heart in a methodical way. Her words also speak true of Conroy who understands the character all too well. We can also tell in Conroy's performance as Bruce in this one is one that demonstrates his ability to voice an old and decrepit Bruce Wayne as well as a very sympathetic young Batman. Of course at the time, its not the first time he has done those two types of voices, but it definitely shows his range in an episode that despite the release order, is very much in the canon for the shared universe, set at the end of the Batman Beyond timeline with references to everything to do with Batman (apart from a few familiar faces because at the time, Cartoon Network wanted the show to not be confused with The Batman which was in production at the time).

23 - Outsmarting Superman (Superman: The Animated Series: World's Finest)

While nowadays a shared universe is very much an idea that many want to have a crack at, it wasn't quite as common when it came to the Batman and Superman animated series from way back. Many would go on to say that the three part episode "World's Finest" is a crossover. Because no one knew at the time that these characters and settings are all part of the same universe. They even share the same animation style once the Batman series moved production from Fox Kids (as it was then known at the time) to Kids WB in the States. But for Conroy's performance in this one, it shows that his Batman is always several steps ahead and even the much more powerful and non-human Superman can't outsmart the world's greatest detective. Still not keen on Joker's style here since they changed production, but Batman is still as great as ever in this at the time, crossover between shows. It even became a dedicated hour to just the two shows alone.

22 - Good Cop, Bad Cop (Justice League Unlimited: The Once and Future Thing)

In a rare moment for Batman fans, the second part of this two part story gives us a moment where Bruce Wayne actually becomes more bad cop than Batman. Though in this case it's more because the Bruce Wayne in question, is much older and therefore knows a thing or two about interrogating criminals in ways that even a young Batman wouldn't think to use (well probably anyway). It's also good in a way because it allows Kevin Conroy to give both characters two different voices which makes sense in this episode, so much so that even I thought they were both voiced by different actors. Shows how well he can act when it comes to voicing two characters in the same scene (though not the first time mind you).

21 - Batman sings (Justice League Unlimited: This Little Piggy)

In this episode which is another one that is centred on Batman and Wonder Woman's potential love for each other, we are treated to Batman singing at the end of it which is not only a rare sight to see for the caped crusader, but its also shows how great Kevin Conroy is as a singer. Maybe he should've done more singing, but doing so through a character he once said he would always play in a heartbeat, is the best way to go about it. He is still very much in character when doing so too.

20 - Voicing multiple Batmen and Bruce Waynes (Batman: Gotham Knight)

Batman's first outing in the DC Animated Original Movies series of films, saw Kevin Conroy return to voice multiple variants of the character, all with a different style of anime style animation. Though for a lot of us, it was initially a tie in to The Dark Knight films, but it has been confirmed that whether it is part of that trilogy or not, the canonicity is open-ended. Still, it was nice of the people behind this wonderfully animated anthology film to bring back Kevin Conroy to voice his most iconic role in what I would think is the first time voicing the character since Justice League Unlimited and he does well in his performance with each story.

19 -  Time for a Mystery (Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?: What a Night for a Dark Knight)

It's not uncommon for Mystery Inc. to have the occasional crossover with various iconic characters. In fact, before this one, they already had an encounter with not one, but three Batmen. Olan Soule for the frist crossover (appearing as the Adam West version), Diedrich Bader for the Brave and the Bold crossover and Troy Baker for Lego Dimensions. This was their latest one which was the first one to have one of the more iconic actors to have portrayed Batman and despite the seriousness that Conroy gives to his performance as always, there are still a few laughs to have from him which is to be expected in this kind of crossover. Not just that, but this would end up being Conroy's final animated appearance as Batman before his passing, which makes this one even more special.

18 - Fun Times with Harley Quinn (Batman and Harley Quinn)

In another Batman film in which it amps up the silliness, Conroy returns to his more iconic Batman in a film that sees him and Nightwing team up with Harley Quinn. A lot of laughs are to be had in this buddy kind of comedy superhero flick, but Conroy does well here to keep his cool and serious Batman in check. Plus with Melissa Rauch in the role of Harley Quinn, what's not to like in this open-ended continuation of the DC Animated Universe (and definitely not the last one from the DC Animated Original Movies Line).

17 - One Bad Day (Batman: The Animated Series: Harley's Holiday)

In this very well written episode of Batman: The Animated Series, Harley is released from Arkham, a few things happen and it ultimately leads her to being locked up again. But as good as that sounds, it's on the list because Kevin Conroy puts on a performance that makes his Batman more sympathetic to Harley who tried to do good when released, but ultimately went back to criminal activities. Sympathizing over how heroes and villains can never truly live a normal life, which once again makes me believe that Conroy truly understands that sort of stuff that we may all live normal lives (or close to normal in my case), but not the characters that he and others give the voice to.

16 - Alien Batman (Batman: The Brave and The Bold: The Super-Batman of Planet X)

Conroy makes a couple of appearances in The Brave and The Bold as various characters. In this one, he plays a Batman that is more Superman than Batman in terms of his city, his villains and the fact that the main Batman of this show, has powers when he arrives to his planet. It's fun to see Batmen joining forces to do some good while trying to understand one another and it works well when two actors that really like the characters, play off on one another. A more alternative Batman to what we are used to, but still very much Conroy doing the best he can do.

15 - Batman is scared (Justice League: Doom)

Now everybody panic! Kidding of course. So in an adaptation of the comic book story "Tower of Babel", Kevin Conroy plays a Batman who is scared. Yes you heard that right. Batman being scared. The basic premise is Batman has made up a few non-kill contingency plans should him or the JLA ever go rogue. Vandel Savage somehow acquires these plans, amends them and sets a series of events that incapacitate the JLA. With Batman having freed from the fate he was given, he attempts to save the JLA and bring Savage down. This is that time where Conroy's performance actually comes across as very scared and terrifyed which until this film, was uncommon for his Batman and he does a wonderful job of it. Showing the fear in the Bat's voice and just doing the best performance he can do with a Batman who is scared.

14 - Discovering what Jason Todd has been doing (Batman: Arkham Knight)

Arkham Knight is a worthy ending to the Arkham series of games and media, but its far from perfect. One of the things that most fans will pick up early on is the identity of the titular Arkham Knight. That person being Jason Todd which lots of fans including me, will have picked up on much earlier than say the casual Batman fan. Bit annoying that it doesn't quite click to Batman that its Jason Todd even with the Joker giving it all away on a silver platter. But Conroy's performance when he finally meets Jason Todd for the first time since he lost him, demonstrates both fear and relief. Fear that it took him to embrace the darkness to come back and relief because he is back. Just not as Red Hood just yet as his original story goes (which itself was an official fan made effort back in the day).

13 - Telling Superman to Stay in Line with a Green Line (Injustice: Gods Among Us)

There are plenty of moments in the Injustice games that are great for Conroy, espeically when just by his voice and presence alone, he quietens everybody down. But nothing could be as insane as when he talked down not his Superman, but a more heroric one from another Earth who considered what happened to alternate Superman being something that he could end up doing. Conroy as Batman of course, reminded him that people will come after him if he does that. Defintley putting some aggression to his voice there, but not too much to the point where Conroy's voice in unrecognisable.

12 - Batman cries (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox)

Although Conroy is not present for the majority of The Flashpoint Paradox, his appearances are most welcome as he serves as a person that Barry Allen goes to for advice and all that. After the event, Flash pays Batman a visit to explain what happened and gives him a letter from his father in the alternate timeline. Although both in the comic and the film, its not expiclitly seen what he has written, it gives this Batman a rare moment to have happy tears. Another rare moment for Conroy who became more emotional in voice the moment Batman read the letter and thanked Barry. Further demonstrating his acting ability as Batman.

11 - Outsmarting a "God" (Superman/Batman: Apocalypse)

Besides various superheroes, Batman has also been known to put gods in their places with the most common of them being Darkseid. In this film, Batman and his allies travel to Apokalips to rescue Supergirl. As most of them are battling his minions, Batman meanwhile confronts the god himself and through Kevin Conroy's voice, we can tell that he can be very intimidating even to Darkseid. And it works. He threatens to blow up the planet (though many of us know he would never go through with it anyway) and by sheer wit, luck and a careful choice of words, Darkseid yields. Further proof that Conroy can be quite scary at times.

10 - A Bat that's Broken (Batwoman: Crisis on Infinite Earths)

In his first and only time playing the character in live action, Conroy gave us a treat for fans. He plays a version of "Future Batman" which is a homage to the character from the "Kingdom Come" storyline and in a dramatic change of pace, Conroy plays a Bruce Wayne who has abandoned all his values and principles and is very much a broken man. Of course, the whole "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover is a big love letter to DC fans but having him play the character physically for the first (and only) time, was just really special for fans like me to see. Even if it's a different take to what we are used to.

9 - A Eulogy for Superman (Justice League: Hereafter)

In a very Superman centred episode of Justice League, Batman is determined to prove that Superman didn't die by Toyman's hands. But when he finds nothing, he ends up doing his own little eulogy for the man of steel which shows how much he respected the guy even under all the seriousness that Conroy usually delivers in his performances. In fact, some could argue that his Batman in the DC Animated Universe, eventually becomes more and more sympathetic to everybody around him, while still being tough as always to those who deserve it.

8 - Robin's Reckoning (Batman: The Animated Series)

In this episode of The Animated Series, Dick Grayson is going after the man who killed his parents. But Batman intervenes and forces him to stand down. The big Conroy moment in this is when he uses his sympathetic voice to explain to Robin (who just had an outburst with him) that he didn't want him to be consumed by hatrid or want to go on a killing spree. It's a great and iconic moment for his Batman to be able to have that talk with Robin as shows just how much he understands his partner in crime and how much he cares for him.

7 - Trying to Help the Joker (Batman: The Killing Joke)

The Killing Joke as a whole, may not be the best Conroy Batman film out there, but when it actually gets down to the story itself after the unneccessary filler bit with Batgirl, we all get to watch a moment in history. Much of the film reunites the cast of The Animated Series who all play their parts well in bringing the iconic comic book story to life and in a rare moment for Mark Hamill's Joker and Conroy's Batman, they actually share a very mature conversation. Conroy puts on another great performance that shows how much his Batman cares for the Joker who very much needs help. But is passed the point of wanting help. In the end, both share a good joke together and its just a lovely moment shared between otherwise very strong rivals.

6 - Baby-Doll (Batman: The Animated Series)

The Animated Series has for the longest time, been widely known for introducing a number of characters to the Batman mythos and revised origins of some of his most iconic villains. But as tragic as many of the villains are, none could be more so than Baby-Doll. A character who has a condition that makes her not grow up and goes out of her way to try and relive the days when she was a star. But in the end, Batman has to put an end to it. But in doing so, Conroy delievers a performance that once again, makes him very sympathetic to a character who wasn't the same character she was many moons ago.

5 - Making the Joker Laugh (Batman: Arkham City)

The Arkhams games as a whole, have done well to give us a fresh new take on the Batman mythos while also using some familiar voices in doing so. Toward the end of Arkham City, Batman faces the Joker who accidentally makes him drop the cure for the disease that both characters are carrying. Joker fails to get his share in time and as he slowly dies, Batman tells him something funny. That despite everything the Joker has put him and the people of Gotham through, he would have saved him in the end. A pretty dark performance from Conroy there, but one that does stick with you for a while at least.

4 - Meeting his Idol (Batman: The Animated Series: Beware the Gray Ghost)

In a very special episode of The Animated Series, Bruce Wayne meets his idol the Gray Ghost. Its special because it bought back Adam West to voice the titular character in his own episode. It would be the first time these two iconic Batmen would share time together and it was great. They both fared very well, played on each other's voices and even though the Ghost would end up being a villain in the end, Conroy tries to understand the Ghost's frustration and it was good. But certainly not the first time the two would end up in a thing together.

3 - Finally Encountering Joe Chill (Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Chill of the Night!)

In another special kind of episode, this time The Brave and The Bold, Batman at long last finally faces Joe Chill. The man responsible for killing Thomas and Martha Wayne. It's extra special because as well as Conroy who voices The Phantom Stranger, it also features the return of many 66 and The Animated Series actors including Adam West and Mark Hamill. Many of which are vocing different characters to their usual ones while Diedrich Bader remains as Batman. Despite not being Batman this time around, Conroy's performance makes him out to be the voice of reason as both he and Spectre (voiced by Hamill) play the game of being the good and bad side of Batman. It's just a great episode that cemets itself into the mythos and featuring the return of many Batman veterans in voice acting.

2 - Divided Over Love and Vengeance (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm)

In Conroy's first ever feature film as Batman, he has a moment where he's playing a very vulnerable Batman. One who is torn between his mission that his parents left him and actually finding love. It's quite a somber moment and one where Conroy puts on a believeable performance that makes us feel sympathetic for Batman as he puts on the cowl for the very first time in the DC Animated Universe. One of his best moments at really understanding Batman and all he is.

1 - I Am The Night (Batman: The Animated Series)

Die hard fans will know exactly why this is number one, but those of you not in the know, allow me to explain. In an episode where Batman faces Scarecrow and his fears, he eventually is able to overcome them. But how he does it, makes him utter what is arguably Conroy's most famous and well known catch phrase. That being "I am vengance. I am the night. I AM BATMAN!" which has stuck with many of us for quite some time. Always brings me chills whenever I hear those words which makes this my number one Kevin Conroy performance when it comes to Batman or Batman related media.

And that's it. Now I don't always do lists dedicated to just one person. Only those that to me, have had a lasting impact on me such as Kevin Conroy who has been Batman for multiple generations. Agree or disagree or maybe your have your own moments. Either way, leave them in the comments below and remember, its not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you. Wise words from the late great Kevin Conroy.