Top 5 Kevin Conroy Batman Performances
Top 5 Kevin Conroy Batman Performances
Kevin Conroy has portrayed Batman for the last 30 years. That’s longer than any other actor, live action and/or voice talent has done it. In doing so, he became the voice the vast majority hear when they pick up a Batman comic and read the speech bubbles. He started off as the Dark Knight on the Emmy Award-winning Batman: the Animated Series in September 1992. Kevin continued to voice the Caped Crusader in that universe as a member of the Justice League until 2006. He transcended the DC Animated Universe and remained the voice of Batman for several video games and DC films.
Sadly, this talent recently passed away. Batman fans across the globe are unified in feeling that loss. Conroy’s performances were nothing short of iconic. But we now have 30 years of classic material to watch repeatedly and share with our kids. Here’s a look back at some of his most memorable moments within the DCAU. The list is extensive, but I narrowed it down to the Top 5 Kevin Conroy Batman performances.
5. The BATMAN WHO LAUGHS
The New Batman Adventures is commonly referred to as the fourth season of Batman: the Animated Series. It’s final episode “Mad Love” is based off of an Eisner Award-winning one-shot comic book of the same name. Needless to say, it’s a powerful story that centers around the Joker and Harley Quinn’s chaotic relationship. In one particular scene, Batman gets himself out of a very bad situation Harley has him in by getting inside her head. His dialogue begins with laughter some have called perfectly unsettling. The speech that follows is classic Conroy doing what he does best. Check it out for yourself below.
4. "I Am the Night"
Batman has doubted himself a few times throughout the course of the Animated Series. His crisis of faith in the episode “I Am the Night” is about the closest he comes to retiring the cowl for good though. When his good friend and ally Commissioner Gordon is critically injured after the mobster “the Jazzman” shoots him, Batman becomes very depressed. Dick Grayson attempts to help pull him out of his slump, but Bruce continues to blame himself. The dialogue in this particular scene illustrates just how dark and dramatic Conroy can be in his portrayal of the Bat. This scene hardly feels like it’s taken from a kids show, and I love it for that reason.
3. ON DEATH
This scene from Justice League Unlimited is a favorite amongst fans. Ace, of the Royal Flush Gang, is pretty much Stranger Things’ Eleven before that show ever existed. Like Eleven, she was studied and tested on in a lab throughout her childhood due to her ability to get in people’s heads. Batman is chosen by Amanda Waller to be the person to take her out. Instead, he sits with her, shows empathy, and let’s the child die on her own while holding his hand. It’s an incredibly moving scene, and really demonstrates the compassionate side of Conroy’s Dark Knight.
P.S. It is believed that his faithful hound in Batman Beyond was named after her.
2. BRUCE WAYNE VS BATMAN
When asked what his favorite episode of Batman: the Animated Series was, Kevin Conroy replied “Perchance to Dream”. He loved this episode because it really illustrated the difference between Batman and his alter ego. Aside from the clunky animation in this episode, the story is quite good. Bruce Wayne is trapped inside a dream induced by the Mad Hatter, living out a perfect life where his parents were never murdered. Eventually things start to unravel and he comes face-to-face with Batman. Naturally, Kevin played both parts back-and-forth during their altercation, and it’s very interesting. This is the only time we get to hear his Bruce Wayne voice and Batman voice having an argument with one another. He must’ve had a blast recording this scene.
1. Inside the cemetary
Mask of the Phantasm is often agreed on by fans to be the quintessential Batman movie. It builds upon Batman’s origin while introducing one of his best rogues yet, the Phantasm. We also get Mark Hamill at his best as the Joker. In-between the action lies some of the most emotional performances in this particular world of Batman. The following clip demonstrates just how powerful Conroy can be as the voice of Batman’s secret identity. Bruce kneels at his parents grave and begs for things to be different now. The vulnerability and fervor in Conroy’s voice is unmatched in this scene.
HE IS BATMAN!
Many fans loved Keaton as Batman in film, and a number of viewers preferred Bale. Some might say Affleck or Pattinson are their favorite live action Batman. But when it comes to the voice of the Bat, no one competes with Conroy. He created something so iconic that it will be the voice we hear when we read a Batman comic now and until the end of time. He is widely accepted as the best version of the Dark Knight. Aside from all of this, he was genuinely a great person. I had the honor to meet him years back, and to say he was a kind soul is an understatement. Let’s wrap this with a video of Kevin being Kevin, giving a shoutout to a fan, and explaining why people are so drawn to the Batman character.
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