What comes to mind when you think of superheroes? Truth? Justice? Laser vision? For me, I think of power--the power to fly, the power to break the sound barrier, but most importantly, the power to stand up for what you believe in. It was 1939 when author Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane published Detective Comics # 27, “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,” showcasing a new take on what power means.
What was supposed to be just another issue in a mystery-solving series turned out to be revolutionary for comic books and pop culture. Detective Comics #27 changed the trajectory of the comic book world by introducing us to a seemingly powerless superhero, one who goes by many names: the World's Greatest Detective, the Caped Crusader, and even the Dark Knight. But, the name that's meant to strike fear in the hearts of evildoers everywhere is The Batman. September marked the tenth “Batman Day,” held yearly to commemorate the superhero’s impact around the world.
Over almost nine decades, we have seen the masked vigilante portrayed in many forms of media by many talented actors. One of the most well-known and beloved actors was award-winning voice actor Kevin Conroy. After performing classic shows on and off Broadway for most of his career, Conroy debuted as the Dark Knight in 1992 with Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski’s Batman: The Animated Series. He continued to share his talents with the world for the next 30 years in various TV shows, movies, and video games.
To many Batman fans, including myself, Conroy didn't simply “play” Batman, he was Batman. He was the only version of the superhero that we knew. I remember hearing his voice in my brother’s video games, or during the Saturday morning reruns of The Animated Series as a kid and it etched a permanent memory in my brain—if I heard that voice, I was hearing Batman himself.
When I got older and learned more about Conroy’s career I began to appreciate his performances even more. He used his experience of dramatic Shakespearean plays to help bring this noir and true version of The Batman to life, and he is the reason I love this character so much. Fans were devastated to learn about Conroy’s passing in 2022, but we take comfort in the fact that his legacy will live on in his timeless performances as our favorite vigilante.
Another one of my favorite portrayals of the caped crusader was The Batman (2004) created by Michael Goguen and Duane Capizzi. This version of Batman's origins was the cartoon I looked forward to the most every week. It made him more personable and relatable and showed kids (and adults) that even Batman makes mistakes. Watching Bruce try to juggle his duties as the dark knight, be a foster parent to newly-adopted Dick Grayson, and help his best friend Ethan, who was accidentally turned into Clayface, taught me that even though it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it’s okay to take a step back and show up the best way you can.
We see Bruce’s gentler approach to dealing with his villains; he shows compassion and understanding to those sent to Arkham Asylum. It emphasizes rehabilitation instead of punishment, understanding that everyone is fighting a battle of one sort or another and one should always lead with kindness.
That approach is a key factor in why this is one of my favorite portrayals of Batman’s famed rival, the Clown Prince of Gotham himself, the Joker. Not only is his design edgy yet comical but the character writing, paired with the voice talents of Kevin Michael Richardson, added a very particular depth to a character with such mysterious origins. He wasn’t just an agent of chaos who did things with no rhyme or reason; he was meticulous and intentional with his schemes and some might even argue that he sought justice. This thought-provoking adaptation is criminally underrated and I will always recommend it to anyone who wants to expand their Batman knowledge.
Bruce Timm made his return to the franchise with the newest addition to Batman’s animated adaptations, Batman: Caped Crusader (2024), which is currently streaming on Prime Video. Staying true to his iconic noir-style animation, Timm keeps things modern and fresh with his choice of adversaries from the Dark Knight’s Rouge Gallery. Appearances from well-known villains like the Penguin, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Two-Face were accompanied by less talked about villains such as Onomatopoeia, Gentleman Ghost, Firebug, and Nocturna.
I loved seeing how Batman handled the variety of personas he encountered and having a new villain in every episode was a refreshing approach that showcased the versatility of the vigilante’s crime-fighting techniques. This adaptation takes a different approach to the dynamic between Alfred and Bruce, where Bruce constantly gives Alfred the cold shoulder or dismisses any helpful advice from the retired intelligence agent.
While Timm is undoubtedly planting the seeds for future character growth, this change feels off because Bruce has never seen Alfred as the help. He is much more than a butler; he is a friend. Bruce wouldn't be Batman without Alfred by his side. I would love to see a more positive take be made in future projects.
The Caped Crusader wasn't the only premiere Batman fans had to look forward to in 2024. Matt Reeves’ standalone Gotham universe, starting with 2022’s The Batman, is expanding with a limited series following the rise of underworld boss Oswald Cobblepot, AKA The Penguin.
Reeves found his caped crusader in award-winning actor Robert Pattinson, who used his natural brooding abilities to bring the struggles of Batman’s early years to the big screen. And while we still have the rest of the trilogy to look forward to, the audience is now pivoting its focus onto one of the more prominent members of Gotham’s underbelly, the Penguin, played by Colin Farrell in four hours’ worth of makeup and prosthetics.
In anticipation of the series’ Batman Day weekend premiere, a special showing of The Batman was released in early September, accompanied by a Bat Signal popcorn bucket and a sneak preview of the first episode of The Penguin. Unfortunately, I couldn't get tickets or the popcorn bucket but I did see the movie three times when it was first released so I have full confidence that Matt Reeves can capture the complexity of Oswald Copplepot in the same manner he did Bruce Wayne. This highly anticipated limited series had a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes before its premiere. Fans across the country are tuning into the newest episode every Sunday on Max.
For 85 years, Bruce Wayne has shown us how to be the best version of ourselves. Whether it be stopping the League of Assassins or simply saving someone’s grandmother from losing her purse, Batman teaches us that helping people is no small feat.
There are countless directions that writers, producers, and directors can take this character in because of what he stands for and represents. I, for one, am extremely excited to see what other projects come from this franchise.
It’s difficult for me to put into words what Batman and his story mean to me, but I feel a specific connection to his vulnerability and his burning desire to act against injustice, just as his parents did and just as his children will do after him. Batman’s superpower is that he still suits up every night to protect the city he loves, the city his family helped build, knowing that he’s a regular human being under all that armor. I think there’s something beautiful in that.
You don’t need laser vision or super speed to help change the world, you just need to be willing to get up when life knocks you down. Batman is a billionaire playboy dressed up in a bat suit with a utility belt and he is still one of the greatest, most influential, and relatable superheroes of our lifetime and I will defend him until my lungs give out.
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