Who Played Batman Best?

Who Played Batman Best?
Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman for a while now, and we wonder if he'll be do the part justice as we anxiously await the release of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in March. In lieu of Batfleck, here is a look at the best (and worst) portrayals of the Batman in cinema. This list will go in order of worst Batman to the best Batman. Bear in mind that there really is no bad Batman. . .well, except for the first one on our list.


6: Bat-Nipples:
This was the Batman that killed the franchise. George Clooney portrayed the caped crusader in the franchise killing film titled Batman and Robin, (1997). It's honestly not George Clooney's fault. In fact, when interviewed about his role in the film he said, "The Batman thing I wasn't wholly ever comfortable with." Can you blame him? His character dealt with a very punny script, an annoying sidekick, and male Bat-nipples on his costume. All while not being able to turn his neck. It's not your fault Clooney, just directer Joel Schumacher who, as mentioned before, killed the Batman franchise for the next eight years!





5: Batman For-Never:
To be fair, this one wasn't necessarily bad, but you could tell that the franchise was going downhill with Schumacher on board. This Batman was played by Val Kilmer in the previous installment of the Batman and Robin catastrophe, Batman Forever, (1995). Another laughable script hindered this appearance heavily as well as the introduction of the whiny Robin and the campy atmosphere of the film. It is not however, worse than Batman and Robin, but it gets overshadowed by it from time to time.


4: Na na na na na na...:
This live action iteration of the Batman was received fairly well. At the time it was made in 1966, it's campy nature and nonsensical portrayal was family friendly and everyone was watching this serialization with Adam West behind the cowl. Nowadays it seems dumb, and hard to watch, but at the time, the comic's darker tone wasn't as well known, but a fun and groovy TV show had to be made and remains a favorite in the hearts of many. Adam West does this iteration justice more so than the last two on this list because he has a solid Bat voice and was fully committed to the character.

3: The Batman:

In 1989 one man made the first Batman that was comic accurate (to an extent), and fitting for the character. Tim Burton took the reigns of two Batman films with Michael Keaton portraying the Caped Crusader in both the films. These films are widely regarded as the best Batman films and to some this is actually the best Batman. Michael Keaton played the dark and brooding character excellently in The Batman and reprised his role in Batman Returns. It was just what Batman fans needed, unfortunately it took a dive when Schumacher got the rights.

2: The Dark Knight:

In the year 2005 Christopher Nolan expertly crafted the best live action Batman movies. It gave us the origins of the Dark Knight in Batman Begins. Drawing heavily from the comic Batman: Year One. Christian Bale was chosen to become the next Batman and did not disappoint. Bale's suit was also the first suit that allowed the wearer to turn his head. His take on Bruce Wayne is flawless and his Batman is stellar. Though fans complain about his Bat-Smoker voice, this is the number one live action Batman we've seen.



1: The Best Batman. . .voice:

This may not technically count, but in my book this is the best Batman. In 1992, Batman: The Animated Series was released and ran for three years, spanning three seasons. The man who voiced Batman had to be good, he had to sound like the Batman in our heads when we read the comics. This man was Kevin Conroy. After the critical acclaim and success of Batman: The Animated Series, Kevin Conroy would become the official voice of Batman for years to come. His voice is featured in not only the animated series, but in the Justice League animated series, numerous DC animated films and the beloved Arkham Trilogy video games, (yes I said trilogy). He has the best voice for the character, if you don't believe me, watch any Batman movie with him in it.

Kevin Conroy is the Best Batman, period.