LIKE OTHER FAMOUS CHARACTERS OF TV AND FILM HISTORY,

(Doctor Who and James Bond to name a few)The man behind the mask of Batman has had several iterations throughout television and film history. I’m also resisting the temptation to rank them but rather celebrate most versions of our famous Dark Knight. Each of the iconic actors playing Batman are a symbol for their time, ranging from the hippie movement to the western world Post 9-11.

LEWIS WILSON (1943)

The very first appearance of Batman on the screen was in the Batman serial. Lewis Wilson, boasting a more Dad-like physique and Boston accent, was largely forgettable in the role which first aired in 1943, and it wasn’t for several years that the bat resurfaced.

ADAM WEST THE SERIES AND THE FILM (1966-1968)

Whether you love or hate him, Adam West’s goofy take on Batman firmly cemented the iconic superhero in the Hollywood limelight with a 3 season TV series in 1966 and spawning the Batman film, complete with crazy stunts, onomatopoeia, a rogues gallery of Gotham villains and even the bat shark repellent. Despite the overt silliness that would even put Monty Python to shame, Adam West’s Batman is still a beloved part of the Batman franchise and would continue to serve as an inspiration for many years to come.

MICHAEL KEATON THE BURTON ERA (1989-1992)

For people like me born in the eighties, Michael Keaton was the quintessential Batman and arguably, the best. The casting call for Keaton, however, was controversial at the time. Prior to Batman, Keaton was better known for largely comedic roles in films such as Mr. Mom and She’s Having a Baby. So when Warner Brothers made the announcement, many critics were skeptical. What came to pass was a tour de force performance that has garnered critical acclaim for both his performance as Bruce Wayne and Batman. I personally look forward to him returning to the cape for the Flash film later this year.

KEVIN CONROY A VOCAL ICON OF THE ANIMATED ERA (STARTING 1992)

The animated series is still regarded as one of the best adaptations of the Batman comic series, and a large component of this is the amazing work of the voice actors, including Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill as the Joker and the legendary work of Mr. Kevin Conroy. Conroy was absolutely superb in the role as Batman and managed to maintain the calmness and cadence that goes along with walking the tight line between a charming Bruce Wayne and the darker Batman. He also donned the helm of the Caped Crusader for the marvelous, animated film Mask of the Phantasm, further animations and for most of the games.

VAL KILMER FIRST OF THE SCHUMACHER ERA (1995)

Kilmer often gets a bad rap for his turn at the role in Batman Forever However, many fans feel he is underrated in the role, playing a calmer turn as Batman without the inane shouting of his counterparts. He delivers a nuanced performance that delivers a Batman that checks all the boxes, including playing a surrogate father figure to the first live action Robin on the silver screen.

CHRISTIAN BALE THE NOLAN YEARS (2005-2012)

GEORGE CLOONEY SCHUMACHER STRIKES AGAIN (1997)

A role that Clooney would like to forget and one that has apologised for numerous times. In terms of Clooney’s performance, he plays a terrific Bruce Wayne. Yes, you heard that right - a terrific Bruce Wayne but an abysmal Batman. The scenes between Clooney’s Bruce Wayne and Gough’s Alfred are the best in the film. Sadly, the rest of the film, fit with terrible dialogue “Hi Freeze. I’m Batman” and cheesy one-liners (looking at you Arnold) is mostly terrible, along with Clooney’s performance as the Caped Crusader. This is one that Warner Brothers are likely to lock away in their vault like the Ark of the Covenant.

Christian Bale had the task of steadying the ship in the relaunched franchise after the disastrous Schumacher era. In Batman Begins, he had to put on weight following his life-threatening anorexic role in The Machinist, only to be told he was too beefed up and needed to lose weight to play Batman. Despite the irony of all this, Bale excels as both Batman and Bruce Wayne, especially in the latter half of his dual identity. He brings an insightful depth to Bruce Wayne that allows us to ponder which identity is the true facade. This is integrated well in Batman Begins, but he excels in the role in The Dark Knight, giving audiences a sense of the true vulnerability of the man behind the mask.

BEN AFFLECK THE SNYDER PHASE (2016-2021)

Though the film received poor reviews (the director’s cut is a must see, however), one of the highlights was Affleck’s gritty performance as a mature Batman/Bruce Wayne. All Martha dialogue aside, what really stood out is Affleck’s performance as Batman, who shines brightly as a solid interpretation of the Frank Miller comic character and the most physically menacing Batman to date, which would also delight fans of the Arkham game series.

ROBERT PATTINSON A NEW ERA (2022-CURRENT)

Upon first viewing of the gritty Matt Reeves film, I was filled with a sense of dread for Gotham. For me, it was the first time I really felt a sense of horror for the citizens of the crimefilled urban nightmare. The most disturbing thing that came next is that Pattinson’s Batman feels right at home here. Pattinson’s Batman has truly adopted the darkness and gives a gritty and emotional performance in his first outing as the Batman. My only note is that he did not have much of the Bruce Wayne persona to bring to the Bat table, but let’s hope we see more of this and the duality of the character we’ve grown fond of in the likes of the Keaton and Bale performances. Hopefully, this will manifest itself in our next outing.