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Batman Elimination Game: Personal Contributions to the Mythos
The latest entry into the wacky world of Batman Eliminations Games takes a look at some of the notable individuals who have helped to shape the popularity of Bruce Wayne's alter ego. Due to recent decree from the United Nations, the collaboration of Bob Kane and Bill Finger will be excluded from consideration. Sparing no expense, this round will deftly tread not only in the realm of comics, but also those of TV and film. Buckle your britches!
.Basic Rules: You subtract one point from a contributor you don't like and add a point onto another contributor that you do like, until (much like the number of oxygen atoms in the chemical representation of water) there is only one. You can only post once in 60 minutes, meaning every 60 minutes you can vote to give everyone a chance.
Guys, please be careful with your posts. These games are subject to getting off track with missed tallies due to simple error. After your post, please check that it accurately reflects what you wanted and that no other post came through before you were able to submit yours. Also, if you see an error has been made, feel free to call attention to it or correct it yourself with another post. Thanx.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the game you are to participate in is real. Only the names have been accurately transcribed as to not discredit the contributory.
Christian Bale/Christopher Nolan
The Welsh-born actor is the current face of Batman on the big screen, having made his debut in the renowned Batman Begins. Bale was seemingly a fan favorite for the role as soon as casting rumors began to flare. Bale was praised for his marked portrayals in capturing a younger, confused Bruce Wayne who would ultimately find his way, an unflappable billionaire playboy and a truly badass Dark Knight. Naturally, he will be donning the cape and cowl again for 2008's The Dark Knight.
Credited with the resurrection of Batman as a viable film franchise (and rightfully so), Nolan was the driving force behind the aforementioned Batman Begins. Fans embraced Nolan's vision of an urban vigilante on a crusade to rid his city of the plague of evil that had earlier claimed his parents. Nolan's work gets special mention for its inclusion of several essential elements of Batman, notably his relationships with Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon, the discipline and training of the title character and the façade of the playboy Bruce Wayne. Nolan will further his stake in the Batman mythos again in 2008 with the sequel, The Dark Knight.
Tim Burton/Michael Keaton
The first real-life imagery that comes to mind for many Batman fans stems from the mind of Tim Burton. Burton helmed 1989's monstrously successful Batman, which provided a look at a darker Batman that the mainstream audience had yet to experience. Figuring heavily into the current popularity of comics-based films, Burton’s Batman led to three sequels, including 1992's Batman Returns, which he also directed.
The casting of Michael Keaton was a surprising one to say the least. Keaton's lack of physicality led many to believe that he was the wrong choice to put on the cape and cowl. Simply stated, they were wrong. With all due respect to Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery and Adam West, Keaton is THE pioneer when speaking to a live-action Dark Knight. His distinction in voice pattern between Batman and Bruce Wayne set the table for those that would follow. Keaton's work in Batman and Batman Returns remains an indelible presence in Batman lore and continues to receive praise from fans.
Jeph Loeb
The writing of Jeph Loeb has produced several notable inclusions into the world of Batman. Perhaps most poignantly, his collaborations with Tim Sale produced an excellent triumvirate of Batman stories, The Long Halloween, Dark Victory and Haunted Knight. Additionally, Loeb worked with noted artist Jim Lee on Hush, which became the best selling DC comic in over a decade. Loeb also started the recent run on Superman/Batman, furthering his stake in Batmania.
Frank Miller
Love him or hate him, no one can deny that Frank Miller has left an impression in the world of Batman. Miller's gritty depiction of an older and utterly pissed-off Batman was seen in 1986's The Dark Knight Returns. DKR shook up comicdom, garnered mainstream attention and seemingly heralded the idea for darker and more 'realistic' themes to figure into comics more often. In 1987, Miller followed up DKR with Batman: Year One, a look a Batman's first year on the job and still regarded as seminal reading to anyone looking to delve into Batman comics. Other related works include the DKR sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, his current run on All-Star Batman and Robin ("I'm the goddamn Batman!" coming next round
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and the anticipated Holy Terror, Batman!, detailing Batman coming into conflict with Al-Qaeda.Alan Moore
The great majority of Alan Moore's work lies outside the Batman genre. However, one of his forays into the area remains prominent to this day ...The Killing Joke; a psychological look at one of the most dynamic relationships in all of comicdom. Moore's use of adult themes and darker tones was not a new concept to telling a Batman story, but this instance is certainly one of the more enduring examples. In addition, TKJ is about the closest thing fans are likely to get to an origin for The Joker; inextricably tying together the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime. It has been said that Tim Burton cited The Killing Joke as an influence on his Batman film and will likely be drawn from in the upcoming The Dark Knight. Moore also worked on Batman Annual #11 as well as a brief arc on Detective Comics in 1985.
Grant Morrison
The practicing chaos magician first worked on Batman with a short story in the UK Batman Annual in 1986. Three years later, he would return to write Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, which quickly became DC's best selling original graphic novel. The book was notable for its stylistic view and depicted relationships between Batman and the criminals he battles. Morrison would also go on to pen Batman: Gothic under the Legends of the Dark Knight title. Later, he would attract more attention for the way he portrayed Batman's versatility during his run on JLA. Recently Morrison has embarked on a run on the eponymous Batman title, bringing into continuity the Son of the Demon storyline that seems to place Batman as a father to Talia's son.
Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams
There's really no way to mention one without inevitably mentioning the other. O'Neil's and Adams' work on the Batman and Detective Comics titles in the 70's is looked upon by many as the saving grace of the character, getting Batman back to his darker roots and away from the campiness that had been associated with him since the 60's. O'Neil's masterful writing and Adams' brilliant art comes together in such revered stories as 'Night of the Reaper', 'The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge!' and 'Daughter of the Demon' (introducing Ra's al Ghul). Both names are the forefront of any discussion regarding their respective fields. Additionally, O'Neil served as editor on a number of Batman titles for a number of years.
Jerry Robinson
Robinson's contributions to the Batman world range from the early days to the present. Robinson was working as Bob Kane's assistant when he suggested 'Robin' for Batman's then-nameless sidekick. Robinson also helped to come up with the basic design for The Joker and, in the process, created a new Joker card that showed up in the character's first appearance (soon becoming a Joker trademark). Robinson provided artwork during the Kane/Finger early run and had his responsibilities increased over time. Coming full circle in a sense, Robinson has been hired as a consultant for 2008's The Dark Knight, which will feature the appearance of The Joker.
Julius Schwartz
In the late '60's, Schwartz took over as editor of the Batman titles when there were faint discussions of cancellation. His immediate influence in the world of the Caped Crusader was seen through the abandoning the then-common references to the more absurd aspects of Batman; freakish transformations, dealings with aliens and outer space as well as the dismissal of Ace the Bat-Hound, Bat-Mite, Bat-Girl and Batwoman. Schwartz was responsible for bringing a 'new look' Batman, reflected in less cartoonish, more realistic artwork, the addition of the yellow oval Bat-insignia on Batman's chest and the streamlining of the formerly bulky Batmobile. Schwartz also helped to bring Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams into prominence at DC.
Dick Sprang
Sprang's work as an artist during the Golden Age had him termed as "perhaps the supreme stylist among those who delineated Batman's deeds during the character's early years". Sprang's bold sense of design helped to further entrench the visualization of earlier artists who had worked to establish an ideal look for Batman. Sprang was responsible for the original design of The Riddler, and the 1948 redesign of the Batmobile. Sprang's Batman was notable for its square chin and expressive face. His trademark was the use of oversized versions of everyday objects, often used in an imaginative fashion by the Caped Crusaders. The opening credits to the 60's TV series are drawn in his style.
Bruce Timm/Paul Dini/Kevin Conroy
The creations of the DC Animated Universe are often referred to as the 'Timmverse'. However, despite him not being as constant or visible of a presence as Timm, several cite Dini's work as a writer and producer in helping to popularize the Batman portion of the DCAU and give it its vaunted status amongst fans. In one form or another, these two minds are responsible for Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, the run of DCAU DVD Bat-releases (notably Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) and the continued Batman portrayals in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Timm's work as a designer, animator, writer and producer deservedly garners the lion's share of DCAU-related mention, but he also worked on the corresponding comic book entry, 'Batman Adventures'. Dini is currently in the middle of a well-received run on the Detective Comics title.
Numerous comic readers have said that when reading a Batman comic, the voice they hear is that of Kevin Conroy. Working extensively within the DCAU, Conroy's signature style voicework is a point of much fandom. Conroy has 14 years worth of work that has dazzled the Batman fanbase. His total outings as Batman outnumber the combined appearances of all other lead Batman actors. Conroy also has a credit as the voice of John Grayson on a recent episode of The Batman.
Adam West
A definite catalyst for polarized opinions, Adam West's name certainly belongs on any list examining notable contributions to the Batman universe. West's lighter portrayal of Batman in the campy 60's TV series remains a sore point for some fans, as well as an appreciated source of good entertainment for others. However one feels about the characterization given, West was dead on the mark when it came to a direct comparison to the source material from which his performance was based. West continues to be involved with Batman, as he is currently the voice of Mayor Marion Grange on the TV series, The Batman.
Christian Bale/Christopher Nolan 10
Tim Burton/ Michael Keaton 10
Jeph Loeb 10
Frank Miller 10
Alan Moore 10
Grant Morrison 10
Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams 10
Jerry Robinson 10
Julius Schwartz 10
Dick Sprang 10
Bruce Timm/Paul Dini/ Kevin Conroy 10
Adam West 10
