The Dark Knight Rises Is Christian Bale the most popular incarnation of Batman/Bruce Wayne?

[Art Damage]

bale for the win in all areas. No surprise that this would turn into a bat-voice discussion though.

I love his bat-voice. Though i agree that it becomes too over the top sometimes in tdk. But as usually people take those sometimes and blow it out of proportions. He has so many awesome vocal-deliveries as batman in tdk imo.

"where is heee?"

"you're gonna love me"

"i am not a hero, not like dent"

"you are garbage that kills for money"

etc.

All he needs to do his tone down the voice give it both more nuance and contrast depending on situation.

And the subtle brilliance of his bruce wayne portrayal especially in tdk is underrated.

this!

 

[Mee]

I think Conroy is actually the number one Batman, even though most non-nerds wouldn't even know his name. But if you look at the body of work from BTAS through the Arkham games now, he's been Batman for longer than anyone, so multiple generations have grown up and are still growing up with his Batman.

But live action, Bale is definately the number one.

 

[gugumugats]

I've always thought that Bale is the best Bruce Wayne and also the best actor of the bunch, but there's just something about Michael Keaton that makes Keaton a scary ass Batman. He really gives off the impression that "whoa, this guy is one crazy angry mofo."

 

[Travesty]

Because how the voice is handled is the only aspect of the character to take pride in

Well, these aren't silent films, so the voice is a big issue with a lot of people.

As far as everything else, I think Kevin Conroy is probably the voice people associate themselves with Batman, wether that be BTAS, the videogames, or when you read the comics. As far as live performances of Batman, I would say its Adam West and Keaton.

A lot of people haven't even seen BB, which is Bale's better version of Batman, and his voice in TDK is laughably bad at times.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

I did some informal polling at work. Most people knew Bale but associated Adam West with Batman. Bale and Keaton were more just actors who played him but also did other things.

 

[Figs]

I did some informal polling at work. Most people knew Bale but associated Adam West with Batman. Bale and Keaton were more just actors who played him but also did other things.

I would love to know the ages of those people, also if they're hardcore Batman fans or just fans of the movies.

 

[gugumugats]

Well, these aren't silent films, so the voice is a big issue with a lot of people.

As far as everything else, I think Kevin Conroy is probably the voice people associate themselves with Batman, wether that be BTAS, the videogames, or when you read the comics. As far as live performances of Batman, I would say its Adam West and Keaton.

A lot of people haven't even seen BB, which is Bale's better version of Batman, and his voice in TDK is laughably bad at times.

Interestingly, what makes Keaton's portrayal so good is his silent rage/lunacy. Kevin Conroy may be my favorite Batman (due to voice obviously), but Keaton is by far my favorite live-action Batman (due to lack of voice).

However, Bale will always be my favorite live-action Bruce Wayne (both playboy Bruce and private Bruce). I think his portrayal of Batman sometimes comes across as an act just like playboy Bruce due to the gravelly Batman voice (which has actually grown on me). Keaton Batman is probably the only one where I feel that he really really thinks of himself as Batman.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

I would love to know the ages of those people, also if they're hardcore Batman fans or just fans of the movies.

I can see this though (most are in their 30s or late 20s, some older) because really Adam West IS Batman. Bale is famous for so much more than Batman, and would likely be famous even if he had never played Batman. Keaton was also popular from Beetlejuice before he played Batman. With Adam West he became that role and that role became him. When Adam West plays himself in Family Guy or is depicted on TV, he's always depicted in his Batman character. He even shot a pilot with Conan that yutzed on him for playing a detective in his early acting career. Adam West's career starts and stops with Batman, and most of the time Batman gets recast there is some reference to West.

I remember when Bale was cast they said it was the first time an actor over six feet played Batman since Adam West, citing Adam West's height as the "actual height of Batman" (6'2").

Also a lot of people, even ones who weren't alive were first exposed to Batman through Adam West. I watched those long before I'd even heard of BTAS, Keaton or (of course) Christian Bale.

Plus, as I say Batman the 1960s show contributed an awful lot to the fiction, so it constantly gets referenced, especially being the first major hit for the character.

Plus the some "Batman! nah nah nah nahnahnahnahnah Batman!" is one of those songs everybody remembers. Then the car is iconic, shows up all over the place. A lot of fans may hate the "camp", but it was very popular, and it's one of those things once you see it just sticks in your mind.

 

[EliteF50]

I'll take Batman's Arkham City voice over Bale's cookie monster any day of the week.

I think most people would.

 

[El Payaso]

I would love to know the ages of those people, also if they're hardcore Batman fans or just fans of the movies.

If we're talking about popularity, everyone counts.

 

[TheVerbos]

Yeah, but I can see why he asked. I don't see anyone of my generation (I'm 20) viewing Adam West as the most iconic Batman. Nope, we've seen BTAS, Keaton, Nolan, etc.

 

[Figs]

If we're talking about popularity, everyone counts.

I wouldn't necessarily count the younger kids from this new generaton that don't read the comic books(the ones who basically make up the general audience). I'm sure they know of Adam West or will at some point, but personally I think that specific group's favorite Batman would be Bale or Keaton due to being more recent.

 

[gugumugats]

If somebody were to put up a poll on these boards, it would be a landslide for Christian Bale, with Kevin Conroy coming in at a distant 2nd.

Michael Keaton is my favorite but Bale and Conroy are definitely the most popular incarnations of Batman.

 

[El Payaso]

I wouldn't necessarily count the younger kids from this new generaton that don't read the comic books(the ones who basically make up the general audience). I'm sure they know of Adam West or will at some point, but personally I think that specific group's favorite Batman would be Bale or Keaton due to being more recent.

Well this is about popularity. The last one has always the better chance to be the popular one.

 

[The Batman]

I did some informal polling at work. Most people knew Bale but associated Adam West with Batman. Bale and Keaton were more just actors who played him but also did other things.

thank you for actually trying to stay on topic, lol

Like El Payaso said, everyone counts. This isnt about whos read the comics, putting a poll only fanboys are gonna answer, or whether you think Bales voice is silly or not. The Question is: Objectively, who is the most popular version of Batman?

 

[GothamAlleys]

But what do you define as best tho? The only answer that comes to mind in this instance is "personal preference'. West, Keaton and Bale were perfect reflections of the eras they represented, theyre all "best". The rest is up to preference of comic era incarnation

 

[American_Idiot]

Bale doesn't physically look like Bruce Wayne. His nose is crooked, he has a weird mole near his eye, he doesn't have a well defined jaw, etc. In my opinion, Charles Mesure, is how I picture Bruce Wayne to look like in real life.

But Bale has it in the eyes and the performance sells it completely. Just goes to show that its not just about looks. I believe in Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman.

Crooked nose? Hardly. Weird mole near eye? C'mon now. It's like saying Christopher Reeve didn't look like Superman because his eyes were too round. They both look the part.

I looked up the guy you mentioned and...

He looks a lot less Bruce Wayne, to me anyway. I don't know if it's the six-head or what, but I don't see it.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

On the contrary, he didn't have to force his voice or growl his way into the criminals.

When it came to Keaton, he was incredibly stoic. Although the character manages to maintain his composure, Batman's rage and sociopathic tendencies are a key to the performance, and Bale succeeded in bringing those attributes/elements to Batman.

 

[GothamAlleys]

When it came to Keaton, he was incredibly stoic. Although the character manages to maintain his composure, Batman's rage and sociopathic tendencies are a key to the performance, and Bale succeeded in bringing those attributes/elements to Batman.

I disagree. He wasnt loud, but he wasnt stoic. There was fury in his visual performance, even if not in his voice.

The only stoic Batmen were Kilmer and Clooney. But of course I absolutely agree the core of batman's character is fury and being on the verge of losing control if not actually losing it sometimes, and both Keaton and Bale shared it

 

[The Batman]

But what do you define as best tho?

It dosent matter. That isnt the topic, lol.

Sorry to be a stickler about this, but I feel people are barely addressing the question i'm asking, just to get into another pissing contest about their personal favorite choices. If I wanted that, I would've revived a "Burton vs Nolan" or "Keaton vs Bale" thread.

 

[The Joker]

I think there's enough fans of Bale, Keaton, and Conroy to call it a three way tie.

 

[GothamAlleys]

Certainly Im not one of those people as I hate those kind of threads because I dont pick sides, I love both and I cant understand why people cant like two things. But oh well.

The reason why I mentioned is purely because all Batmen represent different eras. West and Clooney are 50s/60s, Kilmer/Bale draw from 70s. Theres no 'best' in here, only 'favorites'

As to which ones the most popular, my answer is the same as that of many in this thread - its usually divided between bale, Keaton and Conroy

 

[DoomsdayApex]

I disagree. He wasnt loud, but he wasnt stoic. There was fury in his visual performance, even if not in his voice.

The only stoic Batmen were Kilmer and Clooney. But of course I absolutely agree the core of batman's character is fury and being on the verge of losing control if not actually losing it sometimes, and both Keaton and Bale shared it

I probably should have worded it differently.

Compared to Bale though, I tend to view Keaton's Batman as phlegmatic. Furthermore, Michael wasn't as imposing or intimidating, in contrast with Christian.

Bale's boiling rage and physicality in Batman Begins was the definition of fear. He leapt from the shadows and dragged his victims to hell with that voice alone.

 

[GothamAlleys]

I probably should have worded it differently.

Compared to Bale though, I tend to view Keaton's Batman as phlegmatic. Furthermore, Michael wasn't as imposing or intimidating, in contrast with Christian.

And I believe theyre intimidating in different ways (intentionally). There are different ways to be intimidating. A 7 foot ripped, furious maniac ripping a shirt apart yelling that he will break everyone of your ribs sure can be intimidating. But so can be a little child standing motionless in the middle of the night staring at your window. Those are the two types of intimidation that Bale and Keaton use. One uses its anger and fury (as in the modern age comics), the other one ghostly presence (as in the earliest portrayal)

. He leapt from the shadows and dragged his victims to hell with that voice alone.

Which was absolutely great. But so was the classic shadow on the wall with thunders

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Great points, but my allegiance to Bale's Batman is based on those mechanics. Christian evoked more emotion into his performance (as I believe Batman should be a monster over a cyborg when dealing with the criminal underworld).

Keaton's performance wasn't one I frowned upon, but it certainly did not capture fear, in my opinion.