What's your favorite versions of Batman?

[CConn]

Mine? Probably B89 Batman and the '70s comics Batman.

To me, it's almost like the current Batman is a totally different character. After reading years worth of a hard-edged, definitely anti-social Batman, reading the '70s take on the character blew me away. He was still hard-edged, he would still threaten to torture and kill his prey, he would still be incredibly violent when he had to, but, at the same time, to his friends, to normal, good people, he was actually personable. He was actually a person. Not some obsessed depressive, but someone who just cared about helping people and fighting crime.

B89's Batman was obviously not the same style of Batman, but I prefer it just as much. The attitude Keaton injected into the character was simply fantastic. While his Bruce wasn't quite as social as the '70s comics version, he certainly wasn't nasty or mean, just quiet. Batman was more Clint Eastwood than just some guy in a rubber suit. That swagger added a lot of cool to an already cool character.

 

[Cain]

It will seem like a cop out answer but I honestly agree with both of yours. Well put CConn I'd only add 1939-1940's Batman to the equation. I just love how determined he was to do what it takes to eliminate the "cowardly & superstetious lot". Traits that of course heavily influenced the 1989 movie incarnation.

 

[Batman]

Personally, I'm quite a big fan of Matt Wagner's take on Batman in the recent Monster Men and Mad Monk stories. His characterisation of Bruce combines aspects of traits I've come to know and expect with the character, such as his relentless questionability in his own actions and his cunning detective work, but seams them together in a way that almost makes them seem new and original. He's a scary, intimidating creature of the night... but you actually feel as if there's a soul lurking beneath the surface of that act.

The Batman of the Animated Series is also quite a favorite of mine, as it, while heavily influenced and inspired by the 70's incarnation, blends in a certain level of darkness that makes the character seem timeless.

 

[CConn]

Oh shoot, I forgot Wagner's take.

I mean, serious, his Batman was like a Amalgam of all the best versions of Batman. From the '70s, to TAS, to Kane/Finger...it was all that. Utterly fantastic.

 

[Cain]

Yeah I have to say his modernizations of early stories are hands down my favorite modern Batman works (that's right above the overrated The Long Halloween & others). They should be used as blueprints for future Batman movies IMO especially Monster Men. As much as I like Dini and Morrisson individually I think their runs on the main bat titles have been lackluster and would've killed to see Darwyn Cooke and Matt Wagner in their place instead. **** if I had my way Confidential would just deal with exposing Bruce Wayne's training (FBI academy one arc, Lady Shiva the next etc) instead of just more "young Batman fighting crime in Gotham".

 

[CConn]

Yeah I have to say his modernizations of early stories are hands down my favorite modern Batman works (that's right above the overrated The Long Halloween & others). They should be used as blueprints for future Batman movies IMO especially Monster Men.

Definitely. Especially considering how wonderfully Wagner's work embraces the Gothic Noir style of Batman.

And yeah, I'll even agree Wagner's work is better the Long Halloween. While (IMO) The Long Halloween was a really great mystery and plot-driven piece, Monster Men and Mad Monk do a MUCH better job of encompassing and fleshing out Batman and his world.

 

[The Empire Ape]

1. 70s Batman
2. 80s Batman
3. early 90s

Then all became a mess.

 

[DocLathropBrown]

There's several, for me.

I have a few favorite incarnations in the books themselves. Principally, Steve Engalhart's Batman and the Knightfall Batman are my two favorites. Engalhart's Batman fully embodies the resourceful, gentle, intelligent man that Bruce Wayne is and should be. His Batman isn't against being seen, and freely communicates with cops and citizens, but he isn't campy. He's a character of sweeping, mythic granduer, somebody who, you can tell, truly cares for each and every person in his city, he's the kind of man that the innocent have no need to fear.

The Knightfall Batman is a conglamation of several writers, but the storyline brings out the best in each of them. Jean Paul Valley's Batman is interesting too, but pre-Bane throwdown, the storyline truly pushes Bruce to the limit and you thrill to each new challenge he forces himself to undertake. Whether it's toppling Firefly, having trouble taking on Film Freak, or giving his all to take down Ivy's zombies (even though all he can think of is the fact that he's so far out of top shape, it's not even funny), Bruce rises to meet the challenge, wrapped up all in a story full of thought divulgance and character-driven narration, something that today's comics lack, and suck without.

I think the climactic fight against the Joker and the Scarecrow to resuce the Mayor is simpy incredible, and in the end when the job is done, the Mayor is mesmirized with Batman's devotion, becoming Batman's #1 advocate. Bruce, enraged, rushing to take Bane down in Batman #497 is heartbreaking.

My favorite of all, though, has to be Tim Burton and Michael Keaton's Batman. He combines the elements of the best versions of Batman (even to-date). The tradgedy of the Engalhart and O'Neil's versions, the grim menace of Finger's version and the sweeping adventure of the 70s and 80s stories. Burton's own sensibilities come into play, delivering us a kind and tortued visage of a man, a man scarred by personal tradgedy and robbed of his childhood. A sympathetic hero who is strong when he has to be, and is a sad, lonely figure in his private moments. A portrayal rife with psychological resonance and a well-thought-out and honed performance. Kudos to Burton, for my money, Keaton is the definitve protrayal of the character on screen. Though I can recommend other interpretations of the character, for anybody starting out on Batman, I will tell them to start with BATMAN.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

O'Neil
Schwartz
Frank Miller
Paul Dini
Nolan

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

70's.

 

[Mr. Socko]

The 80s, my favorite Batman-comic era, oh and the 80s film as well. That and TAS are my two favorite.

 

[Swordmaster]

Wagner's version is definitely my #1. His Batman, to me, is classic Batman, the one I think about when I think of Batman.

 

[ShaneHelms]

The Knightfall Batman is a conglamation of several writers, but the storyline brings out the best in each of them. Jean Paul Valley's Batman is interesting too, but pre-Bane throwdown, the storyline truly pushes Bruce to the limit and you thrill to each new challenge he forces himself to undertake. Whether it's toppling Firefly, having trouble taking on Film Freak, or giving his all to take down Ivy's zombies (even though all he can think of is the fact that he's so far out of top shape, it's not even funny), Bruce rises to meet the challenge, wrapped up all in a story full of thought divulgance and character-driven narration, something that today's comics lack, and suck without.

I think the climactic fight against the Joker and the Scarecrow to resuce the Mayor is simpy incredible, and in the end when the job is done, the Mayor is mesmirized with Batman's devotion, becoming Batman's #1 advocate. Bruce, enraged, rushing to take Bane down in Batman #497 is heartbreaking.

That has to be one of my favorites as well.

Knightfall was one of the first major Storylines i followed until the end.

I also like TAS: Batman, Jeph Loeb's Batman and 89 Batman along with Batman in The Killing Joke.

 

[Cobblepot]

I got a lot of them:

The fear and lean looking Breyfogle Batman
The mean and gritty Miller Batman (DKR)
The always prepared but gets hit in the jaw once and a while Neal Adams Batman.

I love 'em all. As long as there are two pointy ears and a yellow belt on.