Batman fans came together to grieve when news dropped about Kevin Conroy's passing. Conroy was the definitive voice of Bruce Wayne and Batman for many fans. He portrayed the character in different forms for almost three decades. He first voiced the character in Batman: The Animated Series and even played a live-action version of the character on The CW.
Kevin Conroy not only captured the dark and gritty tone of Batman, but he also nailed the performative voice of Bruce Wayne. He specialized in breaking through Batman’s shell to dive into the tortured human within. Conroy’s unique take on the role made Batman better, as some of his best moments with the character have shown.
10 "I Am Vengeance! I Am The Night! I Am Batman!"
Batman: The Animated Series, Season 1, Episode 10, “Nothing to Fear”
Kevin Conroy’s most famous line as the Dark Knight has appeared in more than one adaptation of the character. In DC's groundbreaking Batman: The Animated Series, Batman dealt with Scarecrow’s fear gas for the first time in the “Nothing to Fear” episode. He fought back against its influence by vehemently embracing his role as the Dark Knight.
The oft-quoted line was also used in the Arkham video game series and continues to be one of Batman’s most definitive statements. Conroy's delivery of the line in Batman: The Animated Series showcased the character’s determination and perseverance, as well as Conroy’s unique understanding of the character.
9 Conroy Voiced Batman In The Arkham Video Game Series
"You want to know something funny? Even after everything you've done... I would have saved you."
2009’s Batman: Arkham Asylum allowed players to don the cowl of the caped crusader. It launched Batman’s best video game series with a well-developed story, groundbreaking fight mechanics, and a few familiar voices. Kevin Conroy returned to the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman alongside Mark Hamill's scary version of The Joker from Batman: The Animated Series.
Kevin Conroy delivered quite a few memorable lines in the Arkham series, including his most famous from Batman: The Animated Series. However, the most impactful appeared in 2011’s Batman: Arkham City. Even after everything the poisoned Joker had done to him, Batman still would have saved his life. The emotionally-charged ending saw Batman mourn even his greatest enemy.
8 He Voiced The Brave And The Bold’s Batman Of Zur-En-Arrh
Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Season 2, Episode 9, “The Super-Batman of Planet-X!”
Other actors took on the role of Batman over the years, both in live-action and animation. Deidrich Bader voiced the hero in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, though Kevin Conroy also appeared in the series. “The Super-Batman of Planet X!” adapted the same comic storyline from the Silver Age and introduced the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold modernized classic tales from the comics while referencing other versions of the character as well. Conroy voiced the super-powered Batman of Zur-En-Arrh alongside other actors from Superman: The Animated Series. It was a light-hearted take on the character that truly showed Conroy’s range in the role while serving as an homage to the DCAU.
7 Batman Sang “Am I Blue?” To Save Wonder Woman’s Life
Justice League Unlimited, Season 1, Episode 5, “This Little Piggy”
The DC Animated Universe that began with Batman: TAS continued with shows like Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League. A close connection began to form between Batman and Wonder Woman that carried on to Justice League Unlimited. When DC's powerful magic user Circe turned Wonder Woman into a pig, she made Batman give her his greatest, secret to save her.
That secret turned out to be that Batman can sing. Kevin Conroy was able to showcase his voice with a moving rendition of Eddie Cochrane’s “Am I Blue?” Batman shocked viewers as well as Zatanna and Circe with his touching sacrifice to save Wonder Woman. It highlighted the many talents of both Batman and Kevin Conroy.
6 He Played A Live-Action Bruce Wayne On The CW
“My parents taught me a different lesson. Life only makes sense if you force it to.”
Kevin Conroy voiced Batman in quite a few different projects after his debut in the role on Batman: TAS. However, fans got the chance to see Conroy play the role himself during The CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event. Heroes from Arrow, The Flash, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl united to save the multiverse in the comic adaptation.
Kevin Conroy appeared in live-action as Earth-99’s Bruce Wayne, though it was a very different take on the character. This Batman killed his greatest enemies as well as Superman after he lost hope for the world. Conroy was able to portray the role himself for the first time in a fun new way. He even delivered some of Batman's best quotes from the iconic The Dark Knight Returns.
5 Batman’s Final Moments With Ace Showed His Humanity
Justice League Unlimited, Season 2, Episode 13, “Epilogue”
The final episode of Justice League Unlimited served as a finale to not just the series, but also Batman Beyond and the DCAU as a whole. “Epilogue” largely focused on Batman and his legacy, as Terry McGinnis learned more about his employer in the future. When he discovered his familial connection to Bruce Wayne, Amanda Waller also shared a story about Batman’s past.
Ace was a member of the Royal Flush Gang. Waller created a weapon that could kill her before her powers destroyed the world. Batman volunteered to do it, but he chose to peacefully sit beside her and listen to her final thoughts instead. He shared his story and held her hand as she died calmly. This scene and Conroy’s pained delivery showcased the best parts of the DCAU’s Batman.
4 He Spoke From The Heart When He Visited Superman’s Grave
Justice League, Season 2, Episode 19, “Hereafter, Part I”
During a battle with Metallo and his Superman Revenge Squad in Justice League’s second season, Superman was apparently killed by one of Toyman’s weapons. His death broke the Justice League. However, Batman refused to believe the Man of Steel was gone. He skipped the public funeral and continued to investigate Superman’s disappearance.
Batman visited Superman’s grave alone, finally admitting he might be wrong. He broke down to his old friend with words he wished he had said to Superman while he was alive. Conroy’s usually gritty voice cracked with heartbreak and regret which the Dark Knight rarely let slip. Superman eventually returned, but fans still had this emotional moment to remember.
3 His Aged Bruce Wayne Returned To Guide A New Hero
Batman Beyond, Season 1, Episode 1, “Rebirth”
The DCAU explored the future of Neo-Gotham in Batman Beyond. The animated series followed Terry McGinnis as he took over the role of Batman. He first met the aged Bruce Wayne when they fought against a gang of Jokers together. McGinnis quickly deduced his identity as Batman and asked for help tracking down his father’s killer.
When Bruce Wayne finally agreed to help McGinnis, he outfitted him with a high-tech version of the Batsuit to fight Batman Beyond's scariest villains. Conroy’s performance was familiar to fans of Batman: TAS, but gained a new dark edge. Conroy became the definitive voice of Batman partly because he was able to portray so many different versions of the character.
2 Conroy's Final Chronological Line In The DCAU Was Perfect
“You're a stubborn piece of work, you know that?”
Another of Kevin Conroy’s best moments came from the Justice League Unlimited finale, “Epilogue.” McGinnis returned to help the aged Bruce Wayne after discovering he was secretly Wayne's son. While he didn’t confront Wayne about the revelation, he returned to his role as Batman with a newfound respect for his predecessor.
Bruce Wayne’s final chronological line in the DCAU perfectly captured the character and the moment. Wayne criticized McGinnis for being stubborn, highlighting just how similar they were. McGinnis really was a stubborn piece of work, just like his old man. It was a beautiful and layered final line from Conroy’s Batman in the DCAU.
1 Mask Of The Phantasm Featured His Most Emotional Scene
“It’s different now. Please, I need it to be different now. I know I made a promise. But I didn’t see this coming. I didn’t count on being happy. Please, tell me that it’s okay.”
The success of Batman: The Animated Series brought the animated Dark Knight to the big screen for a feature-length adventure. Kevin Conroy starred in 1995’s Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which followed Batman’s hunt for a new masked killer preying on Gotham City. It also explored Bruce Wayne’s past and his first year as a vigilante.
Kevin Conroy delivered one of Bruce Wayne’s most emotional moments in Mask of the Phantasm. After falling in love with Andrea Beaumont, a tormented Wayne collapsed at his parent's grave in the rain. He begged his deceased parents for their blessing to abandon his mission. While his decision was ultimately made for him, it was a definite turning point for the character.