Poll: Batman: your favorite version?

[Neverhoodian]

In light of the news that players can pre-order their favorite Batman costume to wear in Arkham City ( http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.304301-Batman-Shows-Off-More-of-His-New-Wardrobe-for-Arkham-City ), I thought I'd ask my fellow Escapists which of the many iterations of Batman is their "definitive" one. In other words, when someone mentions Batman to you, what's the first version you think of? The Batmans (Batmen?) I've chosen are the following:

Spoiler

Adam West Batman

Michael Keaton Batman

Christian Bale Batman

"Diniverse" animated Batman

Comics (Golden Age)

Comics (Silver Age)

Comics (Dark Age)

Arkham Asylum/City Batman

I tried to cover as many popular iterations as I could given the eight-option limit for polls. If none of the above are satisfactory, feel free to post your favorite version. Also, this is for the "original" Batman, with Bruce Wayne behind the cowl. That means no Terry McGinnis or Dick Grayson options (not that I dislike them, it's just to keep things relatively simple).

Personally I prefer the "Diniverse" version of Batman the best. It incorporated many of the best aspects of previous iterations of the character up to that point. It also had a kickass art deco look and feel about everything. Finally, it can be enjoyed on many levels. While kids might love all the action, adults can appreciate how it doesn't shy away from tackling tough emotional and psychological dilemmas.

 

[Samwise137]

I will always be most partial to the Silver Age Batman.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It's got to be between Adam West and Christian Bale. They're both brilliant and there's no other Batman in my eyes.

 

[4173]

Diniverse, assuming you extend it to include JL(U). Too many different writers during the dark age to pick it, though my favorite takes are probably there too.


edit: read the question more closely, thought it was favorite.


The one I think of first is dark age, just because I've been exposed to that one the most.

 

[New Troll]

Michael Keaton brought life to a very neutral character to me. Combine that with Nicholson's performance as the Joker and I found a new love for Batman.

 

[BrailleOperatic]

I think the original animation's Batman. I grew up on him. All the other ones just look weird to me. Similar, but still distinctly different, but not enough to always be readily apparent.
On that note, I like the design for the Batman Beyond suit better. I'm not a fan of capes.

Captcha: 1966 ttette. I think it likes the Silver Age Batman.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

I think we do more with animation because it is challenging to find an actor who can be both a good Batman and a good Bruce Wayne. That seems to be where the live action Batman attempts struggle - typically an actor is good at one and only decent at the other. Example: George Clooney - great Bruce Wayne, lukewarm Batman; Michael Keaton - great Batman, so-so Bruce Wayne. I think Christian Bale is one of the most capable actors in the role I've seen since both his Batman and Bruce Wayne are compelling (though I do not approve nor enjoy the trend of the last Batman movie he was in).

 

[Simeon Ivanov]

The cartoon Batman ... the one in Justice League of America ...

 

[Scarim Coral]

Pretty much the "Diniverse" Batman (1990's) since I grew up watching that show. To me that version is like the definite Batman of them all and the fact that Kevin Conroy is always consider to the voice of Batman kind fo reinforce that (I'm not saying that the other versions of Batman are wrong or inferior).

 

[theevilgenius60]

Dang! I really like Dick Greyson as Batman. I love the way the traditional Batman/ Robin roles were reversed with him and Damien Wayne.

 

[Neverhoodian]

Diniverse, assuming you extend it to include JL(U). Too many different writers during the dark age to pick it, though my favorite takes are probably there too.


edit: read the question more closely, thought it was favorite.


The one I think of first is dark age, just because I've been exposed to that one the most.

Don't feel bad. It was kind of a confusing choice of words on my part (I put "favorite" in the title, after all).

 

[Neverhoodian]

Double post, sorry. Ignore this.

 

[tigermilk]

It's a toss up between 'Batman The Animated Series' (is that the same as the 'Diniverse Version I googled it but am none the wiser) and the 1966-69 Adam West version.

Having said that the Burton/Keaton 1989/1992 version will always have a place in my heart as my first exposure to Batman.

 

[Seanfall]

My favorite will always be the 90's Cartoon.

 

[thefrizzlefry]

Diniverse, no contest. The Dark Knight and Batman Begins may be better than the animated series as works of art, but the animated series Batman, to me, combined elements of all interpretations of the Batman, and, in doing so, became the ultimate Batman.

 

[nbamaniac]

There is something about Bale's Batman that draws me in. I really don't exactly know what it is though.

 

[HooterNanny]

You're missing George Clooney! My favorite Batman! :'(



In all seriousness Arkham Asylum Batman, but only really because you can play as him. You actually feel a connection to him.

 

[Aris Khandr]

Silver Age, when Batman wasn't an asshole. Ever since they made him "gritty" in the 80s, I've hated him.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

I, wait, what. Why're people voting for the Adam West Batman?! THAT MAN IS A JOKE. Please be trolling, people.

For me: Dark Age, definitely. I love reading those comics. DKR, Hush, Long Halloween, Year One, I could go on and on. I just loved how they made him more of an anti-hero with Gotham more dark and crime-ridden.

Christian Bale was a great Batman though, passing over the cancerous throat thing he tended to do.

Batman TAS was awesome as well, grew up on it. Even though OP said not to mention him, Batman Beyond's Terry McGinnis holds a special place in my heart too.

 

[SadakoMoose]

Here's the blow by blow:
Adam West Batman (1960's)
Fun, but preachy. When I need a good laugh, or an internet meme, he's the go to Batman.

Michael Keaton Batman (1989)
Never liked this casting choice. Keaton is whiter than white bread in a white room during a snowstorm and a Dave Mathews Bands concert (not that this is relevant, he just is). That, and he can't fight or really move, and that's not just because of the suit. I'm not saying Batman should have been Jackie Chan, but it should definitely be a guy that can move or at least looks like he's been doing 3 decades of Gymnastic and Martial Arts training.

Christian Bale Batman (2000's)
Kind of like this guy...
Good overall, though his voice is a tad laughable at times. If he'd toned down the voice a bit, he'd be higher on the list.

"Diniverse" Batman (1990's)
My first Batman! Embodies everything right about the character, and even fights like you'd think Batman would. He's not too brooding, not too corny, kind of fun, ultimately altruistic, had awesome stories, and was friends with superman. THAT'S how you can tell a good batman story from a shite Batman story. Whether or not he's friends with Superman.
In Frank Miller's stories, Batman hates Superman.
What does that tell you?

Comics (Silver Age 1960's-early 80's)
60's were rocky, due to the TV show's more comedic style starting to wear thin.
Attempts at relating to 60's audience were terrible compared to Marvel's.
70's were better, especially when Englehart started writing.
This decade introduced a whole bunch of important side characters such as Bronze Tiger, Etrigan, and others. Big changes for Dick Grayson, which paid off in the end.
I love the 70's/Early to Mid Eighties design of Batman, with the Blue and Yellow.

Comics (Dark Age 1980's-early 2000's)
Depends on the Writer.
Lot of good Batman stories, like Knightfall, Year One, Long Halloween, Killing Joke, Mad Love.
I didn't like the ay some artists did 90's Batman with the over exaggerated ears and cape.
It made him look more like Spawn, which is never a good thing.
I hated Dark Knight Returns. It was pretentious, bland, and mindlessly verbose like bad Noir poetry. That, and none of the characters ever grow a third dimension.
Batman's old an grumpy, Superman is stupid for being idealistic, Girl Robin hates her hippy parents, blah blah blah.
Frank Miller shouldn't be allowed near anything but characters he creates himself, so he doesn't RUIN other people's ideas.


Arkham Asylum/City Batman (2009-Present)
Fun as hell to play with. The dialogue is just as good as the Dini version, but with EVER satisfying action and fun as hell game play.