The 10 Greatest Versions of Batman

If the world felt more badass than usual when you woke up today the likely explanation is that your body recognized that this is Batman Day, a special celebration of the 75th anniversary of the debut of Batman in Detective Comics #27 way back in 1939. To share in the festivities a lot of local comic shops are giving away free comic books and Batman masks, but since you’re here right now let’s take this chance to stroll through the Dark Knight’s impressive history and discuss the 10 Greatest Versions of Batman of all time.

10. Flashpoint Batman

The Flashpoint story itself ended up making a more compelling animated movie than comic book story, but that doesn’t change the fact that Flashpoint Batman was awesome in ways that had legitimately never been explored before. In this alternate universe it was Bruce Wayne that had been killed by a mugger as a child, leaving his father, Thomas Wayne a broken man who became a Batman driven more by madness and revenge than justice. This Batman was ruthless, uncaring, and didn’t flinch when the Flash asked for his help to electrocute his ass. He also had a gun, and somehow I didn’t hate that.

9. Christian Bale Batman

Bale’s version of Batman makes this list not so much for his personal performance but for director Christopher’s Nolan’s fantastic depiction of the Dark Knight, as well as Gotham and the entire supporting cast. It’s hard to find fault in Nolan’s films (until Dark Knight Rises obviously) with a gritty Batman, villains that retain their essence but are still believable and badass, lots of cool Bat toys, great writing for supporting characters like Alfred and Lucius, and the feeling that Gotham is a city that truly needs saving. The trilogy is easily one of the greatest live action Batman stories ever told and probably would have ranked a lot higher if not for Bale’s out of breath, raspy speeches which were not what we needed or deserved.

8. Batman The Brave and the Bold

The Cartoon Network version of Batman that ran from 2008 – 2011 was pretty much the most fun you could possibly have watching Batman. Done in an homage to Adam West’s campy 1966 Batman, the comedy, villainy and gadgetry in this show were all over the top and absolutely magical. Add to that Batman’s rivalry with Green Arrow, his amazing adventures with a super egotistical Aquaman and the adorableness of Blue Beetle and this show solved the equation of a perfect Saturday morning cartoon show. Still don’t believe me? The season 1 finale was a musical episode starring Neil Patrick Harris, so …

7. Red Son Batman

Yeah, Red Son was technically a story about Superman and what would have happened if he landed in Russia instead of Kansas, but the most interesting characters in the story were easily Lex Luthor and Batman, which always seems to happen in Superman stories no matter what universe they’re set in. Red Son Batman is a beer swilling, underground Russian freedom fighter in the story, trying to break Superman’s grasp on the world, and man does he come close, taking down both Superman and Wonder Woman on the same night. Batman is only defeated because Superman is a manipulative jerk, but I don’t even care because Batman wears a hat that only a true badass could pull off.

[Pretty cunning, don’t you think?]

There are some who say Michael Keaton was a better Bruce Wayne than Batman, but he really found a nice balance of both and deserves credit as the first serious portrayal of Batman and the first actor to don the rubber suit. Director Tim Burton’s gothic style was perfect for creating Gotham but Keaton’s Batman wasn’t overly dark, instead he was smart and detective-y and we believed him when he hauled a criminal up in the air and told him, “I’m Batman.” He also managed to make Batman look badass without being able to turn his head, so kudos to that.

5. Adam West Batman

Batman ’66 was a very silly show, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great show and largely responsible for bringing Batman to a prominent place in the public eye. Hell, Adam West was the most famous Batman for over 20 years, and with good reason, he managed to make Batman fun, charming and cool, yet law-abiding and respectful. And who doesn’t love those Biff, Bam, Boom effects?

4. Lego Batman

Much like the Lego Movie itself, everything about Lego Batman was awesome. His attitude, his one-liners, his gadgets, his cars, his disbelief, the fact that he was totally not Bruce Wayne. It all just worked to make one of the funniest yet most badass Batmen of all time. When people say they want to grow up to become Batman, this is the kind of Batman they’re talking about.

3. Batman Beyond

The only non-Wayne Batman on this list is Terry McGinnis, who fought crime in a bleak future Gotham (well, bleaker I guess) where Bruce Wayne has gotten too old to lace up his bat boots anymore and hands down the cowl to a new generation. One of the best parts of Batman Beyond was seeing future versions of traditional villains and some even better all new baddies made up for the show, along with the amazing technology that future Batman was able to develop. Every episode had something new and fun while still staying just dark and noir enough to feel like a Batman show.

2. Dark Knight Returns Batman

I affectionately refer to the character that appears in Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns as Tank Batman. In his old age Batman has gotten jaded, physically huge, and lost all of the fucks he once had. He takes over the biggest gang in Gotham by crippling the gang’s leader in a mud wrestling match, and that’s before he thoroughly kicks Superman’s ass. This version of Batman is great in both comic and animated form, but do yourself a favor and leave it alone after that, no need to pick up Dark Knight Strikes Again and ruin it all for yourself.

1. Batman the Animated Series

To clarify, this entry encompasses all the Bruce Timm versions of Batman, so that includes The Animated Series, Justice League and all the direct to video movies, because the combination of Bruce Timm directing and Kevin Conroy voice acting captured the true essence of Batman. This Batman managed to be smart but not egotistical, broody and alone but still part of a team, serious but still with moments of humour, strategically perfect but still human and flawed. He was the ideal balance of everything that makes Batman great and even if the Dark Knight’s popularity lasts another 75 years, it’s doubtful there will ever be an interpretation as perfect as this ever again.

Agree with our choices? If you don’t we’ve got a comment section for just such an occasion.