legendary Batman actor Kevin Conroy has sadly passed away At the age of 66 last week, fans and stars (as Kevin Smith) They were in mourning beloved performer. The actor started voicing the Dark Knight when he was cast Batman: The Animated Serieswhich premiered in 1992. From there, Conroy would premiere Portraying the character in shows like Superman: The Animated Series and others who would eventually make up the DC animated universe. To put it simply, he was absolutely perfect as the iconic superhero, though there are a few DCAU episodes he’s appeared in that resonate with me the most.
If I’m being honest, there are a number of installments in which the late actor has proven that He just knew the key to playing Batman. However, there are just a few key storylines that stand out to me the most and have really shaped my view of the DCAU’s overall performance. So without further ado, let’s talk about these awesome episodes:
“nothing to fear”
This is one of the first episodes BTAS It marks the DCAU debut of Jonathan Crane aka Scarecrow. The story sees the fearsome villain trying to destroy Gotham University in a fit of revenge and using his fear gas to aid in this endeavour. While trying to thwart the villain’s efforts, Batman is gassed and is forced to confront his guilt over his parents’ deaths. When you think of the Caped Crusader, fear may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, the legitimate anxiety he feels when under the influence of Venom is played beautifully by Kevin Conroy, and as a result, it is very satisfying when, during the closing battle, he triumphs over his fears and He imaginatively declares himself a vendetta and a lil. Here, Conroy firmly proves that he can play the character with not only stoicism but vulnerability as well.
“I am the night”
Another one the star has starred in is “I Am the Night,” in which the titular character experiences an existential crisis on the anniversary of his parents’ death. Already filled with doubts about whether he’s really making a difference, the hero is turned into a snail after Commissioner Gordon is seriously injured during a police operation. There are several moments where the voice actor delivers the Caped Crusader, the biggest being the emotional breakdown in the Batcave. There is also a particularly poignant moment that occurs between Bats and Gordon towards the end of the show. The writers deserve a lot of the credit here, though, if the main male didn’t hit all the right sound notes, the story might not pack such a powerful punch.
“accidentally on a dream”
Believe it or not, Kevin Conroy considered this to be the case The best episode of Batman: The Animated Series. The installment finds Bruce Wayne waking up in a perfect world – one in which his parents are very much alive and he is having an affair with Selina Kyle. Of course, the ever-inquisitive Bruce manages not to succumb to the temptations of the false truth, coined by the Mad Hatter. Conroy particularly shines when it comes to the interactions between Bruce and his parents as well as Selina. It also brings out the curious and restless emotions the character displays throughout. I just don’t agree with him that it’s one of the best episodes BTAS But also one of his best works.
“Beware of the gray ghost”
Die-hard fans are sure to remember this episode featuring her The late great Adam West As a washed-up actor who teams up with the Dark Knight to stop The Mad Bomber. Simon Trent of the West was better known as Gray Ghost, a TV hero who was idolized by Bruce Wayne as a child. This respect and admiration leads to a tender moment in Patka’s cave, where Batman shows Trent his collectibles and memorabilia from the show. It was the first time fans had a child-like marvel at the hardened criminal, and it felt organic in part because of the actor who voiced him. This is a very nice episode, and it’s made even more difficult now that both of the Batman actors featured in it are no longer with us.
“On the edge”
To put it simply, “Over the Edge” is one of the most exciting stories ever in the DCAU, with everything hitting the fan. I mean, it starts with Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD storming the Batcave and shooting Batman and Robin. Pat Kevin Conroy has been put through the wringer at this point, but not like he has been this time around. From Bruce’s heartbreaking discussion with Gordon after his daughter Barbara’s death to the moment he tells young Tim Drake to turn himself into the police, Conroy simply nails every emotional beat. Yes, it’s proven that the entire scenario was just a hallucination of Batgirl’s fear toxin, but that fact doesn’t detract from the episode, or the leading man’s performance, in the least.
“old wounds”
This is a very important episode in the DCAU’s grand scheme, as it explains why Dick Grayson fell out with Bruce Wayne and eventually made his way as a hero. Fans see an intense (and somewhat scary) side to Batman here, especially when he brutally interrogates a serial killer in front of his wife and child. Of course, there is also a heated debate between Bruce and Dick, after which the latter gives up the mantle of Robin. Kevin Conroy hits the mark when it comes to showcasing the intensity associated with his role, but he also shows warmth in Wayne, who was present for the hopeful conclusion to the fan-favorite episode.
“rebirth”
Who can forget the two-part batch that started Batman next? This was the first episode in which Kevin Conroy proved he could do more than play the aging Bruce Wayne. However, before we even get to the juicy scenes like Wayne’s first encounter with Terry McGuinness, Conroy shines while playing the middle-aged Dark Knight in the lead. The scene sees the hero, who is in his fifties at the time, attempting to rescue a kidnapped woman and resorting to using a gun in the process. It’s an emotional moment, given Wayne’s philosophy, and I can still hear Bruce Conroy emphatically saying, “Never again” after shutting down the Batsuit for the last time. This episode set the tone for a new era in Conroy’s DCAU tenure, and he rose to the occasion.
“from the past”
One of the last episodes of Batman next, “From the Past” focuses on Bruce grappling with his death as he reaches another birthday. His desire in his youth is easily answered when his former love, Talia al Ghul, returns and offers him a Lazarus Pit. After an incident involving thieves, Bruce accepts the power he had and regains it. Although there is a tragic twist that reveals that there is more to Talia’s gift than meets the eye. It’s rare that we see desperation in Bruce Wayne (by any medium or continuity), but he’s more than present here. It is most effectively introduced during a confrontation with thieves. I never thought any actor could convey the desperation in Bruce, however Masters of the universe Alum certainly succeeded here.
“a better world”
“A Better World” is one of the more interesting episodes of the two-part series Justice League, because it introduces the concept of alternate universes. This heralds the arrival of the House of Lords, copies of the League who have evolved into dictators after Lex Luthor becomes President. Since every character (besides Flash) has a dual personality, Kevin Conroy pulls double duty for this episode. I don’t know how, but he managed to find a way to pull off the mainstream version of Batman along with his slightly authoritarian counterpart. One of Conroy’s most powerfully acted moments comes when Lord’s version of Bats makes a plea that under his side, a child doesn’t lose their parents to gun violence. The conversation the two have later about what their parents might think about such a dictatorship also affects. Conroy had quite a bit of work to do with this one, and few actors could play up this duality as well as he did.
“Conclusion”
I mean, we can’t talk about the beloved artist’s most iconic turns without mentioning this Justice League: Unlimited“Epilogue”, which was originally intended to serve as a finale to the series and the DCAU continuity. I wouldn’t give away much if you didn’t see it, but it takes place years after the events of Batman next It sees Terry McGuinness discover a key piece of information regarding his parentage. Kevin Conroy has a few scenes here, but he makes the most of them all. Bruce shares some emotionally charged scenes with Terry, but they are shown in flashback Batman and Royal Flush gang member Ace This really serves as a show for Conroy. Needless to say, the actor gives a heart-wrenching performance that will surely stay with fans for years to come.
It’s sad to think that Kevin Conroy is no longer with us, but I take comfort in knowing that he knew how much fans appreciated his body. And all of these projects, including the stories we’ve discussed here, will surely be enjoyed by future generations. you can stream episodes Batman: The Animated Series along with other DCAU shows by grabbing the HBO Max subscription.
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