Yes, We’re Blue: Our Favorite Kevin Conroy Batman Moments
The voice-acting community lost one of its most iconic actors last week. In memory of Kevin Conroy, here are his best Batman moments.
For kids growing up in the early 90s, the voice of Kevin Conroy was the soothing background sound playing behind much of our childhoods. Between Gargoyles, Batman: The Animated Series, and Justice League Unlimited, Conroy was our ultimate Batman.
The actor’s passing was heartbreaking. Just this summer, Conroy shared the incredible story of the parallels between the double life led by Bruce Wayne as Batman and his own experiences as a closeted gay man. In honor of the actor who brought our Batman to life, let’s take a look back at some of the actor’s best moments voicing the Caped Crusader.
Batman & Bruce Wayne
I’m going to come on out and say it, there has never been a better Batman and Bruce Wayne performer in live-action or animation to this day. It’s a difficult duality to master – but maybe I feel that way because I grew up with the best.
The chance in Conroy’s performance from one aspect of the character to another was perfectly executed. Bruce’s voice is warm and friendly, while Batman’s voice is sharp and low. And we got to see it right out of the gate in the second episode of Batman: The Animated Series, “On Leather Wings”.
Kevin Suits Up in Crisis on Infinite Earths
Say whatever you want about the Arrowverse (really, I don’t mind.) It’s absolutely a CW show at its core, but it made a lot of creative choices that I actually applaud. One of which was letting Kevin Conroy step into the protective fight suit of Batman.
Honestly, I just loved this for him. How much fun did he have playing a darker Batman in the meatspace? And to be perfectly honest, the folks who said he wasn’t the right body type, I absolutely buy the “lifetime of injuries” explanation. All I did was bartend for a few years and my knees will never be the same again. I get it, the show isn’t winning any Emmy’s, but this was a nice full-circle moment for 90s kids who’ve followed his career.
Bruce Wayne Meets Batman
Conroy is very familiar with voicing multiple iterations of the Batman. In the original animated show episode “Perchance to Dream”, Conroy performed as Bruce Wayne, Batman, a poisoned Batman, a teenage Bruce Wayne, and Thomas Wayne. Woah.
But the DC animated universe has many, many versions of Batman. One of his most memorable moments was his voice work on a Batman Beyond crossover episode of Justice League Unlimited. In “The Once and Future Thing Part II”, the Justice League travels into the future. There, Batman meets his future self and expresses surprise that he’s lived so long.
Batman Sings “Am I Blue?”
This performance is a fan favorite and for very good reason. Listen, it’s a gag enough to hear Batman sing. I mean, c’mon, he’s so broody! And honestly, his broodiness only makes this performance more heartfelt.
Kevin Conroy’s singing voice is beautiful and soothing, and it’s only improved by watching the song come from Batman on stage. The tune was enough to bring tears to Circe’s eyes… and yes, I’m crying, too.
BONUS: Batman vs. Superman on the Daly Show
He’s not technically playing Batman, he’s playing Kevin Conroy playing Batman. It’s meta! It’s also really silly, and it gives Kevin and Tim a chance to really go full out in real life.
Do you have a favorite Kevin Conroy moment?
