Val Kilmer did not do a bad job under the cowl, no one could have done much with such a stupid script as well as overacting on Carrey’s part and a misunderstanding of Two Face by Tommy Lee Jones.

Keaton did better than I thought was possible for him. I also give respect for the campy Adam West who introduced Batman to a new generation that would redeam Batman.

Christian Bale has given the best live action performance, but I’ll wait for the second movie.

Batmobile from the TV show best ever.

After his parents were murdered, Batman didn’t want justice. He wanted REVENGE. THAT’S what fueled his declaration of war against crime. I believe Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Batman reflected that. Of course, as I said, he had help from director Tim Burton. The whole storyline of Batman is SUPPOSED to be dark. It’s SUPPOSED to be disturbing and based on exacting revenge for what happened to his parents.

So when you ask, “Who’s the best Batman?”, people can take that to mean many things (as you said, the “cool” Batman as opposed to Adam West’s “Batman in tights”). But as for me, for the man who runs on vengeance, Michael Keaton portrayed Batman the best.

Conroy embodies the whole dual persona with the ease of the change of his voice. The way the animatde series was drawn, written, and directed, you could not ask for a better Batman star or story. Keaton had a great stare and moved pretty well considering the suit didn’t have a movable neck piece. Bale tried to hard to change his voice, it took all my effort not to laugh when he made his “constipated” speech to Rachel Dawes. West, probably the best remembered version, had to deal with 1. the campyness of the show 2. it couldn’t be to violent because of the kids of that genoration (although the cowboys and indians did kill each other) 3. He was in terrible shape!!