Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman, has died

Kevin Conroy, synonymous with being the voice of the dark detective since fan-favourite Batman: The Animated Series began in 1992, has passed away aged 66.

Growing up, I watched reruns of Adam West's Batman television series and saw Michael Keaton's Batman at the cinema with college friends. However, it's Conroy's distinctive voice I can hear inside my head as I type these words.

In the wake of director Tim Burton's blockbusters Batman and Batman Returns, Batman: The Animated Series was born. This is considered by many fans (myself included) as the definitive dark night, with Conroy's performance regarded as one of the very best, and spawned a thrilling theatrical tie-in: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. I took my Kenner action figure collection with me to university.

Mark Hamill on the passing of Conroy: "Kevin was perfection," recalled Hamill, who redefined the Joker playing opposite Conroy's Batman. "He was one of my favourite people on the planet, and I loved him like a brother. He truly cared for the people around him - his decency shone through everything he did. Every time I saw him or spoke with him, my spirits were elevated."

"Kevin was a brilliant actor," Hamill said. "For several generations, he has been the definitive Batman. It was one of those perfect scenarios where they got the exact right guy for the exact right part, and the world was better for it. His rhythms and subtleties, tones and delivery - that all also helped inform my performance. He was the ideal partner - it was such a complementary, creative experience. I couldn't have done it without him. He will always be my Batman."

Thank you for voicing the dark detective in the definitive Batman series and beyond for over 30 years.

My deepest condolences to his husband and his whole family and everyone else who loved him. RIP Kevin Conroy!

What are your memories of Conroy's Batman? Let me know in the comments below.

The Dark Knight at 80 on Batman Day

Batman celebrates 80 years of fighting crime on newsstands this year and Batman Day is the perfect opportunity to honour orphaned billionaire Bruce Wayne.

From comics to video games (rumoured to be Fortnite next), the shadow of the bat looms large in popular culture.

30 years ago director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands) was the cool kid in Hollywood town and brought Batman vividly to life on the silver screen in a postmodern ode to Fritz Lang's Metropolis and film noir. It coincided with my first ever visit to HMV Oxford Street, seemingly the epicentre of 'Batmania' in the UK and Prince's tie-in album reverberated around the store. However, I wanted Danny Elfman's soundtrack CD (remember those?) much to the chagrin of a member of staff. Well, I was more geek than chic.



In the wake of Burton's blockbuster, Batman: The Animated Series was born. This is considered by many fans (myself included) as the definitive dark night, with Kevin Conroy's performance regarded as one of the very best, and spawned a thrilling theatrical tie-in: Mask of the Phantasm. Conroy will next play a live-action Bruce Wayne for The CW's 5-part Arrowverse crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Before all that, my Batman adventures began in the mid-seventies with Saturday morning reruns of the sixties Batman live-action series starring Adam West as the titular crimefighter. Bruce Wayne's childhood trauma would become a metaphor for a life-changing head injury at primary school. You can read my tribute to the late actor here.

The Bat-Signal will be lighting up cities around the world today.

How are you celebrating Batman Day? Let me know in the comments below.

Kevin Conroy's Bruce Wayne in Crisis on Infinite Earths

The CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths is shaping up to be the biggest Arrowverse crossover event yet with much speculation surrounding it, including a merger with the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). This would finally put DC Comics on par with Marvel in terms of transmedia storytelling. DC Comics continues to play second fiddle to Marvel, and Disney+ will only serve to widen the gap with its roster of exclusive live-action series from Loki to WandaVision.

From Brandon Routh (DC's Legends of Tomorrow) reprising the role of Superman (he was great in the underrated Superman Returns) to rumours Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman), Burt Ward (Batman) and Tom Welling (Smallville) will all appear in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Now, Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) is officially confirmed to be playing "future" Bruce Wayne. To say I'm stoked about this would be a gross understatement. For a generation of animation and video game fans, Conroy is Batman.

During the seventies and eighties, Marvel UK monopolised my comic book reading (with the occasional diversion into 2000 AD, Eagle and Battle Action Force) and DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths passed me by. So, I've bought a digital copy of the reissue to catch-up before the crossover is broadcast later this year.

Are you looking forward to Crisis on Infinite Earths and who would you like to see make a cameo? Let me know in the comments below.