Kevin Conroy

The voice of Batman for the past thirty years, Kevin Conroy, has passed away at the age of 66. In fact, it was exactly thirty years this September Fifth since Batman: The Animated Series debuted on television. Conroy's take on the role was so distinct and beloved that he could subsequently be heard in most animated films, television series, and video games featuring the character.

And, reportedly, he was an exceptionally nice guy. I remember watching an interview with him when he talked about working in a kitchen during the terrible days in New York following 9/11.

Other people voiced Batman in the past thirty years but it never felt "official" unless it was Kevin Conroy. It's amazing to think of the diversity of projects that he worked on as Batman. My favourites are probably the Batman: Gotham Knight anime collection that was commissioned as part of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and the first two Arkham Asylum video games.

His Batman sounded dark and strong but also subtly vulnerable. He never overdid it, he was always solid. In DC's tumultuous history with its properties over the past few decades, Conroy was one of the few, if not only, stable presences. Batman on screen will never be the same without him.