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Notable for his stints in renowned soap operas such asGeneral HospitalandRyan’s Hope,Emmy-nominated starRon Halerecently passed away at the age of 78. The news of his demise was unwrapped by an obituary from St. George, South Carolina, which revealed that the actor died on August 27, but the reason behind his death is yet to be made public.

Ron Hale | Credit: General Hospital/ABC

Although the actor’s career was mostly defined by his portrayal ofMike Corbinin General Hospital, to Hale, working onscreen never came close to performing on stage.

Ron Hale Always Preferred Theatre Over the Other Two Mediums A still fromRyan’s Hope| Credit: ABC

While Ron Hale’s decades-long stay in showbiz saw him landing several flicks and TV shows, with his last acting gig being in 2017’sThe Ghost and The Whale,the actor always held theatre close to his heart.

Looking back, the early nineties were the best of times and worst of times for Batman fans. In 1989, fans got their first big-budget HollywoodBatmanmovie, followed by the 1992 sequelBatman Returns.Both of these films boasted A-list talent and made huge money. But they weren’t really interested in Batman, at least not the guy that comic book readers loved.

But 1992 saw the launch ofBatman: The Animated Series,a cartoon that gave fans some of the best ever tales of theDark Knight,in any media. Created byBruce TimmandEric Radomski,The Animated Series took some visual cues fromBurton’s movies, especially in its designs for Catwoman and the Penguin, but it was grounded in the Bronze Age comics byDennis O’NeilandNeal Adamsas well as 1940s cinema.

Taking a lead from the Fleischer Brothers’ Superman cartoons,Timmand Radomski insisted upon smooth animation for their project,...

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox stands tall as the greatest animated Dcau film. The movie features a dynamic storyline with three-dimensional characters and outstanding voice actors. Besides the rich narrative and well-written characters, the voice cast of the film has done a fantastic job. At the same time, there is quite an interesting story behind the casting of the role of Superman.

A still from Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

In the animated series, Clark Kent was voiced by Tim Daly, the actor always the right choice to voice the character. His voice radiated warmth, determination, and passion, which is necessary to play the iconic DC superhero. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he could not voice the superhero for this movie. Instead, his son did the work, and surprisingly, very few fans noticed the difference.

Sam DalyOpens Up About How He Was Chosen To Voice Superman in The Dcau...

Jerry Seinfeld’sBee Moviewas destined to be one of the most entertaining and hilarious films ever created. The film featured itself with an absurd and intriguing plot, and remains a top-notch product of Seinfeld’s humor, as he showcased his wit with clever wordplay. As a result, the animated film was loved by its young and old audiences.

Jerry Seinfeld. Source:Wikimedia Commons

To add to the film’s success, it became a never-ending meme factory. While the animated film was meant to be a family-friendly movie, it featured several erotic undertones when Barry B. Benson and Vanessa Bloome were shown together. Jerry Seinfeld realized his mistake, but but he was too proud with his work, hence, he decided to give a half-baked apology which might not resonate well with some of its viewers.

Jerry Seinfeld Gives a Lukewarm Apology for Having “S**ual Undertones” in His Bee...

No matter how dire the circumstances, Batman is known for his unwavering “no-kill” code, which forbids him from taking a life inDC Comics.However, in Injustice God Among Us: Year Three, Bruce Wayne breaks his own rule to protect one of his dearest friends, Superman.

As everyone knows, the Joker from DC is one of the vilest, vicious, and most depraved supervillains. Nevertheless, Superman is restricted by the same code that keeps Batman from killing the Clown Prince of Crime. For similar reasons, both DC superheroes have strong moral codes prohibiting them from killing their enemies. Yet, in recent years, DC comic writers have endeavored to differentiate between the two.

Batman in comics (Credit: DC)

So, Superman had a dream in Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Three that Batman had stopped the Joker before he reached Lois Lane… and his unborn child.

Exploring the Aftermath: Batman’s Incarceration for...

Bruce Timm’sBatman: The Animated Series,which kickstarted the DC Animated Universe (Dcau) is regarded as the best adaptation of the Caped Crusader by many. Besides the plot, one of the primary reasons for its popularity was the iconic voice castings. The lateKevin ConroyandMark Hamillas Batman and Joker have left an indelible mark on the viewers’ minds.

Kevin Conroy’sBatmanand Mark Hamill’s Joker

While Conroy is often hailed as the best Batman ever, Mark Hamill’s performance is considered even more praiseworthy than the critically acclaimed live-action works. However, the Star Wars star was not the first choice to play a Dcau role. It was only for voice directorAndrea Romano,that Hamill could give us the legendary Joker performance.

How did Mark Hamill get the role of Dcau’s Joker?

Mark Hamill asLuke SkywalkerinStar Wars: Return of the Jedi...

The lateKevin Conroyis known for his various incarnations of Batman in various mediums. He embodied and became the voice of the character starting fromBatman: The Animated Series,and has since gone on to voice him in many Batman-related projects over the years. He transitioned to appearing as Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse in 2019.

Ruby Roseand Kevin Conroy in Crisis on Infinite Earths

He starred as an aged and damaged Batman in the episode Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two alongside Ruby Rose’sBatwoman.Fans were surprised with the dark iteration of the character and were impressed with Conroy’s live-action performance. The actor was supposed to return as the character in the showGotham Knightsbut was unable to do so due to his illness.

Kevin Conroy Was Originally Planned to Be a Part ofGotham Knights

Kevin Conroy’s Batman was originally included in...

Although there has been a plethora of onscreen adaptations of the Batman mythos, to many, the 1992 series still remains the definitive version of the character and his rouges’ gallery. While most of it had to do withBruce TimmandPaul Dini’s brilliance, one cannot undermine the contribution of the amazing voice cast, which involved the likes ofKevin Conroy,Mark Hamill,Arleen Sorkin,etc.

For that, we haveAndrea Romanoto thank, who served as casting and voice director on the acclaimed show. However, getting the tone of the show right tookRomanoa while, as this was unlike anything she had been part of before.

Getting Bruce Timm’s Vision Right Took Andrea Romano a Few Episodes

Andrea Romano | Credit:Wikimedia Commons

It’s hard to separate Batman from his dark brooding identity nowadays, but this wasn’t exactly the case three decades back. Andrea Romano, who...

Batman: The Animated Seriesremains one of the most definitive adaptations of the character in modern media. The cast and crew that worked on the show would go on to become seasoned Batman veterans and produce multiple versions of the character in and outside the Dcau.

Batman | Source:Batman: The Animated Series

Andrea Romanowas a key contributor to the Dcau, being a powerhouse for the franchise, looking towards casting the iconic voice talent that would become synonymous with the show and the characters that they play. However, there was another key matter in whichRomano’s contribution was invaluable, one that has been since discontinued, and left the industry for worse.

Andrea Romano was a big fan of ensemble readings

Batman: The Animated Series[Credit:Warner Bros. Animation]There are a lot of things that are unique about the animated medium, especially when it comes to the production of projects...

Despite the mysticism of voice-over acting and the mysterious voices behind the animated parts, there remains a strong attraction to the medium of animation for actors who strive for real creative potential beyond the allure of recognition and glamor.Kevin Conroystands out, among the millions of other faceless heroes, as one of the most respected and famous voice actors whose contribution to theDC comicslore has made him synonymous with Batman.

Kevin Conroy at the 2019 Sdcc forBatmanBeyond 20th Anniversary [Photo:Gage Skidmore]Kevin Conroyʼs Enigma tic foray into the world of DC is well-known to all who have even a basic understanding of theDark Knightmythology. The origin of theAdam Westserial that turned the IP into a cartoonish, campy, caricature was viewed through the lens of vengeance and brooding melodrama. For the first time, “I am Batman” instilled ice-cold terror in the listenerʼs veins rather...

Ever sinceX-Men ’97was revived byMarvel Studios,the superhero landscape has entered into a pseudo-nostalgic era, where audiences have begun to reminisce about the good old days, when animated series were the go-to format for good superhero fiction. Almost immediately, there was a demand to bring back other animated series, not just from Marvel, but other studios that had previously produced great superhero content likeBatman Beyond.

Batman Beyond[Credit:Warner Bros. Television Animation]Among calls to bring back superhero animated shows, there seems to be aBatman:The Animated Series sequel in development with Warner Brothers, which has increased the possibility of aBatman Beyondrevival. The casting and voice director of the show,Andrea Romano,might just have told fans how they could get it if they wished for it enough.

Andrea Romano has called for a campaign from fans for aBatman Beyondrevival

Batman Beyond

Andrea Romano,...

Whenever it comes to the Dcau, fans often look back toBruce Timm’s masterful work onBatman: The Animated Series,which by many is still considered the peak of the caped crusader. However, the Dcau isn’t just limited to Btas, as there have been several different interpretations of the iconic character in the realm of animation, with one of them being The Batman.

Not to be confused with Matt Reeves’The Batman,TheBatmanAnimated Series was a fun reimagining of Batman and its coterie of supervillains, which scored well critically throughout its run. One thing that fans found odd about the show was the introduction ofBatgirlas Bruce’s first sidekick, but the writers can’t be blamed for this decision.

TheBatmanAnimated Series Wasn’t Initially Allowed to Use Robin

TheBatmanAnimated Series | Kids’WB

Robin has been put on ice in live-action...

DC’s animated shows have garnered widespread acclaim, captivating audiences with their diverse narratives and exceptional performances from the cast. Much of the credit for assembling such an outstanding ensemble, including luminaries likeKevin ConroyandMark Hamill,goes toAndrea Romanothe legendary voice director renowned for her uncanny ability to match actors with their animated counterparts.

Batman: The Animated Series|Warner Bros.

When asked about her ability to consistently select the ideal actors for each role, Romano revealed her preference for actors with stage experience when casting for animation projects, asserting that they possess a unique potential to excel in voice acting.

Andrea Romano Revealed Her Casting Secrets For Dcau

In a conversation with Bleeding Cool, Andrea Romano opened up about the casting process for the animated shows, sharing that she looked for actors with genuine talent and the ones who were willing to take risks to push boundaries.

FromAdam Westin the ’60s toRobert Pattinsonin 2022, a plethora of iterations of Batman have been presented onscreen since the character’s inception. But while most of them are great in their own right, nobody quite embodied the spirit of the caped crusader like the lateKevin Conroy,who is still considered by many to be the definitive version of Batman.

However, Conroy wasn’t the initial choice to voice the character, and even when he was considered for the part, the actor was interested in voicing other characters, which ended up frustratingAndrea Romano.

Kevin Conroy’s Interest in Other Characters Frustrated Andrea Romano

Batman: The Animated Series| Fox Kids

WhileTroy Baker,Will Arnett,andJensen Ackleshave proven to be pretty great when it comes to voicing the caped crusader, for most, Kevin Conroy is Batman’s voice. But back in the ’90s, when voice...

Kevin Conroybecame a sensation among superhero fans in no time after voicing Batman inBruce Timm’sBatman: The Animated Series.The animated show gave us one of the best adaptations of the Caped Crusader to date. Bruce Timm, the co-creator of the animated series revealed that he had to make Conroy forget everything he knew about Batman to land the role.

Bruce Timm’sBatman: The Animated Series

Surprisingly, Kevin Conroy knew nothing much about theGothamKnightwhen he went for a script reading for the role. However, the late actor nailed in the very first attempt and shocked the entire team. He went on to voice the superhero for three decades across animated movies, television series, and theArkhamgames.

How did Bruce Timm make Kevin Conroy the greatest version ofThe Dark Knight?

Joker and Batman inBatman: The Animated Series[Credit:Warner Bros. Animation]When...

Kevin Conroyhas worked with some of the most incredible voice actors because of his legendary work as Batman. The many villains he had to face, either minor or major, all impacted him in one way or another. The cast was a variety of enormous talent all mixed in one big familial project.Andrea Romano,the voice director ofBatman: The Animated Serieshad a lot to say about the cast as well.

Kevin Conroy voiced Batman starting withBatman: The Animated Series(Credits:HBO Max)

With the talented actors she had managed to get cast, one would wonder if there was one that she wanted to get but couldn’t. An array as extravagant as this would make that very factor impossible. However, Romano had other plans.

“Kind of likeMichael Keaton,but kind of not”:Bruce TimmHad to Make Kevin Conroy ‘Forget’ Everything He Knew About...

There is no denying that any animated project is as good as its voice-over artists. Luckily, the Dcau has never come across an ‘L’ when it comes to finding the right person to voice the characters. They haveAndrea Romanoto thank for that. The Goddess of Casting has worked across many, many projects as a casting director, including Popeye and Son,Batman: The Animated Series,Justice League Unlimited,and so on.

Kevin Conroy’sBatmanin Dcau’sBatman: The Animated Series

Needless to say, she has worked with a ton of voice-over artists, and picking a favorite amongst them has got to be like finding a needle in the hay. However, there was one actor who held a special part in her heart and if you think that is Kevin Conroy, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Andrea Romano Would’ve Loved to Work with This Actor in...

Bruce Timmis known for having very unique approaches to the characters he brings to life. On top of his innate understanding of comics, he also brings a sense of uniqueness to each of his projects, which has made him one of the best people in the DC Animated Universe. Unfortunately, not everyone can understand his approach very easily.

Bruce Timm’s All-StarSuperman

Sometimes, the producer has to fight for his vision or explain it to the actors so that they can perfectly capture what he wants them to do. However, often, even language fails, and no amount of explanation can get the point across.

SUGGESTEDPalm Royale Review: Despite an All-Star Cast, This Series Rarely Rises to Its Potential

Being the legend that he is, it would seem thatTimmalso has a go-to plan for such a situation, using his skills as an animator and artist.

Anthony Lapaglia...

Superman has always been the most hopeful and powerful hero, whether it is about DC, or Marvel. With the many adaptations of the Kryptonian hero, some get regarded as masterpieces while others die before they can even reach the surface. Adaptations find key elements that please the audiences and the DC Animated Universe is by far excelling the most in that.

All-Star Superman

All-StarSupermanis a film that came and went by with powerful performances and a gripping story. Adapted from the comic book series of the same name, it had various voice actors who gave their very best. In most cases, these performances are backed by other works that manage to impress voice directors.

Andrea Romano,the voice director of the film, sought outChristina Hendricksfor the role ofLois Lanebecause of another fan-favorite series.

Christina Hendricks Made Her Way Into All-Star Superman with Another Role

Andrea Romano,...

WhatKevin Conroywas for Batman,Tim Dalywas for Superman, who voiced the character in the ’90sSuperman: The Animated Series.While the show itself isn’t as fondly remembered asBatman: The Animated Series,whose success paved the way for the show on the first hand, Daly did hit it out of the park with his performance as Clark Kent.

However, the acclaimed voice artist didn’t connect with Superman from the get-go, as it wasn’t until his later years that saw him developed a keen understanding of the character. But following the current landscape of superheroes, the Wings Star expressed his desire to get back to playing theClarkagain, stressing the entertainment industry has gravitated way towards darkness.

Tim Daly Wants Superman Back in the Limelight

Man of Steel|Warner Bros. Pictures

Following in the footsteps ofChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy,WB...

In the world of superheroes and their adversaries, few characters stand as iconic as Superman and his arch-nemesis,Lex Luthor.However,Tim Daly,who voiced Kal-El inBruce Timm’sSuperman: The Animated Serieshas shared a special affinity for another DC supervillain, who is often described as an anti-hero and a dark reflection of the Kryptonian superhero,Bizarro.

Superman: The Animated Series

He has made recurring appearances in the DC Animated Universe and has been voiced by numerous actors over the years. Daly also gave his voice to the character in The Animated Series, which offered him an insight into the character. The 67-year-old actor expressed empathy towards the villain, as he fondly recalled his time portraying the complex character.

Tim Daly Shared His Experience Working With Bizarro

Introduced inSuperboy#68, Bizarro has been frequently seen as an antagonist clashing with Superman and has taken on the role of an anti-hero as well.

Spider-Man: The Animated SeriesandBatman: The Animated Serieswere probably the best animated shows of the ’90s. While the former is a Marvel show, the latter is a part of the Dcau. Although it has been years since the last seasons of these shows aired, fans still go back to them from time to time.

Besides being one of the best animated shows out there,Spider-Man: The Animated Serieswas the first project to introduce the Spider-Man Multiverse which inspired numerous comics and other projects in the 21st century. On the other hand,Batman: The Animated Serieswas so good that it won several Daytime Emmy Awards and even a Primetime Emmy Award.

While there is no competition between the two because both have excelled in their own way, here are 3 reasons why each of the two shows is great.

Spider-Man: The Animated SeriesManaged to Impress Fans Despite...

Kevin Conroy,who passed away on November 10, 2022, after a private battle with intestinal cancer, was widely known for voicing the DC superhero Batman in multiple animated series. Conroy started withBatman: The Animated Seriesin 1992, which was highly appreciated by the audience and the critics.

The actor, as a part of DC Comics’ 2022 Pride anthology, wrote Finding Batman, which was made free for the audience at the time of his unfortunate demise. The beloved actor’s short story won the 2023 Eisner Award for Best Short Story. Before his passing, Kevin Conroy had spoken about the unexpected success and fame that voicing Batman brought him.

Kevin Conroy voiced Batman starting withBatman: The Animated Series(Credits:HBO Max)

Kevin Conroy calls Batman an ‘iconic character’ and a part of the American cultural landscape

In an interview with DC with Tim Beedle back in 2014, Kevin Conroy, who had very well established himself...

Kevin Conroy,was one of the most celebrated actors in the entertainment industry who gained recognition after he voiced the character of Batman in 1992’sBatman: The Animated Series.He had appeared in various television series, includingSearch for Tomorrow,Dynasty,Ohara,and more, but what made him stand out was being the voice behind one of the most loved characters inDC Comics.

Kevin Conroy’s voiceover performance for Batman has helped in defining and extending the Batman legacy over the years. The actor had no idea that a voice over role could bring him the success and fame. But the actor revealed that it was not the character of Batman that he wanted to voice when he went to audition.

Kevin Conroy had no idea voicing Batman would bring him the success he received

Kevin Conroy revealed that voice directorAndrea Romanoconvinced him to voice Batman

In...

It was the winter of 1992 whenKevin Conroyvoiced the iconic character of Bruce Wayne aka Batman inBatman: The Animated Series.Based onDC Comicsand airing onFox Network,the series was quite popular at that time.

But who knew that the animated series would have an effect on the kids watching the show at that time? In an old interview, Kevin Conroy talked about the reception he got when he voiced the character of Batman inBatman: The Animated Series!

Batman: The Animated Series

Kevin Conroy Felt Humbled By People’s Love For Him!

There is no doubt that Kevin Conroy’s voicing of Batman is one of the finest castings that the world has ever seen. Voicing the character of Batman for two decades, Conroy ultimately passed away in 2022 and the world mourned the actor’s loss.

Kevin Conroy’s Batman andMark Hamill’s Joker...

The late actorKevin Conroyearned worldwide recognition after he voiced the character ofDC Comicssuperhero Batman in various animated series, starting withBatman: The Animated Series,which premiered in 1992. He continued to voice the character in animated series includingThe New Batman Adventures,Batman Beyond,Justice League,andJustice League Unlimited.

Without showcasing his face on-screen, the late actor managed to impress the audience with his deep and raspy voice, which helped define the character for the audience for almost three decades. The actor passed away at the age of 66 on November 10, 2022, following a private battle with intestinal cancer. Before his passing, Kevin Conroy had shared a technique he used to nail Batman’s voice.

Kevin Conroy voiced Batman inBruce Timm’sBatman: The Animated Series(Credits:Warner Bros.Youtube) Kevin Conroy talks about the secret behind Batman’s voice

Actor Kevin Conroy’s voice for Batman:...

“Batman Beyond”takes fans to a Gotham City decades in the future, into a neon-drenched metropolis teeming with high-tech gadgetry and lurking new threats. Bruce Wayne is now older with his crime-fighting days behind him. But when a hot-headed teenager namedTerry McGinnisstumbles upon Bruce’s secret, a new era of theDark Knightis ignited.

A still fromBatman Beyond

It is a thrilling animated series that reimagines the Batman mythos for a new generation. The series ran from 1999 to 2001 and has been a blockbuster hit. A huge part of its success also goes to its voice cast who gave a lot of weight to these animated characters.

SUGGESTEDBatman Beyond Concept Art Shows How a Movie Would Look Like and We Can’t Think of Anyone ButDenis Villeneuveas Director

Will FriedleWas Cast For The New Batman After More Than 250 Auditions

Will Friedle ||Boy Meets World...

Bruce Timmco-createdSuperman: The Animated Series,which ran for four seasons and remains the defining depiction of the Man ofSteelfor an entire generation. However, unlike most kids’ shows of the 90s, the series takes an interesting approach to storytelling, particularly when it comes to exploring Superman’s origin story.

Superman: The Animated Seriescreated byAlan Burnettand Bruce Timm

Superman: The Animated Seriesexplores the titular hero’s origin story over three episodes, which was surprising for an animated series in the 90s. However,Timmexplained how the idea came to be because the creative team faced little to no pushback from the executives. As a result, Timm admitted that the series was able to explore the full scope of Superman’s origin story, and here is how.

Bruce Timm Admitted to Receiving No Pushback Over Superman’s Origin inSuperman: The Animated Series

Superman: The Animated Series...

Bruce TimmandAlan Burnett’sSuperman: The Animated Series,premiered in 1996, and followed the adventures of Superman while he defended the Earth from evil. The popular animated series, which was followed by the success ofBatman: The Animated Series,ran until 2000. It is also known as the first animated series in Dcau to feature multiple superhero guest stars.

Superman: The Animated Seriesincluded appearances from Batman, Hawkgirl,Wonder Woman,The Flash, Green Lantern, and more. The audience and the critics appreciated the series, especially for its writing, voiceover performances by the actors, and the modern take on Superman. Bruce Timm discusses how they were able to cast actors whose voices sit perfectly with the characters on-screen.

Bruce Timm andAlex Burnett’sSuperman: The Animated Series

Bruce Timm says the cast forSuperman: The Animated Serieswas perfect, by chance

During his interview with Cbr, in honor of celebrating...

Mark Hamillis one of the most popular actors of this generation, known for portraying the role ofLuke Skywalkerin the evergreen Star Wars franchise. Following his massive success and popularity in the first three Star Wars films, he transitioned to voice work, contributing to significant projects likeCastle In The Sky,A Fuller Life, andBatman: Mask of The Phantasm.

Batman:The Animated Series

Interestingly enough, a DC star demanded he be in aJustice LeagueUnlimited reunion project as well, which would have been a great thing considering he portrayed the role ofThe Jokerfor so many years.

A DC Star Really Wanted Mark Hamill In AJustice LeagueUnlimited Reunion ProjectJustice LeagueUnlimited

WhileWarner Bros. Studiosstruggled to assemble the legendary heroes ofDC Comicson the big screen for decades, their animation studio achieved this feat back in 2001 onCartoon NetworkwithJustice League.

Lex Luthoris one of the most celebrated villains of all time. Superman’s arch-nemesis is a genius, billionaire, and one of the most power-hungry characters in the comic-book world. The legendary character was portrayed to perfection by actorClancy Brownin theTim Dalystarring animated showSuperman: The Animated Series.

Bruce Timm’s follow-up to hisBatman: The Animated Serieswas a Superman for a new generation as it became an influential piece of media for many other adaptations. It saw a much more vulnerable Superman, who did not smile or perpetually be optimistic like he was in the comics. However, Superman would have been completely different as Brown reportedly first auditioned for the role of Clark Kent in the show.

Tim Daly Got The Job For Superman Very Quickly Tim Daly as Superman inSuperman: The Animated Series

Bruce Timm’sSuperman: The Animated Seriesis one...

Mark Hamillis already well-versed in theBatmanfranchise due to his iconic voiceover of the Joker inBatman: The Animated Series.However, getting the Clown Prince ofCrimerole was not an easy feat as the actor had to fill in the role when the animators had already worked on some of the episodes.

Mark Hamill inBatman: The Animated Series(1992). Credit:Warner Bros. Animation

He’s undoubtedly the best Joker in the animated world, which would make one naturally interested in how he landed the role in the first place. His audition story is quite intriguing which would spark a desire among fans to see him portray the character in live-action.

Mark Hamill Had Big Shoes to Fill in for Joker inBatman: The Animated Series

In an interview with ComicBookMovie, voice and casting directorAndrea Romano,who enlisted the actor as Joker inBatman: The Animated Series...

The Joker is considered by many to be the greatest villain with respect to not only Batman, but all of DC, or even the superhero industry. Some even go to the length of calling him the most iconic villain in all of fiction. He is a villain so legendary, that his maniacal laugh and twisted sense of humor are instantly recognizable.

A still fromBatman: The Animated Series

Among many names that have taken the role of The Joker,Mark Hamillremains the most surprising one. The good guy of the Galaxy Far, Far Away has been voicing Batman’s biggest enemy for many years now. While he might now be known as the Voice of Joker, he wasn’t the first choice for the role at the time.

Suggested “How did they fumble this so bad”:Joaquin Phoenix’sJoker 2Update Upsets Fans as Sequel Aims to...

Los Angeles, CA – Eight-time Emmy Award winnerAndrea Romanofurther cemented her reputation as the greatest voiceover director in animation history on Sunday night when she was inducted into the prestigious Children’s & Family Emmys’ inaugural SilverCircleduring a ceremony at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

The Silver Circle recognizes those professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry for 25 years or more. But the recognition goes well beyond their longevity – they are honored for making an enduring contribution to the vitality of the television industry and for setting standards of achievement the rest of the industry hopes to emulate. These honorees also give back to the community as mentors, educators and volunteers.

“This industry has given me so much, from wonderful relationships with actors and marvelously creative individuals throughout the animation world to a lifetime of incredible memories and fulfilling work,”Romanosaid. “I’m so flattered that,...

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has announced its2023Gold and Silver Circle inductees, honorees who have significantly contributed to children’s television.

The inductees will be honored at the second annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Dec. 17.

According to NATAS, “the Gold and SilverCircleis a society of honor. Inductees have performed distinguished service within the industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership, and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years, respectively. They represent the best and the brightest in the television community.”

Gold Circle – 2023 Children’s & Family Inductees:

Peter Engel,Producer/Executive Producer ( “Saved By The Bell,”“One World”)David Newell,Actor/Producer/Public Relations Director/Props/Manager/Talent Booker ( “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,”“My Tale of Two Cities” )Fred Seibert,Producer/Creator/Innovator/Creative Genius/Mentor/Mensch ( “Adventure Time,”“The Fairly OddParents”)

Silver Circle – 2023 Children’s & Family Inductees:

Vicki Ariyasu,Senior Vice President,...

The Scarecrow, aka Dr.Jonathan Crane,is my favorite Batman villain. I've always been drawn to his eponymous motif, his horror-twinged stories, and how he contests Batman for the title "The Master of Fear." Hence, though "Batman: The Animated Series"holds a special place in my heart, I've always been disappointed that Scarecrow wasn't an A-list player.

Craneis the antagonist in only three episodes and in each one is mostly an obstacle for Batman to develop against. In his villainous debut, "Nothing to Fear,"Batman is dosed with Scarecrow's Fear Toxin and haunted by an apparition of his father, leading to theDark Knight's most famous line. In "Dreams in Darkness," the Fear Toxin drives Batman temporarily insane and he's locked in Arkham Asylum. He must escape both his physical and mental prison before Scarecrow can poison Gotham City.

"Batman: The Animated Series"has many superlative takes on...

Though we sadly lostKevin Conroyin 2022, his legacy as the definitive Batman voice actor is well and truly established. Conroy was part of the reasonBruce TimmandEric Radomski's "Batman: The Animated Series"was as influential as it was. But it wasn't just his input that gave the show its enduring appeal. Aside from reimagining Batman for a whole new generation in the '90s," Batman: Tas "is noteworthy for introducingMark Hamill's Joker.

Hamill was so good in the role he turned a quick cameo into a career playing the Clown Prince of Crime. And quite the career it's been. The "Star Wars" actor has become just as well known for his Joker portrayal across the DC Animated Universe and beyond as he has for playingLuke Skywalker.His name is synonymous with the animated version of Batman's greatest foe, to the extent it seems...

One reason that "Batman: The Animated Series"was and remains so beloved was how it embraced case-of-the-week storytelling. This was perfect for showcasing all the different corners and characters that make up the wild world of Gotham City. Such a large cast of characters meant that the series brought in a lot of actors; voice directorAndrea Romanosought actors of all stripes for parts big and small. On the Popcorn & Shield podcast, the lateKevin Conroy(the voice of Batman) described the casting process as thus:

"They were really looking for actors, rather than just voice people. They cast a really wide net. So there were TV people, film people, stage people. Every week going in it was like going to summer camp, the people I got to work with."

Series co-creatorBruce Timm,also being interviewed, agreed with Conroy's sentiment. "Every week there was always some special, you know,...

Many sawKevin Conroyas the definitive Batman. Before sadly passing in 2022, his gruff rasp as theDark Knightcame to represent the character for a whole generation of '90s kids. His work on "Batman: The Animated Series"was so widely loved that Conroy voiced the character in multiple other projects. Appearing as Batman in the"Arkham"and"Injustice"video games, the actor even showed up as live-action Bruce Wayne in" Crisis On Infinite Earths. "

There's no doubt the man left behind a truly enviable legacy, but prior to his career-defining role as the Caped Crusader, he appeared in numerous stage shows, Shakespeare productions, and various soap operas. The Juilliard grad had, in fact, never tried voice acting prior to his audition for "Batman: Tas." Back in the early '90s, show co-creatorBruce Timmand voice directorAndrea Romanowere struggling to find their Batman, prompting Romano to...

When a pair of "Tiny Toon Adventures"animators tried their hand at reinventing Batman for the small screen back in 1992, they created the definitive version of the Dark Knight for many a '90s kid. Led byEric RadomskiandBruce Timm,"Batman: The Animated Series"was a big hit forFox Kidsfor the three years of its airing. The show re-envisioned Batman for a new generation, picking up whereTim Burtonleft off with 1989's "Batman"and reintroducing the dark tone that had been so central to the character's inception.

With a Superman film in the works,Warner Bros. AnimationpresidentJean MacCurdyaskedTimmif he wanted to cartoons with the DC superhero (via Comicology). Timm andAlan Burnett( "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm") partnered up to work their magic with Superman. Once again, they reinvigorated the character, bringing a distinctive design language, nuanced characters, and mature...

"Superman: The Animated Series"can sometimes live in the shadow of" Batman: The Animated Series, "but that doesn't make it any lesser than the series it spawned from. In fact, many qualities that make the" Batman: Tas "great can be found in" Superman: Tas. "One such thing is the incredible voice work: Just as the legendaryKevin Conroybecame synonymous with the caped crusader, so didTim Daly's performance as Superman. Moreover, Superman had his arch-enemy brought to life by a highly talented voice actor.Clancy Brownlent his distinctive baritone toLex Luthor,the evil genius who opposes the morally righteous Superman.

However, before Clancy Brown took on the role of Lex Luthor, he initially had a different character in mind. As he would reveal in a 25th-anniversary piece published on theDC Comicswebsite, Brown had actually wanted the role of Superman himself, Clark Kent. Unfortunately, the...

As the old saying goes, "It's a small world after all." You can travel halfway across the country and still find a former neighbor or someone that attended the same classes as you in college. You might even end up on the other side of the globe one day and run into an old friend that you haven't thought of in years.

Applying this saying to the entertainment industry, there are hundreds, if not thousands of productions going on at one time. Performers will audition for countless jobs, so the people in the waiting rooms start to look familiar after a while. But how often does it happen where you actually end up working with those you really know and are close with, without one party at least putting a good word in for the other?

One instance where this happened was during the casting of "Superman: The Animated Series.

(Superhero Bits is a collection of stories, updates, and videos about anything and everything inspired by the comics of Marvel, DC, and more. For comic book movies, TV shows, merchandise, events, and whatever catches our eye, this is the place to find anything that falls through the cracks.)

In this edition of Superhero Bits:

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"passes a huge milestone.

Henry Cavill's final bit of Superman pay.

You can now watch "Black Adam"on HBO Max.

AfterShock Comics is in some hot water.

All that and more!

AfterShock Comics Responds To Reports It Owes Creators Lots Of Money

AfterShock Comics, which recently closed a deal to turn its book "Party & Prey" into a movie at Legendary, is in hot water.Alex de Campirecently took toTwitterto claim that the publisher owes several creators thousands of dollars. As reported byComicbook,the company has responded to the accusations,...

Tim Burton's 1989 film "Batman"was a hit the likes of which the world hadn't previously seen. In terms of cultural and advertising ubiquity,"Batman"even seemed to outstrip"Star Wars"in terms of its deep saturation. Burton's Gothic designs andDanny Elfman's Stravinsky-like score came to dictate a great deal of popular media that followed.Warren Beatty's 1990 film "Dick Tracy"is perhaps the most notable, big-budget"Batman"clone, using a lot of the aesthetic cues from"Batman,"but adding more bright colors. Elfman also scored that film. Batman would then return in June of 1992 with"Batman Returns,"an even stranger, more Gothic, more Stravinsky-inspired aesthetic.

The following September,Warner Bros.would keep Burton's stylized universe alive withEric Radomski's andBruce Timm's "Batman: The Animated Series,"a show quite different from the bubblegum kid entertainment immediately surrounding it."Batman: The Animated Series,"like the Burton films,...

Today the comics community is mourningKevin Conroy,the voice of Batman for a generation. Starting with "Batman: The Animated Series"in 1992, Conroy went on to perform as theDark Knightin almost 60 projects, including 15 films, 15 animated series, and two dozen video games. He even appeared in live-action as Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event. It's hard to overstate the legacy he has left for DC fans. Conroy's work wasn't just a voice on a few shows; he brought so much depth to the role of this complicated superhero.

Back in 2014, Conroy spoke to DC about his Bat-career and his approach to the character. He talked about how fans have been coming up to him, telling him how his work affected them growing up and how they were introducing their own children to it. "People talk about Batman on such an intimate, adult level,...

I never thought I would be saying this so soon, but revered voice actorKevin Conroyhas died at age 66. The man who so many looked up to as "Batman"for decades has left us, and the world feels a little dimmer without him. As the stories about working with him continue to flood in, the common throughline shows industry-wide respect for a wholeheartedly kind individual. It's never easy to watch people who have contributed to the entertainment you've grown up with pass on, but it's even harder when they're as treasured as Conroy was.

For over 30 years, Conroy had been the CapedCrusader's definitive voice, whether in the guise ofBruce Timm's "Batman: The Animated Series"or the"Arkham"video games. Among the sea of talented folks who have donned the cowl, Conroy struck this perfect balance, where the imposing stature of Batman is molded from the hidden melancholy of Bruce Wayne.

New York, NY – ActorKevin Conroy,the most beloved voice of Batman in the animated history of the character, died Thursday at age 66 after a short battle with cancer.

A noted stage, film and television performer, Conroy rose to unparalleled voice acting fame as the title character of the landmarkBatman: The Animated Series(1992-1996). He would establish never-to-be-broken records as the quintessential voice of Batman, bringing the super hero to animated life in nearly 60 different productions, including 15 films – highlighted by the acclaimed Batman: Mask of the Phantasm; 15 animated series, spanning nearly 400 episodes and more than 100 hours of television; as well as two dozen video games. Conroy was also featured as a live-action Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse’s 2019-2020 “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event.

In recent years, Conroy was a notable fixture on the Con circuit, greeting fans with the same warmth, respect and enthusiasm they reserved for him.

It's impossible to think of "Batman: The Animated Series"without thinking ofKevin Conroy.In fact, the legendary voice artist provided what many consider to be the definitiveDark Knightvoice to all manner of Batman media throughout his career. From the "Batman: Arkham" and "Injustice" video games to live-action depictions in "Batwoman"and" Crisis Aftermath, "Conroy embodied both Batman and Bruce Wayne.

But "The Animated Series" is where it all began for Conroy, who sadly passed away at the age of 66. The celebrated show introduced an entire generation to a much darker version of the Caped Crusader, who was still trying to shake off the camp of the 1960sAdam Westseries. There had beenTim Burton's "Batman"in 1989 andFrank Miller's seminal "The Dark Knight Returns" comic in '86, but the character hadn't yet established himself in the collective psyche as a truly "Dark Knight".

Of course,...

Kevin Conroy,the voice actor whose distinct voice will forever be synonymous with Batman after voicing the character on “Batman: The Animated Series”and a number of other Batman projects, has died. He was 66.

In a statement to Et, a spokesperson forWarner Bros. Animationsaid the production company is “saddened by the loss of our dear friend Kevin Conroy.” The statement continued, “His iconic performance of Batman will forever stand among the greatest portrayals of theDark Knightin any medium. We send our warmest thoughts to his loved ones and join fans around the world in honoring his legacy.

DC Comics,the comic book publishing home of the Cape Crusader, announced Friday in a statement that Conroy died Thursday after a short battle with cancer. Conroy helmed Bruce Wayne’s voice in “Batman: The Animated Series”from 1992 to 1996. According to DC Comics, he’d go on to voice Batman in nearly 60 different productions,...

Voice actorKevin Conroyhas died. He was 66.

The actor, who voiced the iconic Dark Knight across many of DC’sBatmananimated series died on Thursday (10 November),Warner Brosannounced.

His voiceover agentSteven Neibertconfirmed the news toThe Independent,writing: “The voice-over community lost one of the greats. I am completely devastated as I worked with him for over 25 years.”

Casting and dialogue directorAndrea Romanoadded in a statement: “Kevin was far more than an actor whom I had the pleasure of casting and directing – he was a dear friend for 30+ years whose kindness and generous spirit knew no boundaries.

“Kevin’s warm heart, delightfully deep laugh and pure love of life will be with me forever.”

Conroy began his 30-year run voicing the titular superhero in 1992’sBatman: The Animated Series,which ran until 1996.

After the series concluded, he continued his role across a variation of nearly 60 productions,...