Kevin Conroy’s appearance in DC’s Arrowverse, during the Batwoman episode of Crisis on Infinite Earths, is still proving to be a point of contention even years later. Perhaps the most prolific Batman ever, Kevin Conroy reprised the role of Bruce Wayne for the Arrowverse’s television crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths. With Conroy’s impressive legacy, many viewers were primed for an episode-stealing performance that celebrated his history as the Caped Crusader. What audiences got, however, was, to say the least, divisive.

The Arrowverse is a live-action franchise based on DC Comics that aired primarily on The CW. It originally began with the series Arrow and was quickly followed by numerous other shows, leading to several incredible crossover events. Primarily among these was Crisis on Infinite Earths, which spanned episodes of Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman. Crisis on Infinite Earths depicted DC heroes from different parallel universes uniting to battle the Anti-Monitor, a cosmic threat intent on destroying the multiverse. The event reshaped the Arrowverse continuity and established a new status quo for its characters.

Kevin Conroy’s Arrowverse Batman Appearance Explained

Conroy Appeared In Batwoman Season 1, Episode 9 “Crisis On Infinite Earths: Part Two”

Kevin Conroy appeared in the Batwoman episode of the Arrowverse’s crossover event, where he played an older Bruce Wayne on Earth-99. In the story, the heroes traverse the multiverse in search of the Arrowverse’s Paragons – heroes prophesied to defeat the Anti-Monitor. Batwoman and Supergirl travel to Earth-99 to locate and recruit the “Bat of the Future” – Conroy. However, upon meeting Conroy’s Batman, Batwoman and Supergirl fail to recruit him to their cause and make harrowing discoveries about Earth-99’s Batman.

In the Arrowverse, Batwoman and Supergirl visit Wayne Manor, where they meet Conroy’s Bruce Wayne, who is confined to a robotic exoskeleton. As the heroes converse, it’s revealed that this universe’s Batman enacted a violent killing spree – breaking Batman’s famed no-killing rule. Batman killed several classic villains, such as the Joker, Mr. Freeze, and the Riddler, and, as Supergirl discovered, also killed his universe’s Superman. After being confronted in the Batcave, Conroy’s Batman attacks Supergirl and is electrocuted to death by his exoskeleton.

Why The Arrowverse’s Kevin Conroy Approach Was So Divisive

Conroy’s Batman In The Arrowverse Was Not The Hero Audiences Expected

For several reasons, Kevin Conroy’s portrayal of Batman in the Arrowverse proved divisive. Firstly, Conroy’s portrayal of an older, darker version of Batman differed significantly from his interpretation in Batman: The Animated Series. While his voice remained instantly recognizable, the characterization presented a Batman who had succumbed to darkness and despair.

This departure from the traditional depiction of Batman as a beacon of justice and morality was jarring for many viewers who held Conroy’s portrayal in high esteem. Secondly, the limited screen time and context provided for Conroy’s Batman within the crossover event left some feeling underwhelmed. Given the complexity of the character and the weight of Conroy’s legacy, many had high expectations of his appearance.

However, the brief and morally corrupted interpretation of the character was contrary to his essential characterization and flew in the face of everything Conroy himself had helped establish. X user Akuma succinctly observed that the reason behind much of the negative response to Conroy’s Arrowverse role was that it squandered the opportunity to depict Conroy’s Batman for the first time in live-action. However, another major factor was how this performance undermined Conroy’s Batman legacy.

Why Kevin Conroy’s Legacy Is So Crucial To Batman’s History

Kevin Conroy Has Played Batman More Than Any Other Actor

Kevin Conroy’s legacy as Batman is unparalleled, and, for many, he is the definitive Dark Knight. Conroy first appeared as Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, before appearing in a litany of movies, television series, and video games as the famed hero. Conroy’s deep, commanding voice and nuanced performance brought a level of depth and complexity to the character that resonated with audiences worldwide.

Conroy’s portrayal captured the essence of Batman, portraying both the brooding intensity of the Caped Crusader and the suave sophistication of Bruce Wayne. In fact, it was Conroy who first introduced the two-voice trope into the Batman franchise, wherein the actor uses distinct vocal tones to differentiate between the characters of Batman and Bruce Wayne. This technique has since become a staple of Batman portrayals across various media.

Conroy played Batman more than any other actor and is often cited as the greatest rendition of the character of all time. It’s this impressive legacy that viewers felt was tarnished by his twisted characterization in the Arrowverse. After establishing the quintessential version of the character through decades of work, Conroy’s role in the Batwoman episode of the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths instead proffered the character’s absolute antithesis.