The true vision of a Dark Knight, Michael Keaton portrayed Batman in the first two movies of the WB franchise, which were directed by Tim Burton ("Batman" and "Batman Returns").
Val Kilmer was the next at Bat, in Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever." He played a dark Batman contrasted against an oddly colorful Gotham City with over-the-top villains Riddler and Two-Face, and was hindered with a rebellious Robin.
George Clooney played Batman in the worst of the WB films, "Batman and Robin." The movie couldn't seem to decide if it wanted to be serious or funny, so it failed at both while trying to cram in too many characters, none of them developed well. But, we can't really blame George for that. Let's blame Joel Schumacher.
The animated Batman is a surprisingly sophisticated and dark interpretation of Batman, and probably the most accurate version ever. It boils down to the core of the characters, and has a focus that even the comic books, where Batman originated, seem to have lost. Kevin Conroy provides the voice of Batman.
And let's not forget Adam West, who played a loveably goofy caped crusader in the 1960's. Unlike the movie "Batman and Robin," this show really WAS funny, and it was supposed to be. Darn that Joel Schumacher.
The newest Batman on the scene is in the animated "Batman Beyond," by the same minds behind Batman The Animated Series. In the future, an old and retired Bruce Wayne trains teenage Terry McGinnis to be a new Batman for a new era. Terry is voiced by Will Friedle, and Kevin Conroy is still present as the aged and bitter Bruce Wayne.
Russ Dimino 2000