Best pre-Conroy Batman voice

[Manhunter]

Before Kevin Conroy voiced Bats (yes, folks, such a time did exist), there were two men who had the role.

The first was Olan Soule who voiced the character in the 60's Filmation series, two 2-part episodes of The Scooby-Doo Movies and most incarnations of Superfriends.

Next came Adam West, who reprised his live-action role in the late 70's Filmation series The New Adventures of Batman (the show that introduced Bat-Mite to animation) and in the final two seasons of Superfriends (perhaps the most serious version of Batman he ever played).

But whose was the best?

Mod Note: Please note this forum does not cover DC Animation prior to Batman: The Animated Series.

[Gold Guy]

Adam West by far. No contest.

[CyberCubed]

There was a Batman before Kevin Conroy? [/joke]

I'd say Adam West. In a good campy way.

[Toddman]

Even though in the last season of Super Friends, West had much better material to work with, it really just emphasized his limitations as a voice actor. Truthfully, he was terrible. Soule's Batman had far less range as a character, but he still delivered a superior performance compared to West's overacted parody.


Toddman

[LTFan]

For me, it comes down to who did better for their version of Batman. I gotta say, Olan was the better Superfriends Batman. I don't remember seeing the other series, so I can't comment on that one. I'm voting for Olan though.

[Cortez2301]

I commend you on making an original thread.Nice to see something without Conroy on the poll for a change.

Adam West for me.

[Manhunter]

I commend you on making an original thread.Nice to see something without Conroy on the poll for a change.

I might do one for "Best post-Conroy Batman voice".

[Zorak Masaki]

Whats ironic is that with West, the portrayal of Batman was (slightly) more serious, as opposed to soule who was, as the writers admit, "dad in a mask".

[mgr91686]

Olan Soule wins, I used to watch his Batman and for the longest time he was Batman before the B:TAS hit the airwaves.

[dark knight 90]

Both actors never really got alot to do with the character... but there was a certain warmth to Olan Soule's voice that fit the version a bit better.

Also, I don't really think West knew, or perhaps even believed in playing a toned down Dark Knight (As seen in the episode 'The Fear'). I don't think West is a big fan of a more tortured batman.

[Rick Jones]

Olan Soule was great on Filmation's original Batman cartoons, which was pretty much the best animated Batman stuff before BTAS (although The Fear was the single best animated Batman story before BTAS). I love Adam West but I don't think he could have handled a serious/humorous duality as well as Soule.

On a sidenote, I think Superman would be much harder to pick a definitive voice for than Batman.

[dmxx116]

Before Kevin Conroy voiced Bats (yes, folks, such a time did exist), there were two men who had the role.

The first was Olan Soule who voiced the character in the 60's Filmation series, two 2-part episodes of The Scooby-Doo Movies and most incarnations of Superfriends.

Next came Adam West, who reprised his live-action role in the late 70's Filmation series The New Adventures of Batman (the show that introduced Bat-Mite to animation) and in the final two seasons of Superfriends (perhaps the most serious version of Batman he ever played).

But whose was the best?

Mod Note: Please note this forum does not cover DC Animation prior to Batman: The Animated Series. Not to sonud rude of tell you how to do your job on here, If you don't cover pre Batman animated why is this thread still open you have every right to look it up.

Mod Update: Thread moved to proper forum.

[suss2it]

I might do one for "Best post-Conroy Batman voice".That would make more sense, seeing as how there's a wider variety, and it's more memorable

[mgr91686]

Since I am thinking about it... I would like to remind everyone of the guys who played Batman on radio in the 40's. Completely off topic, but they voiced Batman nonethless.

[Manhunter]

Not to sonud rude of tell you how to do your job on here, If you don't cover pre Batman animated why is this thread still open you have every right to look it up.

If he does, that's his right. Didn't see any harm in this thread. Maybe, at least, move it to the Retro Cartoons forum.

[The New Titans]

Adam West. Without a doubt. How can you sound so cheesy, yet so heroic at the same time?

[DisneyBoy]

Even though in the last season of Super Friends, West had much better material to work with, it really just emphasized his limitations as a voice actor. Truthfully, he was terrible.

Glad I'm not the only one who thought so. Those episodes left me wishing Lynda Carter had been able to do a voice, because I really felt she'd have brought more of a sense of authenticity to Wonder Woman than he did to Batman.

Of course, those were different times. Casey Casom didn't exactly go the subtle route with Robin. They were supposed to be bringing the drama up a few notches with every line.

But I personally found West's performances distracting.

[Harvey Kent]

Between the two choices, IMO definitely Olan Soule.

[Ishtar]

Adam West. He was so into the role, that sometimes I even thought he really was Batman.

[Fibber Fox]

Interesting poll.

Soulé was a fine radio actor, with a career that dated back "Grand Stand Thrills" on Mutual in the mid '30s (he was based at WGN in Chicago when that city was still a radio drama mecca).

But I was in Grade 4 when West was TV's Batman. And I still think of him as Batman, regardless of all the movies and the more recent TV cartoons I've never seen. Soulé was a far better actor than him, but I'll have to go with West as Batman.

F. Fox

[Eric B]

Let's not forget Batman's Scooby appearances. That was my first exposure to Soule, and he has much great dialogue there. Especially when he and Velma start explaining things.

[dtemplar]

Adam West may be a great TV Batman, but Olan Soule is THE voice for Batman.

[SF4Ever]

Adam West may be a great TV Batman, but Olan Soule is THE voice for Batman.

Agreed! For Olan Soule, the role of Batman in Filmation's incarnation in the late 60's, two episodes of The New Scooby-Doo Movies and for 11 of The Superfriends 13 years had to have been the role of a lifetime for him, although Adam West does get an honorable mention for playing the live-action Batman in the 60's as well as voicing the role in Filmation's late 70's incarnation, before he took over that role on SF as Olan Soule changed roles and became Prof. Martin Stein for two years. BTW, Adam was also the Gray Ghost in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series in 1993, acting alongside Kevin Conroy, who started as the Caped Crusader, back then.

[foxwolf2099]

we have a sound clip voice comparison of most of the animated batmans and their actors, but nothing pre-conroy yet. [See sig line for link. - Staff]

however, during that Batman Gotham Knights ep "Legends of the Dark Knight" where some kids tell their interpretation story of batman, we have a campy batman in Gary Owens who pretty much was an Adam West.

[Post moderated by Staff.]

you gotta love the "old chum" line :P

[dtemplar]

[Post moderated by Staff.]

I did checked the site out, its missing both Olan Soule and Adam West.

[foxwolf2099]

I did checked the site out, its missing both Olan Soule and Adam West.

Not anymore, Olan Soule and Adam West are now part of the list. We have 10 Batman to listen to now. [See sig line for link. - Staff]

[Post moderated by Staff.]

[dtemplar]

Good work, thanks.