Legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy has made an announcement that cements his place among very unique company. During the History Of Batman panel that took place on the main stage of Los Angeles Comic Con, it was revealed that he, alongside Riddler voice actor John Glover and others, would be reprising his role as The Dark Knight in an audio drama that would continue the adventures of Batman: The Animated Series.

The list of actors that have formed a career around their portrayal of the Batman isn’t a long one. Michael Keaton was a known entity before he became the first to portray Bruce Wayne in a big budget film. However, the significance of it, as well as his previous work in primarily comedies, made this a landmark role that proved his chops as a dramatic actor. Christian Bale was a big name before his casting in the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy, but carved out a fresh niche in pop culture with his portrayal that earned both derision and praise in equal measure. Thanks to his work, Will Arnett’s subsequent casting as the Lego franchise’s version of Batman was made possible.

There is yet another list that is far shorter, one formed of those who have turned their work as Batman into a legacy. It is a list limited to but two: the late Adam West, and the aforementioned Conroy. Like West, Conroy has portrayed Batman and Bruce Wayne across multiple properties and multiple decades, beginning with the advent of Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. However, unlike others, Conroy is one widely recognized Batman who will be evolving his performance for a new generation – much as West did in two animated features alongside Burt Ward in the two animated Batman movies that featured West’s “Bright Knight” before his passing in 2017. For those who may not be familiar with the landmark animated series that embraced its noir roots, moving from animation to an audio medium will bring fresh awareness to what many see as a classic depiction of Batman.

The popularity of performative podcasts like Welcome To Nightvale and audio dramas like Audible’s production of the Sandman comics have led to a resurgence in the field of audio entertainment, which pairs perfectly with the talents of voice actors like Conroy, and co-star Glover, who will both be bringing their talents to this revival of Batman: The Animated Series. In addition to Conroy and Glover, Conroy shared that original writer for the animated series, Alan Burnett, will be joining them for the project.

“It’s a great script by Alan Burnett and it brings back the original cast,” said Kevin Conroy during the LA Comic Con panel, which was hosted by History Of The Batman’s own Londyn Jackson. This script will also, apparently, feature some significant development for the characters involved.

“The Riddler’s back, and he’s evolved in many ways.” Glover added to the discussion at the panel. “He understands he’s on the spectrum.”

While no additional casting has been confirmed as of yet for the production, and while it does face a host of competitors both already on the market and currently in development, the Batman: The Animated Series audio production has a lot to offer. Not only will it bring back members of the original cast with Kevin Conroy heading the playbill, and not only will it bring this landmark series back into the public awareness, but Danny Elfman is also slated to write the theme.

In the end, all things come full circle – and for the greats in the world of entertainment, it seems, all paths lead right back to the Batcave.

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