DC's Batman: The Animated Series. With its noir-inspired aesthetic, mature storytelling, and career-defining performances, it remains a pinnacle of superhero animation. One such episode was a mind-bending, introspective tale that Conroy later confirmed as his personal favorite.

Batman: The Animated Series debuted in 1992 and redefined superhero cartoons with its sophisticated storytelling and deep psychological exploration of its characters. Unlike previous animated iterations of the Caped Crusader, the series focused heavily on Batman’s internal struggles, the morality of his mission, and the psychological weight of his double life. Central to its success was Kevin Conroy, whose portrayal of Batman across multiple decades cemented him as the definitive voice of the Dark Knight.

Kevin Conroy Confirmed His Favorite Episode Of Batman: The Animated Series In 2018

Conroy’s Favorite Episode Is Batman: TAS Season 1, Episode 26 “Perchance To Dream”

In a 2018 interview, Kevin Conroy officially revealed that his favorite episode of Batman: The Animated Series was “Perchance to Dream” (via geek tyrant). According to Conroy, the episode stood out because it pushed Batman into uncharted territory – forcing him to question the very nature of his existence and mission. The episode, which aired in 1992, follows Bruce Wayne as he wakes up to a world where his parents are alive, and he never became Batman.

Related
I Still Can’t Believe Robin Williams Was Almost Cast As Two Major Batman Movie Villains

The legendary actor Robin Williams was nearly cast as two major Batman villains, both of whom he would have absolutely have excelled at playing.

At first, this reality seems like a dream come true, but as he starts to notice inconsistencies, Bruce begins to unravel a deeper mystery. Ultimately, he discovers that he is trapped in a false reality created by the Mad Hatter to neutralize Batman without resorting to violence. Conroy explained that the episode was particularly memorable for him because it allowed him to explore a side of Bruce Wayne that was rarely seen.

Related
10 Perfect Superhero Actors Who Didn’t Believe They’d Get The Role

Even some of the very greatest superhero stars genuinely thought they had lost the role before delivering critically acclaimed performances.

“Perchance to Dream” explored a Bruce Wayne who was vulnerable, desperate, and confronted with the idea that everything he believed in might be a lie. The episode also required Conroy to push his vocal performance to new limits, as he had to convey confusion, despair, and finally, determination as Bruce fought to reclaim his true self. As Controy explained:

“What's made the character fun for me to play is his complexity, his darkness. All of that is rooted in the loss of his parents when he was a child, and anything that deals with that psychology and that psychodrama that he lives in makes it fun for me as an actor.”

Kevin Conroy's Favorite Episode Of Batman: The Animated Series Is One Of The Best Batman Stories Of All Time

“Perchance To Dream” Is A Celebrated Batman: TAS Episode

Batman with torch cutter in Batman: the Animated Series

There are countless great Batman: The Animated Series episodes, but “Perchance to Dream” stands out as one of the greatest Batman stories ever told. Unlike episodes that focus on elaborate crime-fighting or Batman’s rogues’ gallery, this one strips everything away and focuses entirely on Bruce Wayne’s mind. The premise alone is brilliant: if given the chance to have his parents back and live a normal life, would Bruce Wayne abandon Batman?

Related
10 Youngest Heroes In DC Movies & Shows Ranked By Age

Some of the most dynamic and compelling adventures in DC movies and television series have been led by some of their very youngest heroes.

The episode forces him to wrestle with that question in a way that feels deeply personal. Seeing Bruce experience fleeting happiness, only to have it ripped away, makes for an emotionally devastating arc. What makes “Perchance to Dream” even more remarkable is how it presents a psychological battle rather than a physical one. While most Batman stories rely on action and detective work, this episode focuses on Bruce’s ability to think critically, analyze inconsistencies, and fight against the illusion controlling him.

Related
10 DCAU Stories That James Gunn's DC Universe Needs To Steal

With James Gunn’s DCU reboot underway, the DC Animated Universe could proffer some thrilling narratives to be adapted into live-action.

2

It’s a battle of willpower, not strength, and that makes it all the more compelling. The episode’s reveal adds a further layer of tragedy. Unlike most villains who attack Batman head-on, the Mad Hatter genuinely tries to give Bruce happiness, but only in a way that serves his own twisted motives. This reinforces the idea that Batman can never truly have peace, as his life is one defined by struggle, even against the dream of a perfect world.

Kevin Conroy Appreciating Perchance To Dream Makes It All The Better

Conroy Has Become Synonymous With The Caped Crusader

Batman throwing a batarang in Batman_ The Animated Series

The fact that “Perchance to Dream” was Kevin Conroy’s favorite episode only makes it more special. Conroy’s deep understanding of Batman and Bruce Wayne’s psyche allowed him to elevate the episode with his performance. His iration for the episode shows that he recognized the significance of the story – not just as an actor but as someone who truly understood what makes Batman compelling.

Related
10 Missed DC Castings That Could Have Changed Everything

Some truly iconic stars came tantalizingly close to portraying classic DC characters. If they had, they would have changed the whole franchise.

For longtime Batman viewers, Conroy’s endorsement of “Perchance to Dream” validates what many already believe: that the best Batman stories aren’t necessarily the ones with the most action, but the ones that dig into the character’s mind. The episode explores themes of identity, destiny, and the weight of Batman’s existence in a way few stories ever do. Kevin Conroy’s legacy as Batman is unparalleled, and his appreciation of “Perchance to Dream” confirms that it isn’t just a great Batman: The Animated Series story – it’s one of the greatest ever told.

Source: geek tyrant

0312128_poster_w780.jpg

Your Rating

Batman: The Animated Series
Release Date
1992 - 1995-00-00
Network
FOX, Fox Kids
Showrunner
Bruce Timm
  • Headshot Of Kevin Conroy
    Batman (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
    Alfred Pennyworth (voice)

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Directors
Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur, Dan Riba, Dick Sebast
Writers
Michael Reaves, Brynne Stephens, Randy Rogel, David Wise, Len Wein, Marty Isenberg, Richard Mueller, Sam Graham, Peter Morwood, Dennis O'Neil, Carl Swenson, Beth Bornstein, Steve Hayes, Chris Hubbell, Martin Pasko, Henry Gilroy, Elliot S. Maggin, Eddie Gorodetsky, Diane Duane
Franchise(s)
Batman
Creator(s)
Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski

DC Movie Releases