Animation
Kevin Conroy Video Interview (2018) – ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ ending
Kevin Conroy spoke to The Natural Aristocrat® in 2018 about the iconic Batman: The Killing Joke ending scene where Batman and the Joker surreally laugh together.
This Kevin Conroy interview took place at New York Comic Con 2018. It contains spoilers to the animated film, Batman: The Killing Joke.
Kevin Conroy and Batman. Photo Credit: DC Comics (left) / © 2016 Warner Bros. Animation (right)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT (NIR REGEV): In Batman: The Killing Joke we see Batman genuinely laughing together with the Joker in the surreal final scene. I was wondering how you felt about the moment?
KEVIN CONROY: Isn’t that crazy? I was really proud of that. I was really proud of that because when you get into a scene like that, it’s not about making voices. It’s about really living the scene.
You know, you’re acting. Voice acting is acting! And so Mark (Hamill) and I are in there together and the madness that took over that room when we were both laughing. The laughing grew and grew, and then Batman’s laughter takes over.
Photo Credit: © 2016 Warner Bros. Animation
I love that aspect of that. There’s a similar thing that happens at the end of Batman: Arkham Knight, the last of the games. It ends in a sort of a similar world psychologically for me as Batman. And I was just really proud of it.
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What does it mean to you that after multiple decades and live action films, fans still love & recognize your version of Batman the most? Standing the test of time. You must be extremely proud.
KEVIN CONROY: You can’t imagine how proud I am to have been associated with this show. Everything about it, the artwork, the writing, the full Symphony score, the incredible cast.
The quality of the show was so high and they took great pains to make it that way. Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski are real perfectionists and they really strived to make the series great and it shows.
So for an actor to stumble into a job like this, look, I’m so lucky. I mean, I’m proud of the work I did and I think I did a good job… But I’m not naive enough to think that there aren’t a dozen other actors who couldn’t have done the same thing.
I was just the one lucky enough to get it. You know what I mean? Yeah. And boy, am I appreciative of that.
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: For me even when I hear your regular speaking voice, I always hear the Batman I grew up with no matter what.
KEVIN CONROY: (laughs) Yes! The brainwashing works!
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Do people constantly recognize your voice when you’re just walking around in day-to-day life?
KEVIN CONROY: Well, the Batman voice is different than my voice, but people do recognize the Bruce Wayne voice in my voice. And that is a little weird, especially little kids. They’ll be like, you’re my cartoon! (laughs)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Thanks Kevin!
KEVIN CONROY: Thank you!
– Editors Note: At the time of this 2018 NYCC interview, Kevin Conroy was promoting Batman: The Complete Animated Series Collection Deluxe Edition being released on Blu-ray.
– You can also watch & comment on this 2018 Kevin Conroy interview on The Natural Aristocrat®’s YouTube channel.
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