With The Dark Knight Rises poised to draw in cinema-goers like some kind of ultrasonic bat whistle, now is surely the time to grapple with that thorny topic: Who is the best ever Batman? Christian Bale, or one of his predecessors?

Let's take a quick look through five generations of on-screen Batmen (we're sticking to cinema versions, so no Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery, Kevin Conroy or Rino Romano) – and vote for your ultimate Batman below.

1. Adam West

Key text: Batman: The Movie

For: Brought delightful camp humour to the role…

Against: Or, brought immensely irritating camp humour, depending on your camp humour-tolerance levels.

Sample dialogue: "They may be drinkers, Robin, but they're still human beings."



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2. Michael Keaton

Key text: Batman

For: Under Tim Burton's guidance, brought a deft mix of light and shade to the role.

Against: Compared to some of his alarmingly buff successors, he seemed a little bit out-of-shape for a vigilante crime-fighter.

Sample dialogue: "I'm not going to kill you. I want you to do me a favor. I want you to tell all your friends about me."



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3. Val Kilmer

Key text: Batman Forever

For: "For me, Val Kilmer was the best Batman," said Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher. I thought he looked great in the costume, and I thought he brought a depth to the role."

Against: The George Lazenby of Batman actors. If you claim he's your favourite, you're either trying too hard, or you're Joel Schumacher.

Sample dialogue: "You called me here for this? The Batsignal is not a beeper."



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4. George Clooney

Key text: Batman & Robin

For: That celebrated Clooney charisma.

Against: Del Boy arguably brought more gravitas to the role that time he dressed up as Batman. Plus, Clooney's Batsuit nipples.

Sample dialogue: "Why is it that all the beautiful ones are homicidal maniacs? Is it me?"



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5. Christian Bale

Key text: The Dark Knight

For: Dark. Brooding. The most "real" Batman to date.

Against: Would it kill him to lighten up a bit once in a while?

Sample dialogue: "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."



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