Bat fans on Twitter released a collective gasp on Wednesday as they learned that voice actor Kevin Conroy is gay.
Conroy is best known for voicing Batman in a series of DC Animated series and films over the past 30 years, beginning with Batman: The Animated Series.
The realization came as DC Comics announced the creative minds behind this year’s Pride Anthology, a series of stories penned by high-profile LGBTQ authors and drawn by famous queer artists centered around the label’s LGBTQ characters.
Conroy will write the story Finding Batman, described as a “personal story.” Details on the tale itself remain mum, though judging by the title, he’ll revisit his most iconic character in some way.
The full anthology releases May 31.
Related: ‘Batman’ is about to get a whole lot more queer
Ironically, Conroy has made no secret of his sexuality, having discussed his life as a gay man and survival of the AIDS crisis numerous times in interviews. He remains one of only a handful of openly-LGBTQ actors to play a superhero.
??? #DCPRIDE? 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS JUST DROPPED???https://t.co/w0Gzfwqa14 pic.twitter.com/P5MDpfVz6c
— Andrea Shea (@whatthe_shea) April 13, 2022
Still, a good chunk of Conroy’s fans somehow missed his years of life as an out gay man, and took to Twitter to share their surprise and delight. We also imagine a few probably have some pressing questions about Batman’s relationship with Robin.
Have a look at some of our favorite reactions…
Kevin Conroy writing a story for the DC Pride special is so goddamn wonderful
That man has been THE voice of Batman for as long as I've been alive and has been so foundational for so many folks who may not even know he's gay
It feels truly earned and special, I can't wait
— The Italian Misato Katsuragi (@Blankzilla) April 13, 2022
Kevin Conroy is writing a Batman story for DC Pride and if that isn't the coolest thing in the world! pic.twitter.com/IlLaBgIMEq
— Ashley?|TheBatFamily ? (@TheBat_Family) April 13, 2022
How did I not know Kevin Conroy was gay?????? https://t.co/Jbw7Lc66x3
— Ollie ? (@TheQuiver_) April 13, 2022
You can’t say Batman isn’t gay when Kevin Conroy is gay and Kevin Conroy is Batman so you see
— Diana. (@HailEternal) April 13, 2022
“Kevin Conroy is gay? Didn’t know he was a fa-“ pic.twitter.com/AzQcTvA2c8
— Matches Malone (@cell_0801) April 13, 2022
sorry to timber nation but im still thinking about kevin conroy getting to write for pride ???? like. the fact that pretty much everyone's definitive batman voice is a gay man who lived through the aids crisis? thats fucking cool!! im so stoked hes writing for us
— aj ! ? (@teentltanz) April 13, 2022
Conservatives, 30 seconds after learning Kevin Conroy is gay: pic.twitter.com/wXtrGAiesz
— Jason Colavito (@JasonColavito) April 13, 2022
TIL Kevin Conroy is gay.
He's literally my favorite super hero actor, and I had no idea. World's finest indeed! https://t.co/EKql5AlusI— B. Dave Walters: I Say Words About Things (@BDaveWalters) April 14, 2022
Today i learned Kevin Conroy is gay. This is blowing my mind in a "thats fucking awesome" kind of way.
— Matt // Vulcan CEO ???? (@XMIVulcan) April 13, 2022
I never knew I had such powerful Gay representation all along in Kevin Conroy ?
I can't put into words how validating this feels. Someone I already looked up to for so long, this is incredible. https://t.co/qSmxpnhdhk
— Trav Guy (@TheOtherTravGuy) April 13, 2022
BaltoSteve
I really enjoyed his performance on Batwoman as Bruce during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event.
joemess
Maybe some of your might remember that he also played a gay character on Dynasty….damn…I’m old…
Troyfight
@joemess …just watched a Dynasty scene “Bart Declares His Feelings for Steven” on yt …had no idea 1) he looks stunningly younger in the face. 2) that batman voice comes through, pre-cumming, i mean pre-batman.
JeffBaker
Love it! I’d seen/heard some of these cartoons but never looked up anything on the actors! I’ll keep an eye out for DC Pride!