With “Batman Begins,” Christian Bale appears poised to usurp Michael Keaton as the definitive big screen Batman. What can we say, we like our Batmen like we like our Ashlee Simpson hair color, dark. To that end, the franchise’s first installment was right on target, but until now we’ve not had a terrifically dark leading man beneath the bat suit. Christian Bale is just right as Bruce Wayne. By flipping back the clock the beginning of the series, Bale and director Christoper Nolan are free to explore Batty’s darkness. Bale proved he could play dark in the underrated “American Psycho,” and he nails it again here. As for the other Batmen? Michael Keaton held the top slot for a decade and a half. Val Kilmer is better suited to play rock stars and drug adicts. George Clooney is likeable enough, but have you forgotten that his Batman had nipples? Here are some more Batfacts to jog your memory:

Film: “Batman” (1989)
Total gross: $413M
Batman: Michael Keaton
Villain: Jack Nicholson (Joker)
Vixen: Kim Basinger (Vicky Vale)
Director: Tim Burton
Fun fact: Jack Nicholson received a percentage of the gross on the film, and due to its massive box office haul, took home around $60 million — the single-movie record for an actor’s salary.

Film: “Batman Returns” (1992)
Total gross: $282M
Batman: Michael Keaton
Villain: Danny DeVito (Penguin)
Vixen: Michelle Pfieffer (Catwoman)
Director: Tim Burton
Fun fact: Annette Bening was cast as Catwoman, but was replaced by Michelle Pfeiffer when she became pregnant. Michelle Pfeiffer’s $3 million salary was $2 million more than was offered to Annette Bening.

Film: “Batman Forever” (1995)
Total gross: $335M
Batman: Val Kilmer
Villain: Jim Carrey (Riddler)
Vixen: Nicole Kidman (Dr. Chase Meridian)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Fun fact: Mark Hamill was briefly considered for the Riddler.

Film: “Batman & Robin” (1997)
Total gross: $237M
Batman: George Clooney
Villain: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze)
Vixen: Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Fun fact: One of three movies to feature two future United States Governors acting in the same film. Jesse Ventura, elected Governor of Minnesota in 1998, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, elected Governor of California in 2003. (The other two films were “Predator,” and “The Running Man.”)

Film: “Batman Begins” (2005)
Total gross: $113M
Batman: Christian Bale
Villain: Liam Neeson (Ducard)
Vixen: Katie Holmes (Rachel Dawes)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Fun fact: Katie Holmes barely beat out Natalie Portman and Sarah Michelle Gellar for the role of Rachel Dawes.