Batman is the coolest of the DC characters, even though I'm more of a Marvel fan. There are other DC characters that are okay, like Wonder Woman and the The Flash. But generally DC isn't my thing, and Superman in particular just seems too overpowered. Batman has to use his mind, gadgets, and fists to fight supervillains. The human drama of his origin story makes him more real (he's just some traumatized rich kid), and that sort of spirit is what I like. There are other non-DC, non-Marvel superheroes I like as well, But I always end up going back to Batman comics. DC stands for Detective Comics (the first one Batman appeared in), so even though Superman is their main and original moneymaker, Batman is like the namesake in a way, being the World's Greatest Detective. Who doesn't love a detective story!? So if you hear someone saying "DC Comics", they're actually saying "Detective Comics Comics" or "Dick Comics Comics." That's right, DC stands for Dick Comics. That's because Superman is a dick, so maybe he's the namesake after all.
The 60s Batman is just weird fun. At least they knew it was a joke or parody when they made it. You can tell how silly they were, and definitely not taking it too seriously like later films. I got to meet Adam West and Frank Gorshin, they were signing autographs but also having fun doing character shtick -- Adam West even read the intro to my Batman comic in the voice! That was nice of him, considering that Batman comic had nothing to do with the 60s one (we also bought some pictures to have signed).
But the overall best version of Batman, hands down, has to be the Animated Series. The art is fantastic, the animation is really good (some of the designs changed partway through, people may disagree but I like both versions for different reasons), and the writing of the characters had real drama and humor and depth. Honestly, this is exactly the Platonic ideal of Batman to me. I don't know how anyone can ever top it, no matter how dark or brooding, or that bizarre Joel Schumacher crap. Sometimes Batman is just made to sell toys. Other times he seems like a character that's rife for social commentary. At either extreme, he's just a broken person with lots of money who punches criminals and opposes guns and the death penalty.
Don't try to figure out Batman's politics or psychology or sexuality. That's just folly.
