To long‑term readers, it should come as no surprise that my favourite Batman would appear here on Retro Reaction eventually. I am unapologetic in my love for this series. It still tickles me today. This show works on more than one level, decades before The Simpsons nailed that. There are jokes in there that went completely over my head as a kid.
I’m talking about the Adam West version of Batman from 1966. The version that, for most of us older guys, introduced us not only to the Batman character but to so many of the colourful villains who would go on to become pop‑culture icons. Years before Heath Ledger won an Oscar for his take on the clown prince of crime, Cesar Romero was stealing the show on weekly TV.
In the years after Batman ‘66, many Bat‑fans grew to hate the series. It was too “campy” and too “colourful.” It didn’t treat the character seriously enough. Some fans even blame the show for the lack of Batman content between the series ending and the ’89 movie (which was great for different reasons).
In the next few blogs, I’m going to defend Batman. We’re going to look at some of the villains’ best stories and how, despite popular opinion, the series was a whole lot closer to the comic book than many fans would have you believe.
The series has had its redemption. With the show finally getting a DVD release in 2014 after being tied up with rights issues, and Adam West reprising his role in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders in 2016 and Batman vs. Two‑Face in 2017.
These episodes are available now in HMV. I’m going to make the case that, as a Batman fan, they’re worth dusting off the DVD player for. Of course, there are going to be heavy parts of personal nostalgia here too.
Have you got your utility belts ready? Have you packed the shark‑repellent bat‑spray? Then: atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed. It’s time to defend a legend.