Jacob Engdahl – Opinions Columnist
Batman is perhaps one of the most influential characters to come out of comic books. His long history in comics stretches back almost as far as Superman’s and extends longer than Captain America’s. His affiliated comic series are some of DC Comics’ most consistently selling titles, and the publisher knows that any book, no matter how tangentially related to Batman, is likely to fly off the shelves. Naturally, this success has led to a great many adaptations into other media, especially movies and TV shows. It is very likely that you have consumed some piece of Batman media, whether it be the 1992 cartoon with Kevin Conroy, the Nolan trilogy, the Burton movies starring Micheal Keaton, or even 2021’s The Batman, the most recent movie to be released. But one adaptation in particular has often been underappreciated given its influence on the character, and that would be the 1966 TV adaptation starring Adam West.
In 1966, Batman made his second ever live-action appearance, following a brief set of serials in the 1940s. This appearance was Batman, a broadcast television show starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, which also produced a movie between its first and second season. The show and film featured a revolving cast of villains, often using the “villain of the week” as an opportunity to have a B or C list 60’s celebrity cameo. Batman 66 (as it is often referred to today) took a lighter and campier view of the source material than many adaptations we’re familiar with today, with colorful costumes, comical actors, over the top hijinks, and absurd running gags such as the hyperspecific Bat labels adorning everything. All of this madcap zaniness often leaves it as the red-headed stepchild of Batman’s cinematic history among its deeply shadowed, gothic-styled, dark and brooding kin. Despite this, the influence of this brief mid-century imprint of the character should not be underestimated.
One statement which often shocks fans and detractors of Batman 66 alike is that it is perhaps the adaptation of the character which most closely resembles its comic book source material. The comic books of the 1960s, or the “Silver Age of Comic Books,” were far different then the ones we know today. Silver Age books were full of elaborate fanciful sci-fi, and were often, to put it mildly, goofy as hell. Whether it be Batman in a series of rainbow cowels or a space alien version of Batman from the planet Zur En Arrh, the 60s comic books reached a level of camp even the nigh painfully campy live-action media couldn’t dream of, although not for a lack of trying.
What makes Batman 66 great isn’t merely the way it pulled from the source material of its time. It also introduced elements to Batman’s canon which remain relevant to this day. For instance, the character of the Riddler, nowadays so well known that he even got headlining status as the main villain of The Batman, was once obscure even among minor Batman villains. Riddler’s popularity can be heavily attributed to a stellar performance by famed 1960s TV actor Frank Gorschin, who appeared many times in the show’s run. Gorschin also originated the iconic green suit now most often associated with the Riddler character because he hated wearing the previously ubiquitous green onesie. It was also the 1960s TV show which took minor Batman villain “Mr. Zero” and redubbed him the eventually iconic “Mr. Freeze,” although that character would not take his modern form until the 90s Bruce Timm cartoon.
Perhaps the single most influential addition to the Batman canon made by the 60s series was the character of Batgirl. Batgirl was originally created as a joint venture between the authors of the comic and the creators of the TV show in a bid to create a character to appeal to female fans. She appeared for the first time in the TV show and the comics at roughly the same time, and the show specifically was instrumental in her initial popularity. Of course, Batgirl has since become an indispensable piece of the Batman mythos and has gone on to carry many comics herself, though she has only seen limited onscreen appearances since her initial debut in the 60s. Ultimately, Batman 66 is full of these little details and pieces which flowed back into the comics and became critical pieces of the Batman we know today. Despite being a picture of the character of Batman at a very different point in his development then the one we know today, it is nonetheless an important and pivotal chapter in the history of Batman.
The 1960s Batman is still homaged and referenced to this day. Not long before actor Adam West died, DC released two animated movies starring his interpretation of Batman where he returned to voice the character for the first time in decades. The 1960s Batman was a heavy influence on the 1990s Batman cartoon, which was for many people of my generation, the primary introduction to the character of Batman. Matt Reeves, the director of 2022’s The Batman is an outspoken fan of the 1966 movie, and deliberately chose to feature the villainous quartet of Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, and Joker in his film, the exact same villains who appear in the 1966 movie. The 1960s Batman is a critical and foundational piece of the character, and more people should be able to watch and enjoy it. Unfortunately, the show can be a little hard to find, but it is available digitally, or on Blu-ray if you know where to look. If you want just a slice of this interpretation, the 1966 movie is currently on HBOMax (as of writing), and is the best introduction to this goofy bygone era of Batman. I hope you watch and enjoy it as much as I have.