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Batman '66 #1
Batman '66 Vol. 1
Put on your go-go boots and get ready to "Batusi" back to the Swingin' 60s as DC Comics reimagines the classic Batman TV series in comics form for the first time! These all-new stories portray The Caped Crusader, The Boy Wonder and their fiendish rogues gallery just the way viewers remember them.
Collects issues #1-5.
Collects issues #1-5.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2014
52 people are currently reading
1386 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Parker
1,174 books128 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
November 9, 2016
POW! BIFF! SOCKO!
The sixties Batman TV show was a mix of campy humor and neutered villains, with none of the brooding, nasty-assed Batman pounding villains into a pool of jelly. Plus it included Aunt Harriet, a thirty year old Robin and the Batusi. This was a perfect mix for the sugar addled seven year old boy. Here, little Johnny have another bowl of Captain Crunch while you watch Batman.
SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
The brain trust at DC,desperately decided to try to capture some of this “magic”, so they created this title. Well, old chum, it’s about as flat as the paper it’s printed on. Gone are the hammy performances, gone are the cameos from has-been Hollywood actors, gone are the cheap special effects, gone is the corny dialogue, gone is Julie Newmar and her groovy, skin-tight, leather costume *sigh*.
What does that leave? A crappy Batman comic that’s safe for your sugar-addled seven year old to read.
CRASH! BURN! WHIMPER!
The sixties Batman TV show was a mix of campy humor and neutered villains, with none of the brooding, nasty-assed Batman pounding villains into a pool of jelly. Plus it included Aunt Harriet, a thirty year old Robin and the Batusi. This was a perfect mix for the sugar addled seven year old boy. Here, little Johnny have another bowl of Captain Crunch while you watch Batman.
SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
The brain trust at DC,
What does that leave? A crappy Batman comic that’s safe for your sugar-addled seven year old to read.
CRASH! BURN! WHIMPER!
November 24, 2016
Hello. My name is Wet Blanket.
And I'm about to throw myself all over this stupid book and it's glowing reviews.
I knew going into this that it was an Adam West sort of Batman book. A throwback, if you will, to the days when Batman was a bit more campy and fun. A SILLY comic.
I expected it to a be tongue-in-cheek nod towards simpler times.
BUT.
I also expected it to be smart and funny.
You know, to poke fun at itself in some sort of a clever way.
It wasn't. And it didn't.
This was nothing more than practically a word-for-word rehash of the old tv show. A carbon copy! It's the graphic novelization of the 1960's Batman television series.
It wasn't new, clever, or even remotely funny. It was LAME.
I'm a middle-aged woman, and I thought it was lame.
So what does that tell you, hmmm?
How fucking dorky do you have to be for a mom to say, "Yeah, I bought this for my kid, but I can't give it to them, because it's too childish.".
Seriously, if I was looking for a way to get my son to hate reading, I would have just handed him a Judy Blume book.
Here, Darling. I think you'll really get a lot out of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. It's got some really poignant moments in it! Wait till you get to the part about menstruation! You'll laugh, and laugh, and laugh...
Let's recap, shall we?
I highly recommend this if:
1) You are over the age of 65
2) You only let your child watch PBS
3) Your idea of comedy gold includes the words Knock, Knock...
4) You think dying of boredom sounds like a good way to end it all
5) You live in *Bristol
The last portion of this review contains nothing more than a rant about how I ended up purchasing this book
This is story about a boy and a girl who are separated by a vast pond.
No. It's not a love story, ladies.
And that boy should be very grateful for the pond that separates them right about now.
See, there's this reviewer here on Goodreads.
A reviewer who ** Shall-Not-Be-Named
He's a respected review, in fact.
And although we rarely agree on comic books (because he has horrible taste), I still like reading his reviews.
And therein lies my downfall.
It all started when I went to purchase some comic books online for my boys (ok, I wanted them, too). I had three in mind, but I need a fourth to get that damn Free Shipping. As I was scrolling through my options, I came across Batman '66, and a little light bulb went off in my head.
I'd seen that title before! I remember reading a positively rapturous review for it!
Click
Confirm your purchase
Click
And within 5 to 7 business days I had my books!
It was all bliss until I started reading this one. I settled myself on the porch and cracked it open, fully expecting to be mesmerized by witty banter and skillful wordplay.
The more I read, however, the more pinched my features became.
Huh?! What the fuck is this stupid shit?!
Finally, after suffering through an entire issue, I went inside and looked up the book on Goodreads.
AHHHHHHHHH!
It was the review of my nemesis that led to the purchase!
Yes. I have a nemesis.
What?
See, if I am Superman (which I am, for the purpose of this review) then he is Bizarro.
An English version of Bizarro, who writes his reviews while drinking his evil Bizarro-tea! Because who drinks hot tea?! That's just wrong on so many levels. I guarantee you Superman drinks sweet iced tea.
Why?
Because he's not a damn dirty hippie, a granola cruncher, or a some Limey crumpet-stuffer!
So yeah. We disagree on most everything. You can pretty much bet that we will be on opposite ends of the Love/Hate spectrum.
Because he has bad taste.
So, in conclusion, his appalling judgment caused me great amounts of pain and suffering. If sharing this very personal and painful story helps just one person avoid this same heartache, then it will all have been worth it.
Amen.
*No disrespect to any normal people who live in Bristol.
**If you are one of Sam's legion of followers, and you are getting ready to spam my thread in his defense?
IDIOT. STOP.
I'm kidding. He's GRRRREAT!
And someday...under the Blood Moon...we will dance the Batusi.
And I'm about to throw myself all over this stupid book and it's glowing reviews.
I knew going into this that it was an Adam West sort of Batman book. A throwback, if you will, to the days when Batman was a bit more campy and fun. A SILLY comic.
I expected it to a be tongue-in-cheek nod towards simpler times.
BUT.
I also expected it to be smart and funny.
You know, to poke fun at itself in some sort of a clever way.
It wasn't. And it didn't.
This was nothing more than practically a word-for-word rehash of the old tv show. A carbon copy! It's the graphic novelization of the 1960's Batman television series.
It wasn't new, clever, or even remotely funny. It was LAME.
I'm a middle-aged woman, and I thought it was lame.
So what does that tell you, hmmm?
How fucking dorky do you have to be for a mom to say, "Yeah, I bought this for my kid, but I can't give it to them, because it's too childish.".
Seriously, if I was looking for a way to get my son to hate reading, I would have just handed him a Judy Blume book.
Here, Darling. I think you'll really get a lot out of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. It's got some really poignant moments in it! Wait till you get to the part about menstruation! You'll laugh, and laugh, and laugh...
Let's recap, shall we?
I highly recommend this if:
1) You are over the age of 65
2) You only let your child watch PBS
3) Your idea of comedy gold includes the words Knock, Knock...
4) You think dying of boredom sounds like a good way to end it all
5) You live in *Bristol
The last portion of this review contains nothing more than a rant about how I ended up purchasing this book
This is story about a boy and a girl who are separated by a vast pond.
No. It's not a love story, ladies.
And that boy should be very grateful for the pond that separates them right about now.
See, there's this reviewer here on Goodreads.
A reviewer who ** Shall-Not-Be-Named
He's a respected review, in fact.
And although we rarely agree on comic books (because he has horrible taste), I still like reading his reviews.
And therein lies my downfall.
It all started when I went to purchase some comic books online for my boys (ok, I wanted them, too). I had three in mind, but I need a fourth to get that damn Free Shipping. As I was scrolling through my options, I came across Batman '66, and a little light bulb went off in my head.
I'd seen that title before! I remember reading a positively rapturous review for it!
Click
Confirm your purchase
Click
And within 5 to 7 business days I had my books!
It was all bliss until I started reading this one. I settled myself on the porch and cracked it open, fully expecting to be mesmerized by witty banter and skillful wordplay.
The more I read, however, the more pinched my features became.
Huh?! What the fuck is this stupid shit?!
Finally, after suffering through an entire issue, I went inside and looked up the book on Goodreads.
AHHHHHHHHH!
It was the review of my nemesis that led to the purchase!
Yes. I have a nemesis.
What?
See, if I am Superman (which I am, for the purpose of this review) then he is Bizarro.
An English version of Bizarro, who writes his reviews while drinking his evil Bizarro-tea! Because who drinks hot tea?! That's just wrong on so many levels. I guarantee you Superman drinks sweet iced tea.
Why?
Because he's not a damn dirty hippie, a granola cruncher, or a some Limey crumpet-stuffer!
So yeah. We disagree on most everything. You can pretty much bet that we will be on opposite ends of the Love/Hate spectrum.
Because he has bad taste.
So, in conclusion, his appalling judgment caused me great amounts of pain and suffering. If sharing this very personal and painful story helps just one person avoid this same heartache, then it will all have been worth it.
Amen.
*No disrespect to any normal people who live in Bristol.
**If you are one of Sam's legion of followers, and you are getting ready to spam my thread in his defense?
IDIOT. STOP.
I'm kidding. He's GRRRREAT!
And someday...under the Blood Moon...we will dance the Batusi.
April 28, 2017
Batman and Robin fight crime in Gotham City in 1966!
Batman '66 is a series of comics picking up where the Batman television show of the 1960s left off. It's full of puns and Bat-humor. The art is done in a retro style by various creators with awesome covers by Michael Allred.
In this volume, Batman and Robin go up against Catwoman, The Riddler, the duo of The Penguin and Mr. Freeze, the Mad Hatter, the diabolical Egghead, and even team up with The Joker to face a common enemy. I really liked the way Jeff Parker weaves elements of the show with elements of the DCU.
The tales do a decent job of capturing the flavor of the TV show, warts and all. My favorites were the ones featuring the Joker and the one with The Penguin teaming up with Mr. Freeze. The book pokes fun at itself on several occasions, a nice touch.
It was an amusing read but nothing that's going to make me forget about The Starman Omnibus, Vol. 1, Hawkeye, Volume 1: My Life as a Weapon, or Daredevil, Volume 1. Three out of five stars. To the British Batmobile!
Batman '66 is a series of comics picking up where the Batman television show of the 1960s left off. It's full of puns and Bat-humor. The art is done in a retro style by various creators with awesome covers by Michael Allred.
In this volume, Batman and Robin go up against Catwoman, The Riddler, the duo of The Penguin and Mr. Freeze, the Mad Hatter, the diabolical Egghead, and even team up with The Joker to face a common enemy. I really liked the way Jeff Parker weaves elements of the show with elements of the DCU.
The tales do a decent job of capturing the flavor of the TV show, warts and all. My favorites were the ones featuring the Joker and the one with The Penguin teaming up with Mr. Freeze. The book pokes fun at itself on several occasions, a nice touch.
It was an amusing read but nothing that's going to make me forget about The Starman Omnibus, Vol. 1, Hawkeye, Volume 1: My Life as a Weapon, or Daredevil, Volume 1. Three out of five stars. To the British Batmobile!
June 8, 2014
(This review is only for Goodreads, written solely in response to this review. I’ve written a separate “proper” review which you can read over at my blog here.)
Batman ‘66 and Sam Quixote in: The Case of The Bad Review!
Prologue: Something Negative This Way Comes
(Scene: the sea, a few miles off of Gotham harbour. Bubbles pop to the surface, more and more, until a large object begins surfacing. A nearby fisherman turns around and sees a shadow looming ahead of him. He gasps - his corn cob pipe falling out of his mouth. He rushes to the radio to warn the coast guard but is stopped and we hear a crunching sound - the fisherman falls, arms and neck broken. Pan upwards - clown shoes, purple clothes, it’s a woman’s figure in the Joker outfit, and keep panning up until we see the cackling face of: Anne! Wearing a moustache under the greasepaint, of course)
Anne: Ahahaha! Batman ‘66 - prepare to meet your doom! C’mon, New 52 Aquaman, New 52 Trinity War and Injustice: Gods Among Us - we’ve got a lame series to trash!!!
(Roided out monsters whose faces resemble the covers of said titles shamble out of the shadows - HP Lovecraft couldn’t imagine more horrifying beings!)
Chapter 1: Cheerful Innuendo
(Daytime and Batman emerges from the Batmobile in the Batcave, removing his cowl and smiling)
Bruce Wayne: Ah, hello Sam! Is there nothing better than the feeling of a good night’s work done? A shame that I’m still feeling the effects of The Expositor, that dastardly fiend whose Exposition Ray seems to still have its effects on me. By the way, so glad that Alfred finally agreed to take that holiday, and Robin asked out that girl and hasn’t been seen in weeks, so I’ve asked you - Sam Quixote, esteemed friend of mine, whose appearance in Batman ‘66 isn’t coincidental at all - to fill in for them while they take some much needed R&R. Phew! I can feel the Exposition Ray slowly wearing off now.
Sam: It’s me! I’m in my own review! I’m like Grant Morrison when he wrote himself into Animal Man!
Bruce: Who, old chum?
Sam: Oh, this guy who writes a way better version of you decades in the futur… I mean, nobody! Come on Bruce, let’s go get some breakfast.
Bruce: To the bat poles!
Sam: I thought that was for going down?
Bruce: Going down on poles? Not after that restraining order from Mr Verbinski!
(Both laugh and bizarrely avoid the poles to take the stairs thus making that last exchange completely irrelevant)
Chapter 2: Dark and Gritty
(Chief O’Hara - despite being chief of police - is in the park helping a little girl get a cat out of a tree. He smiles as he hands the delighted little girl her cat back, and doffs his hat as if to say, gee whiz, days like this, it makes it all worthwhile! - but he doesn’t say it so he might think something else entirely)
(A shadow appears to blot out the brilliant sunshine and Chief O’Hara looks up)
Chief O’Hara: (redundantly says) What the…?
(The decapitated heads of the little girl and the cat are thrown at him, their blood splattering his uniform. He is shocked and looks up to see Trinity War advancing towards him)
Trinity War: Needless death! Gratuitous violence! DARK! GRITTY! GRRR!!
(Chief O’Hara turns and runs as Trinity War begins laying waste to the once peaceful idyllic park. As he runs, he looks up at the sky, now suddenly darkened - a large block of text seems to be obscuring the sun.)
Chief O’Hara: Faith and begorrah, what’s happening?!
Anne (off camera): Batman ‘66 - YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!!! THIS - (indicates the giant block of text) IS WHAT I THINK OF YOU! Injustice: Gods Among Us - kill all the pregnant women! Ahahahaha!
Chief O’Hara: Only one man - no, two - can save us!
(Jumps into car and reaches for red telephone)
Chief O’Hara: Sam? Batman? We have a problem…
Chapter 3: Suit Up
Bruce: That’s good joe - and the coffee’s not bad either!
Sam: Uh… you didn’t even set that one up, Bruce.
(Phone rings - Sam answers)
Sam: Yes, Chief? What? But that’s insane! Oh ok, I suppose you’re right - it’s not. I’ll tell Batman - you can count on us!
Bruce: What is it, Sam - does Gotham need Batman?
Sam: (nods) To the…
Bruce: (interrupting) Bat poles!
Sam: Aww, I wanted to say it!
Bruce: There’s no time! This is a job for - Batman and Robin!
Sam: But Robin’s getting laid!
Bruce: An egg? But he’s not a real Robin?!
Sam: I’m beginning to think your egg’s a bit cracked, Bruce… even though I’m the one writing this increasingly strange story, uh, “review”.
Bruce: But I can’t do this alone - who can help Batman?
Sam: I’m one step ahead of you, Bruce… (dashes off)
Bruce: (monologuing to himself for the audience’s benefit) Ah, of course, Sam’s the obvious choice to don the Robin outfit - he’ll have to be the Boy Wonder while Robin’s away.
Sam: (off-panel) I’m ready, Bruce - let’s go!
(Sam appears in the doorway wearing Julie Newmar’s Catwoman outfit)
Sam: Right?
Bruce: …uh oh, back up comes that joe!
(Smash cut to Batman and CatSam in the freakin’ Batmobile speeding to downtown Gotham)
Bruce: I think The Expositor’s rays are coming back! So Anne’s negative review of me and everything I stand for is blocking the sun, like a metaphorical dampening of happiness made real? And she’s allied herself with some real awful types like New 52 Aquaman, New 52 Trinity War, and Injustice: Gods Among Us? Well, old chum, it’s clear what we have to do: defeat the bad review, bring back sunshine to the world, and banish Anne and her cronies back to the depths where they belong! A dark and terrible place known only as The New 52!
Sam: Damn this outfit is clingy…
Chapter 4: Good Review Defeats Bad Review
(Anne is perched on the shoulders of New 52 Aquaman with a megaphone, reading her review to the befuddled citizens of Gotham)
Anne: “Seriously, if I was looking for a way to get my son to hate reading, I would have just handed him a Judy Blume book.”
(The Batmobile arrives and Batman and CatSam emerge)
Anne: Well, well. If it isn’t my nemesis Sam, and his hated rec, I mean “friend”, Batman. Hey, “Batman”, what the hell are you doing out in daylight?! And what’s with the stupid eyebrows on your stupid mask? And where are your rippling muscles, huh?! You’re not the real Batman - you can’t even spell dark and gritty!
Batman: Dear god, I can feel myself… losing… confidence… (Batman sits down as if winded)... Sam… must… stop… negativity…
Sam: I’ll do it, Batman!
Anne: HAHAHA! How will you defeat my all-powerful review, Sam? Didn’t you hear that bit about Judy Blume? You don’t stand a chance!
Sam: You forgot one thing, Anne - that good always wins in Batman ‘66! (Begins reading his review)
Anne: (looking around, worried) But what… why are New 52 Trinity War and Injustice: Gods Among Us falling?! Get back up, you cretins! Wreak havoc! You are awful - so be awful, to Batman ‘66!
Sam: Defeated by the very concept you engaged with… how… ironic? But wait - Batman’s still down. I must defeat the big negative review and bring back the light! I know - I’ll write an overly elaborate second “review” in the form of a script for a Batman ‘66 TV show. The sheer length of it will destroy Anne’s review!
Anne: That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.
Sam: But look - it’s working!
(Anne’s review begins crumbling until it falls apart completely. She looks at it in disgust)
Anne: This whole thing is stupid. Seriously - a deus ex machina? Why can’t I give less than one freakin’ star on Goodreads for this crap!?
(As light floods Gotham once more, Batman recovers his strength and gets back up)
Batman: Thank you for your kind words, old chum. You’ve brought back hope and happiness to us all!
Sam: All in a day’s review, Batman! Take ‘em to jail, boys!
(Chief O’Hara appears and takes Anne, New 52 Aquaman, New 52 Trinity War and Injustice: Gods Among Us to comic book jail for crimes against good taste)
Anne: I’ll be back one day, Sam! There’ll be a volume 2 - you wait, this isn’t over!!
Batman: Well, Sam, we’ve saved Gotham once again - what d’you say we finish that breakfast. Maybe eggs?
(Egghead pops up)
Egghead: Eggs-actly!
All: Egghead! (laughs)
(Batman theme plays over a blood moon as Anne and Sam, both in costume as Joker and Catwoman, do the Batusi)
Batman ‘66 and Sam Quixote in: The Case of The Bad Review!
Prologue: Something Negative This Way Comes
(Scene: the sea, a few miles off of Gotham harbour. Bubbles pop to the surface, more and more, until a large object begins surfacing. A nearby fisherman turns around and sees a shadow looming ahead of him. He gasps - his corn cob pipe falling out of his mouth. He rushes to the radio to warn the coast guard but is stopped and we hear a crunching sound - the fisherman falls, arms and neck broken. Pan upwards - clown shoes, purple clothes, it’s a woman’s figure in the Joker outfit, and keep panning up until we see the cackling face of: Anne! Wearing a moustache under the greasepaint, of course)
Anne: Ahahaha! Batman ‘66 - prepare to meet your doom! C’mon, New 52 Aquaman, New 52 Trinity War and Injustice: Gods Among Us - we’ve got a lame series to trash!!!
(Roided out monsters whose faces resemble the covers of said titles shamble out of the shadows - HP Lovecraft couldn’t imagine more horrifying beings!)
Chapter 1: Cheerful Innuendo
(Daytime and Batman emerges from the Batmobile in the Batcave, removing his cowl and smiling)
Bruce Wayne: Ah, hello Sam! Is there nothing better than the feeling of a good night’s work done? A shame that I’m still feeling the effects of The Expositor, that dastardly fiend whose Exposition Ray seems to still have its effects on me. By the way, so glad that Alfred finally agreed to take that holiday, and Robin asked out that girl and hasn’t been seen in weeks, so I’ve asked you - Sam Quixote, esteemed friend of mine, whose appearance in Batman ‘66 isn’t coincidental at all - to fill in for them while they take some much needed R&R. Phew! I can feel the Exposition Ray slowly wearing off now.
Sam: It’s me! I’m in my own review! I’m like Grant Morrison when he wrote himself into Animal Man!
Bruce: Who, old chum?
Sam: Oh, this guy who writes a way better version of you decades in the futur… I mean, nobody! Come on Bruce, let’s go get some breakfast.
Bruce: To the bat poles!
Sam: I thought that was for going down?
Bruce: Going down on poles? Not after that restraining order from Mr Verbinski!
(Both laugh and bizarrely avoid the poles to take the stairs thus making that last exchange completely irrelevant)
Chapter 2: Dark and Gritty
(Chief O’Hara - despite being chief of police - is in the park helping a little girl get a cat out of a tree. He smiles as he hands the delighted little girl her cat back, and doffs his hat as if to say, gee whiz, days like this, it makes it all worthwhile! - but he doesn’t say it so he might think something else entirely)
(A shadow appears to blot out the brilliant sunshine and Chief O’Hara looks up)
Chief O’Hara: (redundantly says) What the…?
(The decapitated heads of the little girl and the cat are thrown at him, their blood splattering his uniform. He is shocked and looks up to see Trinity War advancing towards him)
Trinity War: Needless death! Gratuitous violence! DARK! GRITTY! GRRR!!
(Chief O’Hara turns and runs as Trinity War begins laying waste to the once peaceful idyllic park. As he runs, he looks up at the sky, now suddenly darkened - a large block of text seems to be obscuring the sun.)
Chief O’Hara: Faith and begorrah, what’s happening?!
Anne (off camera): Batman ‘66 - YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!!! THIS - (indicates the giant block of text) IS WHAT I THINK OF YOU! Injustice: Gods Among Us - kill all the pregnant women! Ahahahaha!
Chief O’Hara: Only one man - no, two - can save us!
(Jumps into car and reaches for red telephone)
Chief O’Hara: Sam? Batman? We have a problem…
Chapter 3: Suit Up
Bruce: That’s good joe - and the coffee’s not bad either!
Sam: Uh… you didn’t even set that one up, Bruce.
(Phone rings - Sam answers)
Sam: Yes, Chief? What? But that’s insane! Oh ok, I suppose you’re right - it’s not. I’ll tell Batman - you can count on us!
Bruce: What is it, Sam - does Gotham need Batman?
Sam: (nods) To the…
Bruce: (interrupting) Bat poles!
Sam: Aww, I wanted to say it!
Bruce: There’s no time! This is a job for - Batman and Robin!
Sam: But Robin’s getting laid!
Bruce: An egg? But he’s not a real Robin?!
Sam: I’m beginning to think your egg’s a bit cracked, Bruce… even though I’m the one writing this increasingly strange story, uh, “review”.
Bruce: But I can’t do this alone - who can help Batman?
Sam: I’m one step ahead of you, Bruce… (dashes off)
Bruce: (monologuing to himself for the audience’s benefit) Ah, of course, Sam’s the obvious choice to don the Robin outfit - he’ll have to be the Boy Wonder while Robin’s away.
Sam: (off-panel) I’m ready, Bruce - let’s go!
(Sam appears in the doorway wearing Julie Newmar’s Catwoman outfit)
Sam: Right?
Bruce: …uh oh, back up comes that joe!
(Smash cut to Batman and CatSam in the freakin’ Batmobile speeding to downtown Gotham)
Bruce: I think The Expositor’s rays are coming back! So Anne’s negative review of me and everything I stand for is blocking the sun, like a metaphorical dampening of happiness made real? And she’s allied herself with some real awful types like New 52 Aquaman, New 52 Trinity War, and Injustice: Gods Among Us? Well, old chum, it’s clear what we have to do: defeat the bad review, bring back sunshine to the world, and banish Anne and her cronies back to the depths where they belong! A dark and terrible place known only as The New 52!
Sam: Damn this outfit is clingy…
Chapter 4: Good Review Defeats Bad Review
(Anne is perched on the shoulders of New 52 Aquaman with a megaphone, reading her review to the befuddled citizens of Gotham)
Anne: “Seriously, if I was looking for a way to get my son to hate reading, I would have just handed him a Judy Blume book.”
(The Batmobile arrives and Batman and CatSam emerge)
Anne: Well, well. If it isn’t my nemesis Sam, and his hated rec, I mean “friend”, Batman. Hey, “Batman”, what the hell are you doing out in daylight?! And what’s with the stupid eyebrows on your stupid mask? And where are your rippling muscles, huh?! You’re not the real Batman - you can’t even spell dark and gritty!
Batman: Dear god, I can feel myself… losing… confidence… (Batman sits down as if winded)... Sam… must… stop… negativity…
Sam: I’ll do it, Batman!
Anne: HAHAHA! How will you defeat my all-powerful review, Sam? Didn’t you hear that bit about Judy Blume? You don’t stand a chance!
Sam: You forgot one thing, Anne - that good always wins in Batman ‘66! (Begins reading his review)
Anne: (looking around, worried) But what… why are New 52 Trinity War and Injustice: Gods Among Us falling?! Get back up, you cretins! Wreak havoc! You are awful - so be awful, to Batman ‘66!
Sam: Defeated by the very concept you engaged with… how… ironic? But wait - Batman’s still down. I must defeat the big negative review and bring back the light! I know - I’ll write an overly elaborate second “review” in the form of a script for a Batman ‘66 TV show. The sheer length of it will destroy Anne’s review!
Anne: That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.
Sam: But look - it’s working!
(Anne’s review begins crumbling until it falls apart completely. She looks at it in disgust)
Anne: This whole thing is stupid. Seriously - a deus ex machina? Why can’t I give less than one freakin’ star on Goodreads for this crap!?
(As light floods Gotham once more, Batman recovers his strength and gets back up)
Batman: Thank you for your kind words, old chum. You’ve brought back hope and happiness to us all!
Sam: All in a day’s review, Batman! Take ‘em to jail, boys!
(Chief O’Hara appears and takes Anne, New 52 Aquaman, New 52 Trinity War and Injustice: Gods Among Us to comic book jail for crimes against good taste)
Anne: I’ll be back one day, Sam! There’ll be a volume 2 - you wait, this isn’t over!!
Batman: Well, Sam, we’ve saved Gotham once again - what d’you say we finish that breakfast. Maybe eggs?
(Egghead pops up)
Egghead: Eggs-actly!
All: Egghead! (laughs)
(Batman theme plays over a blood moon as Anne and Sam, both in costume as Joker and Catwoman, do the Batusi)
July 5, 2024
The Good: Fans of classic television, of which I am one, have a special place in their heart for the Adam West television version of Batman; it's unlike any audiovisual interpretations of the comics, but it's cutesy, good-hearted fun. The comics contained in this volume are in the style of that old-school show, and they're pretty much just the same. Fans who prefer the dark, brooding Bruce Wayne that we saw in the movies may scoff, but, for those of us who are young at heart, this is great stuff.
The Bad: As cute and fun as this is, some content issues did exist; I was surprised to see a scene featuring a devil. That may have been a hallucination of Batman's, but, I didn't care for that scene, nor did I like seeing the occasional immodest outfit or Robin exclaiming, "Holy Hades!"
Conclusion: Content issues aside, this is a fun romp that any fan of the original Adam West TV series should definitely check out. Saying anything more could spoil the plot details!
Score: 4/5
The Bad: As cute and fun as this is, some content issues did exist; I was surprised to see a scene featuring a devil. That may have been a hallucination of Batman's, but, I didn't care for that scene, nor did I like seeing the occasional immodest outfit or Robin exclaiming, "Holy Hades!"
Conclusion: Content issues aside, this is a fun romp that any fan of the original Adam West TV series should definitely check out. Saying anything more could spoil the plot details!
Score: 4/5
August 12, 2019
Yes, I actually watched the Adam West Batman tv series live with my sister in the sixties:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLZQ3...
Yep, that's what it looked like. Campy, silly, goofy, not realistic, pure childish escapism, and I knew already then that the Batman I was viewing on the screen was different from the Batman single issues that I was also reading, which were darker, deadly serious. Any serious Batman fan at the time cringed at the tv show, which decidedly did not take him or his angst seriously. It was pretty fun for me to watch: BIFF! BAM! HOLY TOASTER! And all I recall doing in those years was watch tv, read comics, play baseball, and collect baseball cards (and peer over the top of the issue I was reading at Laura, the cute librarian's assistant), so I was not prepared to write critical letters to complain about the show. I wasn't critical of anything at the time, as I recall. The show was just fine!
But I'm afraid I'm solidly on the side of The Dark Knight, Year One, The Killing Joke, Scott Snyder, Tom King in their views of Batman as one of the great myths of our time. While I had gottenParker's version initially out of the library, I decided at the time that I wasn't really interested in investing the effort into Parker's particular brand of nostalgia. But I have just read Parker's well-done James Bond: Origin, took a look at the epically fun battle between two of the best comics reviewers on Goodreads, Sam Quixote and Anne (which I recommend whether you read the volume or not), and thought I'd finally give it a go.
My view is more closely aligned to Anne's view than Sam's. I didn't see it as "brilliant," as Sam did; I think he sort of captures the feel of the show, without the show's humor. It might have been brilliant had it any irony, but Parker isn't into irony and all that pomo stuff; he's not into "commentary" on the tv show, he really likes it! So this is just like going back to 1966 and reading the comics, as printed and colored in those days. The stories are similarly goofy, not worth mentioning. Parker I bet hates all the dark, brooding versions of Batman, just as he hates the brooding, anti-colonialist critique of Bond by Ales Kot.
Parker really likes the escapist goofy stories of "battling" Penguin, Riddler, Joker, none of who seem like real threats to anyone. Nothing in the world is really at stake. Parker just wants to have fun, and he and his team of illustrators do have fun with their nostalgic trip back to the sixties. And the project is well-executed, I have to give them credit for that. But I have already largely forgotten the stories, just wisps of cotton candy, gone as they touched me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLZQ3...
Yep, that's what it looked like. Campy, silly, goofy, not realistic, pure childish escapism, and I knew already then that the Batman I was viewing on the screen was different from the Batman single issues that I was also reading, which were darker, deadly serious. Any serious Batman fan at the time cringed at the tv show, which decidedly did not take him or his angst seriously. It was pretty fun for me to watch: BIFF! BAM! HOLY TOASTER! And all I recall doing in those years was watch tv, read comics, play baseball, and collect baseball cards (and peer over the top of the issue I was reading at Laura, the cute librarian's assistant), so I was not prepared to write critical letters to complain about the show. I wasn't critical of anything at the time, as I recall. The show was just fine!
But I'm afraid I'm solidly on the side of The Dark Knight, Year One, The Killing Joke, Scott Snyder, Tom King in their views of Batman as one of the great myths of our time. While I had gottenParker's version initially out of the library, I decided at the time that I wasn't really interested in investing the effort into Parker's particular brand of nostalgia. But I have just read Parker's well-done James Bond: Origin, took a look at the epically fun battle between two of the best comics reviewers on Goodreads, Sam Quixote and Anne (which I recommend whether you read the volume or not), and thought I'd finally give it a go.
My view is more closely aligned to Anne's view than Sam's. I didn't see it as "brilliant," as Sam did; I think he sort of captures the feel of the show, without the show's humor. It might have been brilliant had it any irony, but Parker isn't into irony and all that pomo stuff; he's not into "commentary" on the tv show, he really likes it! So this is just like going back to 1966 and reading the comics, as printed and colored in those days. The stories are similarly goofy, not worth mentioning. Parker I bet hates all the dark, brooding versions of Batman, just as he hates the brooding, anti-colonialist critique of Bond by Ales Kot.
Parker really likes the escapist goofy stories of "battling" Penguin, Riddler, Joker, none of who seem like real threats to anyone. Nothing in the world is really at stake. Parker just wants to have fun, and he and his team of illustrators do have fun with their nostalgic trip back to the sixties. And the project is well-executed, I have to give them credit for that. But I have already largely forgotten the stories, just wisps of cotton candy, gone as they touched me.
August 14, 2014
Took a coupla flushes, but I finally got this turd to go down. A group of Goodread’s friends chose Batman ‘66 as a group read. So, here’s what I liked. Not much. I like Adam West and genuinely appreciate his contribution to the Batman’s history. He was funny on the show and has been able to laugh at himself about it since. I enjoyed Joe Quinones’ artwork in the Joker story. Reminded me a little of Allred (who provided the covers). I liked Dave Johnson’s variant cover from #5 because it had a pretty sexy Batgirl. And I liked them memories of what may have been my very first erection to Yvonne Craig in the red wig and purple Batgirl costume. MMMHHHHHMMMM.
What I didn’t like was pretty much everything else. To be fair I am a hard sell on corny or comedy comics, so the deck was stacked against this one from the beginning. Some of the things I enjoyed about the TV show were West's line delivery, a couple of the villains, the brawls, and the ridiculous costumes and set pieces. The book didn’t ever really channel these things or fond memories for me. The stories and writing didn’t seem special or particularly unique to me. At times I would even say it was eggstra stupid. And much of the art was not to my taste. A lot of it had these blue lines surrounding the drawings that I think were to give the effect that these were old comics from the 60’s and 70’s. To me it looked like those old blue and red 3D comics. Only I lost my cutout red and blue lensed paper glasses.
I think that maybe the younger generations can look at Adam West’s Batman and be amused by it. I loved it when I was a little guy. But it just got less and less cool as I got older. And while I am nostalgic about things that I enjoyed at a young age that don’t hold up as well by today’s standards (Miller’s Dark Knight Returns and Burton’s Batman), maybe I’m just not ready to enjoy this yet. I just can’t get over my nerd rage at being psychologically abused and irreversibly damaged in the 80’s by middle school peers about how lame Batman was. My love of all things Batman was born out of the Dark Knight Returns, Year One, Burton’s 1989 Batman, and Batman The Animated Series. But everyone just kept on with the “BAM”, “BIFF”, and “KAPOW”. The “nananananananananana..Batman” didn’t help to plead my case that Batman was a bad-ass. So, unless you’re a huge fan of the 60’s TV show, are into “corny”, or see something in the many well written positive reviews that piques your interest, Batman ‘66 might not be for you.
What I didn’t like was pretty much everything else. To be fair I am a hard sell on corny or comedy comics, so the deck was stacked against this one from the beginning. Some of the things I enjoyed about the TV show were West's line delivery, a couple of the villains, the brawls, and the ridiculous costumes and set pieces. The book didn’t ever really channel these things or fond memories for me. The stories and writing didn’t seem special or particularly unique to me. At times I would even say it was eggstra stupid. And much of the art was not to my taste. A lot of it had these blue lines surrounding the drawings that I think were to give the effect that these were old comics from the 60’s and 70’s. To me it looked like those old blue and red 3D comics. Only I lost my cutout red and blue lensed paper glasses.
I think that maybe the younger generations can look at Adam West’s Batman and be amused by it. I loved it when I was a little guy. But it just got less and less cool as I got older. And while I am nostalgic about things that I enjoyed at a young age that don’t hold up as well by today’s standards (Miller’s Dark Knight Returns and Burton’s Batman), maybe I’m just not ready to enjoy this yet. I just can’t get over my nerd rage at being psychologically abused and irreversibly damaged in the 80’s by middle school peers about how lame Batman was. My love of all things Batman was born out of the Dark Knight Returns, Year One, Burton’s 1989 Batman, and Batman The Animated Series. But everyone just kept on with the “BAM”, “BIFF”, and “KAPOW”. The “nananananananananana..Batman” didn’t help to plead my case that Batman was a bad-ass. So, unless you’re a huge fan of the 60’s TV show, are into “corny”, or see something in the many well written positive reviews that piques your interest, Batman ‘66 might not be for you.
September 6, 2016
"KA-KICK!"
I get the schtick but I can't say it's terribly interesting. There are bad funny jokes and banter, silly sexual innuendo, dramatic fights and hyperbolic characters. The artwork is pretty cool in a modernized pop comic method. It is what it is. It's not bad or good, it's just there.
I'm too young to have grown up watching Adam West but I remember watching reruns with my father. Batman was no longer a detective or vigilante as much as a weekly hero there to knock the baddies and dance and entertain. I didn't particularly enjoy watching it, but hey, it was kind of Batman. That's a Batman but not the Batman, at least for me.
I get the schtick but I can't say it's terribly interesting. There are bad funny jokes and banter, silly sexual innuendo, dramatic fights and hyperbolic characters. The artwork is pretty cool in a modernized pop comic method. It is what it is. It's not bad or good, it's just there.
I'm too young to have grown up watching Adam West but I remember watching reruns with my father. Batman was no longer a detective or vigilante as much as a weekly hero there to knock the baddies and dance and entertain. I didn't particularly enjoy watching it, but hey, it was kind of Batman. That's a Batman but not the Batman, at least for me.
August 13, 2014
You know, I really did like the 60s Batman show. It was fun! Yes, it looks campy and even silly now, but that's ok. A little camp never hurt anyone. Even so, I was skeptical about this book. The tone is kind of tough to pull off. Make it parody of something that reads like a parody now? Or a straight homage to something that was earnest at the time?
Parker seems to have gone the route of straight homage. I'm not saying that it was a tactical mistake in general, it just didn't work out here. Why? I'm still not exactly sure. I did kind of feel like Parker was trying too hard. It felt sort of strained on the page. I'm not sure if that's because he really was straining to match the tone of the series, or if the static form is just missing the performance aspect. Because let's face it, Adam West and Burt Ward kind of made the show, and without them it just feels hokey.
It doesn't help that the art ranges from ugly to serviceable. I don't think perfect art would have made me like this any more, or even at all. But it would at least have been nice to look at.
Parker seems to have gone the route of straight homage. I'm not saying that it was a tactical mistake in general, it just didn't work out here. Why? I'm still not exactly sure. I did kind of feel like Parker was trying too hard. It felt sort of strained on the page. I'm not sure if that's because he really was straining to match the tone of the series, or if the static form is just missing the performance aspect. Because let's face it, Adam West and Burt Ward kind of made the show, and without them it just feels hokey.
It doesn't help that the art ranges from ugly to serviceable. I don't think perfect art would have made me like this any more, or even at all. But it would at least have been nice to look at.
August 12, 2016
Batman continues to remain a household name because of all the superheroes from comics, he's the one who gets the most film, television and game adaptations, more so in the last few decades or so. Every era has its own special flavor of Batman. These days our Batman is marked by the Nolan franchise--a proper dark knight who is brooding and always intense; plus the New 52's revamp of this same gritty package by a roster of great writers like Morrison, Snyder, Layman, Tomasi, etc. My Batman definitely has to be the nineties version; with Tim Burton's films and their gothic influences as well as Paul Dini's amazing and critically well-received animation series. These are the two distinct Batman flavors I mainly subscribed to.
But there was a spectacular time in the sixties when Batman became a television phenomenon and captured the fancy and affection of children and adults in a way that is uncannily unparalleled to this day. The Adam West and Burt Ward version is all kinds of campy and clean fun and may come off as a dissonant echo to a younger generation, considering its general tone is a mixed bag of patronizing, self-conscious and cheesy exposition, dialogue and performances. I stumbled upon online copies of the episodes about four years ago and I admit that I was so shocked and disgusted by the comedic style of the show that I put it aside just as quickly as I have watched the first four episodes. I came back to it later on with a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of the history and progression of Batman as a pop culture symbol, and finally acquired the taste necessary to embrace this version.
I was therefore very thrilled that DC decided to take this risky venture to bring to the comics pages the sixties version that, although may still have a strong following and demographic, is not the most popular version of the Dark Knight these days. The project could have fallen apart easily but it's a damn good thing it didn't. Now on 35 issues, Batman '66 has flourished well and is still going strong. It's all thanks to the earnest and enjoyable prose that main writer Jeff Parker put into each story, and the illustrations drawn and composed by Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones and many others who have brought a freshness and vibrancy to the narrative that truly brings back the nostalgia and quirkiness of the original television series. The first volume collects the five issues of the line-up, and have varying degrees of humor and wacky formulaic storylines that would take anyone back in time when comics are supposed to make you laugh and relax you.
Comics have come a long way, sure, but there is no shame in going back to its simpler roots during its most idyllic times and Batman '66 proves that you can relive the magic and fantasy of your childhood superheroes all over again. This is a magnificent project I'm glad they have pushed through. The sixties version may not be my Batman but it does speak to me in some artistic level; the overall atmosphere and sensibility of this collection has the perfect blend of style and substance. It doesn't take itself too seriously but it also doesn't insult the readers' intelligence. I'm happy to have reviewed the second, third and fourth issues individually last month. And I cannot wait for the next collected editions to come because Batman '66 will always have a place in my bookshelves as well as in my heart.
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
*With stories infused with a great sense of comedy and ferocious flair, this is a Batman that will baffle, entice and tickle you in all the right ways.
[DO READ MORE ABOUT MY BATMAN REVIEWS IN http://batman-comics-geek.blogspot.com/]
But there was a spectacular time in the sixties when Batman became a television phenomenon and captured the fancy and affection of children and adults in a way that is uncannily unparalleled to this day. The Adam West and Burt Ward version is all kinds of campy and clean fun and may come off as a dissonant echo to a younger generation, considering its general tone is a mixed bag of patronizing, self-conscious and cheesy exposition, dialogue and performances. I stumbled upon online copies of the episodes about four years ago and I admit that I was so shocked and disgusted by the comedic style of the show that I put it aside just as quickly as I have watched the first four episodes. I came back to it later on with a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of the history and progression of Batman as a pop culture symbol, and finally acquired the taste necessary to embrace this version.
I was therefore very thrilled that DC decided to take this risky venture to bring to the comics pages the sixties version that, although may still have a strong following and demographic, is not the most popular version of the Dark Knight these days. The project could have fallen apart easily but it's a damn good thing it didn't. Now on 35 issues, Batman '66 has flourished well and is still going strong. It's all thanks to the earnest and enjoyable prose that main writer Jeff Parker put into each story, and the illustrations drawn and composed by Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones and many others who have brought a freshness and vibrancy to the narrative that truly brings back the nostalgia and quirkiness of the original television series. The first volume collects the five issues of the line-up, and have varying degrees of humor and wacky formulaic storylines that would take anyone back in time when comics are supposed to make you laugh and relax you.
Comics have come a long way, sure, but there is no shame in going back to its simpler roots during its most idyllic times and Batman '66 proves that you can relive the magic and fantasy of your childhood superheroes all over again. This is a magnificent project I'm glad they have pushed through. The sixties version may not be my Batman but it does speak to me in some artistic level; the overall atmosphere and sensibility of this collection has the perfect blend of style and substance. It doesn't take itself too seriously but it also doesn't insult the readers' intelligence. I'm happy to have reviewed the second, third and fourth issues individually last month. And I cannot wait for the next collected editions to come because Batman '66 will always have a place in my bookshelves as well as in my heart.
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
*With stories infused with a great sense of comedy and ferocious flair, this is a Batman that will baffle, entice and tickle you in all the right ways.
[DO READ MORE ABOUT MY BATMAN REVIEWS IN http://batman-comics-geek.blogspot.com/]
February 27, 2015
My main problem with Batman is that he is ALWAYS so dark and intense. I get that's basically the character and his books are always gonna be aimed at that. The Bat fan will enjoy it but seeing as I'm not one of them, I prefer stories that soften the character and Batman '66 is the perfect encapsulation of that.
Sure, Batman is still protecting Gotham from dangerous criminals, but the villains of '66 are written in a playful manner. Their threats are not threatening, but laughable. You can expect much character development from this: Batman and Robin stay the same in every story and the villains are one-noted. Every issue is a different story of even two. But this works in its favor. Batman '66 is a hell of a lot of fun. Let's take for example a story with Egghead as a villain; the dialog is filled with the world egg in every word that is possible. It's so silly and fun.
This is actually a Batman book that kids could read without getting depressed. Hell, it's a book I can read without getting depressed.
Written entirely by Jeff Parker, the book is drawn by different artists. Usually I'm not a fan of changing artists from on issue to another because each one has a different style and it looks like a different story (especially when they are awful. See She-Hulk. Ron Wimberly, I'm looking at you.) But here individual art in every creator while still maintaining a cohesion.
The first story, the Riddler's Ruse looks diferents from Chandell's Chanteuse and both are drawn by Jonathan Case. He also does a great 3-page (beautifully colored by Wes Hartman too) dream sequence in the latter that differs from the rest of the story. Subtleties, people. The London issue was my favorite story, it was so much fun to read Mad Hatter's shenanigans and his obsession with hats. The second half of the story was the cherry on top. The last issue saw two stories, one with the Sandman with had my least-favorite art but great looking colors by Matt Wilson and another one with Batgirl in the center instead of Batman featuring art by Colleen Coover, author of my beloved Bandette. It only took me a second to know it was her art. She needs to draw more comics.
Overall: a really enjoyable all-ages crime-fighting story with great art throughout.
And now I definitely have to check the TV show out but seeing as a I already procured a copy of that awesome-looking limited edition blu-ray, it won't be hard.
Sure, Batman is still protecting Gotham from dangerous criminals, but the villains of '66 are written in a playful manner. Their threats are not threatening, but laughable. You can expect much character development from this: Batman and Robin stay the same in every story and the villains are one-noted. Every issue is a different story of even two. But this works in its favor. Batman '66 is a hell of a lot of fun. Let's take for example a story with Egghead as a villain; the dialog is filled with the world egg in every word that is possible. It's so silly and fun.
This is actually a Batman book that kids could read without getting depressed. Hell, it's a book I can read without getting depressed.
Written entirely by Jeff Parker, the book is drawn by different artists. Usually I'm not a fan of changing artists from on issue to another because each one has a different style and it looks like a different story (especially when they are awful. See She-Hulk. Ron Wimberly, I'm looking at you.) But here individual art in every creator while still maintaining a cohesion.
The first story, the Riddler's Ruse looks diferents from Chandell's Chanteuse and both are drawn by Jonathan Case. He also does a great 3-page (beautifully colored by Wes Hartman too) dream sequence in the latter that differs from the rest of the story. Subtleties, people. The London issue was my favorite story, it was so much fun to read Mad Hatter's shenanigans and his obsession with hats. The second half of the story was the cherry on top. The last issue saw two stories, one with the Sandman with had my least-favorite art but great looking colors by Matt Wilson and another one with Batgirl in the center instead of Batman featuring art by Colleen Coover, author of my beloved Bandette. It only took me a second to know it was her art. She needs to draw more comics.
Overall: a really enjoyable all-ages crime-fighting story with great art throughout.
And now I definitely have to check the TV show out but seeing as a I already procured a copy of that awesome-looking limited edition blu-ray, it won't be hard.
August 16, 2014
I read about the initial release of Batman '66 comics as an excited tech geek and user experience bigot. When these comics first came out, they were specially designed as a Comixology-first experience, so the layouts and flows were enhanced for tablet reading. Lots of swipes, in-panel alterations, and stuff that looks like low-grade animation.
I've used a video of that experience in a speech I give on great experience design in modern comics, and it never fails to catch people's attention. So I went into the experience of reading the paper version of this first run knowing that it wouldn't be optimally designed for the flat, uninteractive page. But I had no idea how flat these stories would fall.
What's funny on the TV show - for those of us who watched it as kids - isn't nearly as funny on the page. Not sure if it's the lack of knowing overacting, or the lack of visual goofiness. Parker can be funny, but this is a big old slice of ham & cheese, and it feels more like how they tried to remake The Flintstones in the movies way back - didn't really add anything new, just trotted out the same old tired stuff.
I spent two weeks picking this up and putting it back down a few pages later. I try not to read multiple books at once, which means this one has cockblocked a stack of far better books, just begging me to read them, and here I sat morose, couldn't touch them until I finished my peas and broccoli.
I did smile once, when they unveiled the . That seemed genuinely inspired, in the spirit of the old show. But maybe I was just starved for anything, and this lame idea happened to fill a need.
I wonder how kids would see this - would they just go along with the lame jokes because they're dumb kids, never heard anything funny in their lives so these lower-than-fart jokes bring a smile? Or would they roll their eyes at grandpa humour and wonder how quickly they could get back to something more fun like homework?
Dammit Jeff, you had one job - bring back the silly without making *us* feel like idiots.
The one truly bright spot is the art - or at least a few issues' worth. It wasn't always great, but it sure was stylish and evoked the spirit of '66.
This experience has been so excruciating, I think it's drowned any nostalgic good feelings I held towards the actual show. Thanks Jeff Parker, you just killed one of the great treasures of my youth. Sorry folks, I'm siding with Anne on this one. (Sorry it took me so long to see clearly, Anne.)
I've used a video of that experience in a speech I give on great experience design in modern comics, and it never fails to catch people's attention. So I went into the experience of reading the paper version of this first run knowing that it wouldn't be optimally designed for the flat, uninteractive page. But I had no idea how flat these stories would fall.
What's funny on the TV show - for those of us who watched it as kids - isn't nearly as funny on the page. Not sure if it's the lack of knowing overacting, or the lack of visual goofiness. Parker can be funny, but this is a big old slice of ham & cheese, and it feels more like how they tried to remake The Flintstones in the movies way back - didn't really add anything new, just trotted out the same old tired stuff.
I spent two weeks picking this up and putting it back down a few pages later. I try not to read multiple books at once, which means this one has cockblocked a stack of far better books, just begging me to read them, and here I sat morose, couldn't touch them until I finished my peas and broccoli.
I did smile once, when they unveiled the . That seemed genuinely inspired, in the spirit of the old show. But maybe I was just starved for anything, and this lame idea happened to fill a need.
I wonder how kids would see this - would they just go along with the lame jokes because they're dumb kids, never heard anything funny in their lives so these lower-than-fart jokes bring a smile? Or would they roll their eyes at grandpa humour and wonder how quickly they could get back to something more fun like homework?
Dammit Jeff, you had one job - bring back the silly without making *us* feel like idiots.
The one truly bright spot is the art - or at least a few issues' worth. It wasn't always great, but it sure was stylish and evoked the spirit of '66.
This experience has been so excruciating, I think it's drowned any nostalgic good feelings I held towards the actual show. Thanks Jeff Parker, you just killed one of the great treasures of my youth. Sorry folks, I'm siding with Anne on this one. (Sorry it took me so long to see clearly, Anne.)
March 6, 2015
It would be easy to dismiss DC's Batman '66 as an attempt to cash in on the current wave of nostalgia for the campy TV classic and its recent release on DVD and Blu-Ray. But doing that would sell short this fun, digital comic book take on the series which while it doesn't perfectly capture the fun of those early episodes, still does a nice job of keeping the spirit of the TV show alive.
Collecting together five printed issues (apparently multiple weeks of the digital comic), this collection feels a bit like what the TV show might have done if it had a bit bigger budget or more time to film. The first story involves the Riddler and sees Batman using the Batrope and Batarang to climb from a moving Batmobile to the Riddler's crop duster plane that is being used for nefarious activities. It's impressively rendered on the comics page and it's one of those things you feel the TV show would absolutely have loved to have attempted but couldn't.
Interestingly, the order of the first two major foes the Dynamic Duo faces mirrors that of the original television series. And there are more homages and smart references to come in the pages, reminding me of the early first season of the show. The comic even tries to add a bit more of a sinister aspect to the TV version of the Joker and bring in the Red Hood as a character. While this isn't necessarily the biggest hit of the collection, it's still interesting to see the comics try some new and interesting twists and tie-ins to larger Batman mythology.
Reading these collected issues, I couldn't help but enjoy myself. Pure nostalgia, but also a lot of fun. It's easy to see that the creative team behind this series loves the original series -- and that love translates into the product presented here.
Collecting together five printed issues (apparently multiple weeks of the digital comic), this collection feels a bit like what the TV show might have done if it had a bit bigger budget or more time to film. The first story involves the Riddler and sees Batman using the Batrope and Batarang to climb from a moving Batmobile to the Riddler's crop duster plane that is being used for nefarious activities. It's impressively rendered on the comics page and it's one of those things you feel the TV show would absolutely have loved to have attempted but couldn't.
Interestingly, the order of the first two major foes the Dynamic Duo faces mirrors that of the original television series. And there are more homages and smart references to come in the pages, reminding me of the early first season of the show. The comic even tries to add a bit more of a sinister aspect to the TV version of the Joker and bring in the Red Hood as a character. While this isn't necessarily the biggest hit of the collection, it's still interesting to see the comics try some new and interesting twists and tie-ins to larger Batman mythology.
Reading these collected issues, I couldn't help but enjoy myself. Pure nostalgia, but also a lot of fun. It's easy to see that the creative team behind this series loves the original series -- and that love translates into the product presented here.
November 10, 2016
** Update below **
As a child, I really liked watching re-runs of the campy Batman TV series from the mid-sixties, with its wacky plots, over-acted characters, cheesy dialogue, pastel-coloured gas, tilted camera angles in the villains' lairs, and - of course - the BAM! BIFF! POW! "sound" effects. Once in a while I'll search on Amazon to see if the complete series is soon to be released on DVD; that is something I'd consider buying! Sadly, every time I check it seems I'll have to wait a bit longer.
The Batman '66 series is probably the next best thing to seeing the TV show again: it's got the same level of humour, the same bad puns & zany plots. It's even got Cesar Romero's moustache! Jeff Parker and a rotating group of artists have captured the feel and spirit of this pop culture phenomenon, and by introducing it to a new generation, and making the older generations reminisce about more innocent times, maybe that DVD box set I'm after will get closer to becoming a reality, and not just a fanboy's dream...
REVIEW UPDATE!
Geeks and fanboys take note & celebrate: On November 11th, 2014 the dream becomes reality, as The Complete Series will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray!
BAM! ALL 120 Original Broadcast Episodes Fully Remastered!
BIFF! 32-Page Complete Episode Guide!
POW! Over 3 hours of new extras!
Quick Robin, to Amazon!
As a child, I really liked watching re-runs of the campy Batman TV series from the mid-sixties, with its wacky plots, over-acted characters, cheesy dialogue, pastel-coloured gas, tilted camera angles in the villains' lairs, and - of course - the BAM! BIFF! POW! "sound" effects. Once in a while I'll search on Amazon to see if the complete series is soon to be released on DVD; that is something I'd consider buying! Sadly, every time I check it seems I'll have to wait a bit longer.
The Batman '66 series is probably the next best thing to seeing the TV show again: it's got the same level of humour, the same bad puns & zany plots. It's even got Cesar Romero's moustache! Jeff Parker and a rotating group of artists have captured the feel and spirit of this pop culture phenomenon, and by introducing it to a new generation, and making the older generations reminisce about more innocent times, maybe that DVD box set I'm after will get closer to becoming a reality, and not just a fanboy's dream...
REVIEW UPDATE!
Geeks and fanboys take note & celebrate: On November 11th, 2014 the dream becomes reality, as The Complete Series will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray!
BAM! ALL 120 Original Broadcast Episodes Fully Remastered!
BIFF! 32-Page Complete Episode Guide!
POW! Over 3 hours of new extras!
Quick Robin, to Amazon!
August 13, 2018
When Jonathan Case is doing the art, this book really captures the zany fun of the old Batman TV series. The colors and use of sound effects really make the art pop. Unfortunately, Case isn’t the artist for all of the stories in this volume. The other artists don’t reach the high standard that Case sets.
June 24, 2014
Crap! This kinda sucked. It's like Jeff Parker saw the TV series once and said "that's it. I completely understand the tone and humor" One good story and the rest were just kinda an insult to fans of the show. Not recommended.
October 10, 2014
Well it wasn't awful but it most certainly wasn't my cup of tea either.
November 18, 2022
While I wasn’t particularly in love with the ‘60s “Batman” TV show starring Adam West, I certainly didn’t hate it, and it was, more often than not, good for a few laughs. I’m not sure, but it may have been my first real introduction to the character as a kid. The Dark Knight it so wasn’t.
DC, having ridden the nostalgia wave for all things ‘70s and ‘80s (“Superman ’78”, “Wonder Woman ’77”, “Batman ’89”) simply couldn’t stop there. In 2014, “Batman ’66” came out, resurrecting the cheesy Technicolor silliness of the classic series.
Writer Jeff Parker has captured the zaniness and the camp, which, honestly, gets pretty old by the midway mark, but the team of contributing artists must be commended for a contemporary interpretation of Golden Age-style comic book art. Seriously, if anything, this series is worth it just for the pretty and super-colorful drawings.
DC, having ridden the nostalgia wave for all things ‘70s and ‘80s (“Superman ’78”, “Wonder Woman ’77”, “Batman ’89”) simply couldn’t stop there. In 2014, “Batman ’66” came out, resurrecting the cheesy Technicolor silliness of the classic series.
Writer Jeff Parker has captured the zaniness and the camp, which, honestly, gets pretty old by the midway mark, but the team of contributing artists must be commended for a contemporary interpretation of Golden Age-style comic book art. Seriously, if anything, this series is worth it just for the pretty and super-colorful drawings.
September 14, 2021
TA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA... BATMAN!!!
August 1, 2014
This. Was. AMAZING!!!!!
This comic is inspired/based on the Batman television show from the 60's and it is on point. It captures the tone of that show puuurrfectly with over the top villains and punny dialogue.
So nostalgic, this campy crusader was my first introduction to Batman as a child and I remember singing the theme song along with my dad...(although he often changed the one word lyrics to Fatman)
This comic brings the reader back to the colorful 60's when Batman wasn't some brooding emo with a raspy voice but Gotham's #1 flamboyant crime fighter and the grooviest detective in the world.
There are so many great details in this comic that mimic the show from the Boy Wonder's dialogue (Holy Exclamations Batman) to the alluring alliterations, there are even references to Batman's dance moves and the low budget special effects.
When I found out how they pulled off the illusion it was like Santa had died.
This comic was a breath of fresh air and reminded me of the Batman I fell in love with as a child. A hero who fought crazy villains but also made sure I knew not to do drugs and to look both ways before crossing the street.
The characterization is fantastic. Batman and Robin were written just as they were performed by Adam West and Burt Ward and I loved every minute of it.
I loved that they depicted Catwoman twice, once as Julie Newmar's femme fatale and later as Eartha Kitt's sassy songstress (they even have her sing a bit of I Want to be Evil how cool!!!!)
Overall this comic is a win all the way, a great reproduction of the show from the writing to the fantastic artwork. If you have grown up on Christian Bale's Batman then you just won't understand what makes this book so special. It's over the top but self-aware. It brings readers back to what Batman is first and foremost meant to be, FUN!
This comic is inspired/based on the Batman television show from the 60's and it is on point. It captures the tone of that show puuurrfectly with over the top villains and punny dialogue.
So nostalgic, this campy crusader was my first introduction to Batman as a child and I remember singing the theme song along with my dad...(although he often changed the one word lyrics to Fatman)
This comic brings the reader back to the colorful 60's when Batman wasn't some brooding emo with a raspy voice but Gotham's #1 flamboyant crime fighter and the grooviest detective in the world.
There are so many great details in this comic that mimic the show from the Boy Wonder's dialogue (Holy Exclamations Batman) to the alluring alliterations, there are even references to Batman's dance moves and the low budget special effects.
When I found out how they pulled off the illusion it was like Santa had died.
This comic was a breath of fresh air and reminded me of the Batman I fell in love with as a child. A hero who fought crazy villains but also made sure I knew not to do drugs and to look both ways before crossing the street.
The characterization is fantastic. Batman and Robin were written just as they were performed by Adam West and Burt Ward and I loved every minute of it.
I loved that they depicted Catwoman twice, once as Julie Newmar's femme fatale and later as Eartha Kitt's sassy songstress (they even have her sing a bit of I Want to be Evil how cool!!!!)
Overall this comic is a win all the way, a great reproduction of the show from the writing to the fantastic artwork. If you have grown up on Christian Bale's Batman then you just won't understand what makes this book so special. It's over the top but self-aware. It brings readers back to what Batman is first and foremost meant to be, FUN!
February 29, 2016
So I was on the library website tonight, hunting down the Batman '66 volumes I had missed. "So much entertaining, crazy stuff happened," I reasoned. "I must be on #4 at least."
It gradually dawned on me that all the wonderful stuff I'd remembered had happened just in #1.
I think that covers it.
It gradually dawned on me that all the wonderful stuff I'd remembered had happened just in #1.
I think that covers it.
June 23, 2014
Dieser Band hat mir einfach nur Spaß gemacht!
Die Abenteuer, die Batman und sein Sidekick Robin bestehen müssen, sind angelehnt an die Fernsehserie der 60er, witzig, skurril und mit den klassischen Bösewichten. Die Dialoge zwischen Batman und Robin sind unschlagbar und sorgten mehr als einmal für tränende Augen - natürlich vor Lachen. Passend dazu die stilechte Artwork: so unbeschwerten Comicspaß gibt es nur noch selten, aber zum Glück stecken wir ja knietief in einer Retrowelle.
Die Abenteuer, die Batman und sein Sidekick Robin bestehen müssen, sind angelehnt an die Fernsehserie der 60er, witzig, skurril und mit den klassischen Bösewichten. Die Dialoge zwischen Batman und Robin sind unschlagbar und sorgten mehr als einmal für tränende Augen - natürlich vor Lachen. Passend dazu die stilechte Artwork: so unbeschwerten Comicspaß gibt es nur noch selten, aber zum Glück stecken wir ja knietief in einer Retrowelle.
November 10, 2019
I really enjoyed Batman 66' volume 1. ~ Lizzie :)
August 6, 2016
I received this book for free as a Goodreads First Read.
This blast from the mod past is a fun read. Volume One of Batman '66 is a collection of nine stories that catalog an array of frolicsome adventures with our favorite Caped Crusader & his allies. There are multiple art contributions by Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones, Sandy Jarrell, Ruben Procopio, Colleen Coover with additional work by colorists Matthew Wilson, Tony Avina, Rico Renzi, Maris Wicks, and Wes Hartman. The colors used in each episode are dynamic & pop with the art in a few of the escapades being exceptional.
Two episodes that have become personal favorites to re-read in this book include "Chandell's Chanteuse" starring Chandell (aka Liberace) & the villainous Circe (previously played by Joan Collins) and "The Joker Sees Red" which stars Cesar Romero's Joker, Red Hood, and a future Maid of Mischief.
I only have a grumble with one installment's art contribution that I originally thought could be a printing error. (I only realized this wasn't the case after I scrutinized a digital chapter of the same tale.) The first adventure, "The Riddler's Ruse", has art & color by Jonathan Case. Certain panels appear to be out of sync as if the line drawing was slightly skewed & not aligned properly with the color overlay. The effect gives the image a slightly 3D effect which can make a person's eyes cross when attempting to focus on elements of the art in more detail. A reader may not wish to look too closely at the artwork in this chapter if anyone is prone to headaches or migraines.
Like any Batman collection based off the Dozier series, a few excellent lines & instances stand out. Moments like seeing Batman riding a shark, a psychiatrist promising to approve the Joker's Comedy Night, and the unveiling of the British Batmobile can bring a smile to anyone's face. Combine these elements with robust color choices, striking art & engaging dialog, and you have the ingredients for a rapturous & riveting romp.
This blast from the mod past is a fun read. Volume One of Batman '66 is a collection of nine stories that catalog an array of frolicsome adventures with our favorite Caped Crusader & his allies. There are multiple art contributions by Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones, Sandy Jarrell, Ruben Procopio, Colleen Coover with additional work by colorists Matthew Wilson, Tony Avina, Rico Renzi, Maris Wicks, and Wes Hartman. The colors used in each episode are dynamic & pop with the art in a few of the escapades being exceptional.
Two episodes that have become personal favorites to re-read in this book include "Chandell's Chanteuse" starring Chandell (aka Liberace) & the villainous Circe (previously played by Joan Collins) and "The Joker Sees Red" which stars Cesar Romero's Joker, Red Hood, and a future Maid of Mischief.
I only have a grumble with one installment's art contribution that I originally thought could be a printing error. (I only realized this wasn't the case after I scrutinized a digital chapter of the same tale.) The first adventure, "The Riddler's Ruse", has art & color by Jonathan Case. Certain panels appear to be out of sync as if the line drawing was slightly skewed & not aligned properly with the color overlay. The effect gives the image a slightly 3D effect which can make a person's eyes cross when attempting to focus on elements of the art in more detail. A reader may not wish to look too closely at the artwork in this chapter if anyone is prone to headaches or migraines.
Like any Batman collection based off the Dozier series, a few excellent lines & instances stand out. Moments like seeing Batman riding a shark, a psychiatrist promising to approve the Joker's Comedy Night, and the unveiling of the British Batmobile can bring a smile to anyone's face. Combine these elements with robust color choices, striking art & engaging dialog, and you have the ingredients for a rapturous & riveting romp.
Read
November 30, 2014I used to love the Adam West Batman TV show as a kid, but then, as the Caped Crusader got taken back to his roots by Frank Miller, Tim Burton and Grant Morrison, I really came to despise it. But time keeps changing us; I'm older now, and not nearly so concerned about being grown-up anymore. And while those first dark reinventions of Bruce Wayne were wonderful, I've read too many crappy own-brand dilutions of them over the years, and come to hate this sulky little prick who's happy to let innocents keep dying so long as his own hands stay clean. If I want to read about a dark avenger, I'll read the real thing - the Shadow, a man who actually has the guts to follow his war on crime to its logical conclusion and kill those who need killing. So what better time for a Batman comic in another niche, one which takes its lead from that daft old show, all 'Holy variant covers!' and Batman calling Robin 'chum'? The feel of it's captured perfectly, right down to Catwoman changing colour between issues, but Parker also expands the universe with suitably technicolor versions of the Red Hood and Harley Quinn. Inevitably, this sets me hoping that he'll also find his way to do suitably cheery reworkings on the likes of Szasz, Bane and Killer Croc.
April 3, 2017
Holy average comic book writing, Batman!
This comic aspires to capture the look, feel and magic of the old '60s classic in all its campy, pre-Frank-Miller Batman glory. It does an adequate job.
If you are a really big fan of the show then this might be right up your alley. Jeff Parker is clearly well versed in his knowledge of all things Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero and Co.
Unfortunately, in my case, I just found it sinfully boring and not nearly as self-aware of itself as it should have been. I mean, it's fun to be taken back to this era of the Caped Crusader, I just feel like Parker didn't really execute it to its fullest potential. He didn't have enough fun with it. Maybe he does in later volumes, this was just not enough for me to care to find out.
I don't expect everyone to agree with me. You might love it and there is a lot to love, but you really have to be its target audience. If you grew up as a Batman: The Animated Series fan or post-1980s, this might not be for you.
This comic aspires to capture the look, feel and magic of the old '60s classic in all its campy, pre-Frank-Miller Batman glory. It does an adequate job.
If you are a really big fan of the show then this might be right up your alley. Jeff Parker is clearly well versed in his knowledge of all things Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero and Co.
Unfortunately, in my case, I just found it sinfully boring and not nearly as self-aware of itself as it should have been. I mean, it's fun to be taken back to this era of the Caped Crusader, I just feel like Parker didn't really execute it to its fullest potential. He didn't have enough fun with it. Maybe he does in later volumes, this was just not enough for me to care to find out.
I don't expect everyone to agree with me. You might love it and there is a lot to love, but you really have to be its target audience. If you grew up as a Batman: The Animated Series fan or post-1980s, this might not be for you.
May 3, 2014
Read this on DC's newish digital platform "DC2," and was actually really impressed by how inventive they're getting with their digital fare. I never read much digital before this, I'm not very for it, but this was a bit different. It wasn't just 'reading a comic on your phone,' like most digital comix are. "DC2" is more of an interactive experience, where the art/dialogue fills in as you read. So that was really interesting, but apparently Batman '66 is the only ongoing title they have with these new features. It lends well with the inherent hokeyness of a title like this, lots of 'BAMF!' and 'GEE WIZ!' and 'HOLY TIGHTROPE!' -type effects. Reading this in a plain old book might be a waste of time, as half of the stories are not too great, in my opinion. Some are pretty fun though. Mostly the buy-in for me was the new stuff they're doing with digital.
January 22, 2014
A Batman story that's fun to read, doesn't take six issues to tell a story and isn't about Batman being mopey and grim fighting villains that aren't all serial killers...?
How did this comic ever sneak past the editors at DC?
A nice collection of shorter Batman stories: full of old school action, clever ideas and with a great sense of humor.
If you remember and enjoyed the old Adam West TV show ( or the recent Brave and the Bold cartoon) or are pretty sick of current grim and gritty Batman, then you will most likely enjoy these stories.
How did this comic ever sneak past the editors at DC?
A nice collection of shorter Batman stories: full of old school action, clever ideas and with a great sense of humor.
If you remember and enjoyed the old Adam West TV show ( or the recent Brave and the Bold cartoon) or are pretty sick of current grim and gritty Batman, then you will most likely enjoy these stories.
April 11, 2017
Perhaps too derivative of the TV series that provided the inspiration, it nonetheless had its moments. I did crack up on occasion with the faithfully reproduced stilted dialogue that could have been ripped straight from an episode script. Also, while the stories were rather ordinary there were a few genuinely humorous moments as well. I will stay tuned to check out the Dynamic Duo's further adventures in this series . . . same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
February 24, 2016
What does it say about me that my favorite Batman titles are Lil' Gotham and Batman '66?
This has all the lighthearted charm of the Silver Age - Bat-deductions, criminals who are really dedicated to their shtick (Egghead, who makes his henchmen make egg-related puns), and vibrant, pop-art styling.
Super fun, made me laugh out loud, looking forward to volume 2!
This has all the lighthearted charm of the Silver Age - Bat-deductions, criminals who are really dedicated to their shtick (Egghead, who makes his henchmen make egg-related puns), and vibrant, pop-art styling.
Super fun, made me laugh out loud, looking forward to volume 2!
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