Batman '66 Vol. 4

Batman '66 #4

by Jeff Parker, Harlan Ellison, Len Wein

All-new adventures inspired by the classic Batman television series, including science fiction icon Harlan Ellison’s outline for the series’ “lost episode”-adapted by legendary scribe Len Wein and artist Jose-Luis Garcia Lopez!

BEHOLD! King Tut, the foul pharaoh whose vile virus transforms the fair citizens of Gotham City into subservient zombies!

BEWARE! The Archer, a robbin’ hood aiming to relieve Gotham City’s fine police force of its crime-fighting arsenal!

BOUNDLESS! The unabridged evil of the Bookworm, and a mystical manuscript that could spell the end of Batgirl!

BLIMEY! Londinium’s Lord Ffogg and his mind-altering mist give gas-lit Gotham a gloomy forecast: cloudy with a chance of pain!

BESMIRCHED! The good names of Batman and Robin, reduced to a punch line by Gotham City’s new “stand-up” hero…the Joker?!

BE AFRAID! In the Land of the Rising Sun, will Batman and Batgirl fall to the lethal lunacy of Lord Death Man?!

BIPOLARIZING! The Dynamic Duo, doubled up by the dualistic misdeeds of the coin-tossing Two-Face?!

But wait-the BEST is yet to come in BATMAN ’66, VOL. 4! Crusading creations by Jeff Parker, Tom Peyer, Rob Williams, Scott Kowalchuk, Dave Bullock, Richard Case, Leonardo Romero, Ruben Procopio and Sandy Jarrell. Collects BATMAN ’66 #17-22 and BATMAN ’66: THE LOST EPISODE #1.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Caped Crusader! But how did he find us?" -- henchman #1

"Who knows? Who cares?" -- Harvey 'Two-Face' Dent

I know what you mean, Two-Face. By the conclusion of Batman '66, Vol. 4 it felt like this inspired graphic novel series - with plots, dialogue / narration and characters based on the live-action TV show airing 1966 to 1968 - was now getting sort of stale. (And it's even been just over five years since I last read one of these volumes!) Sure, it's nice to see those specifically written for the tube lawbreakers like King Tut, Bookworm, and Egghead along side the veteran villains Joker and Penguin - plus that they mostly resemble the crop of then A-list and/or characters actors who originally portrayed them - but the finale featuring Two-Face just a little out of step with the rest of the short stories. Yes, I know it was based on an unused script for the actual show, but I can't believe they did not illustrate him in a passing likeness of a young and pre-movie stardom Clint Eastwood, who was set to play the character after concluding his seven years as a regular on the TV western Rawhide.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though still good fun, this one loses a star for two reasons: First off, one issue here features a villain named Lord Death Man, who was a bit freaky; more so than one would expect from the original old-school series or even the earlier comics. Also, though the story featuring Two-Face was great, it was overkill to show the "pencils" and then to have the same story again in script format; they should have used those pages to give us another Caped Crusader tale.

Still, for the most part, I enjoyed this; it just wasn't as good as the earlier volumes. Hopefully, the fifth omnibus is up to the standard set by the first three.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

More fantastic tales from a true fan of the Adam West television show. It's great fun to see the author's take on how the show would have looked with certain villains that were never used on the show, and I believe, quite accurately as well.

[Alex Sarll]

One of the charms of this series has always been its readiness to introduce Adam West-appropriate versions of villains who for one reason or another, mere chronology included, didn't make it on to the show. But isn't Lord Death Man going a little far? Well, a few months back I would have said so, but now it reads as at once eerily and sweetly prescient, West's own personal Book of the Dead.

My favourite detail in the other stories comes when Bruce Wayne is obliged to apologise for letting his dark side show - he just got annoyed enough to say "Blast!"

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as fun as volumes past. Interesting to note that there is a Two-Face story in this volume even though the character was never featured on the '66 show. I didn't think the presentation of the character was all that interesting, this was a chance to give us what the '66 Two-Face might have looked like, but he was overall pretty generic. The Two-Face story is based on an episode that was never produced, but the script is included in you are interested in that sort of thing.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best volume yet. With a cool Harlan Ellison story and a really fun story set in Japan. Plus some new art directions. Very good.

[Maria Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit uneven, but still good. My favorites were the issue where Joker "goes straight" and Batman and Batgirl's trippy confrontation with Lord Death Man!

[Jaclyn Brett Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of quality content I need in my life right now.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman '66, Vol. 4 picks up where the previous trade paperback left off. It collects the next six issues (17–22) or eleven digital issues (47–57) of the on-going 2013 series Batman '66: The Lost Episode.

Batman '66, Vol. 4 contains eight different stories or adventures and is arranged like an anthology rather than by chapter. Stories range in length from one to two digital chapters with the exception of Batman '66: The Lost Episode – which is an unaired episode of the original series in comic book form and length. The stories are as followed:

"The Osiris Virus" is a two-part story that has the Dynamic Duo battling King Tut who managed to turn people into zombies. In "The Sheriff of Crime", is a one-shot story that deals with the Dynamic Duo trying to stop The Archer from helping criminals by stealing the police's computers. "Bat, Books, and Crazy Crooks" is a one-shot that has Batgirl dealing with Bookworm, who uses a spell-book to turn his minions into gigantic bugs. In "The Villain of Vapor Street" is a two-part story, having the Dynamic Duo taking on Professor Marmaduke Ffogg, Lady Penelope Peasoup, his sister, and Prudence Fflogg, his daughter.

The Joker seemingly turns good as he takes down Egghead, the Penguin, and Catwoman only to be defeated by the Pillager and Larceny Lad – Batman and Robin in disguise, in the two-part story "A Stand Up Guy". In "The Garden of Death" has Batman and Batgirl team-up to take down Lord Deathman in Japan as Robin has been uncompensated by the Penguin in this two-part story. In "The Penguin Turns the Table" has the Dynamic Duel taking on the Penguin once again in this two-part story. Finally, in "The Two-Way Crimes of Two-Face" has the Dynamic Duo taking on Two-Face in this unaired episode from the television series turned comic book.

With the exception of three stories, Jeff Parker penned the entire trade paperback. Guest writers Rob Williams penned, "A Stand Up Guy" while Mike W. Barr penned "The Penguin Turns the Tables" and Len Wein penned "The Two-Way Crimes of Two-Face". For the most part, it was written rather well. It captured the sixties series rather well, without being over the top in campiness, but retained the spirit of the series. It introduced many minor villains from that era that I have not heard before and that was rather nice too.

Batman '66, Vol. 4 has eight different pencilers – one for each story. Scott Kowalchuk, Dave Bullock, Richard Case, Leonardo Remero, Rubén Procopio, Sandy Jarrell, Michael Avon Oeming, and José Luis García-López penciled one story each as listed in the order listed above. Surprisingly, with so many perncilers contributing to one trade paperback, the penciling style rather complements with each other and the artistic flow was incredibly smooth.

All in all, Batman '66, Vol. 4 is a rather wonderful continuation for the series and I can't wait to read the next trade paperback.

[Bill Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Batman ‘66 series is an interesting creation. It tells stories very much in the same corny vein of the TV show it emulates, but it often deviates from the show’s strict formula, and tells tales that would have required a budget far beyond the means of the show. The tales never advance the characters or any meta-narrative, just as the show did. So for lovers of the new and old, this series somehow manages to feel right at home, at once both aware of its source and trying to both advance it and preserve it. For the most part, each episode is a fun if frivolous read, but the artwork does vary considerably in quality. All told, Batman ‘66 is a fun dive into nostalgia, but ultimately, it is a strange effort that seeks to recreate something that didn’t *really* need recreating, and is as easily passed over as it is consumed.

[Chandler Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another clever entry in this series. This volume introduces Two-Face (my favorite Batman villain) to the world of the 1966 Batman series. It was just as fun to see his introduction here as it was to see his introduction in Batman ‘89. Interestingly enough, the Two-Face story in this volume is actually an adaption of an unused script for the Batman TV series. The script is posted at the end of this graphic novel and it is fun to skim through and imagine what this comic book story would have looked like in the actual tv show. There is also a story in this volume involving Batman and Batgirl traveling to Japan to confront Lord Death Man. I liked the setting of the story a lot, but the tone felt like a major departure from the rest of the stories and from the tv series. I thought that was interesting. Each story is still so well-done. On to the final volume!

[Keith Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories set in the world of the old Adam West Batman TV series are a lot of fun. Some standout pieces in the collection include Batgirl vs Bookworm at the Gotham Public Library, and Batman traveling to Tokyo to confront Lord Death Man, a fairly obscure character from the Batman Manga series. The highlight is an adaptation of an unused plot from the old TV series written by Harlan Ellison and featuring the villain Two-Face. The story is illustrated by legendary comics artist Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. His illustrations are so lushly detailed and dynamic that DC Comics included his original pencil art for the entire story in the collection. Garcia-Lopez's pencils could be used as a how-to guide for comic book storytelling.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best set of stories so far. I would actually rate it a 4.5, but that's not an option, so I'll round it up. The inclusion of not one but two Batgirl adventures is a big part of this. I also thoroughly enjoyed the comic book treatment of the never-filmed Two-Face episode from the original series. Even the Joker and Penguin capers were tolerable. The only real dud was the King Tut zombie excursion which seemed largely out of character for the 60's series. Regardless, I'm really enjoying this series, and I am sad that there is only one volume left for me to read.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now we're getting somewhere! The series is more than halfway over, but the real hook is only deployed now: reimagining more modern and edgy Batman characters in the slick, campy pop-art style of "Batman '66." We've had glimpses of this before, but now that people like Lord Death Man and Solomon Grundy have entered the ring, this is a real time warp. The Lord Death Man story arc is the best one in this entire series start to finish- it's like a combination of the Adam West series, and the 1990s animated series.

[Seth EG · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Batman '66 volume 4 is amazing!

Since this comic displays the TV series I personally enjoy, it lived up to its potential. The characters are extrodinary and very funny. This comic doesn't just display one story but it contains eight!
My favourite story would be page 75 "The stand up guy." As it has the joker who is very different to the current movie jokers.

Overall it is an amazing book I recommend reading to all ages!

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight good Batman stories. Batman and Robin retire and let the Jokerman take over crime fighting in Gotham. Two-Face tosses his coin to determine Batman's fate. One very cool story involves Batman and Batgirl fighting Lord Death Man in a dark battle to the ....death. Vibrant color, witty writing, wonderful artwork in general fill this Batman compilation. The classic look never gets old. It brings me back to the TV show and my childhood...fun reading.

[Jon Shanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another joyous collection of stories in the style of the 60s TV series, unencumbered by budget or special effects limitations of the time, enabling zombie hordes, giant monster battles and even a trip to Japan (to take on Batman Manga's Lord Death Man). The highlight of this collection, however, is an adaptation of Harlan Ellison's treatment for a story submitted for the original series featuring Two-Face along with his original notes!

[Zachary King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stories are a little bumpy, too familiar from past volumes - King Tut and Penguin are back again. But there are also some great standouts - the B66 debuts of Lord Death Man and Two-Face, Joker's apparent about-face as the superheroic Jokerman, and a Batgirl/Bookworm brawl in the Gotham library. All told in that pow-biff-bam style we've come to expect.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best part of this collection is the Lost Episode adaptation of a series script written in the 60's by Harlan Ellison which features the planned debut of Two-Face to the show. Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez's art on this tale is outstanding.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading just for the Harlan Ellison Two-Face story - and the reprint of his original treatment for it. As for the rest... meh. I don't like Tut, Bookface, Egghead or these other minor villains, and the art for most of the stories is just terrible.

[Scott Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume starts particularly humourously — it’s quite punny — but the highlight might be the comparatively earnest Two-Face story that is based on Harlan Ellison’s unmade treatment for an episode of the TV series.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covid iso book one complete.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two-Face story alone with all the details and added bonus mementos deserves a 4.9/5.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also includes the pcncil drawings of the Two-Face story and Harlan Ellison's script for the television show which was never filmed. Starting read date is approximate.

[Erik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Holy what the &*=!<£ was that ?

[Zack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two face was cool, but the rest waned

[Neil Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good volume of comics and the surprise of the lost tv show at the end was a big surprise and impressive to see.

Can't believe they didn't have Harvey Dent/Two Face in the original tv show!

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 volumes down, 1 to go...
I liked "A Stand Up Guy," where the Joker is the one capturing crooks, leaving Batman and Robin to retire. Also, "The Two-Way Crimes of Two-Face" was pretty good. It was interesting how Two-Face was going to be a character on the Batman TV show, but never happened. I don't think we needed all three of the comic, the black and white sketches, and the script. This book also contains Batgirl doing magic and the appearance of Lord Death Man (who is a character I only know thanks to ThePandaRedd).

[tony dillard jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writer Jeff Parker, cover artist Michael Allred, and a slew of other great artists, colorists, and inkers present another thrilling chapter of Batman adventures based on the 1966 TV series. But this volume comes with an added bonus. Along with a King Tut caper, the Joker becoming a superhero, and the Penguin pulling a slew of crimes based on bats instead of birds for a change; Batman and Batgirl visit Japan to take on the Batmanga villain, Lord Death Man!

But that's not all that is included in this thrilling volume. Along for the ride is the one-shot Batman '66: The Lost Episode. That story is based on a treatment by acclaimed sci-fi writer Harlan Ellison (City on the Edge of Forever, Star Trek: TOS) that for some reason or another never made it on TV. Lucky for you, the entire original proposal is reprinted along with stunning color photos from the hit series.

In the lost episode, Two-Face would have been introduced to the Batman '66 universe. Rumor had it that producers were seriously looking at Clint Eastwood to play the role of Gotham DA Harvey Dent, who becomes the deranged villain after half of his body is doused with acid, in season 4. But, alas Batman was canceled after just 3 seasons. Oh, and did I mention, it's written by the great Len Wein (Swamp Thing) with art by the equally great Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Super Powers)?

I really loved this volume. It continues to build on the Batman '66 mythos and pits both classic Batman TV series and new Batman comics villains in that funky little corner of the DC Universe. I'm starting to see this book in the light of other comic books based on unused plans for shows that got canceled much too soon (IE Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 9.)


Lord Death Man by
Sandy Jarrell.
But this edition holds a place very dear to my heart for another reason. Earlier, I mentioned the Lord Death Man story. Well, it just so happens late last year, I got to meet the artist for that issue, Sandy Jarrell, at a convention in Raleigh. He was doing blank sketches and I commission him to make me a piece with the caveat that he could draw it of any Batman villain, except for the usual suspects of Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, and Penguin. Well, an hour later and Jarrell presented me with my very own sketch of the Japanese Batman adversary. It was so awesome looking, people kept asking to buy my book! (Get in line, folks...)

Batman '66 is a fun little series that despite getting cancelled recently, doesn't look like it's going to go away anytime soon and I am glad. Right now, Batman and the Man from UNCLE are teaming up in a miniseries and I hope DC has that smarts to either return Batman '66 to store shelves or kept pairing the Dynamic Duo up with more legends from the swinging 60s.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been meaning to read the Batman '66 collections from DC for a while. In fact, I have the first three volumes in trade paperback sitting on the TBR pile. And I do usually read graphic novel series in order, even when they're collections of largely unconnected stories as this is. But I bought this volume in hardcover with the intent to read it right away because it includes the hard-to-find Lost Episode special issue, adapting Harlan Ellison's never-filmed episode from season 1 that would have introduced Two-Face (just about the only classic 1940s Batman villain who didn't make it into the three seasons of the television show).

Most of the stories herein really capture the feel, and thus the fun, of the television series. The dialogue, especially in the stories by Jeff Parker and Len Wein, is spot-on; I could "hear" Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero and the rest. The art varies from "could actually be an episode" to more cartoony, but it all fits well with the style of story being told. Of course, it's fun to see storiese with these versions of the Joker and Penguin, but also with TV villains like King Tut, Egghead, Bookworm, Lord Ffogg and The Archer.

The best part of this particular volume was the adaptation of Ellison's unused script, with art by the amazing Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. Lopez was so much a part of the comics I loved in the 70s and 80s, and he certainly still seems to be on the top of his form. The hardcover was worth the price just for the Garcia-Lopez art; it really took me back. The inclusion of Garcia-Lopez's uninked, uncolored, unlettered art was an additional treat, as was the reprinting of Elllison's original script treatment. The treatment is nicely detailed for every scene, missing only specific dialogue and scene directions. It would have made a great two-parter, although I'm not sure how they'd have worked the necessary make-up. One can only imagine how the series might have been different with a name actor cast as Two-Face in season one; perhaps he'd have been back in subsequent seasons.