Batman '66 1

I was never a huge fan of the 1966 Batman television show. I've seen most of the episodes and for the most part enjoyed them but I watched them in the 70's and 80's when that kind of camp was already seen as an embarrassing part of Batman's history "It was noble of that [porpoise] to hurl himself into the path of that final torpedo" Tim Burton's 1989 film was pretty much the nail in the coffin. These days I don't get many comic compilations but Batman '66 was getting some spectacular reviews from professional reviewers and how could I resist such an offbeat series.

Batman '66 is intended to literally be an attempt to create a comic as if it were produced in 1966 based on the old television program. The first story even recreates color separation problems so common in older comics. Characters are drawn to resemble the actors who played them; Cesar Romero as the Joker, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler. For Catwoman Julie Newmar was chosen in one story and Eartha Kitt in another (poor Lee Meriwether). For the most part the artists manage to capture the actors although Burt Ward seemed to be a particularly difficult one; perhaps because Ward has no distinguishing features. There are also appearances by villains created specifically for the show including Egghead, Sandman and Siren.

The comic does not constrain itself to the budgetary limitations of the 1966 show, for instance Batman might be hanging from a plane's tail or Robin might pilot the Bat sub around Gotham Harbor. There are also some subtle nods to the Burton/Nolan movies. By and large the stories and art are reflective of the television show and when Batman and Robin speak I hear Adam West and Burt Ward's voices in my head. The stories are simplistic and campy. I would compare them to the brilliant Batman: The Brave and the Bold television show from a few years back except that it somewhat handcuffs itself by establishing itself in the universe of the television show. By the way, I have no doubt that this Earth will, at some point, be known as Earth 66 and will be integrated as part of the greater DC multiverse. I think a team-up between the Earth 1 Batman and the Earth 66 Batman would be incredible.

I'm rewriting my review because I originally gave it four stars but on further reflection I'm switching to the full five stars. The book is just so much fun and a great change of pace from the heavy Batman stories being produced for decades. IGN gave the first issue a 9.8 which I feel was overly generous but as the book goes on I felt like Jeff Parker found his groove and the stories continually improved in quality. They felt a little less like the television show but that only improved them as the stories became more complex and creative. I'm not going to rank this as one of the all-time great comics I have ever read but it has such a gentle, feel good quality to it that I just cannot help but try and promote it. I think it's the rare person who will read through this collection and not enjoy it. I certainly intend on grabbing up volume 2 the day it comes out.

One last thing. The book has no dust cover which I hope is a trend that will catch on. Dust covers are meant to protect a book but if a reader cares enough to protect their book they're going to also want to protect the more fragile dust cover which defeats the whole purpose of the dust cover. Here's to no more dust covers on hardbound comic collections.

BATMAN 66' is the title for the same 1966 series which Adam West starred as the Caper Crusader and his companion, Robin play by Burt Ward, going around Gotham fighting crime like The Riddler, The Joker, The Penguin, and Catwoman (3 different ones actually). It was campy as all getup with bright colors, weird camera angles, ludicrous BAM!s and YAHOO! slogans when fighting happened, crazy dues ex machina endings, and Batman honestly had EVERYTHING in that utility belt when he beckoned for it. It lasted 3 years, 120 episodes, and 1 feature length movie. After that, the campy era of Batman died out to the point that for a solid 40+ years, no one wanted to go back there ever again.

And so, since Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" graphic novel, most people want a gritty, dark, and serious Batman. I know, I love and grew up with this Batman as well. But let's face it, because of this, Batman stories aren't really light hearted, they take up six issues to tell a story, Batman is grim and serious, and his rouges are all serial killers where violence and darkness is everywhere. So once in a blue moon, it feels nice to get away from all that and get the Bat back to a simpler time of his 66-self. You see, people like my father grew up with 66 Batman, and I have an appreciation for it thanks for him. And in this modern day of internet memes of social relevance, I think many people have re-discovered the magic Batman 66' era (and I think greatly to the BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD animated series as well) and finally gotten the joke and it's own cult following again. Because of that, DC has released BATMAN 66' in comic form and holy-jumping-crazy-gumdrops, this is a fun and most welcomed edition to what many comic fans consider a doom and gloom era of comics.

BATMAN 66' collects issues 1-5. These stories cover everything from issue 1 having Batman fight The Riddler as an ode to the very first episode, to fighting Penguin and Mr. Freeze, Batman needing help from The Joker to catch the Red Hood, to Batman taking on lesser foes like the Sandman, The (Mad) Hatter, and Clock King.

Aside from issue 1, every issue has a short back-up story in the end. None the less, each issue and back-up story is done-in-one tales (so I guess the back-ups are short stories?). Essentially, you are getting 9 different stories in one hardcover price. That means no continuity is needed, no long 6-to-12 issue arcs, and no prior knowledge of the Bat-history.

Put bluntly, this book is truly a fun romp that has many laugh-out-loud moments. This is thanks greatly in part by series writer Greg Parker, who makes a whole slew of references to the iconography of the show it's based on like guest appearances of pop culture icons when Batman & Robin scale buildings, to Batman explaining his monologues of how he cleverly got out of sticky situations, to even self-parodying jokes of how the Batmobile fit Catwoman, Robin, and Batman together knowing full well the car only holds two people are just tips of the iceberg. Further more comes from the likeness of the characters from the show like Frank Gorshin and Cesar Romero are fully intact (it even includes both television versions of Catwoman Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt. How cool is that?!). What will most surprise people is the incorporation of new Batman villains like Harley Quinn and Killer Croc for examples, and putting them into the same 66' treatment to effectively building on the foundation set by the original series. And it works. And the funny thing about this (if it wasn't funny already), is that I never got bored of the format. You would think considered the zaniness, done-in-one formatting these stories would lose their luster, and I never got tired of it. So that is something.

As for the art here, it is simply beautiful. The art is super vibrant, cartoony, psychedelic, and has screen-tone coloring effects (an effect used in the 60's that has what look like dots.). This is thanks in part by the Madrid of artist like Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones, Sandy Jarrell, and Collen Coover. With every cover done by Michael Allred.

I personally have no problem with this collection, as I am giving this a 4 ½ star rating but rounding up to 5. Let me explain that part. Simply because this is not for every Bat-fan. This is a campy sendup of the most slapstick era of Batman and comics history. Those who want just the current dark version of Batman and nothing to do with this campy version probably won't like it. And because this is a series of stand alone issues, some readers might not like some stories as much as the others. I think they're all excellent, except issue #2 lacked a certain pizzazz about it. But again, no biggie from me, I still enjoyed it.

Still, BATMAN 66' is DC's answer to the New 52 and the current age what many consider doom and gloom in comics. This is a fun, upbeat, zany and colorful series that matches the original television series to a tee. It's an all-ages comic series ages 5-90 can read no problem. So fans of the television series jump on board, and even new readers should give this a try (Amazon has it marked at almost half the price for hardcover. It's worth a try). But Bat-fans who want nothing to do with the campy Batman might want to stay away (if you're open for it, try it!). I'm giving this collection a 4 ½ score out of 5 stars, but going with 5 stars because I really did enjoy this, even if it isn't for everyone...even though technically, it is.

So it looks like a new era for the Caped Crusade and the Boy Wonder, thanks to a blast from the past.

Catch Batman and Robin in the next harrowing adventure in [[ASIN:1401249329 Batman '66 Vol. 2]]!
Same Bat-time!
Same Bat-channel!!
Same Bat-book!!!

I've been frustrated by the lack of good comics to read with my kids. All the DC comics I read as a kid are now "dark and gritty" as some sort of feeble attempt at being taken seriously.

I don't want serious, I want fun. I want to read comics with my kids where the good guys are good, and the bad guys are bad, but not evil. This book reads like it came right off the screen from the old Batman show. After I read it, I gave it to my kids and they're adoring it. Can't wait for the next volume!

Do you long for the more innocent days when Adam West and Burt Ward raced across your television in Technicolor glory battling the charismatic villains of Gotham City? When you think of the Joker, does a Latino actor who refused to shave his mustache come to mind before Heath Ledger or Jack Nicholson? Do you constantly find yourself wondering where the "POW's" and the "BAM's" are as you sit through the Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan Dark Knight films? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then "Batman '66 Volume 1" is tailor-made for you!

DC Comics releases the first five print issues of Batman '66 for fans of the psychedelic and campy romp we all grew up with. I specifically remember watching the series at my babysitter's house after school every chance I could get. If you prefer your Caped Crusader a little less gloomy and a little more fun, this collection will thrill you.

The first five issues included in "Batman '66 Volume 1" features the Riddler, Egghead, Chandell, the Joker, the Penguin, the Mad Hatter, the Clock King, the Sandman, Mr. Freeze, and two different Catwomen all clashing with the Dynamic Duo as they protect the citizens of Gotham City from the rogues' zany crime sprees. Batgirl even gets in on the action when Batman and Robin are out of town fighting evil in Japan.

Jeff Parker handles all the writing for "Batman '66 Volume 1." He does a bang-up (pun intended) job of adapting the vibe and wackiness of the TV series in comic book form. You can totally imagine Adam West, Burt Ward, or any of the other actors voicing their characters seen on the page. Parker doesn't skip a beat when it comes to bringing the swinging 60's exploits of the Caped Crusader and his boy sidekick to life.

A long list of artists worked on the illustrations for "Batman '66 Volume 1." Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones, Sandy Jarrell, Reuben Procopio, and Colleen Coover all provided their unique talents for the graphic novel collection. Some of the characters look like their acting counterparts at times, while at others they don't. My favorite visual interpretation is of Cesar Romero's Joker. Romero refused to shave his mustache for the show, so he would just paint over it with white makeup. The comic books show his mustache clearly painted over, just like you could see it in the original series.

"Batman '66 Volume 1" includes some fun extras. There are several variant covers featured at the back of the book. They were drawn by Jonathan Case, Kevin Maguire, Cully Hamner, Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, and Dave Johnson. The San Diego Comic-Con action figure variant cover for issue #1 is found in here as well.

If you long for more of Adam West and Burt Ward's take on the Dynamic Duo, "Batman '66 Volume 1" will fill that void. It's like holding five new episodes in your hand for you to devour. Writer Jeff Parker, all the book's artists, and colorists completely capture the essence of the television show. Throw your limited edition "Batman" Exclusive Original Television Soundtrack Album into your stereo, sit back on the couch, and get ready to go back in time to the hip and psychedelic era of Gotham City.

This is without a doubt the worst book I ever bought on Amazon. It is not campy, not funny, not interesting and the art is terrible. If you love the silver age of comics you will be appalled at this book. If you loved the Batman TV show in the 60's you will hate this book. These people have no clue what "camp" is. They just don't get it. Save your money as this book is painful to read - even worse than going to the dentist. Is there anything at all good about this book? It will make for great kindling to start a fire this winter. Normally I donate my used books to the local library but this one is too horrible to subject to my fellow townspeople.

This is based on the Bat universe from the 60's TV show, but don't let that spook you. I loved that show when I was a kid , but, like Scooby Doo it kind of makes my skin crawl as an adult. Not surprisingly Jeff Parker never betrays the source material, but belts out some fantastic stories. Highest recommendation.

Jeff Parker perfected the language and story telling from the Batman series from the 60s. The art in the stories is hit and miss. A lot of it looks like the artists were in a hurry. Every couple of panels the artist gets it right but, overall, I was disappointed in the art.

BATMAN '66 is a wonderful homage to the original hit television series starring Adam West & Burt Ward. The writers and artists do an incredible job of depicting the main actors and actresses who appeared on the show. We have Frank Gorshin's Riddler, Julie Newmar & Eartha Kitt's Catwomen, Burgess Meredith's Penguin, Cesar Romero's Joker, Otto Preminger's Mr. Freeze and a few surprises.
I would also like to point out and commend DC for adjusting the horrible Egghead artwork which originally appeared in the BATMAN '66 #3 comic book so that in this hardcover collection Egghead now actually resembles the actor who portrayed him, Vincent Price.
And did I mention the Bat-Gadgets? They are all back as well.
This is just a fun, FUN book that takes me back in time to when I was that 8 year old boy who sat enthralled in front of the family television set twice a week and watched as the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder made the world a safer and better place.

Collects Batman '66 issues #1-5

I am a huge fan of the Batman television series from 1966, so when this comic was announced, I knew it was must-buy for me.

Much like the TV show, this series shouldn't be taken too seriously. The dialogue sounds very similar to what we heard Adam West speaking on the TV show, which I found incredibly entertaining (and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny).

Many of the characters are depicted exactly like the actors that portrayed them, however there are some that look totally different.

I loved the artwork for this book because it had a very retro feel.

I would not recommend this to anyone that doesn't know and love the 1966 television series that it is based on. Part of the fun of this is pure nostalgia.

I can't wait to read more!

It was the 1966 all over again. If you loved or even liked the tv series this book is a must have. This is the batman, robin,and all the villains as seen on tv. These are stories that children can read without parents worrying and wondering if it's age appropriate. It's what comics used to be....pure fun. Amazon needs to get all the single issues on kindle not just some here and there. That way I can have them on kindle and purchase vol2 for my hard copy