While searching for my 1968 issue of Uncut Magazine's "History Of Rock" issue I came across a special collectors' edition of "Batman" celebrating 50 years of Batman on television and the movies. (On newsstands now)
Although the character was first created in 1939 and launched as part of DC's "Detective Comics" series before earning his own comic book a year later, "Batman" probably reached its largest mass audience when ABC created the Batman television series in 1966, starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin. (Thus the 50 Year Anniversary aspect of this special tribute magazine.)
Poor Adam West was typecast for life ... although he never really left the public eye ... and still does voiceover work on "Family Guy" from time to time. Burt Ward, however, has chosen to remain mostly out of the limelight, save a few reunions now and again. Each of their self-penned biographies are VERY entertaining reads ... pick up a copy if you can.
The show was camp and played for laughs (infuriating many of the diehard Batman purists out there) but the audience reaction went through the roof ... and soon celebrities were clamoring for a guest spot as either a villain or one of those people poking their heads out the window as Batman and Robin scaled one of the buildings in Gotham City with their bat rope.
Airing twice a week ... part one always left us with a cliffhanger ending ... would Batman and Robin survive whatever devious plot that week's villain had cooked up for them? ... but part two always found our heroes, The Dynamic Duo, victorious in their ongoing fight against crime ... only to find that three or four weeks later that same villain (be it The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, Catwoman or one of several others) would be out plotting their next revenge or over-the-top caper.
Interest is heightened now thanks to the upcoming "Batman v Superman" movie starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in the title roles. It hits theaters next month.
