The classicBatmanTV series inhabits a far larger universe than one might think. Starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, the 1960sBatmanTV series is famous for its intentionally campy portrayal of Batman’s corner of theDC Universe, yet the show is undeniably a culturally impactful andcomic-accurate adaptation of Batman. The series gave numerousBatmancomic villains their live-action debuts (and created original ones who eventually made their way into the comics), turning obscure villains like The Riddler into mainstreamBatmanantagonists overnight.
Although theBatmanTV seriesdid not take itself too seriously, it is, ultimately, an authentic representation of theBatmancomics of the Silver Age. Fittingly, given the crossover-heavy nature of the superhero genre, theBatmanTV seriesestablishes that Batman and Robin are not the only superheroes in their world. Along with their famous team-up with Green Hornet and Kato, Batman and Robin face villains from other DC rogue galleries, such as the Clock King (a Green Arrow villain), The Archer, and The Puzzler (who are both Superman villains), implying that these other heroes exist in their world.
Batman ‘66 Has Far More Heroes Than Batman & Robin
Over a decade after the original TV series ended, two TV specials in 1979 – now calledLegends of the Superheroes– brought West’s Batman and Ward’s Robin back to the small screen, along with other DC superheroes. The tongue-in-cheek TV specialsincluded Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), The Flash (Barry Allen), Black Canary, the Huntress, Captain Marvel (Billy Batson), Hawkman, and The Atom. Notably, the Huntress is based on the Helena Wayne iteration of the heroine (the only version in 1979), who is the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle from another universe.
Batman1966 is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Prime Video and other retailers.
Jeff Parker’sBatman ’66comics continue the adventures of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl while connecting the classic TV series to two other famous DC properties. In addition to including more crossovers with Green Hornet and Kato,Batman ’66also sees the Caped Crusadersteaming up withLynda Carter’s Wonder Woman, establishing that the classic 1970sWonder WomanTV show is set in the same continuity asBatman.Batman ‘66also reveals that George Reeves’s Superman – and thus theAdventures of SupermanTV series – and the Legion of Superheroes also inhabit the same universe asBatman.
Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery Is Even Bigger Than The TV Show Suggests
Legends of the Superheroesnot only expanded the roster of superheroes in theBatmanTV show’s continuity, it did the same for its villains. Frank Gorshin’s Riddler returned inLegends of the Superheroes, which also saw the debuts ofSinestro, Doctor Sivana, Weather Wizard, Soloman Grundy, Giganta, and Mordru. Unsurprisingly, theBatman ’66comics also expandedBatman’srogue’s gallery with 60s iterations of Scarecrow, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Bane, Killer Croc, Kobra, Copperhead, Hugo Strange, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, a new version of Red Hood, and the original villainess Cleopatra.
Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman Almost Cameoed In Batman vs. Two-Face
The makers of Batman vs. Two-Face reveal that Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman nearly had a cameo in the film alongside the Dark Knight.
Fascinatingly, the classicBatmanvillain Two-Face was nearly included in the original 1960s TV series, but he was ultimately never added to the show’s rogue’s gallery. TheBatman ’66comics and the 2017 animated movieBatman vs. Two-Face, however,finally brought the classic villain into the continuity, with William Shatner voicing Two-Face in the movie. By simply sharing a universe with Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman and George Reeves’s Superman, the 1960sBatmanuniverse also includes their respective villains.
The Batman TV Show Universe Has More Than Just DC Properties
The 1960sBatmanTV series shares a world with more than just DC heroes and villains. The show’s original run includes a crossover with Green Hornet and Kato – pulp heroes who originated as radio serial characters – but theBatman ’66comics take things even further. The comicsinclude crossovers with other famous 1960s and 1970s TV shows, such asThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.and the British spy seriesThe Avengers.Wonder Woman ’77included a crossover withThe Bionic Womanas well, making the series (andThe Six Million Dollar Man) set in the same continuity asBatmanas well.
Batman ’66even crossed over with a non-DC comic property,connecting the world of Adam West’s Batman to an iteration of Riverdale with theArchie Meets Batman ‘66miniseries.Batmanwas also famous for having celebrity cameos during Batman and Robin’s “Batclimbs,” and while some cameos include characters from TV shows likeThe Addams FamilyandHogan’s Heroes, they did not necessarily indicate that the shows inhabited the same world, and were likely simple Easter eggs.TheBatmanTV seriesitself was a tongue-in-cheek series, so its connection to so many other properties is remarkable.
