Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman '66 Movie

Too many villains ruining your superhero movie? Then 1966's Batman movie, featuring FOUR big name super villains may not be for you. After the smash success of the first season of 1966's Batman live-action series, a feature film was "bat-apulted" into theaters. Its pretty crazy to think that they used to make movies so quickly, but to be fair, in a lot of ways (including actors and style) its just a long episode.

This first Batman film saw Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman teaming up to take on the Dynamic Duo. Good thing they wore masks, or their identities may have been compromised... Their nefarious scheme involved dehydrating members of the UN Security Council. Batman got plenty of chances to flex his wits, to use his utility belt-luckily it was stocked with bat-shark repellent- and to bust out a fleet of bat-themed vehicles (bat boat, chopper, and of course mobile).

The movie was a moderate success which led into two more seasons of the campy series.


Up Next: Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder

Batman Serial * Batman and Robin Serial * Batman '66 TV * Batman '66 Movie

Superman Narrowly Dodged a Speeding Bullet

In the late 1990s, Tim Burton was all set to reinvent Superman for the big screen as he had successfully launched the Batman film franchise in 1989. His ideas included casting Nicolas Cage as Superman. Now, that alone should give you pause. And seeing Nick in a photoshopped Superman suit is even worse. BUT, it turns out I had no idea how bad things could have been...

Just yesterday, a supposed image of Nick in his costume appeared online. Now I am not sure if this is real or not, but it is ridiculously horrible. For all the negativity Superman Returns has received, it seems like it was leaps and bounds ahead of this near monstrosity.

If you aren't convinced yet that Burton's Superman would have been an abomination, imagine Tim Allen or Jim Carrey as Brainiac and Chris Rock as Jimmy Olsen (this must have been Burton's pre-Depp days). The movie would have involved the "Death of Superman" story, and would have built on concept images like the one seen below. When all was said and done, some $30+ million was spent on this movie which fell apart.

So, will we ever get another Superman movie? Who knows. But you have to remind yourself, maybe no Superman movie, or at least a long wait for a Superman movie is not really the worst case scenario. Much better for "the Cage" to take on Ghost Rider than the Man of Steel.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) - Film Capsule

Hero: Batman (The Original and Batman Beyond)

Villains: The Joker, or an imposter?

Diabolical Schemes: Years after his death, the Joker is back and he knows Batman's identity. Leading a gang of punks, the Joker is intent on taking down his old nemesis.

Coolest Moment(s): The flashbacks to Robin's reconditioning and the ultimate fate of the Joker were pretty chilling and surprising.

Comic Book Logic: Only in a comic book could the improbable reveal of the Joker's identity not completely derail the movie. But here, it worked just fine.

Review in 50 Words or Less: One of the best direct-to-DVD superhero movies and dare I say one of the best Batman movies period. This surprisingly dark story set in Batman's future has mystery and action. And even though its not the original Batman behind the mask, Terry McGinnis proves himself more than a mere sidekick.

Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006) - Film Capsule

Hero: Superman

Villains: Brainiac / Lex Luthor

Diabolical Schemes: Lex Luthor rebuilds Brainiac to help him gain control of Earth after defeating Superman.

Coolest Moment(s): The two seconds when I thought Superman was actually going to share his secret with Lois, but I was wrong and there were no cool moments.

Worst Moment: Lex Luthor was a buffoon (sadly, not too big of a departure from other Superman films).

Review in 50 Words or Less: Stealing designs and voices from a good show is not enough to salvage a turd. 70 minutes of consequenceless, stakeless, and seemingly endless fighting brought on by two nincompoops was not enough to compensate for this movie lacking even one ounce of heart. At least there wasn't a superkid. (Expanded Review)

Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman '66 T.V.

Holy cultural impact!
-Robin, 1966

The 1966 Batman series was one of the most influential shows in comic book history. It introduced Batman and Robin to a very broad audience, but did so in a way that associated camp with superheroes - a stereotype that would take years to be overcome.

The world of the 1960's Batman was bright, colorful, silly and full of onomatopoeias, and it was a world were the villains got a chance to shine and where the hero played the straight man.

The series started off a huge hit, even spawning a feature film in 1966, but by season 3,the formula had run stale and ratings were down. Batman and Robin were not enough to keep audiences attention, enter Batgirl.

Although the series was always over the top, the surfing Batman in season 3 demonstrated just how zany the show got by the end. After 120 episodes (a decent run) the series was canceled, although a 4th season would have been ordered had the sets not already been dismantled. Had season 4 happened, it most likely would have saved costs by axing Robin and Commissioner Gordon.

Rumors of a Batgirl pilot spin-off are likely untrue in spite of unaired Batgirl footage. The Batgirl footage is more likely just a screen test made when adding the Batgirl character to the existing show's third season.

The characters would return to TV a few years later in 1972 to promote equal pay for women in the workplace.



"Tune in next week— same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!"



Up Next: Batman '66 Movie

Batman Serial * Batman and Robin Serial * Batman '66 TV

Retrospective 1982

Though new entries in the superhero genre were sparse in 1982, green was definitely in. in the form of two green monster-heroes.

Swamp Thing

Wes Craven's Swamp Thing, based on the DC character was made for a mere $3 million giving us a swamp full of "government agents, scientists, soldiers, master criminals, secret formulas, monsters and midgets."

The Incredible Hulk (Animated)

Later in the year, a more familiar green face would arrive on TVs across the country.

The Incredible Hulk animated series, beginning just as the live action series wrapped, ended up being just a 13 episode blip in the Jade Giant's career. The series was a bit truer to the comic book and also provided the onscreen debut of She-Hulk.

In all, 1982 just wasn't a very good year for fans of superheroes. Fortunately, the decade would end much stronger than it started.

Owlman Returns in the Next DC Animated Movie (WHO WHO!?)

Lex Luthor is good? Batman is evil? and an owl!? It can only mean one thing, a crisis is coming. DC's next animated film (after this months Superman Batman: Public Enemies) titles Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is being described as:

...a “good” Lex Luthor arrives from an alternate universe to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters with virtually identical super powers to the Justice League. What ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that threatens both planets and, through a diabolical plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril.

At first blush, this sounds a lot like the first season finale of Batman: The Brave and the Bold which involved Batman teaming up with a good Joker, and then taking on Owlman. But Owlman is just one member of the syndicate which also includes Ultraman, Superwoman, Johnny Quick, and Power Ring. From the cast list, it looks like at least Superwoman will have a decent role (voiced by Gina Torres of Firefly fame).

More news to come...