Long ago back in the 60s, DC and Marvel were entering an age in comic books and so to capitalize on this, various studios wanted to bring superheroes to TV and film. What they got was Adam West and Burt Ward playing the main roles in what is nowadays considered a very camp, goofy but all around fun TV series known simply as
Batman. It was thanks to this series and other DC shows at the time that made Batman a very popular hero. But it wasn't until the unrelated
Batman: The Animated Series where we got a Batman that we all know and love today. But it's this show we have to thank because without it, Batman wouldn't be where he is today and people would assume that he has always been dark and gritty. You can have fun with him too. Since this series aired, it's gone on to have a few films with one made during the height of the show's success and two others that both serve as reunion films with the second paying tribute to Adam West who passed away just before its release and would have therefore served as the finale to the show's onscreen adventures whereas comics would've most likely continued. So let's explore a world where fight scenes have words pop onto the screen:
Season 1
So one thing you will notice about this show quite early on is that every story is split into two episodes as both would've been broadcast across two days every week during its original run. Those of us who never saw it on TV and instead saw it by buying it on home media, will eventually find this tiring and repetitive considering that every part 1 seemingly ends with the dynamic duo caught in a seemingly impossible to escape situation, only to resolve everything in part 2. Also, most part 1 episodes open the same way with Commissioner Gordon (played by the late Neil Hamilton) using the Bat-phone at the suggestion of Police Chief O'Hara (played by the late Stafford Repp) to call upon Batman (played by West) and Robin (played by Ward) who in their normal lives are doing something else. Now when I say that, it's not a criticism as most of that is what made the show great in the first place. So in the first season, the duo take on a number of villains with the most reoccurring in this season being the Riddler (played by the late Frank Gorshin in the first and third seasons and by John Astin in the second). A good first season even if it's a bit repetitive, but fun nonetheless. 8/10
Season 2
Season 2 is the longest of the entire show and in addition to two part episodes, some episodes would continue storylines after two parts and would ultimately become three part episodes. With so many episodes, a few cast changes and the duo taking advantage of new weapons and gadgets such as the "Batdrone", this season is packed. Lots of action, plenty of villains (some of which make their debuts in this season and some got recast) and lots more catchphrases for Burt Ward to use and it's great. Still a bit repetitive and predictable, but nice that we get a few three part episodes in addition to two parts. 8/10
Season 3
The final season of the show is also the shortest overall and the format has changed too. Two part episodes became a rare occurrence as most would now be one episode storylines though the villain of the next episode would have an uncredited cameo right at the end of the episode. Also we get Batgirl (played by the late Yvonne Craig) making her debut and some episodes being linked to one another in some way. As the final season, its kind of nice for the show to go in a newish direction than before. But seeing the many recast roles and the formerly more prominent roles being limited to just cameos, makes me think that the show has reached the end and sure enough, it had done so. A great final season which ends on a high note and of course would not be the last we would see of this kind of Batman. 8/10
By today's standards when it comes to Batman, this is still widely regarded as a great Batman series even if its not as dark, serious and brooding as the Batman we all know and love today. But we still thank Adam West and Burt Ward for giving the duo a chance to shine and boost the character's popularity long after its original airing. We would probably still get Batman in some capacity even if this series had never aired. But he would've been the same. So thank you, Adam West and Burt Ward. 8/10
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