The beloved 1966 Batman television series, blanketed with pastel pink & purple backgrounds, knockout gas, and costumes, is heading to DVD. The huge camp cult hit, which only grows in popularity every year, starred Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, respectively. On the crazy, off-chance you have never actually seen an episode, do yourself a favor and order this set. Each episode was a two-parter, with the first ending in a cliffhanger as our heroes were tied up in some kind of death trap. The second episode always began with the duo escaping in the most outlandish, impossible way. "If only I could just get the (blank) across the room to (blank) before the (blank) decapitates us, we can escape," Batman would sputter, while Robin struggled by his side. "That is impossible," you would mutter to yourself as the intrepid viewer, before exclaiming "Holy crap, they did it!" as the heroes escaped just in time thanks to the help of daily flossing and the scientific findings of Copernicus. What? Exactly. The show is amazing.
The series only ran from 1966 to 1968 but spawned a nationwide "Batmania" that skyrocketed comic books sales and West, Ward, and their costars' night lives to "Frank Sinatra" proportions. It was many people's first introduction to Batman, and the character has been clawing his way back to respect ever since. The Tim Burton movies were a great start, only to be ruined by the return to camp via Joel Schumacher's films. Now, with Christopher Nolan's films carving a new template for the hero, the '66 Batman series is finally being viewed as the hilarious joke it was intended to be.
No word yet on the size and scope (or cost) of the DVD set, just that it will be released in 2014. The news broke when late night talk show host Conan O'Brien tweeted the news to his almost 10 million followers.
The key to this set is going to be fan nostalgia, and that means DVD extras. Behind the scenes footage, interviews, lost episodes, and bonus content (perhaps a Riddler game using all Frank Gorshin's actual riddles throughout the series?).
Aside from the kneejerk "yay" reaction, are you excited to get this DVD set, or is it too little, too late in the digital age? Comments below!
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