The classic Batman TV series inhabits a far larger universe than one might think. Starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, the 1960s Batman TV series is famous for its intentionally campy portrayal of Batman’s corner of the DC Universe, yet the show is undeniably a culturally impactful and comic-accurate adaptation of Batman. The series gave numerous Batman comic villains their live-action debuts (and created original ones who eventually made their way into the comics), turning obscure villains like The Riddler into mainstream Batman antagonists overnight.
Although the Batman TV series did not take itself too seriously, it is, ultimately, an authentic representation of the Batman comics of the Silver Age. Fittingly, given the crossover-heavy nature of the superhero genre, the Batman TV series establishes 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 called Legends 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 specials included 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.
Batman
1966 is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Prime Video and other retailers.
Jeff Parker’s Batman ’66 comics 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 ’66 also sees the Caped Crusaders teaming up with Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman, establishing that the classic 1970s Wonder Woman TV show is set in the same continuity as Batman. Batman ‘66 also reveals that George Reeves’s Superman – and thus the Adventures of Superman TV series – and the Legion of Superheroes also inhabit the same universe as Batman.
Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery Is Even Bigger Than The TV Show Suggests
Legends of the Superheroes not only expanded the roster of superheroes in the Batman TV show’s continuity, it did the same for its villains. Frank Gorshin’s Riddler returned in Legends of the Superheroes, which also saw the debuts of Sinestro, Doctor Sivana, Weather Wizard, Soloman Grundy, Giganta, and Mordru. Unsurprisingly, the Batman ’66 comics also expanded Batman’s rogue’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.
Fascinatingly, the classic Batman villain Two-Face was nearly included in the original 1960s TV series, but he was ultimately never added to the show’s rogue’s gallery. The Batman ’66 comics and the 2017 animated movie Batman 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 1960s Batman universe also includes their respective villains.
The Batman TV Show Universe Has More Than Just DC Properties
The 1960s Batman TV 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 the Batman ’66 comics take things even further. The comics include crossovers with other famous 1960s and 1970s TV shows, such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and the British spy series The Avengers. Wonder Woman ’77 included a crossover with The Bionic Woman as well, making the series (and The Six Million Dollar Man) set in the same continuity as Batman as well.
Batman ’66 even crossed over with a non-DC comic property, connecting the world of Adam West’s Batman to an iteration of Riverdale with the Archie Meets Batman ’66 miniseries. Batman was also famous for having celebrity cameos during Batman and Robin’s “Batclimbs,” and while some cameos include characters from TV shows like The Addams Family and Hogan’s Heroes, they did not necessarily indicate that the shows inhabited the same world, and were likely simple Easter eggs. The Batman TV series itself was a tongue-in-cheek series, so its connection to so many other properties is remarkable.
