'66 Batman Fans Criticize '89 Film

[Slash Man]

I was laughing at the title as well. I love the '60s Batman, but they have no right to put down Keaton. No Batman was perfectly faithful to the comics, but the '60s was easily the farthest from it. I can't go into much of an argument, since it's clearly their particular taste in movies. I can respect their opinions, but the bashers just look foolish.

[Bobthegoon89]

Find this highly amusing. We Keaton fans are now going through this foolish battle now with the Nolan age. What goes around comes around don't they say? 

I do find some complaints on all the Batman movies sometimes a bit silly. I mean they only have 2 hrs to get the world of Batman across every time. Something has gotta give. The comments about Keaton's costume make me laugh. To this day it still pops on screen (especially the moment he glides down vampire style into Axis Chemicals!). I seriously doubt a blue/grey fabric costume would've cut the mustard.

[thecolorsblend]

No Batman was perfectly faithful to the comics, but the '60s was easily the farthest from it.

What makes you say that?

[Azrael]

^ Yeah, there's a full feature to support the contrary (though I'm not the biggest fan of that show's legacy)

http://www.batman-online.com/features/2012/10/10/comic-influences-on-batman-the-movie-1966

[Bobthegoon89]

One thing I find hilarious about the criticism of the Adam West show is how some people prefer the old black and white movie serials over the 60's show. The same serials Bob Kane himself pointed out his absolute displeasure of. Frank Miller actually revealed they are his favourite live action Batman ever and has pulled no punches about his hatred of the camp laden West era.

Now I'm not saying everyone should prefer the West series (in fact I've never seen the old serials but would like to) but I do think it was a damn sight more spectacular than the Wilson/Lowery period. Therefore anyone I hear who prefers the former I find a little bemusing myself. It felt more like "real" Batman despite the campy jokes (which as a kid I never got anyway). I mean they had the Batcave, Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, Batcopter, Batgirl, Bat Signal, every major Bat villain, plots loosely inspired by old comic books, colourful comic visuals e.c.t e.c.t

Although Adam West suffered typecasting he's nevertheless proud of his involvement with the character whereas say Robert Lowery clearly hated his association (see Bob Kane's "Batman and Me"). This attitude spoils my enjoyment of the previous serials in contrast to West's.

As for it's legacy what's not to like? It saved the comic books, got Batman ingrained in the world's psyche forever. With that much power now behind the character it's pretty difficult to erase Batman.

[thecolorsblend]

Now I'm not saying everyone should prefer the West series (in fact I've never seen the old serials but would like to) but I do think it was a damn sight more spectacular than the Wilson/Lowery period. Therefore anyone I hear who prefers the former I find a little bemusing myself. It felt more like "real" Batman despite the campy jokes (which as a kid I never got anyway). I mean they had the Batcave, Batmobile, Batboat, Batcycle, Batcopter, Batgirl, Bat Signal, every major Bat villain, plots loosely inspired by old comic books, colourful comic visuals e.c.t e.c.t

There's a lot to enjoy. It's got good humor (esp in the first season) and it brings a lot of the Batman mythos (as they were) to the screen. I can think of worse introductions for newbie fans than the combination of heaping helpings of Adam West, Tim Burton, Batman Begins, BTAS Heart of Ice, Year One, Long Halloween and The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told trade.

As for it's legacy what's not to like? It saved the comic books, got Batman ingrained in the world's psyche forever. With that much power now behind the character it's pretty difficult to erase Batman.

The show's legacy is what I despise actually. I love the show but I'm now convinced we're never going to live it down. Every "snarky" (God I hate that fvcking word) journalist from now to Armageddon will lead off any comic book article, esp those related to Batman, with tripe like BIFF, POW, WHAM and whatnot while believing they're "clever" for doing so. It's about as easy a target as making fun of John F. Kennedy's accent, Lyndon Johnson's big ears, George W. Bush's lack of oratory prowess or whatever else; the shelf life of the entertainment value of those things all long ago expired. But the Adam West jokes persist and after all these decades, I'm convinced they're here to stay.

I like the West show, don't get me wrong, and I'm grateful that it saved Batman comics from cancellation. Even so, the popular legacy of the series isn't good but it's here to stay.

[Azrael]

The show's legacy is what I despise actually. I love the show but I'm now convinced we're never going to live it down. Every "snarky" (God I hate that fvcking word) journalist from now to Armageddon will lead off any comic book article, esp those related to Batman, with tripe like BIFF, POW, WHAM and whatnot while believing they're "clever" for doing so. It's about as easy a target as making fun of John F. Kennedy's accent, Lyndon Johnson's big ears, George W. Bush's lack of oratory prowess or whatever else; the shelf life of the entertainment value of those things all long ago expired. But the Adam West jokes persist and after all these decades, I'm convinced they're here to stay.

I like the West show, don't get me wrong, and I'm grateful that it saved Batman comics from cancellation. Even so, the popular legacy of the series isn't good but it's here to stay.

Yeah. Saving the Batman comics from cancellation (or saving Alfred from dying in the comics, or so I read in a book) are the legacy fans should be thankful for. That other legacy, the POW ZAP BAM titles every time a mainstream media mentions Batman... even the g0dd@mn Batman of the Nolan films or Arkham City. LOL.

[thecolorsblend]

This is one reason people had better hope like hell I never become Supreme Emperor of Everything. Because if I do, every journalist or blogger or whatever else who has ever used those references will be intentionally infected with gonorrhea, castrated, strapped to the nose of a space shuttle and launched into the sun. If they've already passed on... their heirs will suffice.

Be afraid.

[Azrael]

[The Dark Knight]

This is one reason people had better hope like hell I never become Supreme Emperor of Everything. Because if I do, every journalist or blogger or whatever else who has ever used those references will be intentionally infected with gonorrhea, castrated, strapped to the nose of a space shuttle and launched into the sun. If they've already passed on... their heirs will suffice.

Be afraid.

Hilarious post. Thanks for brightening my day.