Last month, I read and reviewed the graphic novel, Batman '66: Volume II. This month, I secured a copy of the previous book in the series, called, not surprisingly, "Batman '66: Volume 1".
Thankfully, these stories can be read in just about any order. Like the TV series, unless the story is either broken into two parts (none are), or the first story contains lead-ins to its follow-up, there is no continuity to worry about.
The stories in this book successfully capture the fun spirit of the 1960s Batman TV series. The quibbles I had with the second volume of the series are not in evidence in this collection, either. Batman and Robin DO face their most dastardly villains The Riddler, the Penguin, the Joker, Mr. Freeze, and Catwoman are ALL present here. (In fact, the Penguin and Mr. Freeze team up, while Catwoman and the Riddler oppose each other a luxury that budgets and actor egos probably didn't often allow on TV,.) Further, there are two distinct depictions of Catwoman, reflecting how television used both Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt in the role. (Minor quibble here the cartoonish images in the story do not successfully capture the sensuality that each actress brought with them to the role. BUT they come as close as possible given the art style and format.) We even have the "creative deathtrap with incredible escape" and "window discussion while Batman and Robin scale a building".
Having read two of these collections in the span of approximately 30 days, I also see the biggest flaw in the entire concept the joke cannot sustain itself over an extended period. Given that there are at least 3 other books in this collection, I fear the graphic novel series may burn itself out, just as the television series did after only 3 seasons. Still, anticipating it's own self-destruction doesn't mean I can't enjoy it in the here and now and I did.
RATING: 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for those sites that cannot handle fractions of a star.
Thankfully, these stories can be read in just about any order. Like the TV series, unless the story is either broken into two parts (none are), or the first story contains lead-ins to its follow-up, there is no continuity to worry about.
The stories in this book successfully capture the fun spirit of the 1960s Batman TV series. The quibbles I had with the second volume of the series are not in evidence in this collection, either. Batman and Robin DO face their most dastardly villains The Riddler, the Penguin, the Joker, Mr. Freeze, and Catwoman are ALL present here. (In fact, the Penguin and Mr. Freeze team up, while Catwoman and the Riddler oppose each other a luxury that budgets and actor egos probably didn't often allow on TV,.) Further, there are two distinct depictions of Catwoman, reflecting how television used both Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt in the role. (Minor quibble here the cartoonish images in the story do not successfully capture the sensuality that each actress brought with them to the role. BUT they come as close as possible given the art style and format.) We even have the "creative deathtrap with incredible escape" and "window discussion while Batman and Robin scale a building".
Having read two of these collections in the span of approximately 30 days, I also see the biggest flaw in the entire concept the joke cannot sustain itself over an extended period. Given that there are at least 3 other books in this collection, I fear the graphic novel series may burn itself out, just as the television series did after only 3 seasons. Still, anticipating it's own self-destruction doesn't mean I can't enjoy it in the here and now and I did.
RATING: 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for those sites that cannot handle fractions of a star.
