“The LEGO Batman Movie,” in theaters, is proof again of the 78-year-old DC Comics character’s longevity — and adaptability.
Batman has taken animated form many times over the years, and different iterations of the character are the surprising result.
First came “The Batman/Superman Hour” (1968), which rode the capetails of Batmania triggered by the 1966-68 TV series starring Adam West. This led to the following year’s hero-packed “Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure,” which featured the Justice League and the Teen Titans … but not Batman.
Batman appeared in “The New Scooby-Doo Movies” (1972), which presented ‘toon versions of “guest stars” like Sonny and Cher, Phylis Diller, Dick Van Dyke, Jonathan Winters, Don Knotts and the Three Stooges, and fictional characters like the Addams Family and … Batman and Robin.
Next came “Super Friends,” a quasi-Justice League dumbed down for the urchins, and “The New Adventures of Batman” (1977). These shows featured the wonky animation of Filmation Assoc., which inspired “Saturday Night Live’s” “TV Funhouse” segments.
The success of Tim Burton’s “Batman” sequel, “Batman Returns” (1992), brought about “Batman: The Animated Series” (also ’92). This series introduced a nostalgic, streamlined, almost art-deco look, which was inspired by Fleischer Studios’ amazing Superman animated shorts of the 1940s.
“Batman Beyond” (1999) had a new, teen Batman fighting crime in the future … all the way to 2019! But it was back to Bat-basics for “The Batman” (2004). “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” (2008) featured team-ups with other heroes. This idea was first explored in an old comic book from DC that specialized in Batman team-ups. Its title was … “The Brave and the Bold.”
It all came full circle with “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” (2016), which featured West, at 87, in voice-over, reprising the caped character he never could quite shake. Also in the cast were Burt Ward, voicing Robin, and Julie Newmar, voicing Catwoman.
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