Batman-The Filmation Era
Posted by dailypop on August 9, 2007
Batman has seen more iterations than any other fictional character. Introduced in the late 30’s as a terrifying creature of the night, he later became a smiling supporter of the Police in the 50’s, and an absurd crime fighter who foiled even crazier men’s plans in the city that never got a break, Gotham City in the 60’s. Since his career has been all over the map, it’s no surprise that his appearances on the screen have been equally bizarre.
In the late 70’s, Filmation created The New Adventures of Batman and Robin to bank on the characters undying popularity. Using the standard technique of re-use/rec-cycle of film stock familiar to anyone who has ever seen a Filmation cartoon, this series was if anything an homage to the 60’s TV series with Burt Ward and Adam West. So much of an homage that they actually used the TV stars as voice over actors!
Finally on DVD, the series is a reminder that there is more than one way to depict the Dark Knight… or the Light Dark Knight that we see here.
Here is a preview of the cartoon featuring animation greats Bruce Timm and Paul Dini along with voice actor and Jedi Knight, Mark Hamill.
part 1
part 2
A complete opposite to the Bruce Timm Animated Series, the Filmation series is camp, absurd and silly. While watching it, I was reminded of the fact that scribe Grant Morrison got many of his ideas for the best modern JLA story, Rock of Ages, while re-reading the Jack Kirby Super Powers mini-series. Sure, Super Powers is a camp and absolutely insane toy tie-in, but it’s also full of the wildest ideas this side of Seven Soldiers of Victory.
Likewise the Filmation Batman series is stiff, hokey and childish… but it’s also a great companion to the absurd 60’s Batman comics recently collected by DC Comics in their Showcase Presents editions.
Suggested viewing/reading:
The New Adventures of Batman – (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Showcase Presents: Batman, Vol. 1
Showcase Presents: Batman, Vol. 2
