Adam West Is the Only Batman

[The Toyroom]

Well someone had to start it....:smiley1:

But seriously, for me Adam West IS Batman. Say what you will about the camp aspect of the show and how it ruined comic books from being taken seriously for a while....but it's also been said that the show saved the Batman comic book from cancellation. True, Julius Schwartz' "New Look" preceeded the TV show by a couple of years and got Bats away from the "sci-fi monster of the month" approach the book had for the early part of the Silver Age...but the TV show finally put Gotham City on the map as far as the average Joe was concerned.

Nowhere else, live action wise, have we ever seen anything like the TV show when it came to Batman's world...from the villains (Helloooooooo Julie Newmar, the best damn Catwoman ever...to Frank Gorshin's maniacal portrayal of The Riddler), the Batcave, the freakin' awesome Batmobile (everyone's favorite TV dream car).

No offense to the 4 actors during the Burton era (Keaton was the best....whodathunkit?) or the new guy Christian Bale (I loved Batman Begins but too early to call on his legacy to the franchise) but Adam is da man!:yeah:

[toys2cool]

It depends for me,they all have a little something that the others don't.Like for example,the best looking one was George Clooney(Batman needs to be good looking),best body Christian Bale(Batman should be pretty buffed) and the one who looks the best with the costume on was Michael Keaton
that's my take on it,but I could see why you would think Adam was the best

[jwyblejr]

Yeah,got to agree. The movies ran through too many actors to like them. You start to like one in the movies,then they switch when the next movie came out. If Bale makes it to a third movie,he might make it. Besides,Adam has appeared in the animated versions of Batman(The Animated Series and The Batman),he has that working for him.

[HardyGirl]

I agree, The '60s series is the definitive Batman to me! :)

[JDeRouen]

Adam West was never Batman to me. I'll take my Batman serious, thank you very much! :grin:

[toys2cool]

I would just have a hard time picturing Adam looking good in one the new suits

[Earth 2 Chris]

Adam West to me is the classic Caped Crusader Batman. When I read a Batman story from say 1941-1970, I hear Adam West's voice and think of him. Bale is the first actor to really capture the Dark Knight Batman in live action. The Batman of the 30s, and the modern era. Keaton, Kilmer and Clooney are distant, forgotten memories really. None of those movies really hold up at all now. Just the soundtrack to the first Burton movie. That's it.

But really, any comic with the creature of the night Batman? I hear Kevin Conroy's voice. Kevin Conroy is REALLY the best Batman ever.

Chris

[Hulk]

Adam West still holds the title for me, although Keaton had a shot at it aat one time. If he had stuck with it, even through the bad movies, Keaton might have dethroned West in my mind.

Christian Bale will have to do at least 3 movies to even be eligible, although he is well on his way to the title given his last performance.

The problem with Batman is there is such a clear delineation between his portrayals in the comics, opposed to Superman, that a Camp Crusader and Dark Knight can both represent the character with equal credibility.

[thunderbolt]

Yeah, Adam and Burt ARE the Dynamic Duo for me. The two movie serial Batmen running a close second.

[kingdom warrior]

Wow tough call I love the TV series but I really love the Batman movies.Adam Holds up because it was just plain fun and even on the lighter side you can see how well of a character Batman is.Plus all those great villans portrayed by all those great actors.

As for the Movies Keaton was great wish he would have stuck it out.I hate Val Kilmer he's a big BLEEP!......I like George Clooney too bad they gave him a dog of a movie.

Christian Bale hopefully will continue to be Great as the Darker more to the comics Batman.

and since I met him and he was really cool Yes I can say it too Adam West is the Best Batman

[Comic Book Geek]

Adam West was the only Batman for me... when I was 5. I grew up and wanted someone that resembled Neal Adams' version in spirit as well as appearance.

I still have fond memories of the TV show, but i don't want my Batman to be silly outside of it.


... The Barris Batmobile... now that's definitive Batmobile.

[joshvox]

The 60's series was a nice series for what it was, but I'll steal a line from Joe and say I like my batman serious. I can't speak to the effect it had on the comics (bit too young for that), but the effect it has on alot of people's perception of the character is just too bad. Right now, and hopefully for quite awhile in the future Bale IS Batman to me. A couple more really good/great movies will cement that for me.

[StrangeVisitor]

But really, any comic with the creature of the night Batman? I hear Kevin Conroy's voice. Kevin Conroy is REALLY the best Batman ever.

Chris

I totally agree and Conroy's also played the Batman longer than anyone else- 14 years!
While I have much fondness for the Adam West Batman show (Gorshin is the Riddler), my favorite Dark Knight can't have done the the Bat-tusi.

[samurainoir]

I think Christian Bale in Batman Begins will end up better embedded in the pop cultural landscape given the focus on Bruce Wayne in his movie. Keaton, Kilmer and Clooney were pretty much lost in the costume for most of their respective movies.

Although I think for a generation of kids growing up in the past decade and a half, the Kevin Conroy voiced animated Batman will be their "definitive" Batman.

Even stranger, I'm sure there will be a few kids out there who view Batman Beyond as their definitive Batman in that 3 year period of that show's production.

[jwyblejr]

That is true. I mean look at how many people already veiw Mark Hamill as the definitive Joker.

[brineb]

For me it is Adam West ... that was my first real introduction to him and I look back at it lovingly. I really didn't care for Keaton or Clooney, I must be the only one who liked Kilmer!!! Now if Bale keeps it up, he'll keep me interested.

[The Sentry]

I can agree with alot posted, but in my definition, Gorshin is why I love the Riddler today, Clooney had a chance to have the title but the God-awful movie they dropped on his hands was so bad not even Pacino couldn't save it. I loved Bale's performance as the Dark Knight, but Keaton's Batman will always be the best as far as I'm concerned cause he acted like Bruce Wayne when he had the mask off and like Batman when he had the mask on, something alot of the other actors didn't do well. Only Adam West had that down to a science before Keaton, and last but not least Keaton's favorite hero since childhood was Batman so I would roll with the man that knew the part in and out.

[palitoy]

Adam West is a pop culture icon and will never be forgotten but I honestly read Batman comics thinking it's Conroy's voice.

[Meule]

Well someone had to start it....:smiley1:

But seriously, for me Adam West IS Batman. Say what you will about the camp aspect of the show and how it ruined comic books from being taken seriously for a while....but it's also been said that the show saved the Batman comic book from cancellation. True, Julius Schwartz' "New Look" preceeded the TV show by a couple of years and got Bats away from the "sci-fi monster of the month" approach the book had for the early part of the Silver Age...but the TV show finally put Gotham City on the map as far as the average Joe was concerned.

Nowhere else, live action wise, have we ever seen anything like the TV show when it came to Batman's world...from the villains (Helloooooooo Julie Newmar, the best damn Catwoman ever...to Frank Gorshin's maniacal portrayal of The Riddler), the Batcave, the freakin' awesome Batmobile (everyone's favorite TV dream car).

No offense to the 4 actors during the Burton era (Keaton was the best....whodathunkit?) or the new guy Christian Bale (I loved Batman Begins but too early to call on his legacy to the franchise) but Adam is da man!:yeah:

Amen to that, brother ;) :grin:
__________________________________________


Adam West was never Batman to me. I'll take my Batman serious, thank you very much! :grin:

You're an idiot :silly::smiley1:
__________________________________________

Keaton did a great job, Kilmer and especially Clooney were a joke, but I like what Bale is doing. If the second (and third?) is as good as the first he could get close to West, but he'll never take his throne :grin:

[The Toyroom]

Amen to that, brother ;) :grin:

Thomas,
Let's form the First Church of Adam West is the Best Damn Batman Ever! :smiley1:

[Meule]

Thomas,
Let's form the First Church of Adam West is the Best Damn Batman Ever! :smiley1:

Wiser words have never been spoken, brother Anthony.

For all you sinners out there: sing the Batman theme 3 times while dancing the Batusi. Then prey to the statues of Saint Batgirl and Saint Catwoman

Holy religion, Batman.

[The Toyroom]

Hallelujiah! Light up that Bat-Signal in the sky!

[jwyblejr]

Let's just drop the Batman part and call it "Adam West is the Best Ever.":biggrin:

[huedell]

I like the animated Batman (Conroy) a lot because MAN have I been following
him for a LONG time :) and I happened to have loved his portrayal every long
step of the way

Adam West has made a huge impact on me as well. Wow. He WAS Batman for
me for many years....and continues to be in many respects

I can't decide who is most responsible for me liking Keaton as Batman too...
is it Keaton himself? Is it Devito, Nicholson & Pfieffer's performances as
villains that enhance why I like Keaton, so much, or is it Burton's overall
vibe on the Keaton films?

As much as I squeaked thru giving Batman Begins a passing grade as a good
movie (or should I say "fun" movie)----
I'm stoked with Christian Bale as Batman and can't wait to see him as
Bruce Wayne, the guy that IS Batman in Dark Knight,
rather than Bruce Wayne, the guy that is BECOMING Batman as he was in Begins

If I had to rally behind any Batman it would be Bale because I really wanna see this version of Batman thrive without reboots, so it can really explore this
particular version of Batman/Gotham now that it's been started so meticulously

[Comic Book Geek]

Adam West is a pop culture icon and will never be forgotten but I honestly read Batman comics thinking it's Conroy's voice.

Ditto...

[boywondermax]

When I was a kid (I'm 39, by the way), Batman was my absolute favorite show. I never missed an episode. When it was on, I would tie a towel or blanket around my neck. When the fight scenes would start I used to get so excited I would jump around acting out the scene. Of coures I didn't know it was a comedy. I thought it was deadly serious. Adam West as Batman had a huge influence on my childhood psyche. If Batman/ Bruce Wayne did it, I wanted to do it, too. When Batman said something was wrong or right, I took it to heart. He was my hero.

My parents knew I was obsessed, and would indulge me on my birthday with a Batman cake and Batman toys. I went as Batman on Halloween three years in a row, until the costume just wore out from wear. I didn't just love Batman, though- in my six year old mind, I wanted to BE Batman. I remember very distinctly my mother giving me and my sister the wishbone from the remains of our dinner. When I pulled and got the larger half, I thought to myself, "PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE- make me Batman, make me Batman."

A few years later there was an auto show in town with the Batmobile and Adam West and Burt Ward were signing autographs. My Dad and my uncle took me and my sisters and after an hour or so of waiting in line (a huge wait for an eight year old), there I was ACTUALLY STANDING IN FRONT OF BATMAN AND ROBIN. They were in full Bat-costume from the show, including utility belts. There were so many questions I wanted to ask. How fast does the Batmobile go? How heavy are the utilty belts? Exactly where IS Wayne Manor? But of course I could only whisper my name and the names of my sisters as Adam West and Burt Ward patiently signed autographed photos for the throng of kids.

It wasn't until many years later when I realized what a wonderful job Adam West did, playing it straight (which appeals to the kids), yet making it so very funny (for the adults). So of course I do love Adam West.

{However, I also really appreciate the attempt to make a "serious" Batman film. I would hope that they approve a script that hightlights Batmn's total obseession to avenge his parenets deaths and "make the bad man go away." Batman does NOT need a love interest- it cheapens the character. The story should highlight his relationship w/ Jim Gordon, or even Robin or Alfred. It seems that in every other movie he reveals his idenity to some woman, a character that hardly seems Essential to the story}

[Goblin19]

I love Adam West. I think Christian Bale has a ton of potential. And, vocally, Conroy is Batman to me. I do think of his voice for Batman when I read anything Batman says.

[Brue]

The batman show was set to be light and somewhat campy but it was wests "acting" that made this show CAMPY. For that I despise him.

Christian Bale is perfect for the role. Hopefully they give him more to work with (and a better cowl) in Dark Knight

Keaton was fine
kilmer was OK
Clooney was given a turd to eat and really can't be judged because of it
Both serial actors were passable

Clark Bartam has limited exposure but is great.

batmen page-

http://bruehoyt.com/superheroes/DC/batman/bruce/bruce.html

[Cosmicman]

The batman show was set to be light and somewhat campy but it was wests "acting" that made this show CAMPY. For that I despise him.

Christian Bale is perfect for the role. Hopefully they give him more to work with (and a better cowl) in Dark Knight

Keaton was fine
kilmer was OK
Clooney was given a turd to eat and really can't be judged because of it
Both serial actors were passable

Clark Bartam has limited exposure but is great.

batmen page-

http://bruehoyt.com/superheroes/DC/batman/bruce/bruce.html

AGREED! This sums it up for me also. Good post!!!

[Earth 2 Chris]

In his defense, Adam West ACTED exactly as he was directed too. So straight laced and "square" that it was humorous. The producers of the show had every intention of Batman being a fun spoof for adults, and a straight action show for kids. They rode that thin line well in season 1. After that, esp. in season 3, they went too far into what is called "camp". Actually, it's not even camp. It's satire. Camp is something that is meant to be taken seriously that is so unintentionally bad, it's funny. Batman was intentionally funny.

You can argue all day long that the show shouldn't have been done that way. But they DID succeed in the objective for the show.

Chris

[The Toyroom]

You can argue all day long that the show shouldn't have been done that way. But they DID succeed in the objective for the show.

And I wouldn't change a thing about their approach! :biggrin:

[Customslab]

west then bale for me