The New Adventures of Batman

First of all, I'd like to correct another poster who claims most of the original cast of the 1966 TV version of Batman provided the voices for this cartoon version. Only Adam West and Burt Ward came back to do the voices in this cartoon. Secondly, Charles Napier was never in the 1966 version of the show. Now, as far as this Filmation cartoon version of Batman is concerned, while it may not have been the best cartoon representation of Batman, it really gave the networks (at the time) what they wanted, a cartoon show with no violence. We can thank the PTA and similar groups at the time with a massive campaign to curb violence on TV. As a result, most cartoon shows being shown in the late 70s were pretty lame (boring). The networks would not have allowed a typical Batman story to be shown in the late 70s. The original Filmation Batman "The Adventures of Batman" (1969) was a lot better than this version. That version looked basically like a cartoon continuation of the 1966-68 TV series of the same name. While Hollywood continues to make Batman abominations today, the 1966 TV show continues being the most fun version of the character, with Adam West still being the definitive "Batman". Yes, the 1977 cartoon version may have been a bit boring, but we shouldn't blame the production as much as we should the networks. This was the kind of shows they wanted to release to the young public in those days. OK Batmite was annoying, but once again, don't blame the production, the character (as annoying as he is) was actually a character in the comics before he came to TV. As with most Filmation shows of the mid-late 70s, the New Adventures of Batman gave us a special "morals" message at the end of each episode. At least the shows in those days cared enough to instill morals in young people, something today's cartoons don't seem to care at all about. All in all, I would say that while this version of the cartoon Batman may not have been the best, it's certainly far and away better than most of today's cartoons. There's also a big reason this cartoon is worth seeing, it starred the voice of the man who will always be known as the "only" Batman that mattered, Adam West.

MUCH IN THE same manner as had occurred with the two Columbia Pictures' Serials in the 1940's, the two BATMAN animated series for CBS TV sported complete makeovers in cast, Whereas the New Adventures was done having both Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman & Robin, the older (1968-69) run featured Olin Soule and Casey Kasem in the parts.*

THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY a lot of study done by the production of all of the previous productions; as well as an in depth re-examination of the comics pages, before the NEW ADVENTURES was kicked-off. This was being tailored to the Saturday morning Cartoon crowd and as such, has a decidedly Juvenile bent to it.

THE HANDLING OF the Batman Rogues Gallery was done in such a manner so as to avoid any potential criticism from any crusading parents groups or other arbiters of the public morality and welfare of the children.** So, we saw elements such as: The Joker's having black hair with only a streak of its original green. Joker also was given a pet Laughing Hyena. The Penguin also was affected, as he was not shown with his customary cigarette holder and favourite king-sized brand. (We were wondering, would they be KOOLS? Get it, Schultz? KOOLS had a penguin as their trade mark!)

AS SOMEWHAT OF a concession to the need for comic relief, the production resurrected an impish character from the past. BAT-MITE was an extra-dimensional Batman fan; whose one passion in life was to emulate the works of the Caped Crusader, even to the point of messing up a case. He would magically appear and then just as quickly disappear at story's conclusion..

THE CHARACTER FOUND new life in the cartoon series after having been set aside with many other on-going elements of the BATMAN Comics feature with the coming of the "New Look" in 1964.*** The Batmite character was a sort of carbon-copy knockoff of SUPERMAN'S long standing rivalry with enemy, MR. MXYZPTLK.

AS FOR THE general impression of the series itself, it is favourable. Having recently screened it with Grandsons, Jack and Patrick, we can honestly say that our opinion is one of recent viewing and not only made of bits and pieces of our ever diminishing memory.

WE FOUND THAT the stories presented were fast paced, thoughtful and totally appropriate for the small-fry crowd. The visuals were always bright and interesting. The usually rather brief scenes were linked with a brief snippet of the musical score accompanied with appropriate Bat-visuals.

AT TIME OF the original telecasts, little did we know of the multitude of BATMAN animations that would follow. We're not sure of how many there've been. But we do know that they'd keep a reviewer busy at his keyboard all Winter long!

NOTE: * The two Columbia Serials were quite different. BATMAN (1943) starred Lewis Wilson & Douglas Croft as the Dynamic duo. THE NEW ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN gave us Robert Lowery & Johnny Duncan I the roles and introduced Commissioner Gordon to the screen in the person of Lyle Talbot.

NOTE: ** As an example, we point to the sudden halting of Hanna-Barbera's highly successful production, THE FANTSASTIC FOUR (1967). This was due to fears that children shouldn't be exposed to the flaming body of Johnny Storm, "The Human Torch." A later FANTASTIC FOUR series replaced The Torch with Herbie, a sort of R2-D2 like robot.

NOTE:*** Slumping sales prompted the change as long time Batman Editor, Jack Schiff, was replaced with Julius Schwartz. We've heard stories around Comics Fandom that Jack had wanted to do more of those great Batman vs the Underworld stories; but the publishers wanted more elements that made up the SUPERMAN Feature. Commonly known as the "Superman Family", it featured the likes of Krypto(Super-dog), Streaky (Supergirl's Super-cat) and all of the Superman supporting cast on the Daily Planet, etc.

With characters such as Batmite, the formula didn't work here. In the end the "New Look" went back to stories where Batman was at war with the criminal element; which was what Editor Schiff argued for in the first place. Go figure!!

The New Adventures of Batman is a cartoon made by Filmation, who in the past, has made cartoons based on DC Comics. However, this was made in a time when Hanna-Barbera was making its Super Friends cartoon, and also in a time when TV standards had changed.

Here, Batman and Robin (voiced by Adam West and Burt Ward, reprising their roles from the TV show that aired during the 1960's) continue their never-ending battle against criminals who threaten Gotham City. This time around, they are joined by Batgirl (voiced by Melendy Britt), and, possibly as a demand from the networks, they are aided by Bat-Mite (voiced by Lou Schiemer, an imp from another dimension known as Ergo (which is different from the Bat-Mite in the comics) who is Batman's biggest fan and wants to help, only for his tricks to sometimes end up hinder the Dynamic Duo instead.

This cartoon is a product of its time. As Filmation got into hot water with parental groups over the New Adventures of Superman cartoon due to its display of the typical violence and fisticuffs seen in the comics it was based on, which led to its cancellation, New Adventures of Batman would end up doing away with those as the networks were now wanting to do away with such violent content (the same reason why Super Friends, for most of its run, did not have violence of any kind, and was more of a light-hearted show). The New Adventures of Batman would do the same, as the series instead shows the detective side of the Dynamic Duo (and if needed, their wide variety of gadgets). And Bat-Mite I can understand, as he is more of a hinderance than help (making Bat-Mite another Scrappy that was put in because the network thought younger Bat-fans would like him).

When it comes to villains, this is also impacted. As this series aired alongside Challenge of The Super Friends (which also had Batman and Robin), there would be many villains that would be restricted to one cartoon or the other, and with this show, The Riddler is off limits (despite being seen in the intro in a pink outfit, and being mentioned in an episode), as well as The Scarecrow, as both appear in CoTSF as members of the Legion of Doom. However, NAoB would be able to use Batman villains like The Joker, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, and even Clayface, the fourth villain making his television debut in this series, as well as original villains like the Sweet Tooth, Professor Bubbles, and Zarbor.

Basically, the episodes are all written to be light-hearted, with some corny jokes and the end of each one having a segment teaching a moral related to the adventure the Dynamic Duo went through. This is more of a show for younger superhero fans due to the more lighthearted nature it takes due to the standards of the era this first aired, as older Batman fans will hate Bat-Mite and the tone.

I don't think this cartoon was as bad as some may think. Of course, I was only five at the time it came out. But, I did find it very entertaining at the time and would still give it a look today if given the opportunity. Batman and Robin being voiced by Adam West and Burt Ward was a nice touch, and gave it a sense of familiarity for me as I was also watching re-runs of the campy 1960's live action show "Batman" at that age. This cartoon also introduced some new twists I had forgotten all about, like "Bat-Mite" for instance. Looking back on it, I'm sure he was likely as annoying as many think, but he didn't bother me much at the time. The best I can recall, his voice sounded like a cross between Dumb Donald and Orko. Gee, I wonder why? :) Anyway, give it a look if you can and make up your own mind. You might be surprised.

Adam West and Burt Ward return in this cartoon version of Batman.

As other reviewers have noted, this short lived series is damaged by a silly creature named "Bat-Mite" and the network demanding that everything be kept very kid-friendly. 1966 live action Batman was made for both for kids and adults. So basically, if you enjoyed 70s cartoon Superfriends you will probably get a blast out of this as well.

In 1977 it would have been out of the question for Filmation to re-start the 60s live action series but when watching "New Adventures" the presence of West and Ward almost feels annoying because it comes over as a wasted opportunity - if the guys are here then give us a live action version!

Filmation was very skilled at making live action super hero shows - see Shazam! (1974) - so we can only wonder what things would have been like if they did a live action take on Batman a few years before 1977.

But again, if you liked Superfriends then you will probably get a blast out of The New Adventures of Batman (1977).