5 Reasons Why the "Batman" TV Series is Better Than The Films

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http://www.sparknotes.com/mindhut/20...than-the-films

1) It’s Actually Faithful to the Silver Age Comics

The Silver Age of Comics was a frustrating period for creators and editors. Though the Comics Code Authority’s implementation helped renew interest in superheroes, the organization’s draconian conditions strong-armed publishers into rethinking their darker characters—Batman included. No longer the travel-by-night vigilante, the Caped Crusader began fighting crime in the sunshine (which defeated the whole purpose of a bat motif) and embarking on wacky, inoffensive adventures that wouldn’t poison impressionable minds. The Batman TV series went the same route when producer William Dozier adopted this tone, portraying the hero and his sidekick Robin as lovable cornballs investigating cockamamie capers.

Today we can’t help throwing a hissy fit over studios taking liberties with the source material—it’s petty, but we find doing so cathartic—but there was zero to complain about with Batman. Go ahead, stack the show and a ‘50s/‘60s era comic side by side and not once will you shriek, “But Batman would NEVER do that!”

2) Original Villains

Batman carries a burden of expectations on his shoulders, the heaviest being wherever he goes, his famous rogues gallery had better follow. It wasn’t surprising that the Joker, Catwoman, and the Riddler made it into the television series, but having them appear too much for their own good would’ve rendered them really stale, really fast. Pulling off what no big-budget movie could ever hope to do—since maintaining familiarity is a cardinal Hollywood rule—the show’s producers took a risk creating new villains that not only sidestepped tedium, but ended up becoming nostalgic fan-favorites. So much so that King Tut and Egghead, for example, were given comic book counterparts years later (albeit with changes).

3) We Got the First (and Best) Onscreen Batgirl

You can count on one hand how many times Barbara Gordon, arguably the most beloved and definitive of the numerous Batgirls, has prominently appeared in television and film—and it takes even fewer fingers to add up the amount that were decent (sorry, Alicia Silverstone). Rivaling her Batman: The Animated Series incarnation, the Batgirl of the ‘60s stands as the greatest for three reasons: It marked the heroine’s live-action debut, her inclusion in the third season saved the show from early cancellation, and as far as sticklers are concerned, she was true character-wise to her portrayal in the comics—smart, altruistic, and ultimately capable.

4) It Parodied Its Own Genre

As hard as studios try to legitimize the superhero genre, it will always be escapist fantasy transcending logic—no matter how much realism is piled on. It seems that Batman’s producers were aware of the show’s inherent absurdity, taking many a jab at the outrageous situations, deus ex machina (let us never forget the utility of shark repellant), and general hamminess from hero and villain alike that remain comic book hallmarks. Even considering, for instance, the serious nature of The Dark Knight, looking through this '60s lens today unveils the laughable reality of a clown and some growly voiced guy in a bat suit engaged in philosophic debate. Maybe the show was more cerebral than it let on.

5) The Joker Sported a ‘Stache

Technically we’re supposed to pretend it didn't exist, but there’s no hiding Cesar Romero’s cookie duster under that white greasepaint (he refused to ditch it for the Joker role)! TV show aside, the Clown Prince of Crime’s gone clean-shaven pretty much his entire career, but we say it’s high time he shook things up with a sick mustache.