The Adventures of Batman
Encyclopedia
The Adventures of Batman is an animated series produced by Lou Schiemer's Filmation
studios. It showcased the 12-minute Batman segments from The Batman/Superman Hour
, sometimes broken up by and surrounding another cartoon from Filmation's fast growing stream of superhero
stars. A re-branded 30-minute version premiered on CBS
on September 13, 1969 as Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder. This version was repackaged without the Superman
and Superboy
segments.
Over-the-top characters and catchy dramatic music cues gave this version of Batman
a realistic look and feel—by cartoon standards of the day. The colors were vibrant and exciting even if the animation
was a little stiff and repetitive in places.
Olan Soule
was the voice of Batman and is most likely best remembered for his work on that show, and many others in the Filmation stable. Casey Kasem
, the popular radio
countdown man in the 1980s, was the voice of Robin the Boy Wonder.
Batman and Robin would next appear in a The New Scooby-Doo Movies
crossover, various versions of Super Friends
and The New Adventures of Batman
in 1977
.
released five selected episodes of the series on VHS
in the "Super Powers" video collection along with Aquaman
, Superboy
and Superman
. These videos were rereleased in 1996 and are out of print.
In 2008, episodes were released as digital downloads on iTunes
, and streaming on Amazon Instant Video.
Filmation
Filmation Associates was an American production company that produced animation and live action programming for television during the latter half of the 20th century. Located in Reseda, California, the animation studio was founded in 1963...
studios. It showcased the 12-minute Batman segments from The Batman/Superman Hour
The Batman/Superman Hour
The Batman/Superman Hour is a Filmation animated series that was broadcast on CBS from 1968 to 1969. Premiering on September 14, 1968, this 60-minute program featured new adventures of the DC Comics superheroes Batman, Robin and Batgirl alongside shorts from The New Adventures of Superman and The...
, sometimes broken up by and surrounding another cartoon from Filmation's fast growing stream of superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
stars. A re-branded 30-minute version premiered on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on September 13, 1969 as Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder. This version was repackaged without the Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
and Superboy
Superboy
Superboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
segments.
Over-the-top characters and catchy dramatic music cues gave this version of Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
a realistic look and feel—by cartoon standards of the day. The colors were vibrant and exciting even if the animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
was a little stiff and repetitive in places.
Olan Soule
Olan Soule
Olan Soule was an American character actor with hundreds of credits in films, radio, commercials, television and animation.-Early life:...
was the voice of Batman and is most likely best remembered for his work on that show, and many others in the Filmation stable. Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem
Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem is an American radio personality and voice actor who is best known for being the host of the nationally syndicated Top 40 countdown show American Top 40, and for voicing Shaggy in the popular Saturday morning cartoon franchise Scooby-Doo.Kasem, along with Don Bustany and...
, the popular radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
countdown man in the 1980s, was the voice of Robin the Boy Wonder.
Batman and Robin would next appear in a The New Scooby-Doo Movies
The New Scooby-Doo Movies
The New Scooby-Doo Movies is the second incarnation of the Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!. It premiered on September 9, 1972 and ran for two seasons on CBS as the only hour-long Scooby-Doo series...
crossover, various versions of Super Friends
Super Friends
Super Friends is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes, which ran from 1973 to 1986 on ABC as part of its Saturday morning cartoon lineup...
and The New Adventures of Batman
The New Adventures of Batman
The New Adventures of Batman is an animated series produced by Filmation in 1977 featuring the DC Comics superheroes Batman and Robin, and Batgirl. The current distributor is Warner Bros. Television due to parent company Warner Bros's ownership of DC Comics, which publishes the Batman titles...
in 1977
1977 in television
The year 1977 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1977.For the American TV schedule, see: 1977-78 American network television schedule.-Events:...
.
Home video
In 1985, Warner Home VideoWarner Home Video
Warner Home Video is the home video unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., itself part of Time Warner. It was founded in 1978 as WCI Home Video . The company launched in the United States with twenty films on VHS and Betamax videocassettes in late 1979...
released five selected episodes of the series on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
in the "Super Powers" video collection along with Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
, Superboy
Superboy
Superboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
and Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. These videos were rereleased in 1996 and are out of print.
In 2008, episodes were released as digital downloads on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, and streaming on Amazon Instant Video.
Episodes
The Batman half of The Batman/Superman Hour consisted of one story presented in two 6 1/2 minute segments and one story in a single 6 1/2 minute segment. Thirty-four stories were produced:| Two-segment stories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | Title | Originally Aired | Summary |
| 01 | My Crime Is Your Crime | 9/14/1968 | Batman and Robin are thrown for a loop when they arrest Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... and Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... for crimes they didn't commit. |
| 02 | The Cool, Cruel Mr. Freeze | 9/21/1968 | Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 .... causes havoc in his quest to ransom $1 billion from the city and he uses a captured whale for his caper. |
| 03 | How Many Herring in a Wheelbarrow? | 9/28/1968 | Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... raids technology firms to build a powerful solar mirror he can use as a laser weapon. |
| 04 | The Nine Lives of Batman | 10/5/1968 | Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... traps Batman and exposes him to a radioactive gas that will allow her to identify him in his secret identity. |
| 05 | Bubi, Bubi, Who's Got the Ruby? | 10/12/1968 | Bruce Wayne is captured by Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... in the robbery of a valuable ruby. Unfortunately for Penguin, Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... is also after the ruby. |
| 06 | The Big Birthday Caper | 10/19/1968 | Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... and Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... try to expose Batman by staging a mammoth birthday party for him and wealthy businessman Bruce Wayne. |
| 07 | Partners in Peril | 10/26/1968 | A deadly contest is staged by Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... , Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... , and Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... to one-up each other and gain control of Gotham City's criminal empire. When Batman and Robin get wise to this, the villains end up assisted by Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... in a plot to take over Gotham City. |
| 08 | Hizzoner the Joker | 11/2/1968 | Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... runs for Gotham mayor and is able to win. |
| 09 | The Crime Computer | 11/9/1968 | Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... seizes a mammoth computer to use to outwit Batman. |
| 10 | A Game of Cat and Mouse | 11/16/1968 | Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... and Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... race to steal a valuable treasure. |
| 11 | Will the Real Robin Please Stand Up? | 11/23/1968 | A youth who bears a stunning resemblance to Robin is used by Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... . |
| 12 | Simon the Pieman | 11/30/1968 | A flamboyant criminal pastry chef named Simon the Pieman and his gang steal valuables under the cover of a carnival after they had disposed of Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... , Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... , Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... , Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... , and Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 .... . |
| 13 | From Catwoman with Love | 12/7/1968 | Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... sends Batman a cat for Valentine's Day Valentine's Day Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496... , a cat whose fur gives off radio waves. |
| 14 | A Perfidious Pieman Is Simon | 12/14/1968 | Simon the Pieman steals four million Turkish coins. |
| 15 | The Fiendishly Frigid Fraud | 12/21/1968 | A freak bombardment of meteors made of pure ice allows Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 .... to stage a mammoth hoax. |
| 16 | The Jigsaw Jeopardy | 12/28/1968 | Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... plans to blow up Gotham's art gallery. |
| 17 | It Takes Two to Make a Team | 1/4/1969 | Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... , Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... , and Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... are after an Incan Treasure Map. They plan to break up the Dynamic Duo by making Robin jealous of Batgirl. |
| One-segment stories | |||
| Episode | Title | Originally Aired | |
| 18 | A Bird Out of Hand | 9/14/1968 | Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... unexpectedly goes straight. |
| 19 | The Joke's on Robin | 9/21/1968 | Robin seems to lose his skills after he rescues a man from drowning thanks to the Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... . |
| 20 | In Again, Out Again Penguin | 9/28/1968 | Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... commits crimes and frames them on Batman even though he's supposedly incarcerated. |
| 21 | Long John Joker | 10/5/1968 | Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... makes a movie about pirates - cover to find the haul from a long-forgotten armored car theft. |
| 22 | 1001 Faces of the Riddler | 10/12/1968 | Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... becomes an expert at disguises. |
| 23 | Two Penguins Too Many | 10/19/1968 | Real penguins wind up helping Penguin Penguin (comics) Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his... and Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... . |
| 24 | The Underworld Underground Caper | 10/26/1968 | Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... and Catwoman Catwoman Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel... use an underground drill to commit robberies. |
| 25 | Freeze's Frozen Vikings | 11/2/1968 | Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 .... uses a Viking hoax to commit robberies. |
| 26 | The Great Scarecrow Scare | 11/9/1968 | Scarcrow Scarecrow (comics) The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane... steals a painting and captures Batgirl as part of his plot to dispose of the Dynamic Duo. |
| 27 | Beware of Living Dolls | 11/16/1968 | Dollman uses his dolls to pull off a crime spree. |
| 28 | He Who Swipes the Ice, Goes to the Cooler | 11/23/1968 | Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 .... 's diamond heist goes wrong. |
| 29 | A Mad, Mad Tea Party | 11/30/1968 | Mad Hatter Mad Hatter (comics) The Mad Hatter is a fictional supervillain and enemy of Batman in the DC Universe. He is modeled after the Hatter from Lewis Carroll's novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a character often called the "Mad Hatter" in adaptations of Carroll. He made his first appearance in Batman #49 in October... starts an Alice in Wonderland-based gang in a plot to steal a priceless antique teapot to use as part of his mad tea party. |
| 30 | Perilous Playthings | 12/7/1968 | Catwoman and her henchman crash the production of "Tom Thumb in Toyland" and use toy-based plots to defeat the Dynamic Duo. |
| 31 | Cool, Cruel Christmas Caper | 12/14/1968 | Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 .... disguises himself as Santa Claus Santa Claus Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus... . |
| 32 | Enter the Judge | 12/21/1968 | An international criminal who is incarcerated on the island prison Satan Island ends up escaping disguised as a judge when his pardon is denied. Now he is going around crashing criminal trials gaining the Cosgrove Gang and other low-level crooks as his jury henchmen in a plot to eliminate all crimefighters. |
| 33 | Wrath of the Riddler | 12/28/1968 | Riddler Riddler The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 .... uses a construction site as his hideout. |
| 34 | Opera Buffa | 1/4/1969 | Joker Joker (comics) The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin... seemingly traps Batman, but is haunted by his apparent ghost when he tries to steal a valuable necklace at an opera. |