"Simon the Pieman" &

"A Mad, Mad Tea Party"

Aired November 30, 1968

Filmation introduces a new villain of their creation, Simon the Pieman.  Simon's theme is pastry related crimes while cross-dressing as Mother Apple.  He takes over the crime scene in Gotham City by capturing all the major criminals in Batman's Rogue's Gallery.  How is it that such an odd villain would make such a perfect Batman 66 villain.

Plus, Filmation offers their version of The Mad Hatter, now with the Alice in Wonderland theme.  But there are elements from the 66 show.

In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the odd moll Simon has, the odd choice not to have any of the other villains that Simon captures speak considering all the voice talent were involved in this episode, and how Filmation was introducing new stock footage visual images to vary up the content on the show.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

 

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_82.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:39pm EDT
Comments[0]

"Batman Vs. Two-Face"

Released October 10, 2017

How is it possible to top the success of last year's The Return of the Caped Crusaders? You add William Shatner to the mix!  Shatner takes on the role of Harvey Dent/Two-Face in this new feature length film and just as with the previous film, the producers bring us an interesting take on the classic villain.  In this episode, we discuss Adam West's final performance, just how couched in the first season this film is, and our thoughts on the possibility of the series continuing without its lead actor.

Joining John to breakdown this movie in a double-sized episode is Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension, Billy Flynn of Geek Radio Daily, and Ben Bentley of the Batman 66 Message Board.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

 

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

 

The Wonderful Billy Flynn brings the funny each week on Geek Radio Daily! His daytime alter ego is mild-mannered (well, that part is a stretch) radio station personality at WLEE in Virginia.   He actually gets paid to sit on his butt and run his mouth! His “edumacation” is from UNC-Wilmington, the Columbia School of Broadcasting, and University of Phoenix. When he is not gracing the podcasting airways with his comedic stylings, you can find Billy Flynn on Xbox Live (flynn71), rockin’ out on Guitar Hero or Rock Band, watching movies, reading comics, working out, or posting on the forums at geekradiodaily.com (ding!).

 

"Ben Bentley is an internationally published music photographer and Bat-Fan based in the United Kingdom. When Ben isn't behind the camera, you can find him sharing his lifelong love of Adam West's TV Batman as a co-moderator over at the 1966 Batman Message Board (66batman.com). Having traveled to California several times to attend conventions and hang out with Bat-friends, Ben has been lucky enough to try on one of Adam's original screen worn Cowls, meet several surviving cast members from the show and even run up and down the steps of Gotham City Police Headquarters in his own Adam West Batsuit.  

You can keep up to date with Ben's photographic work over on his blog... http://www.benbentleyphoto.tumblr.com or why not come and join Scott, Ben and the gang at the internet's longest standing 1966 TV Batman message board... http://www.66batman.com".

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_79.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 11:05am EDT
Comments[0]

"Hizzoner the Joker" & 

"Freeze's Frozen Vikings"

Aired November 2, 1968

This is an interesting duo of episodes. First, the Joker runs for mayor and wins in "Hizzoner the Joker". What is it like when a criminal holds a public office? And then, Mr. Freeze is back and using a Viking hoax to commit crimes in Gotham City.

WARNING: If you do not have a sense of humor about the current political situation, this episode of the podcast will not be for you.

In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the potential for toys based on the characters and vehicles in the Filmation series, lament the fact that Mr. Freeze is not properly used in the series, and enthuse about how the series is hitting its stride at the moment with the excitement of new villains coming to the show.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

 

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

 

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_77.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 9:41am EDT
Comments[0]

"Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires"

Aired March 14, 1968
 

Minerva has a plan to rob the richest men in Gotham City while using her spa as a front for her operations.  It seems almost like a plausible story for the third season.  In fact, John went into it dreading it and then found in watching it and then talking about it with guest host, longtime Batman 66 fan, Robert Long, that it wasn't all that bad.  Robert goes so far as to point out that the episode has the beats of a condensed two-part second season story.  They also discuss the relationship between Barbara Gordon/Batgirl and Alfred compared with his relationship with Batman and Robin.  It may be the final review of the original series, but it's not the end of the podcast as John explains towards the end.  Thank you so much for listening and thanks for your continuing comments here and to thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

Robert Long is a full time graphic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmakingto learn more about it.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_Episode_69.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 3:20pm EDT
Comments[0]

"The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra"

Aired March 7, 1968
 

It's the penultimate episode of the series and it seems to lack any spark or energy to it despite featuring Ida Lupino and Howard Duff as alchemist Dr. Cassandra and her groovy husband Cabala.  That alone should make it exciting, but then add Batgirl in the Batcave and a prison break featuring six of the villains from Batman's Rogue's Gallery and you should have a classic - and yet, nothing.

Joining John to discuss an episode that's only thing that makes it stand out is the sexual innuendo is writer/editor Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles.

 

NOTE: Thanks to listener Davis Maska for supplying us with the driving PSA that is featured at the start of the episode.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

 

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

 

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

 

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_Episode_68.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:00am EDT
Comments[0]

"The Return of the Caped Crusaders"

Released November 1, 2016

It's the movie 50 years in the making (well, in the waiting).  Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar return to the Batman 66 universe in an all-new animated movie.  Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman have reunited to take control of Gotham City and the world once again with the theft of a duplicator ray.  But it wouldn't be Batman 66 if there wasn't more to the plot and there certainly is as Batman becomes more aggressive in his pursuit of the villainous quartet.  What is happening and will good triumph over evil in the end?

Joining John to breakdown this movie in a double-sized episode is Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension, Billy Flynn of Geek Radio Daily, and Ben Bentley of the Batman 66 Message Board.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

 

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

 

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

 

 

The Wonderful Billy Flynn brings the funny each week on Geek Radio Daily! His daytime alter ego is mild-mannered (well, that part is a stretch) radio station personality at WLEE in Virginia.   He actually gets paid to sit on his butt and run his mouth! His “edumacation” is from UNC-Wilmington, the Columbia School of Broadcasting, and University of Phoenix. When he is not gracing the podcasting airways with his comedic stylings, you can find Billy Flynn on Xbox Live (flynn71), rockin’ out on Guitar Hero or Rock Band, watching movies, reading comics, working out, or posting on the forums at geekradiodaily.com (ding!).

 

 

"Ben Bentley is an internationally published music photographer and Bat-Fan based in the United Kingdom. When Ben isn't behind the camera, you can find him sharing his lifelong love of Adam West's TV Batman as a co-moderator over at the 1966 Batman Message Board (66batman.com). Having traveled to California several times to attend conventions and hang out with Bat-friends, Ben has been lucky enough to try on one of Adam's original screen worn Cowls, meet several surviving cast members from the show and even run up and down the steps of Gotham City Police Headquarters in his own Adam West Batsuit. 

 

You can keep up to date with Ben's photographic work over on his blog... http://www.benbentleyphoto.tumblr.com or why not come and join Scott, Ben and the gang at the internet's longest standing 1966 TV Batman message board... http://www.66batman.com

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_Episode_67.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:50pm EDT
Comments[0]

"The Joker's Flying Saucer"

Aired February 29, 1968

The final Joker episode for Batman 66 is not exactly a fan favorite, but there are things of merit in the episode that are worth discussing. There were missed opportunities in a story that went beyond even the insanity of Joker surfing by having Joker build an unidentified flying object to terrorize Gotham City. And who is Verdigris?  Is being a Martian his shtick?  Is he just a bomb expert?  Or is he a bunko artist?

Joining John to discuss what could have been a two-part story based on the high concept ideas expressed but never fully realized is writer/editor Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles. 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

 

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_Episode_66.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:40pm EDT
Comments[0]

"I'll Be a Mummy's Uncle"

Aired February 22, 1968

We come to the last King Tut episode of the Batman 66 series and out of all the characters in the series, John has always struggled with his view of the Mad Monarch.  There is much to praise in this stand alone story, but there is also much to note as simply bad.  Tut manages to confirm that Bruce and Batman are one in the same and it's a battle royale in the Batcave to stop him from revealing it to the world.

Joining John to discuss the good and the bad of this episode, to lament the last appearance of the Batman fight theme, and to discuss the possibilities of a fourth season are writers/editors Robert Greenberger and Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

 

Robert Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is a writer and editor.

Greenberger was born in Brooklyn in New York City, the son of Edwin L. Greenberger and Joan Greenberger. A lifelong fan of comic books, comic strips, science fiction and Star Trek, he drifted towards writing and editing, encouraged by his father and inspired by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent.

While at SUNY-Binghamton, Greenberger wrote and edited for the college newspaper, Pipe Dream, moving from general assignment writer to Arts Editor, Managing Editor and ultimately Editor-in-Chief.  He served an internship at Gannett’s Binghamton Sun-Bulletin as a feature writer and reviewer.

Upon graduation, he worked for Starlog Press as Managing Editor of Fangoria.  He was also an Associate Editor for Starlog and while there, created Comics Scene, the first nationally distributed magazine to focus on comic books, comic strips and animation.  The magazine lasted 11 issues before its first cancellation at which time Greenberger went to work on their sports magazines.

In 1984, he joined DC Comics as an Assistant Editor, working with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman on DC’s Golden Anniversary projects Who’s Who and Crisis on Infinite Earths.  He went on to act as assistant editor to numerous titles for each editor until he was promoted to editor.  During his tenure, his titles included Star Trek, Suicide Squad, Warlord, Doom Patrol, Lois Lane, Action Comics Weekly, Time Masters, Secret Origins, The Hacker Files and others.

By 1990, he had given up editing to become the company’s Editorial Coordinator, helping grow the Editorial Administration department.  When he left the company, he was Manager-Editorial Operations.

In March 2000, he left DC to become a Producer for Gist Communications, television news and listings web site. After ten months there, he learned some new skills and got out before the dotcom bubble burst.

In January 2001, he joined Marvel Comics as Director-Publishing Operations.  During his year with the company, he oversaw editorial schedules, Production, Manufacturing, the Print Library, and other departments.

In January 2002, he left Marvel and rejoined DC in May 2002 as a Senior Editor-Collected Editions.  He helped grow that department, introducing new formats and improving the editions’ editorial content. He also managed DC’s ElfQuest publishing program.

He left DC in January 2006, becoming a freelance writer and editor.  His clients included Weekly World News, Platinum Studios, scifi.com, DC and Marvel. By June, he was offered the post of Managing Editor at Weekly World News where he helped transition the newspaper from being produced jointly in Florida and New York to just NYC.

When the paper folded in August 2007, he resumed his freelance career which continues to this date.  Along the way, he helped revitalize Famous Monsters of Filmland and served as News Editor at ComicMix from August through December 2008.

He is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  He served on the final Nebula Short Fiction Jury.

 

 

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_65.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:29am EDT
Comments[0]

"The Great Escape/The Great Train Robbery"

Aired February 1/8, 1968

Dedicated to the memory of Eric Cone

 

 

 

It's the final two-part story for Batman 66.  It's also the final appearance of Cliff Robertson as Shame.  And it's a shame, really.  (Pun intended)  This episode has almost all the elements that make it feel like a second season episode rather than a third.  The only thing missing is a proper death trap.  So why did it take so long to come up with something like this?  Was it the fact that it was an established character that had proven popular?  Was it Stanley Ralph Ross' writing?  And what was with Adam West's poor man's Gary Cooper impression?

Joining John to discuss what worked and what didn't work in this story that made us long for the good old days is podcaster, The Hunnic Outcast.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

 

HunnicOutcasts offers a variety of podcasts.  Whether it's unscripted/off the cuff or an in depth discussion, regarding T.V. films, literature, and/or video games.  

 

Learn more at 

 

https://www.facebook.com/hunnicoutcasts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hunnicoutcasts/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hunnicoutcasts/id913787694?mt=2

http://www.spreaker.com/show/hunnicoutcasts

Twitter @hunnicoutcasts

http://www.geekcastradio.com/show-guide/syndicated-shows/hunnic-outcast-podcast

http://tangentboundnetwork.com/network-shows/

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_64.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:00am EDT
Comments[1]

"Penguin's Clean Sweep"

Aired January 25, 1968

It's the final appearance of Burgess Meredith as The Penguin and he doesn't exactly go out in a blaze of glory.  The story involved Penguin trying to collect all of Gotham City's money that he has convinced the public is tainted with Lygerian Sleeping Sickness.  Despite the hokey sounding plot, John still feels there are some things of merit in this one and talks about it with Batman at 45 author Chris Gould.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_63.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:59pm EDT
Comments[0]

"Nora Clavicle and the Ladies' Crime Club"

Aired January 18, 1968

Feminist Nora Clavicle has plans for Gotham City as she takes control of Gotham City's police department.  It looks, on the surface, that is a blow for women's rights as she replaces every male police officer with women.  The problem is the women are ineffective when it comes to enforcing the law and nobody is aware of Nora's plan to destroy Gotham City.

 

John is joined by podcaster Chris Franklin of the Super Mates Podcast to discuss what may possibly be the worst episode in the entire series.  (Yes, even worse than "Marsha, Queen of Diamonds".)  They wonder if this is supposed to be camp, a spoof on women's lib, or just bad writing.  They also try to figure out just how Batman, Robin, and Batgirl allow themselves to be turned into a human Siamese Knot by, and you'll excuse us here, a trio of women.  

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Chris Franklin is a mild-mannered graphic designer by day, but at night, he retreats to his secret headquarters festooned with action figures, and podcasts with his long-suffering wife Cindy on the Super Mates podcast, a proud part of The Fire and Water Podcast Network. Together they take a look at all things geeky, such as comics, TV, movies, and toys, from a couple’s perspective.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_62.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 9:15pm EDT
Comments[1]

"Louie's Lethal Lilac Time"

Aired January 11, 1968

Louie the Lilac is back in Gotham City and this time he plans to corner the perfume market with the help of a kidnapped Bruce and Dick.  

John is joined by podcaster Joseph Culp and they discuss how Berle actually works in the role of Louie and how this episode, warts and all, is not a bad little story.  They also lament the missing Madge Blake, who doesn't appear in this episode, but her character Aunt Harriet gets a name drop. 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

 

Pastor Joseph "Captain Scotland" Culp is a licensed and ordained minister. He serves as the Host of The weekly Podcast, The Highlander's Heart at www.highlandersheart.com. He is an expat from Turriff, Aberdeenshire Scotland who now lives in Pickerington, Ohio. He works with the the elderly in senior ministry at Abbington of Pickerington Ohio bi-weekly. He is a Batman '66 fan as well an an avid reader of history, mystery novel and old comic books from 1938 to 1977. His favorite shows are Batman with Adam West, The Avengers with Patrick Macnee, Shazam, Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman classic Doctor Who (the 1st 3 Doctors only) and the current show of Super Girl, The Flash, Arrow, Doctor Who. He is married to his lovely wife Serene of 24 years and is the proud father of 2 great cats, Princess Bella and Prince Caledonia. You can reach him at joseph.captainscotland.culp@gmail.com or facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joseph.culp.9.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_61.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:04am EDT
Comments[0]

"The Funny Feline Felonies/

The Joke's on Catwoman"

Aired December 28, 1967 & January 4, 1968

Catwoman is back in Gotham once again and this time she's teaming up with the Joker.  She's hatching a plot to recover over 100 pounds of TNT.  The thing is, this is a simple plot by either of their standards and the script reflects it as it starts out interestingly enough and then quickly slides into complete farce as we get a courtroom scene at the end of part two.

Joining John to discuss this episode is podcaster Michael Falkner (The Weekly Podioplex).  This time they discuss just how painful it is to watch this when you consider the first episode is actually not that bad.  They admire how Eartha Kitt purrs French so elegantly.  And they wonder just how does a recent grad student with a librarian's salery manage to come up with the gadgets she does in her crimefighting spree, items that includes a universal antidote pill.  Is Alfred involved in this somehow?

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

 

Michael Falkner's bio will be posted shortly.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_60.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:59pm EDT
Comments[0]

"The Ogg Couple"

Aired December 21, 1967

It's the final go around for Vincent Price and Anne Baxter as Egghead and Olga in a story that should have been their first go around together.  It's pretty much a mess and this has turned out to be the shortest podcast review ever because of it.  But there are some hightlights including an opening that will have you talking and a discussion on how dangerous it is for Batgirl to be riding around on radioactive sparkplugs.

 

Joining John to work this all out is author and podcaster, Kevin Lauderdale. 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

Kevin Lauderdale has written essays and articles for the Los Angeles Times, The Dictionary of American Biography, Animato, mcsweeneys.net, and teevee.org; and his poetry has appeared in Andrei Codrescu's The Exquisite Corpse.  He has published fiction in several of Pocket Books' Star Trek anthologies, including Constellations, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Star Trek.  His original fiction has appeared in Neo-opsis magazine and Cthulhu Unbound, the cross-genre Lovecraftian collection from Permuted Press.  He is a graduate of UCLA and a card-carrying member of SFWA.  In addition, Kevin is a host of his own podcast here on the network, It Has Come to My Attention and co-host of Mighty Movie: Temple of Bad.  Recently, Kevin took over as host of the old time radio podcast,Presenting the Transcription Feature.  Follow Kevin's exploits through his LiveJournal blog - http://kevinlauderdale.livejournal.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_59.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:25pm EDT
Comments[0]

Catwoman is back in Gotham, but she's looking a little different this season.  Eartha Kitt takes over the role, replacing Julie Newmar who was appearing in a film at the time.  Curiously, the dynamic between Batman and Catwoman is changed where the sexual tension is almost gone.  Instead, Catwoman is obsessed with Batgirl.

Joining John to discuss this episode is podcaster Michael Falkner (The Weekly Podioplex).  In addition to talking about the missed opportunities of this story (including the idea that Catwoman is literally invading a foreign country when she replaces the queen in her embassy), they also discuss the possible reasoning behind the change in the relationship with Batman and Catwoman.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_58.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 12:52pm EDT
Comments[2]

"The Londinium Larcenies/The Foggiest Notion/The Bloody Tower"

Aired November 23/30 and December 6, 1967

Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Commissioner Gordon travel to Londinium at the request of the President to help Venerable Ireland Yard with a series of bizarre thefts throughout the city.  Batman quickly realizes that the evidence points to Lord Marmaduke Ffogg and Lady Penelope Peasoup and her finishing school for girls.

Once again, we are faced with a three-part story so big, it needs three guests hosts to cover every detail.  Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles travels with John overseas to discuss the episode with Andrew Leyland of the HeyKids Comics Podcast and photographer and Batman 66 board moderator Ben Bentley.  We know we like it, but why?  It's a mess of a story and there are a number of missed opportunities.  And does Batgirl really play a part in this story?  It's all here on a double-sized episode.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

 

Andrew Leyland - Born. Reads comics. Watches bad TV. Somehow found a woman that puts up with him and had three kids. Puts out a weekly comics podcast called "Hey Kids, Comics!" With his eldest son every Thursday on TwoTrueFreaks.com

 

 

 

"Ben Bentley is an internationally published music photographer and Bat-Fan based in the United Kingdom. When Ben isn't behind the camera, you can find him sharing his lifelong love of Adam West's TV Batman as a co-moderator over at the 1966 Batman Message Board (66batman.com). Having traveled to California several times to attend conventions and hang out with Bat-friends, Ben has been lucky enough to try on one of Adam's original screen worn Cowls, meet several surviving cast members from the show and even run up and down the steps of Gotham City Police Headquarters in his own Adam West Batsuit. 

You can keep up to date with Ben's photographic work over on his blog... http://www.benbentleyphoto.tumblr.com or why not come and join Scott, Ben and the gang at the internet's longest standing 1966 TV Batman message board... http://www.66batman.com

 

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

 

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_57.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:18pm EDT
Comments[0]

The Joker plans to become king of the surf by winning the championships at Gotham Point.  Didn't know he could surf, did you?  Well he can, thanks to the reverseramator, he's been able to steal the surfing ability of champion surfer Skip Parker.  It's all part of Joker's scheme to control the minds of the surfing community and in time, the world.  We've seen a similar theme this season with the Riddler, the Penguin, and even Louie the Lilac and this one is the most outlandish - but it works.

Joining John to discuss this episode is Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension website.  In fact, Dan will argue that this may be one of the best episodes, not only of the third season, but of the entire series itself.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.

 Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

 

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats, Lex and Zod.

 

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_56.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:39pm EDT
Comments[1]

"The Ogg and I/How to Hatch a Dinosaur"

Aired October 2/9, 1967

Vincent Price makes a welcome return to Batman as the villainous Egghead.  He is joined by Anne Baxter as Olga, Queen of the Bessarovian Cossacks.  Together they have plans for Gotham City.  In fact, are there too many plans?  What is the main scheme in this plot?  Who is in charge as it seems to change from episode to episode?  And what is the history of this two-parter in relation to the third episode that will follow in a few weeks' time?

Joining John to talk about Vincent Price's triumphant and yet not so triumphant return to Batman is author and podcaster, Kevin Lauderdale. 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

Kevin Lauderdale has written essays and articles for the Los Angeles Times, The Dictionary of American Biography, Animato, mcsweeneys.net, and teevee.org; and his poetry has appeared in Andrei Codrescu's The Exquisite Corpse.  He has published fiction in several of Pocket Books' Star Trek anthologies, including Constellations, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Star Trek.  His original fiction has appeared in Neo-opsis magazine and Cthulhu Unbound, the cross-genre Lovecraftian collection from Permuted Press.  He is a graduate of UCLA and a card-carrying member of SFWA.  In addition, Kevin is a host of his own podcast here on the network, It Has Come to My Attention and co-host of Mighty Movie: Temple of Bad.  Recently, Kevin took over as host of the old time radio podcast,Presenting the Transcription Feature.  Follow Kevin's exploits through his LiveJournal blog - http://kevinlauderdale.livejournal.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_55.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT
Comments[1]

"Louie the Lilac"

Aired: October 26, 1967

Louie the Lilac wants to corner the flower market of Gotham City with the reasoning that if he does that, he can control the world.  It sounds like something similar to what Riddler and Penguin came up with a few weeks ago, but in watching the episode, one finds it kind of makes sense this time.  Also, John has stated he's not a fan of Milton Berle, but in discussing this episode, you'll see he actually appreciates Berle in the role of Louie.  So what is wrong with this episode?

Joining John to discuss the good and the bad of this story is author Jay Smith.  

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

Jay Smith is the creator and executive producer for the Parsec Award-winning audio drama series HG World.  Since 2009, Jay and his company of players and producers have been telling the story of survivors in the middle of a global zombie uprising.  Now in its third season, this "satellite" production has featured dozens of actors across four continents making it a production truly on a global scale.  Since its debut, episodes of HG World and its spin-off series, the Parsec finalist The Diary of Jill Woodbine and The Googies have been downloaded close to a million times.

 

Inspired by the golden age of radio, Hidden Harbor Mysteries presents a story inspired by stylish pulp era radio adventures like The Shadow, Sam Spade, The Green Hornet, and I Love a Mystery. Performed by a stellar cast, Hidden Harbor hopes to integrate classic radio storytelling with some modern twists.  Jay draws from the work of Orson Welles, Arch Obelor and looks to modern audio dramatists like Douglas Adams and Dirk Maggs as inspiration to create a rich, realistic world of survival horror laced with dark comedy and compelling human drama.

 

Jay holds a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is working on his Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University’s innovative Writing Popular Fiction program.  He attends and speaks at various science fiction and literary conventions about podcasting, writing, audio drama, and zombies.  HG World can be heard by subscribing through iTunes or visiting the show web site www.goodmorningsurvivors.com.

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_54.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:54pm EDT
Comments[0]

"The Unkindest Tut of All"

Aired October 19, 1967

King Tut is back in Gotham City with a new set of predictions that includes the indentity of Batman.  But just what is the purpose of all these predictions?  Tut doesn't seem interested in gaining control of Gotham City as his new kingdom.  He's more interested in gaining control of the universe and his scheme will ensure this happens.  And where is Batgirl in all this?

Joining John to discuss this episode, one of the better of the third season and a fitting continuation of the Tut storyline, is Shazam/Isis Podcast host Richard F. Lee.

 

Richard Lee is a Batman fan who was first introduced to Batman '66 through the wide release movie and the View Master reels. Richard's biography was published in Who's Who in America, 2000 Millennial Edition. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington, a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Gonzaga School of Law, and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also a practicing member of the Washington State Bar Association. Richard is currently practicing law in his home state of Washington.

 

Links

Richard's website

Shazam/Isis Podcast website

Shazam/Isis Facebook page

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_53.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:22pm EDT
Comments[0]

It's very odd that Burgess Meredith returns so quickly in this early part of the third season.  It's even more odd that they pair him up with Ethel Merman as Lola Lasagna in the first two-part story of the season.  And in many respects, it's a wasted opportunity as the two are used more as a Vaudville act more than anything Batman-related.  And yet, this look at Penguin trying to horn in on the horse racing world has more weight to it than Riddler's previous attempt to become the "King of the Ring."

Joining John to discuss what worked and what didn't work in this story that could have been a one part story is podcaster, The Hunnic Outcast.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

 

HunnicOutcasts offers a variety of podcasts.  Whether it's unscripted/off the cuff or an in depth discussion, regarding T.V. films, literature, and/or video games.  
 
Learn more at 
 
Twitter @hunnicoutcasts

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_52.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT
Comments[0]

We met her briefly in the last episode, but now The Siren takes the center stage as the villainess of the week.  Joan Collins is one of the better guests and gives one of the better performances in the third season.  In fact, there is much to be praised about this story which has more of the feel of a second season story and also has one of the better Robin/Batgirl team-ups.  

Joining John to discuss what many consider one of the better, if not one of the best, episodes of the third season is writer/editor Glenn Greenberg. 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com

 

Glenn Greenberg is an award-winning editor and writer. He worked extensively for Marvel Comics and DC Comics on such properties as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Superman, Star Trek, Star-Lord, the Silver Surfer, Thor, Iron Man, and Dracula, as well as Web-based tie-in projects for the film Superman Returns and the weekly comic-book series 52. His work has also appeared in such publications as TIME Magazine For Kids, Scholastic News, Time Out New York, Back Issue, and Smoke. Glenn has also written several works of prose Star Trek fiction for Simon and Schuster, and is now making the jump to The X-Files for an upcoming fiction anthology that will be published by IDW. He avidly covers all aspects of popular culture on his blog, “Glenn Greenberg’s Grumblings” (http://glenngreenbergsgrumblings.blogspot.com), and welcomes anyone and everyone to check it out.  

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_51.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:01pm EDT
Comments[0]

It's the 50th review episode of the podcast!  And what a way to celebrate!  Frank Gorshin is back as The Riddler!  His latest scheme?  To become the king of the ring by taking over the boxing world in Gotham...

Yeah, for this they brought Frank Gorshin back?  As kids, John and his guest were just excited to see The Riddler, but they are not as loving of this episode now as adults.  What's wrong with it?  How has their view of it changed and how did it change from one of the earlier versions of the script?

Joining John to discuss this episode is Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension website.

 

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

 

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_50.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:38pm EDT
Comments[0]

The Penguin is back in Gotham City with a scheme that seems foolproof - marry Commissioner Gordon's daughter Barbara and then he wil lbe immune from prosecution.  Can Batman and Robin stop him from reaching the alter on time or will they need the help of Batgirl? Who's driving this plot and should it have gone as far as it did?

Joining John to discuss the first televised Batgirl episode and to ask the question, "Should this be a Joker episode?" is author Jay Smith.  

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Jay Smith is the creator and executive producer for the Parsec Award-winning audio drama series HG World.  Since 2009, Jay and his company of players and producers have been telling the story of survivors in the middle of a global zombie uprising.  Now in its third season, this "satellite" production has featured dozens of actors across four continents making it a production truly on a global scale.  Since its debut, episodes of HG World and its spin-off series, the Parsec finalist The Diary of Jill Woodbine and The Googies have been downloaded close to a million times.

Inspired by the golden age of radio, Hidden Harbor Mysteries presents a story inspired by stylish pulp era radio adventures like The Shadow, Sam Spade, The Green Hornet, and I Love a Mystery. Performed by a stellar cast, Hidden Harbor hopes to integrate classic radio storytelling with some modern twists.  Jay draws from the work of Orson Welles, Arch Obelor and looks to modern audio dramatists like Douglas Adams and Dirk Maggs as inspiration to create a rich, realistic world of survival horror laced with dark comedy and compelling human drama. 

Jay holds a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is working on his Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University’s innovative Writing Popular Fiction program.  He attends and speaks at various science fiction and literary conventions about podcasting, writing, audio drama, and zombies.  HG World can be heard by subscribing through iTunes or visiting the show web site www.goodmorningsurvivors.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_49.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 12:30pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

 

No airedate.

Killer Moth has come to Gotham to kidnap a millionaire to hold for ransom and it looks like he has the Dynamic Duo well under wraps thanks to his cocoon gun.  Will he succeed or will the introduction of Batgirl help to save the day?  Yvonne Craig makes her debut as the Dominoed Daredoll in this brief network presentation.  

Joining John to discuss this never aired piece is author Jay Smith.  

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 

Jay Smith is the creator and executive producer for the Parsec Award-winning audio drama series HG World.  Since 2009, Jay and his company of players and producers have been telling the story of survivors in the middle of a global zombie uprising.  Now in its third season, this "satellite" production has featured dozens of actors across four continents making it a production truly on a global scale.  Since its debut, episodes of HG World and its spin-off series, the Parsec finalist The Diary of Jill Woodbine and The Googies have been downloaded close to a million times.

 

Inspired by the golden age of radio, Hidden Harbor Mysteries presents a story inspired by stylish pulp era radio adventures like The Shadow, Sam Spade, The Green Hornet, and I Love a Mystery. Performed by a stellar cast, Hidden Harbor hopes to integrate classic radio storytelling with some modern twists.  Jay draws from the work of Orson Welles, Arch Obelor and looks to modern audio dramatists like Douglas Adams and Dirk Maggs as inspiration to create a rich, realistic world of survival horror laced with dark comedy and compelling human drama.

 

Jay holds a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is working on his Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University’s innovative Writing Popular Fiction program.  He attends and speaks at various science fiction and literary conventions about podcasting, writing, audio drama, and zombies.  HG World can be heard by subscribing through iTunes or visiting the show web site www.goodmorningsurvivors.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_48.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:34pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

 

Mr. Freeze is back in Gotham City and he's not only changing his method of operations, but he's changing the way he looks once again.  This time, the late Eli Wallach takes on the role of the frosty fiend complete with a new makeup job and a wig and an iceberg base of operations to complete his reign of frigid terror on the good citizens of Gotham.

 

Joining John to talk about Mr. Freeze's final turn at bat on the series and the second season ending episode is comedian and podcaster, Ken Reid of TV Guidance Counselor.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

 


 

 


Called a "pop culture maven" by the Boston Globe, Boston native Ken Reid has been performing for over 10 years in various capacities. In 1995 he formed the seminal Boston Punk Rock group "30 Seconds Over Tokyo" at Boston's infamous "Rat" club.

 

 

In 2003 while living in London, Ken Reid decided to try his hand at stand up. After performing around the UK he returned to Boston in late 2003 and has been a staple on the comedy scene ever since.

 

Ken's unique and very personal story telling style has gained him a loyal fan base in the area. Using photos, video clips, and his own brand of storytelling Ken has written and performed four one man shows. His first show "Ken Reid's Cusack Attack" was a sold out affair at the Boston Center for the Arts. His second show "Very Special Episode: Portrait of a Pop Culture Victim" was also a sell out in March of 2008. “Music to My Years” from October 2009 was widely praised and was the featured pick on Boston.com. His most recent show was "Shirt Tales" from May 2012.

 

Ken has performed at the Riot LA Festival, theCharleston Comedy Festival, The AltCom Festival, and The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. In May 2012 he also performed as part of a special performance of John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders variety show at Brown University called the "Cabinet of Unspeakable Wonders"

 

He hosted and presented at the Boston Music Awards, was the Comic in Residence at The Comedy Studio in September 2006 and was a founding member of comedy troupe The Untrainables. With the Untrainables he hosted and co-produced the "Great and Secret Comedy Show" at Improv Boston from 2006 until 2009. He is also the creator of "Lafta Obscura" a unique comedy show at the Paradise Rock Club that ran during 2006

 

From August 2008 to December 2012 Ken was the regular Friday night host at the Comedy Studio in Cambridge, MA.

 

In January of 2013 Ken Started his new show "Ken Reid's Secret Menu" every Thursday night at the Comedy Studio.

 

Ken has toured as the opening act for Todd Barry during Barry’s “Substantial Tour of New England”, was chosen by Eugene Mirman as the opening act at Mirman’s record release show, opened for Patton Oswalt at the Wilbur Theater and Northeastern University, opened for Bob Saget during his 2011 New England Summer shows, and performed a series of “live talk show” appearances with Jonathan Katz. Ken was also nominated by the Boston Phoenix as Best Comedian in Boston 2010 and 2012.

 

Ken has a weekly podioplex where he helps guide you in choosing weekly TV listings of the past with a comedian of note on TV Guidance Counselor.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_47.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:05am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

 

The Joker's latest scheme is art themed, but what is more important to Joker, the aesthetics of the art or the art of crime?  There are a lot of sendups of pop art in this two-part episode loved by many and looked upon as the last real laugh of The Joker in the 66 series.

 

Joining John to talk about the Joker's last outing of the second season and what the show's stance on pop art is is author and podcaster, Kevin Lauderdale.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

 


 

 


Kevin Lauderdale has written essays and articles for the Los Angeles TimesThe Dictionary of American Biography, Animato, mcsweeneys.net, and teevee.org; and his poetry has appeared in Andrei Codrescu's The Exquisite Corpse.  He has published fiction in several of Pocket Books' Star Trek anthologies, including Constellations, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Star Trek.  His original fiction has appeared in Neo-opsis magazine and Cthulhu Unbound, the cross-genre Lovecraftian collection from Permuted Press.  He is a graduate of UCLA and a card-carrying member of SFWA.  In addition, Kevin is a host of his own podcast here on the network, It Has Come to My Attention and co-host of Mighty Movie: Temple of Bad.  Recently, Kevin took over as host of the old time radio podcast, Presenting the Transcription Feature.  Follow Kevin's exploits through his LiveJournal blog - http://kevinlauderdale.livejournal.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_46.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:45am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired March 14/16, 1967

 

 

Hollywood legend Tallulah Bankhead gives her final performance as the menacing Black Widow.  Her plot is so simple, even the Batcomputer can't work it out - robbing banks in Gotham in alphabetical order.  As simple as the plot may seem, there is something very endearing about the episode, one that has remained a favorite of John's to this very day.  He's joined in this discussion by Batman at 45 author Chris Gould.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Chris Gould was born in the UK in 1983, and has lived in Japan since 2008. His career so far has seen him work as a political researcher, local government officer, sports journalist, business English teacher, translator and magazine writer. 
 
Introduced to Batman re-runs as a child, Chris would watch the show as a junior high-schooler, university student and mid-career professional, his appreciation taking on new forms at every step. 
 
Convinced that Batman constitutes the definitive guide to mid-60s popular culture, and is therefore an invaluable source of study for future generations, Chris took to researching the show in detail, eventually producing the ebook: Batman at 45: The Ultimate Tribute to Pow, Bam and Zap! 
 
The aim of his research is to underline the point that no matter how many years have passed, Batman, through its sheer diversity of stars and insightful lines, helps us fully understand how we got to where we are today.
Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_45.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:25pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired March 8/9, 1967

 

 

King Tut returns to lay claim to Gotham City and to get his revenge on Batman.  But he has a new wrinkle in his scheming.  He is looking for his Cleopatra and he thinks he's found her in the form of Lisa Carson (Lee Meriwether).  John and his guests have not been kind to Tut in the past.  Will the third time be the charm for Monarch of Crime as John discusses the episode with longtime Batman 66 fan, Robert Long?

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Robert Long is a full time grapgic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmakingto learn more about it.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_44.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:26am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired March 1/2, 1967

 

 

The Green Hornet arrives in Gotham City and looks like he's gunning for a piece of the action.  But to Batman, muscling in on the trading stamp racket seems low-key for such a high profile gangster.  And what does the foreman of the Pink Chip Stamp Company have to do with it?  Is the Hornet the real evil in this plot or is it the unusual Colonel Gumm with his penchant for alphabet soup?  Van Williams and Bruce Lee guest star in this episode as their respective characters, The Green Hornet and Kato, from their own ABC series in this crossover as an attempt to generate better ratings for the fledgling show.

 

Joining John to discuss this episode and the most important character who doesn't get enough recognition is Justin Michael of Batman The Animated Podcast.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Justin Michael is an actor, writer / director and LA native. He's one half of the sketch comedy group Tremendosaur, a member of the Harold team Winslow, co-host of the podcast Before You Were Funny at UCB Sunset, and host of Batman the Animated Podcast. His UCB credits also include: Wilhelm (the improvised movie), Tournament of Nerds, The It SUCKed! Awards, UCB Thanksgiving Day Parade, Urban Legends, Tremendosaur Sells Out, UCB Summer Blockbuster, CDR Sketch, Tremendosaur's Big Hollywood-ish Sketch Show, Sketch Cram, Let's Do This!, UCBWCW, Cagematch, The Passover Show, Mookie & Dave: It's a Guy Thing, Matt Besser's Prop 19 Show, and Not Too Shabby. He is the co-creator of Friendship All-Stars of Friendship, a stop-motion animated series he wrote, directed, voiced, and produced for L Studio and Stoopid Buddy. He has written/directed/acted for Comedy Central, Funny or Die, Above Average, Nickelodeon and Adult Swim. He was a staff writer on Matt Besser's Comedy Central special, "This Show Will Get You High." He's performed at San Francisco Sketch Fest, Austin's Out of Bounds Festival, The Del Close Marathon, and toured various colleges across the country. If you'd like to continue your relationship beyond this bio follow @heyjustin on Twitter.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_43.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:47pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired February 22/23, 1967

 

 

Julie Newmar makes her final bow as the Catwoman in an episode many fans remember fondly.  Catwoman decides to follow the straight and narrow as she enters college.  But the theft of a statue of Batman from the college and a found beanie cap are all the clues Batman needs to figure out Catwoman is up to something.  

 

Joining John to discuss this episode and Julie Newmar's legacy as the Catwoman is View from the Longbox's Michael Bailey.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Michael Bailey has an illness.  While most people would call his comic book collecting a hobby he knows what it really is - a hopeless addiction.  Luckily he has harnessed this personality defect into a weekly Internet radio show.  Mike is a DC guy but likes Marvel just fine.  He prefers the super-hero genre but frankly as long as it is a solid read he’ll try just about any sort of comic.

 

Mike is a Pieces, (his birthday is February 29th as a matter of fact) enjoys cold weather and enjoys a variety of hobbies that rarely involve the outdoors.

 

Currently Mike lives in the Fortress of Baileytude, which is carved into the side of a mountain above scenic Fayetteville, GA.  Somehow he has lucked into having a beautiful wife named Rachel, who is very much an enabler and, for some reason, puts up with his dumb ass.  Together they own a small poodle named Boo, the cutest six pounds of evil you will ever see.  His day job is acting like a department manager for a big box office supply store.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_42.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:46am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired Febraury 15/16, 1967

 

 

The Joker returns to Gotham City with a scheme to take over one of the major financial institutions of the metropolis.  And he's engaged the services of a group of unusual goons to help him - a group of robots.  These robots are stronger and faster than the Dynamic Duo, but they're also mute, save for Mister Glee.  This gives Josie, the moll, more of a role in this episode.  And as all this is going on, Batman schemes to thwart Joker, but his plan backfires and he finds that he's placed Bruce Wayne in financial and mental jeopardy.

 

Joining John to discuss this episode is longtime Batman 66 fan. Robert Long. 

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Robert Long is a full time grapgic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmakingto learn more about it.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_41.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 4:41am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired Febraury 8/9, 1967

 

 

The Riddler is back in town and he needs $3,000,000 in order to acquire a device that will give him absolute control over Gotham City.  Can Batman and Robin solve his baffling clues in time?  Will they realize the Riddler's looking a little different this time around?  The whole thing is heading for an explosive climax as John Astin takes on the role of the Prince of Puzzlers.

 

Joining John to talk about John Astin's performance and how it differs from Frank Gorshin's Riddler portrayal is Gotham City 14 Miles editor, Jim Beard.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

 

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

 

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_40.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired January 26 and February 1/2, 1967

 

 

It's another three part adventure story as The Penguin and Marsha, Queen of Diamonds team up with a scheme that could only happen in Gotham City.  For some fans, this is another example of where the show has been failing in its second season, but as John and his guest discuss, there are a number of elements that elevate this story if one looks closely enough.  In some respects, it has the markings of a first season episode and at the same time, it's got some of the goofiest bits you would find in the third season episode.

 

Joining John to discuss this episode is professional photographer and co-moderator of the batman66 discussion board, Ben Bentley.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


"Ben Bentley is an internationally published music photographer and Bat-Fan based in the United Kingdom. When Ben isn't behind the camera, you can find him sharing his lifelong love of Adam West's TV Batman as a co-moderator over at the 1966 Batman Message Board (66batman.com). Having traveled to California several times to attend conventions and hang out with Bat-friends, Ben has been lucky enough to try on one of Adam's original screen worn Cowls, meet several surviving cast members from the show and even run up and down the steps of Gotham City Police Headquarters in his own Adam West Batsuit. 

 

You can keep up to date with Ben's photographic work over on his blog...http://www.benbentleyphoto.tumblr.com or why not come and join Scott, Ben and the gang at the internet's longest standing 1966 TV Batman message board... http://www.66batman.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_39.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:00pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired January 19 & 25, 1967

 

 

The Catwoman is back in Gotham City and she's training a protege in the form of sing Lesley Gore as Pussycat.  Catwoman's scheme is to get Batman and Robin under her control with a new drug she's designed.  With their help, she's hoping to rob the Gotham Mint.   How does this episode fair compared to other Catwoman episodes?  What did John and his guest think of the inclusion of not one, but two performances by Lesley Gore?  Just how ironic was it that Robin was hitting on Pussycat? 

 

Joining John to discuss this episode is Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension website.

 

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Lesley Gore.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.
 
Links
Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_38.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:16am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

 

 

 

The Joker sneaks The Penguin into Gotham City to help him with his latest scheme, a series of crimes dictated by the astrological signs of the Zodiac.  It starts with the Aries, the Ram and ends with Capricorn, the Goat.  What or who is the final target in this scheme?  What role or roles does the lovely Venus have in this scheme?  Does this episode hold up as an anniversary story, celebrating one year of Batmania?  

 

The answer to these questions and more will be answered in this double length episode as John is joined by Gotham City 14 Miles editor Jim Beard, writer Glenn Greenberg, and independent filmmaker and lifelong Batman fan, Robert Long.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


Glenn Greenberg is an award-winning editor and writer. He worked extensively for Marvel Comics and DC Comics on such properties as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Superman, Star Trek, Star-Lord, the Silver Surfer, Thor, Iron Man, and Dracula, as well as Web-based tie-in projects for the film Superman Returns and the weekly comic-book series 52. His work has also appeared in such publications as TIME Magazine For Kids, Scholastic News, Time Out New York, Back Issue, and Smoke. Glenn has also written several works of prose Star Trek fiction for Simon and Schuster, and is now making the jump to The X-Files for an upcoming fiction anthology that will be published by IDW. He avidly covers all aspects of popular culture on his blog, “Glenn Greenberg’s Grumblings” (http://glenngreenbergsgrumblings.blogspot.com), and welcomes anyone and everyone to check it out.    

 

Robert Long is a full time grapgic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking to learn more about it. 

  

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites:

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_37.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:31pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired January 4/5, 1967

 

 

The Mad Hatter is back in Gotham City with a new scheme to get Batman's cowl.  But will he want it once it's irradiated and turned pink?  And will he be able to use his planned deathtrap, a water tower, before the end of the first episode, or will it be another afterthought as in his last outing?  These questions will be answered on an all new Batcave Podcast!

 

Joining John to discuss this episode is Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension website.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.
 
Links
Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_36.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:32pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired December 28/29, 1966

 

That European criminal, The Sandman, is in Gotham City with a scheme to rob the millions of heiress J. Pauline Spaghetti. But he needs someone to run interference with Batman and Robin while he lays out his plan.  Who better than the Catwoman?

 

But is this story as exciting as it sounds?  Is it as well executed as earlier Catwoman stories?  These questions and more will be answered in this podcast review.

 

Joining John to talk about first of several villain team-ups the series would feature is author Robert Greenberger.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.




 


Robert Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is a writer and editor.

Greenberger was born in Brooklyn in New York City, the son of Edwin L. Greenberger and Joan Greenberger. A lifelong fan of comic books, comic strips, science fiction and Star Trek, he drifted towards writing and editing, encouraged by his father and inspired by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent.

While at SUNY-Binghamton, Greenberger wrote and edited for the college newspaper, Pipe Dream, moving from general assignment writer to Arts Editor, Managing Editor and ultimately Editor-in-Chief.  He served an internship at Gannett’s Binghamton Sun-Bulletin as a feature writer and reviewer.

 

Upon graduation, he worked for Starlog Press as Managing Editor ofFangoria.  He was also an Associate Editor for Starlog and while there, created Comics Scene, the first nationally distributed magazine to focus on comic books, comic strips and animation.  The magazine lasted 11 issues before its first cancellation at which time Greenberger went to work on their sports magazines.

 

In 1984, he joined DC Comics as an Assistant Editor, working with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman on DC’s Golden Anniversary projects Who’s WhoandCrisis on Infinite Earths.  He went on to act as assistant editor to numerous titles for each editor until he was promoted to editor.  During his tenure, his titles included Star Trek, Suicide Squad, Warlord, Doom Patrol, Lois Lane, Action Comics Weekly, Time Masters, Secret Origins, The Hacker Files and others.

 

By 1990, he had given up editing to become the company’s Editorial Coordinator, helping grow the Editorial Administration department.  When he left the company, he was Manager-Editorial Operations.

In March 2000, he left DC to become a Producer for Gist Communications, television news and listings web site. After ten months there, he learned some new skills and got out before the dotcom bubble burst.

In January 2001, he joined Marvel Comics as Director-Publishing Operations.  During his year with the company, he oversaw editorial schedules, Production, Manufacturing, the Print Library, and other departments.

 

In January 2002, he left Marvel and rejoined DC in May 2002 as a Senior Editor-Collected Editions.  He helped grow that department, introducing new formats and improving the editions’ editorial content. He also managed DC’s ElfQuest publishing program.

He left DC in January 2006, becoming a freelance writer and editor.  His clients included Weekly World News, Platinum Studios, scifi.com, DC and Marvel. By June, he was offered the post of Managing Editor at Weekly World News where he helped transition the newspaper from being produced jointly in Florida and New York to just NYC.

When the paper folded in August 2007, he resumed his freelance career which continues to this date.  Along the way, he helped revitalize Famous Monsters of Filmland and served as News Editor at ComicMix from August through December 2008.

 

He is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and theInternational Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  He served on the final Nebula Short Fiction Jury.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_35.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:46pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired December 21/22, 1966

 

Maurice Evans is the new guest villain, The Puzzler.  Without even knowing the history of this story, one can see that this should have been a Riddler episode and there are many who feel the character is a poor replacement.  But as you'll see in this podcast, there is a lot to recommend Puzzler as a worthy adversary for the dynamic duo and as one of the better villains created solely for the series.  

 

Of course, that's not to say this episode doesn't have its problems, that include determining if this is an established villain in the Batman 66 universe or someone entirely new, the proper definition of monopoly, and a crazed Santa Claus.

 

Joining John to time out the beats of this story is author, musician, and podcaster Keith R.A. DeCandido.

 

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com




 


Keith R.A. DeCandido is a writer, editor, musician, podcaster, curator, voice actor, and probably some other stuff, too, but he can't remember due to lack of sleep. In 2009, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, which means he never needs to achieve anything ever again.

He has written tie-in fiction in prose and comics form for more than twenty different universes ranging from TV shows (Star Trek,Farscape, Supernatural, Leverage, and many more) to movies (Cars, Serenity, Resident Evil, Kung Fu Panda), to games (World of Warcraft, Dungeons & Dragons, StarCraft, Command and Conquer) to comic books (Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk, Silver Surfer). He is the author of the acclaimed Precinct series of fantasy police procedurals including Dragon Precinct, Unicorn Precinct, and Goblin Precinct, with 2013 seeing the release of Gryphon Precinct and Tales from Dragon Precinct, as well as a comic book and audios of all four novels.

Other recent work includes writing the monthly Farscape comic book with series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon; the SCPD novel The Case of the Claw, a novel about cops in a city filled with superheroes; the Leverage novel The Zoo Job; the comic book miniseries The Fallen; the short-story collection Ragnarok and Roll: Tales of Cassie Zukav, Weirdness Magnet, urban fantasy stories taking place in Key West; and short stories in the anthologies Apocalypse 13, Bad-Ass Faeries: It's Elemental, Defending the Future: Best Laid Plans, Liar Liar, More Tales of Zorro, Star Trek: Seven Deadly Sins, and Tales from the House Band Vols. 1 & 2. He has also contributed to several shard worlds: Steven Savile's Viral (the novella -30-), Aaron Rosenberg & David Niall Wilson's The Scattered Earth (the novel Guilt in Innocence), and Jonathan Maberry's V-Wars (the story "The Ballad of Big Charlie").

Keith is also a longtime editor. He was the supervising editor of the Marvel novels published by Penguin Putnam from 1994-2000 and the monthly series of Star Trek eBook originals published by Simon & Schuster from 2000-2008. His anthology credits range from Imaginings and Liar Liar to the Doctor Who: Short Trips anthology The Quality of Leadership to the Star Trek anthologies New Frontier: No Limits, Tales from the Captain's Table, and Tales of the Dominion War. Currently he edits for clients both personal and corporate via KRADitorial.

Keith is a musician, once the percussionist for the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players (musical guests of Dragon*Con in 1998), currently the percussionist of sometime D*C filk guests the Boogie Knights. His work can be heard on the DQYDJP CDs TKB and Blues Spoken Here and the BK CDs Many a Sleepless Knight and Wasted Days, Wasted Knights.

Of late, Keith has become a serious podcaster -- he's part of the staff of The Chronic Rift, a pop-culture podcast, and has his own 'cast, Dead Kitchen Radio. He also provides voices for the audio dramas The Dome, Gypsy Cove, and the Parsec Award-winning HG World.

On top of all this, Keith is a black belt in Kenshikai karate and a devoted fan of the New York Yankees (in fact, he co-edited the 2013 Yankees Annual for Lindy's Magazines). He lives in New York City with a couple of humans and several animals. Find out less as his cheerfully retro web site of DeCandido.net, which provides links to his Facebook page, his Twitter feed, his blog, his podcasts, and many and varied other things that probably sound cooler than they actually are.
Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_34.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:52am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired December 14/15, 1966

 

The Catwoman proves she has more than one life when she returns to Gotham City with a new scheme.  But for once, she's not pussyfooting around by having a feline themed scheme.  She plans to ransom the voices of England's premiere musical duo Chad & Jeremy.  Can Batman and Robin stop her before an international incident brews?

 

Joining John to talk about how the Catwoman character has changed since her premiere last season as well as the impact having Chad & Jeremy on Batman had on the show is Gotham City 14 Miles editor, Jim Beard.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com




 


A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

 

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

 

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_33.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired December 7/8, 1966

 

The Penguin has set up shop once again.  This time he's playing the restauranteur, but he has an unsual system of placing an order at his high priced establishment.  What is his game and why is he so eager to get back to prison that makes a lame attempt at lifting Aunt Harriet's bracelet?  Batman and Robin have their hands full with this caper.

 

Joining John to figure out the Penguin's scheme is Geek Radio Daily's Billy Flynn.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com




 


The Wonderful Billy Flynn brings the funny each week on Geek Radio Daily! His daytime alter ego is mild-mannered (well, that part is a stretch) radio station personality at WLEE in Virginia.   He actually gets paid to sit on his butt and run his mouth! His “edumacation” is from UNC-Wilmington, the Columbia School of Broadcasting, and University of Phoenix. When he is not gracing the podcasting airways with his comedic stylings, you can find Billy Flynn on Xbox Live (flynn71), rockin’ out on Guitar Hero or Rock Band, watching movies, reading comics, working out, or posting on the forums at geekradiodaily.com (ding!).

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_32.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:50pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired November 30/December 1, 1966

 

Shame is stealing automobiles only to abandon them sans one part to the vehicle.  What is his scheme and what strange ideas do John and Hidden Harbor Mysteries author Jay Smith cook up when they discuss this episode?  How about Batman working with the Nazi to find escaped POWs in Gotham?  How about the Joseph Campbell-esque journey of a young boy from villain to hero?  How about the lack of care and guidance parents had in the 60s?  It's all here and more on a new Batcave Podcast, just in time to send out 2014!

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com




 


Jay Smith is the creator and executive producer for the Parsec Award-winning audio drama series HG World.  Since 2009, Jay and his company of players and producers have been telling the story of survivors in the middle of a global zombie uprising.  Now in its third season, this "satellite" production has featured dozens of actors across four continents making it a production truly on a global scale.  Since its debut, episodes of HG World and its spin-off series, the Parsec finalist The Diary of Jill Woodbine and The Googies have been downloaded close to a million times.

 

Inspired by the golden age of radio, Hidden Harbor Mysteries presents a story inspired by stylish pulp era radio adventures like The Shadow, Sam Spade, The Green Hornet, and I Love a Mystery. Performed by a stellar cast, Hidden Harbor hopes to integrate classic radio storytelling with some modern twists.  Jay draws from the work of Orson Welles, Arch Obelor and looks to modern audio dramatists like Douglas Adams and Dirk Maggs as inspiration to create a rich, realistic world of survival horror laced with dark comedy and compelling human drama.

 

Jay holds a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is working on his Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University’s innovative Writing Popular Fiction program.  He attends and speaks at various science fiction and literary conventions about podcasting, writing, audio drama, and zombies.  HG World can be heard by subscribing through iTunes or visiting the show web site www.goodmorningsurvivors.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_31.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:23am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired November 23/24, 1966

 

Marsha, Queen of Diamonds has her sights on one of the largest diamonds in the world, The Bat-Diamond.  But the fabulous jewel is kept in the Batcave and Batman has sworn no stranger will ever set foot there.  (He did?  When did that happen?)  What to do?  Marsha figures it out; she traps Batman into marrying her.  How will the Caped Crusader get out of this most deadly predicament? 

 

Joining John to discuss this completely messed up episode is longtime Batman 66 fan, Robert Long.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Robert Long is a full time grapgic designer and independent filmmaker.  As a first generation Batman syndication kid, he manages the 1966-68 Batman Television Series Group on Facebook.  He has had the pleasure to meet and work with Adam West and Julie Newmar with various projects in the past.  Visit Robert's production company - Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking to learn more about it.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_30.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:13pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired November 16/17, 1966

 

The Joker is back in Gotham City and his latest crime spree involves keys of all types.  But there doesn't seem to be any real pattern to the Joker's scheme, even when he develops a box that allows him to control time.  Can Batman and Robin unlock the mystery of this case or will it be too much even for them?

 

Joining John to discuss this disjointed episode is Gary Mitchel of The Revcastand DragonCon's American Sci-Fi Classics Track.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, geek blogger, gamer, sf/fantasy fan, comics reader, podcaster and International Man of Mystery (who’s too dangerous for the entire country of Canada) currently living near Seattle. He is co-host with Deanna Toxopeus ofRevolutionSF’s RevCast, the site’s weekly geek and pop culture discussion, which was nominated for a 2012 Parsec Award. It’s a convention panel in your iPod!

 

He has also appeared on the Shauncastic, Good to be a Geek, Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast, Earth Station One, and Saturday B Movie Reel podcasts. He can be found on the Facebook and followed on the Twitter as @gary_mitchel (and yes, it’s his real name).

 

Gary is also a frequent panelist at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where he is the Co-Director of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track. There, he has discussed Sci-Fi TV, zombies, movies, video games, zombies, cartoons, comics and zombies. Some attendees have stated that he is “hilarious,” and Gary swears that said people are not related to him.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_29.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:44pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired November 9/10, 1966

 

Mr. Freeze returns to Gotham City and is looking for love in all the wrong places.  He kidnaps a beauty contestant and promises she will love him by making her as cold as he is.  Of course, he also has to deal with Batman, but he has a plan for the Caped Crusader that will tarnish his image.

 

Joining John to discuss this episode is Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension website.

 

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.
 
Links
Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_28.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:44am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired November 2/3, 1966

 

It's election season once again and the fair citizens of Gotham City have the opportunity to vote for mayor.  It would appear that Mayor Linseed would easily win as he is a fine, upstanding politician, but then the Penguin throws his top hat into the ring.

 

As with any political process, something new gets the attention of the public, even that of an arch-criminal running for office.  There can only be one man who can stand up to this political machine - Batman.

 

Joining John to discuss this unusual episode that has many of the tropes of a Batman episode save for any real crime solving is writer/editor Glenn Greenberg.

 

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 



 


Glenn Greenberg is an award-winning editor and writer. He worked extensively for Marvel Comics and DC Comics on such properties as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Superman, Star Trek, Star-Lord, the Silver Surfer, Thor, Iron Man, and Dracula, as well as Web-based tie-in projects for the film Superman Returns and the weekly comic-book series 52. His work has also appeared in such publications as TIME Magazine For Kids, Scholastic News, Time Out New York, Back Issue, and Smoke. Glenn has also written several works of proseStar Trek fiction for Simon and Schuster, and is now making the jump to The X-Files for an upcoming fiction anthology that will be published by IDW. He avidly covers all aspects of popular culture on his blog, “Glenn Greenberg’s Grumblings” (http://glenngreenbergsgrumblings.blogspot.com), and welcomes anyone and everyone to check it out.  

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_27.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 3:19pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired October 26/27, 1966

 

When is a Batman episode not really a Batman episode?  No, this isn't a Riddler episode.  Bruce & Dick and Batman & Robin are barely seen in the first part of this two-parter featuring Liberace as the Great Chandell.  What brought that about?  How well did Liberace fair with the Dynamic Duo?  And was there really a plot in all this anyway?

 

Chandell, with the aid of the Doe, Rae, and MiMi, attempts to get hold of the Wayne fortune by seducing Aunt Harriet and plotting the deaths of Bruce & Dick.  Can he accomplish this and rid himself of his twin brother's blackmail attempt?  (Yeah, sounds like a plot to us.)

 

Joining John to discuss Liberace's performance both musically and thespian-wise is Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast co-host John Champion.

 

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 



 


John Champion is co-producer and co-host of Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast as well as co-producer and co-host of the long-running "DVD Geeks" podcast and its predecessor, the "DVD Geeks" TV show. He also produced the unabashedly geeky web-series "Bif! Bam! Pow! Wow!", numerous corporate and commercial videos and a number of DVD special features and behind-the-scenes featurettes. A lifelong science fiction enthusiast, John has moderated panels and hosted special events at fan conventions. In 2006, he started on a long series of video interviews and has produced segments featuring dozens of the creators and talent behind "Star Trek."

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_26.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 9:15pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired October 19/20, 1966

 

Vincent Price makes an eggs-cellent debut as Egghead. Egghead wants to take over Gotham City and has an eggs-acting plan to make it happen. He kidnaps the descendants of the three founding fathers of Gotham City, which includes Bruce Wayne, in order to make sure they can't deliver on their payment for the lease to the Last of the Mohicans. As an added bonus, he plans to eggs-stract the identity of Batman from one of them. Can he succeed in eggs-ecuting this plan?

 

Joining John to eggs-amine this episode is writer, teacher, and media eggs-pert, Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg. Together they not only discuss what was fun about the episode, but they look at the social commentary on racial tolerance that is worked into it as well.

 

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 



 


Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg is an author, editor, book designer, and educator. He is the co-author of the Howe’s Transcendental Toybox series of Doctor Who merchandise guides from Telos Publishing, the designer of other Telos books including The Target Book, the author of “Stolen Days” in Short Trips: How the Doctor Changed My Life and “Mardi Gras Massacre” in Short Trips: Indefinable Magic, and the Doctor Who DVD reviewer for IGN.com. He co-wrote an exhaustive guide to zombie cinema, Zombiemania, contributed to Time, Unincorporated 3 for Mad Norwegian, and is launching his own small press, ATB Publishing, with the forthcoming Red White and Who: The Story of Doctor Who in America and Outside In: 160 New Perspectives on 160 Classic Doctor Who Stories from 160 Writers. He teaches courses in zombies in popular media and science fiction media at the University of Baltimore and a course in comic book literature at the University of Maryland. He also has a book on sword and sorcery movies in the works with co-author Scott Alan Woodard. You can find him online at atbpublishing.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_25.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:32am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired October 12/13, 1966

 

The Clock King plans a well timed crime spree that could go off without a hitch except for two things - Batman and Robin.  

 

Joining John to time out the beats of this story is author, musician, and podcaster Keith R.A. DeCandido.

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 



 


Keith R.A. DeCandido is a writer, editor, musician, podcaster, curator, voice actor, and probably some other stuff, too, but he can't remember due to lack of sleep. In 2009, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, which means he never needs to achieve anything ever again.

He has written tie-in fiction in prose and comics form for more than twenty different universes ranging from TV shows (Star Trek,Farscape, Supernatural, Leverage, and many more) to movies (Cars, Serenity, Resident Evil, Kung Fu Panda), to games (World of Warcraft, Dungeons & Dragons, StarCraft, Command and Conquer) to comic books (Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk, Silver Surfer). He is the author of the acclaimed Precinct series of fantasy police procedurals including Dragon Precinct, Unicorn Precinct, and Goblin Precinct, with 2013 seeing the release of Gryphon Precinct and Tales from Dragon Precinct, as well as a comic book and audios of all four novels.

Other recent work includes writing the monthly Farscape comic book with series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon; the SCPD novel The Case of the Claw, a novel about cops in a city filled with superheroes; the Leverage novel The Zoo Job; the comic book miniseries The Fallen; the short-story collection Ragnarok and Roll: Tales of Cassie Zukav, Weirdness Magnet, urban fantasy stories taking place in Key West; and short stories in the anthologies Apocalypse 13, Bad-Ass Faeries: It's Elemental, Defending the Future: Best Laid Plans, Liar Liar, More Tales of Zorro, Star Trek: Seven Deadly Sins, and Tales from the House Band Vols. 1 & 2. He has also contributed to several shard worlds: Steven Savile's Viral (the novella -30-), Aaron Rosenberg & David Niall Wilson's The Scattered Earth (the novel Guilt in Innocence), and Jonathan Maberry's V-Wars (the story "The Ballad of Big Charlie").

Keith is also a longtime editor. He was the supervising editor of the Marvel novels published by Penguin Putnam from 1994-2000 and the monthly series of Star Trek eBook originals published by Simon & Schuster from 2000-2008. His anthology credits range from Imaginings and Liar Liar to the Doctor Who: Short Trips anthology The Quality of Leadership to the Star Trek anthologies New Frontier: No Limits, Tales from the Captain's Table, and Tales of the Dominion War. Currently he edits for clients both personal and corporate via KRADitorial.

Keith is a musician, once the percussionist for the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players (musical guests of Dragon*Con in 1998), currently the percussionist of sometime D*C filk guests the Boogie Knights. His work can be heard on the DQYDJP CDs TKB and Blues Spoken Here and the BK CDs Many a Sleepless Knight and Wasted Days, Wasted Knights.

Of late, Keith has become a serious podcaster -- he's part of the staff of The Chronic Rift, a pop-culture podcast, and has his own 'cast, Dead Kitchen Radio. He also provides voices for the audio dramas The Dome, Gypsy Cove, and the Parsec Award-winning HG World.

On top of all this, Keith is a black belt in Kenshikai karate and a devoted fan of the New York Yankees (in fact, he co-edited the 2013 Yankees Annual for Lindy's Magazines). He lives in New York City with a couple of humans and several animals. Find out less as his cheerfully retro web site of DeCandido.net, which provides links to his Facebook page, his Twitter feed, his blog, his podcasts, and many and varied other things that probably sound cooler than they actually are.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_24.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:43pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired October 5/6, 1966

 

Ma Parker has made a name for herself throughout the United States as one of the most difficult to capture criminals. When she sets her sights on Gotham City, it doesn't take the Dynamic Duo long to round her and her "boys" up, depositing them in Gotham State Penitentiary. In fact, it seems a little too easy. What is her grand scheme and will Batman figure it out?

 

Joining John to talk about mother of all villains is HG World's Jay Smith.

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 



 


Jay Smith is the creator and executive producer for the Parsec Award-winning audio drama series HG World.  Since 2009, Jay and his company of players and producers have been telling the story of survivors in the middle of a global zombie uprising.  Now in its third season, this "satellite" production has featured dozens of actors across four continents making it a production truly on a global scale.  Since its debut, episodes of HG World and its spin-off series, the Parsec finalist The Diary of Jill Woodbine and The Googies have been downloaded close to a million times.

 

Inspired by the golden age of radio, Hidden Harbor Mysteries presents a story inspired by stylish pulp era radio adventures like The Shadow, Sam Spade, The Green Hornet, and I Love a Mystery. Performed by a stellar cast, Hidden Harbor hopes to integrate classic radio storytelling with some modern twists.  Jay draws from the work of Orson Welles, Arch Obelor and looks to modern audio dramatists like Douglas Adams and Dirk Maggs as inspiration to create a rich, realistic world of survival horror laced with dark comedy and compelling human drama.

 

Jay holds a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is working on his Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University’s innovative Writing Popular Fiction program.  He attends and speaks at various science fiction and literary conventions about podcasting, writing, audio drama, and zombies.  HG World can be heard by subscribing through iTunes or visiting the show web site www.goodmorningsurvivors.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_23.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:53pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Aired September 28/29, 1966

 

King Tut returns to Gotham City with what appears to be his usual bag of tricks as the Sphinx returns as well with new proclamations. But there's more to his scheme this time around. He has a plan to subjugate the entire population of Gotham. Can Batman and Robin thwart him?

 

Joining John to talk about King Tut's less than stellar return in author Julio Angel Ortiz.

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. 



 


A native of Toledo, Ohio, Julio Angel Ortiz is a writer in both print and electronic media. Julio has had an audio drama released for the original sci-fi series The Dome with another to be produced shortly and short stories published in collections by Obverse Books featuring Iris Wildthyme and Señor 105. He also has several eBooks available for Kindle via his Vox Camera imprint. When not banging his head against his notebook in order to string words together, Julio works in Information Technology during the day and is also active blogging, posting on Twitter, and working at his photography.

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_22.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:11am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The Minstrel, a new villain, has appeared in Gotham City and he's holding the Gotham City Stock Exchange hostage with his extortion demands.  The Caped Crusaders are on the case, but it turns out that the Minstrel is Batman's intellectual equal when it comes to technology.  Can Batman outwit the Minstrel with the aid of his latest Bat-device, the Bat-Drone?'

 

Joining John to talk about The Minstrel and the lost potential in what should have been a recurring villain is Gotham City 14 Miles editor, Jim Beard.

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites:

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_21.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 9:43am EDT
Comments[1]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

"Hot off the Griddle/The Cat and the Fiddle" Aired September 14/15, 1966 The Catwoman returns to Gotham City with another cat-themed caper. But what do a pair of rare Stradivarius violins have to do with this all? Will it get to hot for the Dynamic Duo to handle?

Joining John to talk about the return of Julie Newmar as The Catwoman is author Robert Greenberger.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com



 


  

Robert Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is a writer and editor.

Greenberger was born in Brooklyn in New York City, the son of Edwin L. Greenberger and Joan Greenberger. A lifelong fan of comic books, comic strips, science fiction and Star Trek, he drifted towards writing and editing, encouraged by his father and inspired by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent.

While at SUNY-Binghamton, Greenberger wrote and edited for the college newspaper, Pipe Dream, moving from general assignment writer to Arts Editor, Managing Editor and ultimately Editor-in-Chief.  He served an internship at Gannett’s Binghamton Sun-Bulletin as a feature writer and reviewer.

Upon graduation, he worked for Starlog Press as Managing Editor ofFangoria.  He was also an Associate Editor for Starlog and while there, created Comics Scene, the first nationally distributed magazine to focus on comic books, comic strips and animation.  The magazine lasted 11 issues before its first cancellation at which time Greenberger went to work on their sports magazines.

In 1984, he joined DC Comics as an Assistant Editor, working with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman on DC’s Golden Anniversary projects Who’s Who andCrisis on Infinite Earths.  He went on to act as assistant editor to numerous titles for each editor until he was promoted to editor.  During his tenure, his titles included Star Trek, Suicide Squad, Warlord, Doom Patrol, Lois Lane, Action Comics Weekly, Time Masters, Secret Origins, The Hacker Files and others.

By 1990, he had given up editing to become the company’s Editorial Coordinator, helping grow the Editorial Administration department.  When he left the company, he was Manager-Editorial Operations.

In March 2000, he left DC to become a Producer for Gist Communications, television news and listings web site. After ten months there, he learned some new skills and got out before the dotcom bubble burst.

In January 2001, he joined Marvel Comics as Director-Publishing Operations.  During his year with the company, he oversaw editorial schedules, Production, Manufacturing, the Print Library, and other departments.

In January 2002, he left Marvel and rejoined DC in May 2002 as a Senior Editor-Collected Editions.  He helped grow that department, introducing new formats and improving the editions’ editorial content. He also managed DC’s ElfQuest publishing program.

He left DC in January 2006, becoming a freelance writer and editor.  His clients included Weekly World News, Platinum Studios, scifi.com, DC and Marvel. By June, he was offered the post of Managing Editor at Weekly World News where he helped transition the newspaper from being produced jointly in Florida and New York to just NYC.

When the paper folded in August 2007, he resumed his freelance career which continues to this date.  Along the way, he helped revitalize Famous Monsters of Filmland and served as News Editor at ComicMix from August through December 2008.

He is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and theInternational Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  He served on the final Nebula Short Fiction Jury.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_20.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:16am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The second season of Batman 66 kicks off with a new villain.  The Archer, a self-styled Robin Hood thief is robbing from the rich of Gotham City and distributing to the poor.  Although the citizens are returning the money, they can't help but cheer for his exploits and it's affecting Batman's public image.  Can he stop this malevolent marksman before it's too late?

Joining John to discuss this debut episode of the second season is author Kevin Dilmore.  In addition to discussing the episode, as a representative of Hallmark, Kevin discusses the release of Batman related merchandise including this year's Christmas ornament.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



<

 


KEVIN DILMORE has been getting his geek on for a good while now.

A journalist for more than 25 years, he enjoyed an eight-year run as a contributing writer to Star Trek Communicator, writing news and feature stories for the bimonthly publication of the Official Star Trek Fan Club. He also has contributed to publications including the Village Voice, Amazing Stories, Hallmark and Star Trek magazines as well as web sites including Hallmark.com and Star Trek.com.

Teaming with writing partner and heterosexual life mate Dayton Ward since 2001, he has co-written novels and shorter fiction based on television shows including “Star Trek,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “The 4400.” The pair has put more than 1 million words into print together. Their most recent novel, Point of Divergence, is the second in the Star Trek: Seekers series and will be published in September by Pocket Books.

On his own, Kevin recently has contributed a story to Native Lands, the latest ReDeus anthology published by Crazy 8 Press, and essays in Hey Kids, Comics! also by Crazy 8 Press, and New Life and New Civilizations: Exploring Star Trek Comics published by Sequart.

By day, Kevin works as a senior writer for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Mo., doing about everything from writing greeting cards to assisting in product development including pop culture-themed Keepsake Ornaments. His children's books for Hallmark Gift Books include the Cosmic Ray series, Superdad and His Daring Dadventures, and a series of Batman books to be published this fall.

In May, a short film written by Kevin, “Outside of Town,” was selected for screening in the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival.

A graduate of the University of Kansas, Kevin lives in Overland Park, Kansas. Keep up with his shameful behavior and latest projects on Facebook.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_19.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:20am EDT
Comments[2]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Penguin, Joker, Riddler, and Catwoman have all teamed up to hatch a plot that not only threatens Gotham City, not only threatens the country, but rather threatens the entire world.  Their objective - the United World Organization main assembly.  And only two people stand in their way - Batman and Robin.  Can the Dynamic Duo stop the Fearsome Foursome with the aid of their newest entries in their crimefighting arsenal?  Stay glued to your seats, Citizens.  It's going to be a bumpy ride as John is joined by Geek Radio Daily's Billy Flynn, Cinefantatique Online's Dan Person, and Gotham City 14 Miles editor and writer, Jim Beard to discuss the 1966 movie.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


Bill Vernon, AKA the Wonderful Billy Flynn, brings the funny each week on Geek Radio Daily! His daytime alter ego is mild-mannered (well, that part is a stretch) on-air talent at WRAR Radio Station in Virginia. He actually gets paid to sit on his butt and run his mouth! His “edumacation” is from UNC-Wilmington and the Columbia School of Broadcasting. When he is not gracing the podcasting airways with his comedic stylings, you can find Billy Flynn on Xbox Live (flynn71), rockin’ out on Guitar Hero or Rock Band, watching movies, reading comics, working out, or posting on the forums at Geek Radio Daily.com (ding!) 

 

 

 

 

 

In his twenty plus years as writer and film journalist, Dan Persons has interviewed the likes of Paul Verhoeven, Wes Craven, Stuart Gordon, Satoshi Kon and John Kricfalusi; published the well-received novella, "A Game of the Apocalypse", in The Ultimate Silver Surfer, edited by The Chronic Rift's own Keith R.A. Decandido; and been an occasional, and somewhat peculiar, guest on the public access incarnation of the Rift. He presently is the host of Mighty Movies Temple of BadMighty Movie Podcast, and The Cinefantastique Podcast when he isn't haunting the dining room of his local Popeye's.

 

 

 

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites:

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_18.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 4:25pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The Penguin is back in town and his target is Alfred, the faithful butler of millionaire Bruce Wayne.  Batman and Robin are called in to investigate, but a short time later, Alfred is released, safe and sound.  What has happened to Alfred as he now has an odd twitch about him?  Will Batman and Robin find out before the Penguin is able to execute his entire caper?

Joining John to talk about the final episode of the first season is Batman fan, Mike Fichera.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


 

Mike Fichera got his start as a Bat-fan during infancy when, according to his brother Victor, one of his first words was shouting "Batman! Green ones!" from the high chair while attempting to miscolor the caped crusader. As a fan of the 60’s Batman show, he learned to exclaim BIF! POW! BAM!  with every stubbed toe, or tumble down the staircase. Years later, Mike became an occasional guest on the cable-TV Chronic Rift as a Spider-Man expert and as the “shameless guy who would dress in silly costumes” for sight gags. Since 2004, Mike has been a freelance writer and artist for Marvel Comics, putting his knowledge of Spider-Man to use for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Though more a Marvel than a DC, he owes much of his riddle-deciphering skills to the Dynamic Duo, and his breathy acting style to Adam West.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_17.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:26pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The Riddler returns to Gotham and confounds Batman and Robin with a new string of riddles.  While the Dynamic Duo race about in response to the riddles, the Prince of Puzzlers is filming the entire thing.  What is his ultimate plan?  What is the purpose of the film?  Will Batman figure it out or misinterpret the clues?

Joining John to talk about Frank Gorshin's last first season turn as The Riddler is author Robert Greenberger.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


 

Robert Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is a writer and editor.

Greenberger was born in Brooklyn in New York City, the son of Edwin L. Greenberger and Joan Greenberger. A lifelong fan of comic books, comic strips, science fiction and Star Trek, he drifted towards writing and editing, encouraged by his father and inspired by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent.

While at SUNY-Binghamton, Greenberger wrote and edited for the college newspaper, Pipe Dream, moving from general assignment writer to Arts Editor, Managing Editor and ultimately Editor-in-Chief.  He served an internship at Gannett’s Binghamton Sun-Bulletin as a feature writer and reviewer.

Upon graduation, he worked for Starlog Press as Managing Editor ofFangoria.  He was also an Associate Editor for Starlog and while there, created Comics Scene, the first nationally distributed magazine to focus on comic books, comic strips and animation.  The magazine lasted 11 issues before its first cancellation at which time Greenberger went to work on their sports magazines.

In 1984, he joined DC Comics as an Assistant Editor, working with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman on DC’s Golden Anniversary projects Who’s Who andCrisis on Infinite Earths.  He went on to act as assistant editor to numerous titles for each editor until he was promoted to editor.  During his tenure, his titles included Star Trek, Suicide Squad, Warlord, Doom Patrol, Lois Lane, Action Comics Weekly, Time Masters, Secret Origins, The Hacker Files and others.

By 1990, he had given up editing to become the company’s Editorial Coordinator, helping grow the Editorial Administration department.  When he left the company, he was Manager-Editorial Operations.

In March 2000, he left DC to become a Producer for Gist Communications, television news and listings web site. After ten months there, he learned some new skills and got out before the dotcom bubble burst.

In January 2001, he joined Marvel Comics as Director-Publishing Operations.  During his year with the company, he oversaw editorial schedules, Production, Manufacturing, the Print Library, and other departments.

In January 2002, he left Marvel and rejoined DC in May 2002 as a Senior Editor-Collected Editions.  He helped grow that department, introducing new formats and improving the editions’ editorial content. He also managed DC’s ElfQuest publishing program.

He left DC in January 2006, becoming a freelance writer and editor.  His clients included Weekly World News, Platinum Studios, scifi.com, DC and Marvel. By June, he was offered the post of Managing Editor at Weekly World News where he helped transition the newspaper from being produced jointly in Florida and New York to just NYC.

When the paper folded in August 2007, he resumed his freelance career which continues to this date.  Along the way, he helped revitalize Famous Monsters of Filmland and served as News Editor at ComicMix from August through December 2008.

He is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and theInternational Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  He served on the final Nebula Short Fiction Jury.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_16.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 9:09pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

A failed writer with an obsession with books has his sites on a rare collection of priceless works in the Gotham City Library.  But how does he plan to get past the near indestructible doors?  Batman and Robin match wits with the leather-clad Bookworm as played by Roddy McDowell in an episode that offers a number of firsts, including the first use of the harpsichord (which we totally forgot to mention in the podcast).

Joining John to talk about The Bookworm is RevCast host and DragonCon American Sci-Fi Classic Track director Gary Mitchel.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


Gary Mitchelis a writer, reviewer, geek blogger, gamer, sf/fantasy fan, comics reader, podcaster and International Man of Mystery (who’s too dangerous for the entire country of Canada) currently living near Seattle. He is co-host with Deanna Toxopeus ofRevolutionSF’s RevCast, the site’s weekly geek and pop culture discussion, which was nominated for a 2012 Parsec Award. It’s a convention panel in your iPod!

He has also appeared on the Shauncastic, Good to be a Geek, Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast, Earth Station One, and Saturday B Movie Reelpodcasts. He can be found on the Facebook and followed on the Twitter as @gary_mitchel (and yes, it’s his real name).Gary is also a frequent panelist at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where he is the Co-Director of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track. There, he has discussed Sci-Fi TV, zombies, movies, video games, zombies, cartoons, comics and zombies. Some attendees have stated that he is “hilarious,” and Gary swears that said people are not related to him.

 

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_15.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:53pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

William Omaha McElroy has once again reverted to his evil alter-ego, the malevolent monarch of crime, King Tut.  He has created a giant Sphinx which emits his royal decrees to the citizens of Gotham from Gotham Central Park.  One of those decrees is the death of Batman and Robin.  But what is his ultimate goal in his latest caper?  Can Batman figure it out before it's too late for him and Bruce Wayne.

Joining John to talk about King Tut and the actor who portrayed him Victor Buono, is Gotham City 14 Miles editor, Jim Beard.

Get your copy of Gotham City 14 Miles through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you not only get a great collection of essays on the 60's Batman series, but you support The Batcave Podcast as well.  Thank you.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



 


A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites:

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_14.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:22pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

 

The Joker is back in Gotham City and he has a new scheme to hold the city for ransom while ruining Batman's good name.  Can Batman figure out the Joker's plan before it's too late?

Joining John to talk about the Joker's last outing of the first season is author and podcaster, Kevin Lauderdale.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

 


 

 


Kevin Lauderdale has written essays and articles for the Los Angeles TimesThe Dictionary of American Biography, Animato, mcsweeneys.net, and teevee.org; and his poetry has appeared in Andrei Codrescu's The Exquisite Corpse.  He has published fiction in several of Pocket Books' Star Trek anthologies, including Constellations, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Star Trek.  His original fiction has appeared in Neo-opsis magazine and Cthulhu Unbound, the cross-genre Lovecraftian collection from Permuted Press.  He is a graduate of UCLA and a card-carrying member of SFWA.  In addition, Kevin is a host of his own podcast here on the network, It Has Come to My Attention and co-host of Mighty Movie: Temple of Bad.  Recently, Kevin took over as host of the old time radio podcast, Presenting the Transcription Feature.  Follow Kevin's exploits through his LiveJournal blog - http://kevinlauderdale.livejournal.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_13.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:09pm EDT
Comments[1]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

 

The Riddler returns to Gotham with a supply of wax smuggled into the country.  But what does he need the wax for?  What does it all have to do with a book on rare Incan treasures?

Joining John to talk about one of the better Riddler episodes in the series is HeyKids Comics Podcast host Andrew Leyland.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.

 


 

 


Born. Read comics. Watches bad TV, somehow found a woman that puts up with him and had three kids. Puts out a weekly comics podcast called "Hey Kids, Comics!" With his eldest son every Thursday on TwoTrueFreaks.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_12.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:58pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The Penguin returns to Gotham City, but he doesn't appear to have a nefarious scheme to rob the citizens of their hard earned cash.  Or does he?  It all seems innocent enough.  He opens a protection agency, offering his services to the wealthy of Gotham City.  And very quickly, he is accepted into high society.  And even worse, Batman and Robin are caught robbing the safe of one of Penguin's high caliber clients.  What is going on here?

Joining John to talk about this unusual conundrum is RevCast host and DragonCon American Sci-Fi Classics track co-moderator, Gary Mitchel.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, geek blogger, gamer, sf/fantasy fan, comics reader, podcaster and International Man of Mystery (who’s too dangerous for the entire country of Canada) currently living near Seattle. He is co-host with Deanna Toxopeus of RevolutionSF’s RevCast, the site’s weekly geek and pop culture discussion, which was nominated for a 2012 Parsec Award. It’s a convention panel in your iPod!

He has also appeared on the Shauncastic, Good to be a Geek, Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast, Earth Station One, and Saturday B Movie Reel podcasts. He can be found on the Facebook and followed on the Twitter as @gary_mitchel (and yes, it’s his real name).Gary is also a frequent panelist at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, where he is the Co-Director of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track. There, he has discussed Sci-Fi TV, zombies, movies, video games, zombies, cartoons, comics and zombies. Some attendees have stated that he is “hilarious,” and Gary swears that said people are not related to him.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_11.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:07am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The Catwoman has returned to Gotham City and it looks as though her crime seems pretty obvious, the theft of two gold cat statues.  But there's something more to the statues and some books on the history of Gotham City provides the clues.  Can Batman figure it out before the Catwoman clips his and Robin's wings?

Joining John to talk about the debut of the feline felon is The Podcast Cowboy, Clay Dugger.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Clay Dugger is the host of The Con Cast, a podcast devoted to interviewing guests of various science fiction and fantasy conventions.  Clay is also the host of He Said, She Said, part of The Chronic Rift Network, which he co-hosts with his wife Debby.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_10.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 6:29am EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

The mysterious False Face and his elusive sidekick, Blaze, are back in Gotham City for a crime wave filled with confusion, false clues, and guises galore!  But who is False Face?  It's not just the identity of the villain that is in question, but the actor who portrays him as well.

Joining John to talk about this single outing for the master of disguise is HG World's Jay Smith.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Jay Smith is the creator and executive producer for the Parsec Award-winning audio drama series HG World.  Since 2009, Jay and his company of players and producers have been telling the story of survivors in the middle of a global zombie uprising.  Now in its third season, this "satellite" production has featured dozens of actors across four continents making it a production truly on a global scale.  Since its debut, episodes of HG World and its spin-off series, the Parsec finalist The Diary of Jill Woodbine and The Googies have been downloaded close to a million times.

Inspired by the golden age of radio, Hidden Harbor Mysteries presents a story inspired by stylish pulp era radio adventures like The ShadowSam Spade, The Green Hornet, and I Love a Mystery. Performed by a stellar cast, Hidden Harbor hopes to integrate classic radio storytelling with some modern twists.  Jay draws from the work of Orson Welles, Arch Obelor and looks to modern audio dramatists like Douglas Adams and Dirk Maggs as inspiration to create a rich, realistic world of survival horror laced with dark comedy and compelling human drama.

Jay holds a BA in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and is working on his Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University’s innovative Writing Popular Fiction program.  He attends and speaks at various science fiction and literary conventions about podcasting, writing, audio drama, and zombies.  HG World can be heard by subscribing through iTunes or visiting the show web site www.goodmorningsurvivors.com

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_9.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 7:20pm EDT
Comments[0]

(RIGHT CLICK THE IMAGE TO SAVE THIS EPISODE TO YOUR COMPUTER)

Vending machines at Woodrow Roosevelt High are dispensing coins instead of candy or milk.  It seems like a silly prank, but in Gotham City pranks are the calling card of The Joker.  Batman is called in to investigate and he finds The Joker is recruiting students for his scheme.  Dick has to go undercover to find out who is in the gang and what Joker's ultimate scheme is.

Joining John to talk about this unusual story is author Dayton Ward.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Dayton Ward is the author of numerous media tie-in fiction works in such realms as Star Trek and The 4400.  He is also the author of such original works as Counterstrike, The Last World War, Book 2 and The Genesis Protocol. When he's not writing or working for a software design firm, he's busy indoctrinating his two lovely daughters into the worlds that have so seriously warped his mind.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_8.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:24pm EDT
Comments[1]

A rash of kidnappings appears to have Gotham City's Police Department stumped.  All the victims appear to have one thing in common, they wear hats.  That alone points to the machinations of The Mad Hatter.  But what is his scheme?  Why take the people as well as their hats?  What do they have in common?

Joining John to figure out The Mad Hatter's scheme is life-long Batman fan, Linda-Ali Cruz.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Linda-Ali Cruz is a self-proclaimed GeekGirl whose love of superheroes has inspired her to teach her sons to appreciate the fantastic, in particular, the Caped Crusader and his pantheon of villains.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_7.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 10:15am EDT
Comments[0]

King Boris' visit to the United States is interrupted by an exploding bouquet of flowers that hide a riddle inside, the calling card of the Riddler.  What is his scheme?  Can Batman and Robin figure it out before an international incident can occur?

Joining John to figure out the Riddler's clues is author, musician, and podcaster Keith R.A. DeCandido.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010. 



Keith R.A. DeCandido is a writer, editor, musician, podcaster, curator, voice actor, and probably some other stuff, too, but he can't remember due to lack of sleep. In 2009, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, which means he never needs to achieve anything ever again.

He has written tie-in fiction in prose and comics form for more than twenty different universes ranging from TV shows (Star Trek,FarscapeSupernaturalLeverage, and many more) to movies (CarsSerenityResident EvilKung Fu Panda), to games (World of WarcraftDungeons & DragonsStarCraftCommand and Conquer) to comic books (Spider-ManX-MenHulkSilver Surfer). He is the author of the acclaimed Precinct series of fantasy police procedurals including Dragon PrecinctUnicorn Precinct, and Goblin Precinct, with 2013 seeing the release of Gryphon Precinct and Tales from Dragon Precinct, as well as a comic book and audios of all four novels.

Other recent work includes writing the monthly Farscape comic book with series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon; the SCPD novel The Case of the Claw, a novel about cops in a city filled with superheroes; the Leverage novel The Zoo Job; the comic book miniseries The Fallen; the short-story collection Ragnarok and Roll: Tales of Cassie ZukavWeirdness Magnet, urban fantasy stories taking place in Key West; and short stories in the anthologies Apocalypse 13Bad-Ass Faeries: It's ElementalDefending the Future: Best Laid PlansLiar Liar,More Tales of ZorroStar Trek: Seven Deadly Sins, and Tales from the House Band Vols. 1 & 2. He has also contributed to several shard worlds: Steven Savile's Viral (the novella -30-), Aaron Rosenberg & David Niall Wilson's The Scattered Earth (the novel Guilt in Innocence), and Jonathan Maberry's V-Wars (the story "The Ballad of Big Charlie").

Keith is also a longtime editor. He was the supervising editor of the Marvel novels published by Penguin Putnam from 1994-2000 and the monthly series of Star Trek eBook originals published by Simon & Schuster from 2000-2008. His anthology credits range fromImaginings and Liar Liar to the Doctor Who: Short Trips anthology The Quality of Leadership to the Star Trek anthologies New Frontier: No LimitsTales from the Captain's Table, and Tales of the Dominion War. Currently he edits for clients both personal and corporate via KRADitorial.

Keith is a musician, once the percussionist for the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players (musical guests of Dragon*Con in 1998), currently the percussionist of sometime D*C filk guests the Boogie Knights. His work can be heard on the DQYDJP CDs TKB and Blues Spoken Here and the BK CDs Many a Sleepless Knight and Wasted Days, Wasted Knights.

Of late, Keith has become a serious podcaster -- he's part of the staff of The Chronic Rift, a pop-culture podcast, and has his own 'cast, Dead Kitchen Radio. He also provides voices for the audio dramas The DomeGypsy Cove, and the Parsec Award-winning HG World.

On top of all this, Keith is a black belt in Kenshikai karate and a devoted fan of the New York Yankees (in fact, he co-edited the 2013 Yankees Annual for Lindy's Magazines). He lives in New York City with a couple of humans and several animals. Find out less as his cheerfully retro web site of DeCandido.net, which provides links to his Facebook page, his Twitter feed, his blog, his podcasts, and many and varied other things that probably sound cooler than they actually are.

Direct download: batcave_6.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:07pm EDT
Comments[0]

The Gotham City Police Department have an unusual criminal on their hands.  For three years in a row, the April Fool's Bandit has been robbing banks of exactly $100,000, leaving behind millions more in the vault.  The identity of this mysterious bandit is unknown and Commissioner Gordon has called in Batman and Robin to investigate.

Joining John to discover the identity of this mysterious bandit (if the title of the episode didn't tip you off) is Mighty Movie Podcast's host Dan Persons.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



In his twenty plus years as writer and film journalist, Dan Persons has interviewed the likes of Paul Verhoeven, Wes Craven, Stuart Gordon, Satoshi Kon and John Kricfalusi; published the well-received novella, "A Game of the Apocalypse", in The Ultimate Silver Surfer, edited by The Chronic Rift's own Keith R.A. Decandido; and been an occasional, and somewhat peculiar, guest on the public access incarnation of the Rift. He presently is the host of Mighty Movies Temple of BadMighty Movie Podcast, and The Cinefantastique Podcast when he isn't haunting the dining room of his local Popeye's.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_5.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:12am EDT
Comments[0]

Ice on the streets of Gotham in July?  It sounds like the calling card of the cool, cruel Mr. Freeze.  He wants revenge on Batman for trapping him forever in the icy grip of his cold empty world, but first he will play with him "like cat with mouse". The question is, why is he doing that?

Joining John to try and answer this question is Hey Kids Comics's host Andrew Leyland.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Andrew Leyland - Born. Reads comics. Watches bad TV. Somehow found a woman that puts up with him and had three kids. Puts out a weekly comics podcast called "Hey Kids, Comics!" With his eldest son every Thursday on TwoTrueFreaks.com.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_4.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:53pm EDT
Comments[0]

"The Joker is Wild/Batman is Riled"

January 26/27, 1966

The Joker "springs" himself from jail in time to exact revenge on the curators of a museum exhibit on comedy legends.  He's upset that he wasn't included in the exhibit.  But Batman's on the scene to stop him with the aid of his trusty utility belt.  The Joker swears never to fall for the gimmicks of the belt by fighting fire with fire and creating his own.  The belt proves to be a match for the Dynamic Duo as the city of Gotham begins to lose faith in them as they fall for the pranks from the Joker's utility belt.

Joining John for the first appearance of The Joker is Geek Radio Daily's Billy Flynn.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010.



The Wonderful Billy Flynn brings the funny each week on Geek Radio Daily! His daytime alter ego is mild-mannered (well, that part is a stretch) radio station personality at WLEE in Virginia.   He actually gets paid to sit on his butt and run his mouth! His “edumacation” is from UNC-Wilmington, the Columbia School of Broadcasting, and University of Phoenix. When he is not gracing the podcasting airways with his comedic stylings, you can find Billy Flynn on Xbox Live (flynn71), rockin’ out on Guitar Hero or Rock Band, watching movies, reading comics, working out, or posting on the forums at geekradiodaily.com (ding!).

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_3.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 8:56pm EDT
Comments[2]

"Fine Feathered Finks/The Penguin's a Jinx"

January 19/20, 1966

ThePenguin is released from prison and comes up with a perfect scheme for his next crime - let Batman figure it out for him.  Can Batman figure this out before it's too late?

Joining John for the first appearance of "that pompous, waddling master of foul play, the maestro of a million criminal umbrellas" is Restaurant Stakeout narrator and Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast co-host Paul K. Bisson

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com or call 888-866-9010. Take a moment to rate the episode by using our star system at the bottom of this entry.



Wonder Woman, Star Trek, Six Million Dollar Man & Bionic Woman, and The Omen- for a poor kid growing up in Boston (where there wasn't much to do except watch TV or go outside and find trouble), they were doorways into the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comics.  And they remain the cornerstones of Paul K. Bisson's inner Fanboy.

Today, Paul is an actor, writer, independent media producer, and all-around Geek.  He still collects comics (mostly DC and definitely Wonder Woman), he founded the member-rich Bionic Fan Network  (http://www.bionicfans.net) and an ambitious online Bionic encyclopedia, The Bionic Wiki (http://www.bionic.wikia.com), he's the webmaster of The Omen Chronicles, the only fansite devoted to the Omen film series (http://www.omenchronicles.com), and he's developing http://www.fancommentary.com -- a social networking site where people can upload their own audio commentaries for their favorite movies and TV shows.

Paul is currently the narrator for Food Network's Restaurant Stakeout, the co-host of Cyborgs: A Bionic Podcast, and the voice of The Chronic Rift Podcast.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_2.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 5:04pm EDT
Comments[0]

"Hi Diddle Riddle"/"Smack in the Middle"

January 12/13, 1966

The Riddler has plans for Batman in the form of a lawsuit claiming false arrest, but Batman knows the Riddler is not as innocent as he seems. Can Batman deduce the Riddler's scheme from the puzzles he's hidden inside the lawsuit?  Can he figure out that Robin isn't Robin?  And can we find all the ideas that would be repeated throughout the series that first led to its success and would ultimately lead to its downfall?

Joining John for the first episode of the podcast is author Dayton Ward.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.



Dayton Ward is the author of numerous media tie-in fiction works in such realms as Star Trek and The 4400.  He is also the author of such original works as Counterstrike, The Last World War, Book 2 and The Genesis Protocol. When he's not writing or working for a software design firm, he's busy indoctrinating his two lovely daughters into the worlds that have so seriously warped his mind.

Direct download: The_Batcave_Podcast_-_Episode_1.mp3
Category:Podcast Episode -- posted at: 4:41pm EDT
Comments[1]

1