Fri, 18 January 2019
James Batman 1966 Our next look at those movies from around the world inspired by the 66 Batman TV series takes us to the Philippines. Mere months after the premiere of the television series, James Batman burst on to Filipino screens. In fact, the movie came out before the American theatrical one did. That in itself is impressive, but then there is the added wrinkle of Batman teaming up with James Bond. That's right, two of the "Three Bs of the 60s" as Adam West once stated are featured in this film. It's a shame that the boys from Liverpool are not represented in this film. It might have made it more interesting. John and Robert Long sit down once again in the Batcave and break down this film and it's not as pretty as the last one, even with the help of subtitles. Take a listen and let us know what you think by commenting here or writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.
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Wed, 12 December 2018
"The Jigsaw Jeopardy" & "Wrath of the Riddler" Aired December 28, 1968 As you have heard before on the podcast, we're not entirely sure of the broadcast dates or order of episodes when it comes to Filmation Batman 68. We have been relying on Wikipedia for our schedule. Based on that, the penultimate episode features a double dose of The Riddler. In these two stories, he wants to blow up an art museum that refused to feature his artwork and then kidnaps Dick Grayson to stop the development of a crime lab by Wayne Enterprises. In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the inconsistent use of Batgirl in the series, the singular moments where the animation seems above average, and appeal of having Bruce Wayne be an actual character who continues the fight against crime, doing things Batman cannot do. 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
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Mon, 3 December 2018
 Batman 66 Meets
The Green Hornet
Published: #1 June 4, 2014
#2 July 2, 2014
#3 August 6, 2014
#4 September 3. 2014
#5 October 1, 2014
#6 November 19, 2014
Collection: November 25, 2015
A fan favorite among the episodes of the 66 series is when Batman met The Green Hornet. Used as a means to promote the show, it didn't feature the strongest story or villain, but it was certainly cool to see two hero types having to work together unknowingly to fight the common enemy. And so it made sense that when the comic of the series was released, a rematch between the two would happen. And so, with the elements in play, plus the return of Colonel Gumm, now General Gumm plus The Joker, you have a six issue mini-series that has a lot to offer. John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC and Dynamite Comics' offering. They discuss the fantastic artwork and likenesses of the series, the nice nods to the series and the Batman motion picture, and they compare how they view the work, one from the point of view of someone who has watched The Green Hornet series and one who only watched his appearance on Batman.  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: Batman_66_Comic_Green_Hornet.mp3
Category: Batman 66 Comic
-- posted at: 1:55pm EDT
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Sat, 6 October 2018
 For years, fans of Gotham City 14 Miles have been clamoring for a sequel. Jim Beard comes into the Batcave to explain why it hasn't happened and what he is planning instead - a "sidequel". Jim is kicking off an anthology of review essays on each and every episode of the Batman '66 series as seen through the eyes of a myriad of authors, some who contributed to Gotham City 14 Miles.
Jim explains the origins of the idea, what it will encompass, and how you can have a hand it making the three volume collection a reality. Take a listen and then head on over to the project's GoFundMe page to donate. 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  Help make this three volume set a reality by making a donation to the GoFundMe page. Click here or on the image to be taken to the page.
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Sat, 8 September 2018
 It's the first in a series looking at other takes on Batman in other countries, influenced by the 66 series. We start with Betmen, a Turkish film that, on inspection, clearly should have been a spy film, perhaps even a James Bond one.
John is joined by independent filmmaker and the 1966-1968 Television Batman Facebook group moderator, Robert Long to discuss this film which, despite its flaws, is actually better than one of the episodes of the 66 series (Gasp! Blasphemy!) The two discuss the oddness of the stolen American soundtrack, but the lack of Batman theme music in the movie, the strange obsession with long, ponderous walking shots, and how Robin is in many respects a faithful adaptation of the character while Batman is simply horrible.
It's all here and we hope you'll enjoy this diversion, but we do warn you that the nature of the film is not family friendly and as a result, the discussion is not entirely either. Listener discretion is advised.  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.
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Wed, 29 August 2018
 Batman 66 #8
"King Tut Barges In!" &
"The Butler Did It!"
Published: February 19, 2014
King Tut is back in Gotham, but he has done nothing wrong other than to steer a barge down Gotham Harbor. But Batman suspects the phony Pharaoh is up to something and he's proven correct as he pursues him through time to Ancient Egypt. Plus, Alfred's cousin Eggbert has served his time for his involvement with the Joker in the TV series and he realizes he would never have gotten in trouble if he had lived the life Alfred had. So he kidnaps Alfred and takes his place! John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' eighth issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well. John and Dan talk about how much the Tut on the page is like the Tut on the screen as Victor Buono made the role, the importance of getting Alfred to look like Alan Napier in this particular issue, and how much we want a United Underworld story featuring Archer, Minstrel, Puzzler and Siren. 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: Batman66_Comic_8.mp3
Category: Batman 66 Comic
-- posted at: 5:00am EDT
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Wed, 22 August 2018
 Batman 66 #7
"The Fiend is False!" &
"The Joker's Layoff Riot!"
Published: January, 2014
False Face gets the return engagement many fans of the 66 series have always wanted and this is a story that could easily play out on the 66 seres with one exception (based on budget, that is). Plus, the Joker is the backup story in a tale that is a comedic take on our employment system. John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' seventh issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well. John and Dan talk about how Christopher Jones' artwork nicely reproduces the backlots of the Warner Bros. Studios, how not only the heroes, but the villains are nicely captured in this issue, and the humorous look at how our economic and employment system works in the United States as told through a clever Joker story. 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: Batman66_Comic_7.mp3
Category: Batman 66 Comic
-- posted at: 5:00am EDT
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Wed, 15 August 2018
 Batman 66 #6
"The Conqueror Bookworm" &
"The Kissing Cossack"
Published: December 18, 2013
The Bookworm is one of John's favorite villains in the Batman 66 universe and he's back in a story written by new to the series writer, Tom Peyer. Bookworm is researching Batman's every habit to determine who he really is and wants to sell the information to the highest bidder. Plus, Olga, Queen of the Cossacks, wants Batman to marry her since he put her Eggy in jail. John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' sixth issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well. John and Dan talk about how writer Tom Peyer manages to write a story that easily could have been a Batman 66 episode, the ability of artist Ty Templeton to capture the likenesses of the main cast so well, and the odd interjection of a future plot point in the middle of a backup story. 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: Batman66_Comic_6.mp3
Category: Batman 66 Comic
-- posted at: 5:00am EDT
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Sat, 11 August 2018
 "The Fiendishly Frigid Fraud" &
"Enter the Judge"
Aired December 21, 1968
It's the final appearance of Mr. Freeze on the Filmation 68 animated series and his record to date has not been well received by John and Dan. (They had to admit that the Christmas story did work, but mainly because it was a Christmas story for a frigid villain.) Here, Freeze still comes across as a thug and he's committing another fraud as he did previously with the Vikings, but there's something about the way this story flows that makes it a cut above the others featuring Freeze. Plus, there's the introduction of The Judge, an original Filmation villain. In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the odd animation choices Filmation would make in particular instances, including the Mr. Freeze story, the darker tone to the Judge and his story, and the missed potential with this really oddball villain. 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
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Wed, 8 August 2018
 Batman 66 #5
"The Sandman Says Goodnight" &
"The Tail of the Tiger Topaz"
Published: November 20, 2013
The Sandman is back in Gotham City with a plan to put the entire populace under his spell while trying to learn the location of the Batcave. Plus, Batgirl has her hands full taking on Catwoman by herself. John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' fifth issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well. John and Dan talk about the modifying of the Sandman character that works in this story, the lack of representation of African Americans in the Batman 66 series, and their happiness at seeing Batgirl and Catwoman cut loose in a knock down, drag out fight. 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: Batman66_Comic_5.mp3
Category: Batman 66 Comic
-- posted at: 5:00am EDT
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