Tuesday, December 27, 2016

"The End" Week: Batman '66 #30!


This issue's barely a year old, so you've got a chance to find it! From 2015, Batman '66 #30, "Main Title" Written by Lee Allred, art and color by Michael and Laura Allred. If you ever watched the Adam West/Burt Ward TV show, this issue is a must-have.

Gotham City is uncharacteristically quiet, since the Penguin, Joker, and Catwoman have organized a business convention for crime! It's a who's who of every costumed creep in town, from Atomic Man to Zebra Man! With only one "major no-show," the Riddler! Who wasn't invited, since Penguin, Joker, and Catwoman are still sore about what happened in Batman: the Movie. Furious over being "blackballed," from prison the Riddler sends a clue to Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'hara, which Batman and Robin solve in about fifteen seconds. (Admittedly, the Riddler wanted them to get this one!)

The criminals see Batman and Robin coming, but even a trap set by Clayface can't stop the Dynamic Duo. Can three hundred crooks, though? Robin starts to get winded, noting by the time they've punched out the crooks once, the first ones are back up again. Under a dogpile of hoodlums, Batman hits the remote control to bring in the Batmobile, which zaps most of the lot with the Bat-Beam. Riddler shows up to laugh at his former compatriots, only to catch a beating from Penguin, Joker, and Catwoman; who are then stopped by Batgirl. The heroes then leave for another adventure, after a quick chat with a variety of familiar reporters and photographers...

This whole issue was set up as a tribute to the opening credits of the show, and is just as good a way to wrap the series as any. Although it ended as a regular title, there's already been three mini-series crossovers: with the Green Hornet and Kato, the Man from U.N.C.L.E. and the Avengers, Steed and Mrs. Peel. I know Wonder Woman is coming up soon...

2 comments:

Mr. Morbid's House Of Fun said...

Ok, you sold me! I already heard about this over at comic book resources, but yeah, I need this one for my collection. I started off strong, but stopped after about the 10th or 11th. I think the lack of Mike Allred art every issue did it for me in the long run.

googum said...

As is often the case, I have random issues here and there. There's a Poison Ivy one, that I'm thinking was what if the show had gotten Ann-Margaret for the role. And another issue with a giant Bat-robot, because why not?