"Thrilling Days of Yesteryear"...or, "Let's Roll!"
What was landmark about the '66 live action Batman television series was that it was in color; and, it brought Batman's rogues gallery to live action for the first time. Batman '66 was unlike The Adventures of Superman in the '50's or the super-hero movie serials of the '40's, which primarily featured gangsters. The Batman movie serials of the '40's are legendary for their political incorrectness. Adam West played up the comical absurdity of Batman on the television series. He played the character very serious, with all the madness going on around him. One of the highlights over three seasons was a two-part episode toward the end of the second season guest-starring Van Williams and Bruce Lee as Britt Reid/The Green Hornet and Kato. The Green Hornet was another series developed by Batman producer, William Dozier and Greenway Productions. It brought together The Dynamic Duo with The Green Hornet and Kato against Colonel Gumm, played by Roger C. Carmel, best known to Classic Star Trek fans as Harry Mudd. Gumm was quite the colorful rogue.
Batman '66 Meets The Green Hornet brings together another dream team: writers Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman, penciller Ty Templeton and cover artist Alex Ross. Garman stands out as the star of the group.
The Story
"On The Wrong Track" the first chapter of Batman '66 Meets Green Hornet opens like a typical episode of the classic series. Bruce Wayne is inspecting some priceless fossils, while Aunt Harriet is helping Dick Grayson get ready for a date with the Mayor's daughter. Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara call Batman on the Batphone about the priceless fossils, which are headed to The Green Hornet's city by train. Bruce tells Dick to keep his date, that as a museum board member, he can accompany them as Bruce Wayne and leap into action as Batman should the need arise. Bruce travels with Signor Franco Bollo, the adventurer who helped collect the fossil exhibit. They are joined by Britt Reid and his valet Kato. They leave Signor Bollo for coffee in the dining car. Soon, the train is stalled by a strange glue on the tracks. Reid and Kato excuse themselves, while Bruce summons Dick by two-way cuff-link com-link! They even use code for their initials!
Bruce Wayne confronts Gumm. The Green Hornet and Kato join the confrontation. Robin arrives by Batcopter, and soon both pairs of heroes confront the rogue!
The former Colonel Gumm is now General Gumm, following a tragic epoxy accident.
Before making a hasty retreat, Gumm sticks both Batman and Robin and The Green Hornet and Kato to the train roof with his glue, releases the train and sets them on course for the first cliffhanger death-trap!
The Good
This could have been a live action sequel to the two-part episode guest-starring The Green Hornet and Kato. It rolls out with the signature formula of a typical episode, but with an original spin. Smith and Garman know their stuff. Not only have they captured the feel of a classic Batman episode, but Ty Templeton, colorist Tony Aviña and letterer Wes Abbott have captured the look of the series as well. Alex Ross' painted cover is pretty cool. This has a cinematic look, and designed as a digital first story, it has a definite "wide-screen" look. There are a few character close-ups, but the layout is broader and larger. The story doesn't slow down, it keeps moving forward, even recapping Colonel Gumm's transformation to General.
The Bad
There are very few drawbacks to this story. One major drawback is that this is more of an exclusive story than an inclusive one. Picking this up, a reader has to be familiar with the classic episodes that inspired this sequel. This is Batman's "Wrath of Khan". Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan was a big screen sequel to the small screen, "Space Seed" episode. This has that same grand, big screen feel as a sequel, but without some connection to the original, readers can be lost. It does stand up pretty well on it's own, with Bruce and Britt recapping Batman and The Green Hornet's previous encounter, just as Chekov was able to recap Khan's backstory. This story seems more designed for the diehard Batman '66 television series fan. Hopefully, newer, younger fans will catch the return wave of Batmania.
The Bottom Line
The passion that Smith, Garman, Templeton and Ross have for this story is pretty obvious and hard not to get sucked into. "On The Wrong Track" takes off and barrels down the track at high speed. It earns a full five stars for delivering on every expectation as a follow-up story to a classic episode.
