Same Bat-time, same bat-channel! The sidekick and the arch-enemy join Batman 66 coin series

Back for a second batch of coins, Batman 66 is the weirdest and most fun of all the superhero series, if not one exactly true to the comics. Last December saw Batman and The Penguin released to kick off this series, and now we have his over-energetic sidekick, Robin, and the most iconic of all his villains, The Joker.

Played by Burt Ward and Cesar Romero respectively, both did full justice to the series and turned it into the much loved show it was, and remains today. The coins are straightforward fare, the part-coloured proof silver 1oz coin that seems to be very popular in the licenced coin market. Understandable, given a larger proportion of the buyers of these are likely to be more interested in the memorabilia aspect, rather than the simple fact they’re coins.

On that front, packaging is first-class. Bright and colourful, the enclosed solid acrylic frames used to make display easy are quite superb. Mintages are set at 1,966 per design and they are set to sell for around $85.00 USD each. Available now. Hopefully we’ll see more of these. The Riddler, Catwoman, King Tut, or Commissioner Gordon are all fan favourite characters ripe for striking. Or is it called kapowwwing…?

BATMAN 1966 TV SERIES – A CAMP CLASSIC

Batman is a 1960s American live action television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Bruce Wayne / Batman and Burt Ward as Dick Grayson / Robin – two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City from a variety of arch villains. It is known for its camp style, upbeat theme music, and its intentionally humorous, simplistic morality (aimed at its largely teenage audience). This included championing the importance of using seat belts, doing homework, eating vegetables, and drinking milk.

It was described by executive producer William Dozier as the only situation comedy on the air without a laugh track. The 120 episodes aired on the ABC network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968, twice weekly for the first two and weekly for the third. In 2016, television critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz ranked Batman as the 82nd greatest American television show of all time.

The series focuses on Batman and Robin as they defend Gotham City from its various criminals. Although the lives of their alter-egos, millionaire Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson are frequently shown, it is usually only briefly, in the context of their being called away on superhero business or in circumstances where they need to employ their public identities to assist in their crime-fighting. The “Dynamic Duo” typically comes to the aid of the Gotham City Police upon the latter being stumped by a supervillain. Throughout each episode, Batman and Robin follow a series of (seemingly) improbable clues to discover the supervillain’s plan, then figure out how to thwart that plan and capture the criminal.(Wikipedia)

Adam West as Bruce Wayne / Batman:

A multi-millionaire industrialist whose parents were murdered when he was a child and who now secretly uses his vast fortune to fight crime as the masked vigilante Batman. With the exception of two episodes, the series refrains from mentioning his origins as a “crime orphan”. Producer William Dozier cast Adam West in the role after seeing him perform as the James Bond-like spy Captain Q in a Nestlé Quik television advertisement. Lyle Waggoner had screen-tested for the role, though West ultimately won out because, it was said, he was the only person who could deliver his lines with a straight face. West later voiced an animated version of the title character on The New Adventures of Batman.

Burt Ward as Dick Grayson / Robin:

Batman’s sidekick, dubbed the “Boy Wonder”: a high school student noted for his recurring interjections in the form of “Holy ________, Batman!” (The series avoids referencing Robin’s origins as Bruce Wayne’s fellow “crime orphan”, as whose legal guardian the courts appoint Bruce.) Ward voiced an animated version of this character on The New Adventures of Batman.

Cesar Romero as The Joker:

A clown-themed, prank-loving villain and Batman’s arch-enemy, who leaves behind jokes as clues to his next crime.

Burgess Meredith as The Penguin:

A penguin-themed gentleman thief who commits crimes using multi-purpose umbrellas.

Frank Gorshin (s1/3 & the movie), John Astin (s2) as The Riddler :

A criminal who leaves behind riddles as clues to his crimes.

Julie Newmar (S1/2),Lee Meriwether (movie), Eartha Kitt (s3) as The Catwoman

A cat-themed jewel thief and cat burglar in a complicated love-hate relationship with Batman.