Batman is without question one of the most popular comic book characters that DC Comics has in their wheelhouse. There have been plenty of Caped Crusader-related movie releases in recent years, from Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and The Dark Knight, to Batman Forever and Batman Begins.
Fans who have been familiar with the character for some time are most likely aware of the series that preceeded any of those films -- from all the way back in the 1960s. Starring Burt Ward, Cesar Romero, and the late Adam West, Batman '66 was a pop culture phenomenon on the small screen, boasting multiple episodes a week.
The series ran for just three seasons, but still lives on in many fans' hearts as the nostalgic jump off point for numerous Batman projects over the years. One such fan is writer and editor Jim Beard (Gotham City: 14 Miles) who believes that there is a lot to be examined and to be said about the show, and he has collected a team of seasoned writers to prove it.
Referred to by Beard as a "sideways-sequel" to his book Gotham City: 14 Miles, the newly published title is called Zlonk! Zok! Zowie!: The Subterranean Blue Grotto Guide to Batman '66 - Season One. With the first part out of the way and two more to come for each of the other seasons, there was plenty to chat about when we sat down with Jim last week.
This time we are focusing on Jim's time in his hometown of Toledo, and how that inspired him in his writing for Batman. Take a look at his comments below and see what you think!
Joe: So you’re from Toledo, Ohio? I also live here so that’s really interesting. Can I ask what high school you went to here?
Jim Beard: Sure, I went to Whitmer High School.
Joe: That’s funny because the actress Adrienne Palicki, who stars in Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Orville, also went to Whitmer High School as well.
Jim Beard: Yeah, I love Adrienne Palicki! My late wife actually babysat one of her siblings.
Joe: It’s interesting to see what people are from your hometown - Eric Kripke who worked Supernatural and The Boys is also from Toledo.
Jim Beard: Oh wow. That one I wasn’t familiar with.
Joe: Do you feel like your time spent in Toledo had any influence on your writing and what you put into Batman?
Jim Beard: Wow, good question. I don’t believe I’ve ever been asked that before. As a child I believed that I lived in a city as big as Gotham City. The greater Toledo area is roughly about half a million people but to me when my dad took me downtown where he worked, I thought I was in New York City or Gotham City, so in a subtle sort of way, maybe, believing that I grew up in one of the greatest cities in the world.
Joe: That’s a great comparison and not an answer I was expecting!
Jim Beard: Much later on I learned that prolific and legendary Batman artist Dick Spring was born and raised in Fremont Ohio, not too far from Toledo. And what I love is he actually worked in Toledo. Back in the day when there was still more than newspaper in Toledo there was the Toledo Newsby I think is the one he worked for. And when I met the man at Motor City Comic Con a few years ago I mentioned that I drove up from Toledo that sparked something in him and he started telling me stories about writing in Toledo. So maybe in some ways, that has inspired me too.
Zlonk Zok Zowie: The Subterranean Blue Gotto Guide to Batman '66 Season One contains essays from Crazy 8’s Greenberger and long-time comic book writer Paul Kupperberg, in addition to frequent Crazy 8 contributors Keith DeCandido, Will Murray, and Dayton Ward. Other ZLONK! ZOK! ZOWIE! contributors include long-time Batman writer Chuck Dixon, comics historian Peter Sanderson, ComicMix contributor Ed Catto, 13 th Dimension.com’s Dan Greenfield, the Batcave Podcast’s John S. Drew, Rich Handley, Alan J. Porter, Pat Evans, Steve Thompson, Mark B. Racop, Joe Crowe, and, Chris Franklin.
Zlonk Zok Zowie: The Subterranean Blue Grotto Guide to Batman '66 Season One is now available in paperback for $14.99 and on e-book for $4.99 here.
Will you be reading Zlonk Zok Zowie: The Subterranean Blue Grotto Guide to Batman '66? Check out the cover art and synopsis below.