1966 is a time that is very much of an impression
rather than a memory. I was only 18 months old when the first
episode ran and barely three years old when the series ended its
first run before syndication a few years later. But my earliest
memory as a child of that age WAS of Batman and Robin, standing in
Commissioner Gordon’s office. Since I didn’t understand what they
were saying, I had gotten the impression from Gordon’s serious and
urgent tone of his voice that he was upset at the dynamic duo. It’s
amazing what you pick up on as a child. Even more amazing what
sticks with you.
Before I ever knew that there were such things as
comics, there was Batman as played by Adam West. That’s the way he
was supposed to look, act and BE. For me.
During my childhood years growing up in Bradenton
Florida, comics and superheroes grew to become an important
component of my life and mental make up. Doing the right thing.
Good and bad. It was pretty clear cut what seemed to be right and
wrong and who the heroes and villains were in the comics of those
days. I think I learned more about basic moral values in those
pages and the TV show than I ever got out of Sunday school as a
kid. I learned politeness and good manners from Alfred.
I gravitated towards drawing comic characters and
developed some skill in those early days. I always wanted to draw
Batman as he looked on the show. As I got a bit older and the show
ran periodically in syndication, I started to study it. I would
look at the cowl’s ears and the utility belt compartments. I would
count the cylinders on Robin’s belt when he stood still long enough. Oh,
to have had a VCR back then. To this day, if I draw a Batman, it’s
an Adam West Batman. Right down to the nose lines painted on his
cowl.
As many of us have done, I became interested in
other things while growing into adulthood. I got involved in music
and had dreams of being a rock star. During those years, Batman
evolved and I evolved. Batman changed with the times and I changed
too. Batman was much darker and so was I.
My musical journey took me away from my Florida
roots and I made myself a new home in Southern California. The Los
Angeles area was full of promise to an aspiring musician/songwriter
in the late 80’s. I had my long hair and the will to make it
happen. Odd thing that I didn’t realize was that about another one
hundred thousand hopefuls thought the same thing. Fortunately, I
still got to play in some of the famous venues on the Sunset Strip
and even met my wife, Vickie, there while I was trying to promote an
upcoming show (but that’s another story.)
I remember standing in line to see the 1989
“BATMAN” film with my lead vocalist, Steven Mercado, who was
sporting a push pin badge with a picture of Adam West on it. I
looked at that little picture of Adam fondly while thinking, "Wow,
Batman was so cool back then." I then saw the big
movie and left with the feeling that something was missing in that
production. I wanted to like the movie, but there was a void that I
didn’t have the words for…yet.
By the time the second film came out, the band
had broken up, I married Vickie and was working at a recording
studio as an engineer. I had gotten myself a Michael Keaton style
Batsuit together for Halloween. It was a kick to put on the cowl,
gloves and cape. I could do a pretty good Keaton, “I’m Batman”
voice. But in the back of my mind, I was still wondering how did
they ever make that cowl that Adam wore?
Over the next ten years, I changed professions,
celebrated anniversaries with Vickie and eventually bought a house.
Vickie had a sizeable comic book collection when I met her, but it
was a good thing that we got the additional
room when we did,
because those collections don’t get smaller. I felt that it was
strange that I wasn’t buying any Batman titles when we would pick up
our weekly run of comics. At one point , somebody asked me who my
favorite character was and without missing a beat I said, “Batman.”
So why wasn’t I buying any of the recent issues or rushing out to
see the last two films when they came out? Something was wrong in
the equation.
In our new house, I had a room of my own to use
as a studio for my recording or a place to do my drawing or computer
graphics. Over a short period of time, I started to fill the room
with action figures, framed pictures of past icons from my childhood
and autographed albums. I wanted to put up a picture of Adam and
Burt with the rest of my collection but found it incredibly
difficult to find anything. I then noticed that it was difficult in
general to dig up anything from the classic show.
In 2001, I
attended the annual San Diego Comic Convention. While Vickie was
filling gaps in her comic collection, I was hunting down a Corgi
Batmobile for my studio. I couldn’t find a single Corgi but I did
stumble upon one Batmobile.
It was a George Barris original. They were
promoting the upcoming DVD release of the 1966 “Batman Movie.” I
couldn’t take my eyes off of the car. I couldn’t take my eyes off the TV
playing the DVD. Something was connecting with me. By this point
now, I recognized that connection anytime I saw something from the
original series.
To give that connection words to the best of my
ability, I can only say that the TV show was, is and will always
probably be the defining version of Batman for me. This is not to
put down the other versions and incarnations of the character, but
they fall short of that inherent bond that the show always seemed to
have with me.
But now my story has only begun. I have found
fun, fulfillment, new friends and peace of mind since I have
started. These pages to my section of this website will account
some of those chapters in my journey as well include new ones as
they occur. It has been a fun ride so far and there is plenty of
room in the Batmobile to join me, so…Batteries to power. Turbines
to speed.