The Batcave Podcast

"The Androids" Aired: October 27, 1973 What gives?  A Super Friends Podcast episode in the Batcave Feed.  John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension have often pointed out how elements of the Batman 66 series fed the Filmation 68 cartoon series and then the Super Friends and this episode is a prime example as it has a great deal of the camp you found in the 66 series. Make sure you check out the podcast via any of the great podcasting apps or by visiting our Libsyn page - http://wgsfp.libsyn.com/ A lunar mission returns to Earth, but the astronauts are missing.  The Super Friends are brought in to investigate and soon discover that the entire space program is endangered by a scientist and his army of androids.  John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension are at odds over how good this episode is. Together, they discuss how much like a Batman 66 episode this story is, how much the space program meant to us, and how the cartoon was mirroring the Superman comics of the time. John references The Ultimate Super Friends Companion by Will Rodgers.  Check it out for yourself by purchasing a copy via Amazon.   Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.   Links 13th Dimension Website Facebook page Twitter  

Birds of a Feather Fool Around Together" May 7 1977 The Penguin and Joker are vying for the presidency of their underworld gang and Penguin's campaign promise is to corrupt Batman and Robin. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking the penultimate story in the 1977 Filmation series.  In it, they discuss the appearance, but not teaming up, of Penguin and Joker, the lack of energy awareness, and the only moll ever in the series, Gigi. Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com. Vote for The Batcave Podcast and Comic Book Central in Podcast Magazine's Top 50 Podcasts.  You can vote once each and every day!  Click on the link here to take you to the page.

"The Dead Ringers" April 30, 1977 Clayface is back and he's recruited a trapeze artist with a criminal past to help him impersonate the Dynamic Duo.  John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking about an episode that has much in common with a 1968 Filmation episode.  In it, they discuss the history of Clayface, Robin and Batgirl working together, and how Batmite proves he is more than a cute cartoon character with this episode! Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"The Deep Freeze" April 23, 1977 Mr. Freeze returns to chill in Gotham and he has a plan where he wants to take advantage of a new freeze weapon. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking about an episode that is much better than it has the right to be, considering how Filmation handled Mr. Freeze in the past.  In it, they discuss how Mr. Freeze seems more like the Batman 66 character rather than the Filmation 68 one, how the cold puns were just the right amount and how Michael Uslan lands on Batmite.​ Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"He Who Laughs Last" April 16, 1977 The Joker is back in Gotham City and he's bent on revenge on Batman for putting him away previously. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking about an episode that ticks all the boxes when it comes to Filmation Batman 1977.  In it, they discuss how this story seems more like a Riddler story, muse about Batman leaving Batgirl alone in the Batcave, and wonder how a Joker plane looks more like a helicopter.​ Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"The Chameleon" April 9, 1977 The Chameleon is in Gotham City, looking for revenge against Batman. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking about this episode that they both clearly enjoyed.  In it, they wonder why Marvel never sued Filmation for taking the names Electro and Chameleon.  They also discuss the joys of introducing new villains to the Batman universe through vehicles such as this.​ ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Reading, Writing & Wronging" April 2, 1977 Penguin has started a school for criminals and in order to pass, you have to defeat Batman and Robin! John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking about this episode that is an odd duck.  It has potential and it has some fun moments, but in the end it just doesn't hold up.  The two discuss how this episode may be where some of the hate for Batmite comes from, John's dislike of the Penguin as a character in general, and the heavy use of "Holy" exclamations in this episode.​ ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Bite-Sized" March 27, 1977 The alien Electro comes to Gotham City to shrink the Dynamic Duo and use them to discover America's defense systems prior to his invasion of the planet. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are back in the Batcave talking about this episode with a new villain with a familiar name.  They discuss Nom Prescott possibly subbing for Adam West, Marvel's lack of attention to a villain named Electro, and the attitude of the Batcomputer. ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Curses! Oiled Again!" March 20, 1977 Catwoman teams up with Clayface to steal all the oil in the world.   John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central welcome Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension back into the Batcave where they discuss the first team-up of the 77 Filmation series.  They discuss the potential for toys based on the characters and the vehicles seen in the episode, they comment on the rotoscope used, and Joe tries to make a Batmite lover out of Dan. ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"The Bermuda Rectangle" March 13, 1977 Professor Bubbles is engaged in some real underwater deep sea piracy and it's up to Batman to stop him.  Where is Aquaman when you need him? John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are at odds with this fifth episodes of the 77 series and not in the way you would think.  Usually, Joe can find the joy in the goofiest of plots, but he struggled a little with this one while John enjoyed every 70s cliche the episode threw at us, from the CB lingo to the sharks to the underwater base. ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"A Sweet Joke on Gotham City" March 6, 1977 We take a look at another Filmation original village for the 77 Batman series in the form of Sweet Tooth.  Sounding like Paul Lynde and ready with a crime where he holds the city's water supply hostage (why does that sound familiar?), this is one of the crazier stories and yet our hosts are more than happy with how goofy it is. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are giving this fourth episode of the Filmation 1977 Batman series embrace this episode wholeheartedly even though it's got a number of problems, which they bring up in their discussion. In this episode, they discuss how good a Paul Lynde Lenny Weintraub does for Sweet Tooth, how Batmite is more useful than Robin, how Batgirl is better used in this version of the series, and the dynamics of the Bat Family in this series. ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Trouble Identity" February 26, 1977 Catwoman is back and she's got a new scheme to make herself rich by stealing a revolutionary device that turns garbage into rich fabrics.  And in order to throw suspicion off her, she dresses as Batgirl when committing the crime.  While the GCPD are tracking Batgirl down, the Terrific Trio are dodging robot cats while trying to prove her innocence. John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are giving this third episode of the Filmation 1977 Batman series equal parts love and equal parts, "What were they thinking?"  In this episode, they discuss the new look Catwoman, the vocal talent of Melendy Britt, and the wasted talents of Catwoman. ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"The Moonman" February 19, 1977 The Moonman is a strange, new villain the Dynamic Duo have to confront.  Even with the help of Batgirl and the limited interference of Batmite, can they stop this super powered menace?  And what does Bruce Wayne's friend, astronaut Scott Rogers have to with all this? John and Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central are on differing sides when it comes to how much love to give this episode.  And who loves it more may surprise you.  They discuss the limited use of Batmite in this episode, the comedic romantic interest Batmite has in Batgirl, the comparisons with the 1958 World's Finest comic, "Menace of the Moonman", and those amazing gymnastic skills of the Dynamic Duo. ​Let us know what you're thinking as you listen to the episode by commenting here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"The Pest" February 12, 1977 The Joker has stolen a prototype energy efficient car that is unstable and could blow up.  But that's the least of the Dynamic Duo's problems as Batmite only wants to help and his help is never helpful.  It's a new era of Batman in the 70s, with two familiar voices, Adam West and Burt Ward. John is back in the Batcave, ready to take on a new series of reviews, this time on the 1977 iteration of Batman from Filmation.  And joining him is a familiar podcast voice, Joe Stuber of Comic Book Central.  Together, they celebrate the good and the bad of the series.  Of course, there is the case to be made for and against Batmite, but there's also a discussion of the vocal talents of Lenny Weinrib, the theme song, and peculiar theme of energy that runs through most of the episodes of this series. Let us know what you're thinking as you listen by commenting here or writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"THE ASTROLOGER" October 23, 1976 Monster Squad was a one season NBC Saturday morning live action show for kids in 1976.  In it, Walt, who worked in his uncle's wax museum, discovered that he could bring the figures of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman to life.  Wanting to atone for the sins of their past, the trio, with Walt's crime computer set out on a mission to stop evil wherever they found it. We move on to the seventh episode with the villain - The Astrologer, masterfully played by Jonathan Harris of Lost in Space.  His plan is to make one of his predictions, an earthquake rocking the city, come true by using a thirty year old atomic bomb. John and Joe Crowe of RevolutionSF and the Dragoncon American SciFi Classics Track discuss the performance of Jonathan Harris, the parallels of the clam trap with Batman 66's Joker/Penguin meetup, and how this is the best Drac episode to date. ​Take a listen and let us know what you think here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"NO-FACE" October 16, 1976 Monster Squad was a one season NBC Saturday morning live action show for kids in 1976.  In it, Walt, who worked in his uncle's wax museum, discovered that he could bring the figures of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman to life.  Wanting to atone for the sins of their past, the trio, with Walt's crime computer set out on a mission to stop evil wherever they found it. ​We move on to the sixth episode with the villain - No-Face.  Here we have the Batman 66 equivalent to False Face. ​John and Joe Crowe of RevolutionSF and the Dragoncon American SciFi Classics Track discuss the particularly scary look to No-Face, the perfect weapon against werewolves, and the upcoming Manimal podcast. ​Take a listen and let us know what you think here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Music Man" October 9, 1976 Monster Squad was a one season NBC Saturday morning live action show for kids in 1976.  In it, Walt, who worked in his uncle's wax museum, discovered that he could bring the figures of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman to life.  Wanting to atone for the sins of their past, the trio, with Walt's crime computer set out on a mission to stop evil wherever they found it. ​We move on to the fifth episode with the villain - Music Man.  This one clearly has Batman 66 DNA all over it from the henchmen to the humor to the appearance of Stanley Ralph Ross. ​John and Joe Crowe of RevolutionSF and the Dragoncon American SciFi Classics Track discuss "Primrose Lane", the humor of Marty Allan and Stanley Ralph Ross' desire to be an actor. ​Take a listen and let us know what you think here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

  "THE RINGMASTER" October 2, 1976 Monster Squad was a one season NBC Saturday morning live action show for kids in 1976.  In it, Walt, who worked in his uncle's wax museum, discovered that he could bring the figures of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman to life.  Wanting to atone for the sins of their past, the trio, with Walt's crime computer set out on a mission to stop evil wherever they found it. ​We dive into the fourth episode with the villain - The Ringmaster.  This one is proving to be a dark episode as the Ringmaster holds 20,000 orphans hostage. ​John and Joe Crowe of RevolutionSF and the Dragoncon American SciFi Classics Track discuss the unfortunate imagery of Bonnie Bon, the use of "Chekov's Gun" in this story, and a missed plot point that could have been developed into something more. ​Take a listen and let us know what you think here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"THE TICKLER" September 25, 1976 Monster Squad was a one season NBC Saturday morning live action show for kids in 1976.  In it, Walt, who worked in his uncle's wax museum, discovered that he could bring the figures of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman to life.  Wanting to atone for the sins of their past, the trio, with Walt's crime computer set out on a mission to stop evil wherever they found it. ​For our look at the third episode of the series, we deal with the depressing villain with the misleading name - The Tickler.  He's the first "returning" villain in terms of the Squad has faced him before, but he's new to the viewer.  He wants revenge on Walter and the Squad for sending him away for a long stretch. ​John and Joe Crowe of RevolutionSF and the Dragoncon American SciFi Classics Track discuss the darkness of The Tickler and his henchmen, the great humor that still works in the episode, and the potential for a Monster Squad/Batman 66 team-up facing The Tickler and The Joker. ​Take a listen and let us know what you think here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

"Mr. Mephisto" September 18, 1976 Monster Squad was a one season NBC Saturday morning live action show for kids in 1976.  In it, Walt, who worked in his uncle's wax museum, discovered that he could bring the figures of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman to life.  Wanting to atone for the sins of their past, the trio, with Walt's crime computer set out on a mission to stop evil wherever they found it. ​And in our second episode review, the Squad take on Mr. Mephisto (Barry Dennen) and his dolls, Baby Doll and Arlene Doll as he tries to subvert the political system in Metro City by replacing many of the major figures with animatronic dolls.  John is joined in the Batcave by Revolution SF host and DragonCon American Sci-Fi Classics Track co-moderator Joe Crowe to discuss the parallels with this series and Batman 66.  And there are quite a few. They discuss the guest cast that includes two actors who appeared in Batman 66, how Walter may have been inspired to fight crime from Batman, and wonder what kind of media outlets are in Metro City that no one reports on the mayor's proclamation commending the Monster Squad for their work. ​Take a listen and let us know what you think here or by writing us at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.