And the result is Wonderbat ‘143!
Or, perhaps not… Your Major Spoilers review of Batman ’66 Meets Wonder Woman ’77 Chapter 1 awaits!
BATMAN ’66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN ’77 Chapter 1
Writer: Marc Andreyko & Jeff Parker
Penciler: David Hahn
Inker: Karl Kesel
Colorist: Madpencil
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Editor: Kristy Quinn
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: 99 cents
Previously in Batman ’66 Meets Wonder Woman ’77: Years ago, before superhero movies were considered instant blockbuster material, superheroes only occasionally turned up in live action. Back in 1966, a campy adaptation of Batman launched a massive pop-art/comics boom, launching a thousand newspaper stories that start with “Biff! Boom! Pow!” By 1977, that wave had receded, but a number of superhero-types once again invaded our air-waves, with live-action runs for The Hulk, Spider-Man and (most successful of all) DC’s Amazing Amazon, who did two seasons of TV that took place in two different decades. Now, those worlds are about to collide…
I WONDERED HOW THEY’D PULL THIS ONE OFF
When this series was announced, I was a bit confused as to what was going to happen, since the Batman ’66 series is, in fact, set in the 1960s. This issue quickly answers that question, as Batman arrives just in time to foil a cat-burglary, this one an actual Catwoman. (Eartha Kitt version, for those keeping score.) Though the dynamic duo puts the kibosh on her purrrr-fect crime, the items she purloined got away, in the hands of…
…Talia Al-Ghul? It’s a shocking cameo, followed by a pointed question from Robin: Why did Batman have a specific alarm set up on a specific vault in the home of the wealthy Mr. Finlay? That story dates back 20 years, to the days of Bruce Wayne’s childhood, and a mysterious auction…
A SOLID FIRST CHAPTER
Those in the know will remember that the first season of the Wonder Woman ’77 TV show actually took place in the 1940s, with Wonder Woman facing down Amazons, spies and threats to security, which is how Diana Prince, Steve Trevor and Etta Candy show up to the Wayne Manor auction. Things get weird, things get n-a-z-i, and things get ‘Ra’s Al-Ghul’s bodyguards get all stabby’, when young Bruce witnesses Diana Prince sneaking away from the conflict. As with all the DC digital-first stories, this ends up being roughly half the story of a standard DC comic, but it’s still a decent chunk of story and, while fast-paced, doesn’t come across as rushed. David Hahn’s pencils deliver a truly impressive Diana Prince, and I’m looking forward to seeing his Wonder Woman in action. The short Bat/Cat/Robin fight is also very well-done, and his 1940s fashions & hairstyles make it clear we’re dealing with a flashback.
THE BOTTOM LINE: WELL-DONE
It is a short story, and mostly setup, but it’s also a weekly release schedule and a 99 cent price point, so I can’t complain too much. The story and art are both immediately impressive, and I love the idea of these franchises crossing over, leaving Batman ’66 Meets Wonder Woman ’77 Chapter 1 with a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars overall. If nothing else, this book is worth the price for the Mike Allred cover art, which I’d be willing to buy as a poster…
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