Entire 3-Season Series of Original 1966 “Batman” TV Show (FINALLY!) To Be Released on DVD in 2014

Calm down, Bat-fans. The DVDs shown above are all homemade FAKES (aka “bootlegs”). At best, they’re 2nd generation copies. Such illegally duplicated, amateurishly packaged, and criminally distributed VHS and DVD copies of the original 1966 Batman TV series have long been “pirated” and sold openly online. Occasionally, legal pressure is brought to bear on the perpetrators, but others quickly arise, selling their own copies on hundreds of  “unofficial video” websites. (Photo: mista shake speer)

Another FAKE. Here’s a second Batman “bootleg” DVD collection that even bears a DC Comics logo in an attempt to appear more “legit” and authentic. But buyers beware! These are also illegal copies. (Photo: classicdiscs)

Holy Bootlegs, Batman!

After almost five decades of wanting and waiting, Bat-fans around the world are finally about to be rewarded for their patience and enduring loyalty to one of television’s most unique and memorable programs, the 1966 camp classic—Batman, starring Adam West and Burt Ward. In a surprise announcement made yesterday, TBS talk show host Conan O’Brien “tweeted” the following insider intel:

“Very excited @WBHomeEnt is releasing the Batman ’66 Complete TV Series in 2014!” —@ConanOBrien 

Press response (of course) was rabid and immediate. According to a follow-up article on USA Today:

“The original 1960s Batman show is finally getting a home-video release, and Conan O’Brien couldn’t be happier. USA TODAY confirmed the news that the late-night talk-show host tweeted to his 9.75 million followers Wednesday: WB Entertainment will be releasing the complete series this year in a box set. He also added a picture of himself and the classic Batmobile with the quip, “The seat smells like Adam West.”

Conan O’Brien poses with a copy of the 1966 Batmobile before sending out a “tweet” announcing Warner Brother’s intent to officially release the Batman TV series on DVD in 2014. (Photo: Conan O’Brien)

Yet another “Bat-FAKE.” Apparently, if you have no conscience, a DVD burner and some graphics software, it’s very easy to go into the DVD pirating “business” and make your own illegitimate copies of the show. (Photo: ebay)

The USA Today article continues:

“The TV show was a lighthearted, campy affair starring West as the earnest Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne, Burt Ward as Robin and Yvonne Craig as Batgirl. However, the many colorful villains they faced on a weekly basis were arguably more of a draw, with a stable of mainstays including the Joker (Cesar Romero), the Penguin (Burgess Meredith), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and three different women to wear the tight leather of Catwoman (Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar). Celebrities of the day were regular guest stars, including film director Otto Preminger as Mr. Freeze, Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac, Vincent Price as Egghead, Liberace as Chandell and his twin brother Harry, and Zsa Zsa Gabor as Minerva. Details will be announced later on specific platforms and pricing.”

Yes, these are also fake, fake, fake. If you’re one of those law-abiding Bat-fans who’s been able to wait all these years for the real thing, your patience is about to be rewarded. So…Don’t buy THESE. They’re just some pathetic basement-dweller’s bootlegs! (How’d they divide 3 seasons into 2 volumes?) As soon as we have pictures of the REAL Batman DVDs, we’ll post them here ASAP. (Photo: ebay)

Whatever loser produced this fake DVD made a telltale error: he used the wrong bat-logo (this one’s from a cartoon). Another fake to avoid. (Photo: ebay)

Bottom Line: This news couldn’t have come at a better time for all of the “old farts” around the world who are about to raid their kid’s college funds in order to purchase the all-new (and VERY expensive) 1:6 scale Batman and Robin action figures from Hot Toys (see article HERE) and the requisite 1:6 1966 Batmobile (also from Hot Toys, see HERE). Of course, a lot of the DVD pirates out there may have to finally move out of their parent’s basement and go back to work at the food court. Oh well, all good crimes have to come to an end sometime.

And… as soon as WB releases its prices and photos of the OFFICIAL Batman DVD sets, we’ll report that information to you here on The Joe Report. Until then, we suggest you clean off your bat-screens, change the batteries in your bat-remotes, load up on some bat-snacks, and get ready for some serious ’60s “bat-binge TV viewing!” To the DVD store!