On January 12, 1966 Batman premiered on ABC. The show ran until March 24, 1968. In all, there were 120 episodes and one movie. The show starred Adam West as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Burt Ward as Robin/Dick Grayson. Wildly popular when it began, its popularity peaked and quickly faded. Universally described as "campy," the show appealed to young children and adults as well.

Scenes from the animated opening

Adam West and Burt Ward

At the age of 3 to 6, I was enamored with the series! It started my interest in comic books (furthered by the 1960's Marvel TV cartoons), science fiction, and, indirectly, science and math. In 1966 or '67, I received my first Batmobile:

Me on my ride-on Batmobile by Marx Toys

Burt Ward made a personal appearance at the TG&Y store in Montgomery, Alabama around 1970. He passed out autographed pictures and gave the opportunity to be photographed with him. I have sadly misplaced my autographed picture sometime over the last 35 years or so, but I still have the photo of Robin and me:

From the Original 1966 Batmobile website

My fascination with Batman continues to today. So, following a couple of years as Spider-man, I dressed as Batman on Halloween 2004 and Halloween 2005.

2004: Clayton Clark, me, and Tara (Michels) Clark (Clayton and Tara are former ETSU math graduate students)

2005: Me, Bela Lugosi, Jacqueline, and Eden

Halloween 2006 makes it three years in a row!

2006: A young Superman and an aged Batman

Last updated: February 7, 2010.
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