Just a week after the classic, "Batman" TV series starring Adam West made its debut on DVD and Blu-ray, get ready for another blast of Bat-nostalgia. On Wednesday, DC Comics will finally publish the "lost episode" from the 1966-68 series as comic-book adaptation of a script that was never produced, according to an article at TV Guide (via Yahoo!).
The comic is take on a piece written by celebrated sci-fi scribe Harlan Ellison, and is being adapted as an addition to DC's popular "Batman '66" series. It features what would have been the show's introduction of the villain Two-Face (AKA Harvey Dent, who also shows up in an episode of Fox's "Gotham" this week).
Well-known comic author Len Wein scripted the adaptation, with art by José Luis García-López and Joe Prado. Wein, who created the characters Swamp Thing and Human Target, was suggested for the job by his pal Ellison. "I had to write a story that would satisfy Harlan's high standards, DC's need to stay true to the TV versions of all those wonderful characters, and my own need to tell as entertaining a story as possible within the rigors of the form," Wein said. "If I did a poor job, I was going to hear about it from Harlan for the rest of our lives!"
As to why, more than 40 years later, West's hip, Technicolor take on the Caped Crusader is still so well-liked, Wein supposes: "There's something in this version that appeals to the kid in all of us, that 10-year-old who raced to the store every week to pick up the latest issue of the original Batman comic. There was something comforting there, something familiar. It's always nice to be able to go home again, and that's the opportunity the Batman TV show offers us."
"Batman '66: The Lost Episode" features a 30 page story plus 40 pages of additional content (García-López's original pencil art and Ellison's original outline). The issue goes on sale Wednesday, Nov. 19 in both print and digital formats. Digital users can download the book at readdcentertainment.com and via the DC Comics app, the iBookstore, Nook Store and Kindle Store.
