New Adventures of Batman: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] [1977]

A lovely reminder of my childhood

is an animated series that aired on CBS from February 12 to May 28, 1977, featuring the DC Comics superheroes Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. The series was a Filmation and DC Comics production in association with Warner Bros. Television (whose current parent company is Warner Bros. Discovery)In September 1968, before The New Adventures of Batman, Filmation Associates had created and aired an animated Batman series (pre-Bat-Mite), named The Batman/Superman Hour, for CBS. This series, the first Saturday Morning vehicle for the Caped Crusader, paired up new Batman and Robin adventures with old Superman / Superboy episodes. In 1969, it was repackaged into 30-minute episodes without the Man of Steel and renamed Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder.The New Adventures of Batman was produced concurrently with Super Friends, which was produced by the competing Hanna-Barbera Productions and included Batman and Robin as members, marking a rare occurrence in animation history which saw two studios simultaneously producing series featuring the same characters. The main distinction was that in Filmation’s series, Batman and Robin were voiced by Adam West and Burt Ward, the lead actors of the 1960s Batman series. At the time, Hanna-Barbera's Batman and Robin were voiced by Olan Soule and Casey Kasem, who also voiced the Dynamic Duo for Filmation's 1968 version, The Batman/Superman Hour.In The New Adventures of Batman, the "Dynamic Duo" fights crime in Gotham City, encountering the classic Batman rogues gallery as well as some original villains. Complicating matters is Bat-Mite, a well-meaning imp from another dimension called Ergo, who considers himself Batman's biggest fan. As a result, he wears a variant of Batman’s costume and attempts to help him, only to often create more problems. Missing is Alfred, the faithful butler of Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne; also notable in this series are the inverted colours of the circled "R" on Robin's costume.It is not Batman: The Animated Series but it has likeability for fans of Batman and of the 60's live-action show staring Adam West and Burt Ward

I need to point out right away that I bought this release as a fan of Filmation rather than Batman, and that is the context that allowed me to enjoy it so much. I've loved the output of that particular animation studio for decades so knew exactly what to expect from this 1970's take on the caped crusader. Bat-fans approaching this show with little experience of Filmation on the other hand, might be rather disappointed.Clearly this cartoon is aimed squarely at children, with simple stories alongside bright and colourful animation. Classic villains appear of course, but there are others that I'd never heard of (Professor Bubble??) and there are the usual utility belt gadgets and Bat vehicles to ensure us that we are on familiar territory. I had a blast with the show and even liked Bat-Mite, a character that serves virtually no purpose other than to be a clumsy goof. But as I said: I'm a Filmation fan so am predisposed towards the "silly sidekicks" that tend to populate their shows (I even love Orko) . There is plenty to enjoy here, just be aware that it is most definitely a typical Filmation show

This is a good a good Batman anime, but if you've watched Batman the animated series and beware the Batman and The brave and the bold it falls short of that energy and excitement. But Batman as a character is great entertainment.

I watched with my 4 year old brother - he loved this. A nice gentle introduction to Batman without the darkness that comes with more recent depictions of the character.Also Adam West and Burt Ward voice Batman and Robin reprising their roles from the 1960s TV show

If you think to meet a Dark knight, you are wrong , no dark mysteries, no dark Gotham , but some kind of animation taken from the 60 TV series. In 70 DC comics was loosing ground but on the level of animation they gain ground , strangely enough. For kids because it’s amusing , for collectors because it adds this period to your collection , don’t get annoyed by something they called the bat mite

Watched this as a kid in the 70s and had very fond memories of it.Doesn’t hold up.Hugely repetitive in the manner most cartoons of the era were, but also largely flat and charmless.Ah well, it was only a tenner so I don’t feel to rueful about the purchase.