"1966 Screen-Test Batman!" The Making of a New Cosplay!

So, since I already owned all the Bat-accessories for my other '66 Batman" cosplays (click here), I decided to create a real rare one! Here is my take on the little-seen "screen-test TV Batman," wearing a costume similar to the makeshift outfit created for actor Adam West during his filmed try-outs for the "Batman" role! Click mage below to enlarge!

Above: Here are Burt Ward ("Robin") and Adam West ("Batman")

filming their '65 screen tests for their respective roles.

Of course, when filming officially began, the Batman

costume and cowl would be re-worked to its more

familiar look!

Above: My custom "screen-test" bodysuit design, incorporating

the unique bat-insignia seen in the screen-test footage!

Above: The bodysuit, combined with the
other suit accessories!

Above: I added custom ears to the cowl, to mimic
the longer ears seen in the screen-test footage!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane--It's SUPERMAN! 1966 Broadway Musical--On TV in 1975?! DC Comics!

Sure, we now live in a world awash with tons of multi-media versions of the famed superheroes, from big-screen films, TV shows, video games, and even musicals! But--didja know that a sensational Superman musical was mounted during the dizzying era of the 1966 BATMAN TV show? An ambitious Broadway play called IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S SUPERMAN made waves during that "pop art" period, and it featured a host of great actors/singers involved in a high-camp extravaganza that looked to ride the coattails of the unbelievably popular live-action capers of his fellow Caped Crusader! The Supes show was re-staged in 1975, and ran as a late-night filler, starring David Wilson as the Man of Steel! Click below to take in all of the info about both the Broadway show and the TV version! 

Like most large plays and musicals, the Playbill guide for this show was gayly 
festooned with caricatures by the amazing Al Hirschfeld! Note that the play 
co-starred Jack Cassidy (David Cassidy's dad), and Linda Lavin (later to helm 
ALICE for CBS)!The above comes from the rare 1973 DC tabloid, AMAZING 
WORLD OF SUPERMAN!

I somehow missed all of this in 1975, only mere months before the debut (also 
on ABC) of two new WONDER WOMAN live-action specials! Could it have 
been the late hour in which ABC had slotted this presentation? This 
TV version also starred David Wayne ("The Mad Hatter" from BATMAN),
and Loretta Swit (from M.A.S.H.)!



You asked for it--here it is! See the 1975 broadcast of this little gem now! Just click here!

Adam West! TV BATMAN Fan-Made Custom Model Kit! DC Comics!

ZAP! It's Adam West as BATMAN! This big (around 12 inches tall) fan-made "garage kit" is all hard solid resin, and has all the details, including an uncanny likeness to Bat-actor Adam West! I painted it using acrylics, with added touches from inking pens and markers! Here is the 1966 TV BATMAN ready for action! Click images to enlarge!

 Note the use of high-gloss paint (cape, boots, etc) against the flat matte paint (leotard, flesh)!

Some dry-brushing of acrylics was applied to cheeks and other areas of the face...Kudos to the sculptor, as the face, likeness, details, and anatomy are spot-on! Click here to see another terrific (and more famous) Batman model kit!

Below: The famed pose, as seen in the original still, and used for the BATMAN 1966 movie poster!