It was a sad day when we learned that Adam West had passed away. However, fans of the classic 1960s style Batman will have one final chance to enjoy the actor's unique performance as the Caped Crusader. Last year several of the original Batman TV series actors got together to lend their voices to a canonical animated movie called Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. A sequel was in the works when West passed away and it now has a release date. You'll be able to enjoy Batman vs. Two-Face when it arrives on Blu-Ray October 17. It will sell for $20.
Originally going by the title Return of the Caped Crusaders 2, Batman vs Two-Face will introduce the popular Batman villain into the world of the classic TV series, as he was never a member of Batman's Rogues Gallery on the show. Even better, the part of Two-Face will be voiced by William Shatner, which just gives me a mental image of Batman and Two-Face in a showdown of overacting that must be glorious. The release date comes courtesy of Best Buy who have put up a pre-order page if you want to be sure that you get your copy of the film as soon as it's available.
In addition to Adam West and William Shatner, Burt Ward will be back in his role as Dick Grayson/Robin and Julie Newmar will reprise her series role as Catwoman.
While the classic Batman series is often derided for its perceived corniness, the series has had a lasting impact on pop culture. In addition to the animated films, the series also saw a comic book version of the story that followed the events of the series. Adam West has been associated with the Batman role ever since and you don't get that sort of typecasting for a role that nobody cares about.
Adam West passed away in June and the outpouring of well wishes and remembrances was staggering. Several other actors who have put on the cape and cowl sent messages of love. West's Batman may not have been the dark and gritty superhero that Batman has become, but his version wasn't that far off from the way the character was being portrayed in the comics at the time. In the end, he was just as much Batman as any modern incarnation.
It would have been a tragedy if Batman vs. Two-Face hadn't been completed. It's nice to know that we'll all have one more opportunity to enjoy Adam West's trademark delivery and the fun adventure that his version of the character brought us. And the best part is we only need to wait about two months.
