The world lost one of its most iconic superhero actors recently with the passing of Adam West, who played the unforgettably entertaining version of the Caped Crusader back in the 1960s. His death came after a brief battle with leukemia, and it was a tragedy that shocked superhero fans all over the world. Luckily, the city of Los Angeles has found a way to honor Adam West that should be both a fitting tribute to his life and a celebration of his legendary version of Batman. Los Angeles is bringing out the Bat-signal.
The good citizens of Los Angeles will get to honor Adam West in a way that befits his status as an iconic Batman. On Thursday night, the Bat-signal will be lit and projected onto the tower of Los Angeles City Hall. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck will do the honors, and they'll be joined by a number of mysterious "Bat-guests," who will hopefully include folks like West's former Batman '66 co-stars Burt Ward and Julie Newmar.
While the Bat-signal lighting is a tribute to Adam West's death, the event isn't going to be a somber affair. In fact, fans who show up to attend the lighting in person are being encouraged to dress up in their best Bat costumes and don their favorite utility belts. The action will kick off on Thursday, June 15 at 9 p.m. PT at Los Angeles City Hall.
All things considered, the event sounds like the perfect way to remember the man who brightened so many lives as the not-so-Dark Knight. While West's death isn't any less sad, a Bat-signal lighting will certainly be something worth celebrating. Hopefully the lighting goes off without a hitch, but if there are technical difficulties, I'm sure there will be plenty of people willing to put their utility belts to good use.
For any who can't make it to Los Angeles City Hall for the Bat-signal lighting, Adam West's family suggests that fans consider donating to the Adam West Memoral Fund for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Camp Rainbow Gold charity for children diagnosed with cancer.
In the days since Adam West died on June 9, a number of actors involved with various Batman productions have spoken out about how he changed their lives, ranging from Burt Ward and Julie Newmar to former movie Batman Val Kilmer to current Batman Ben Affleck. Thanks to the reveal of an epic (and surprisingly elaborate) phone book prank he pulled, we also got a reminder of just how West applied his sense of humor to so many areas of his life.
Our thoughts here at CinemaBlend go out to Adam West's loved ones. Hopefully the Bat-signal event will be exactly what everybody needs to say goodbye to a man who will never be forgotten for his distinctive version of Batman.
