February 03, 2025

Episode 271: Batman’s Live-Action Debut: Pulp & Propaganda

53 minutes

In Episode 271 of The Batman Universe Podcast, cohosts Scott and BJ take a trip back in time to Batman’s FIRST live-action debut. No, we’re not talking Adam West. We’re going back further, talking about Batman and Robin as portrayed by Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft in the 1943 Columbia Pictures’ 15-part serial simply known as Batman.

Did you know that the Batman serial introduced TWO major developments to the Batman canon?

Along with covering how this 1943 serial changed Batman comics forever, Scott and BJ explore:

Characterization: How does this Dynamic Duo compare to their comic book counterparts?

Bat-Gadgetry: From the Batmobile to disguises and crime-fighting tools, what kind of weapons and tools does Batman use?

Plot & Propaganda: This serial came out in 1943, right in the middle of the United States’ involvement in World War II. Instead of a Batman villain, this Caped Crusader battles against the saboteur Dr. Tito Daka. How did the time period affect the story and portrayal of Batman, and how does that translate to how we view this serial in 2025?

Favorite Scenes: Despite this being a lower-budget serial, Batman packs quite a wallop! Scott and BJ go over their favorite sequences, both the thrilling action sets and humorous moments.

Did Robin Really Do That?: Yes. Yes, he did. We’ll talk about it.

For our Bat-Family: Were You Aware of the 1943 Batman Serial?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. It’s a great way to show your support, and it’s quick and easy! Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Bluesky (@writerscott.bsky.social) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 271: Batman’s Live-Action Debut: Pulp & Propaganda appeared first on The Batman Universe.

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