The Batcave Podcast

Batman 66 #5"The Sandman Says Goodnight" & "The Tail of the Tiger Topaz"Published: November 20, 2013

The Sandman is back in Gotham City with a plan to put the entire populace under his spell while trying to learn the location of the Batcave. Plus, Batgirl has her hands full taking on Catwoman by herself.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' fifth issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well.

​John and Dan talk about the modifying of the Sandman character that works in this story, the lack of representation of African Americans in the Batman 66 series, and their happiness at seeing Batgirl and Catwoman cut loose in a knock down, drag out fight.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"INVASION FROM OUTER SPACE" AIRED: MARCH 10 AND 17, 1967 It's the end of The Hornet's Sting and we go out with a bang as we review the two-part adventure, "Invasion from Outer Space". The city is gripped with terror as it appears an alien invasion is happening. When the aliens do show up at Britt Reid's home, Britt is certain the whole thing is a hoax and he's quickly proven right as the aliens steal an H-bomb and threaten the city with it. After watching 26 episodes of the 1966-67 ABC television series, The Green Hornet, John and Jim have developed a pretty good idea of what they think works and doesn't work in this series. They have their ideas of what would make the series better. And with that in mind, they take a look at this two-parter that is not exactly a fan favorite. And when all is said and done, from the discussion of the introduction being like Orson Welles' War of the Worlds radio drama to the last ditch effort by William Dozier to produce the show he wanted, John and Jim are at odds over the merits of this two-parter. Take a listen and see who feels this is a "must" watch and who feels this is a pass and that it's best to think the series ended with "Hornet, Save Thyself".

​The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series. Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at [email protected].

Batman 66: The Lost Episode: "The Two-Way Crimes of Two-Face"Published: November 19, 2014 It's the Harlan Ellison Batman story that featured a never seen villain in the series, finally getting the 66 treatment. Or does it?

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' one shot story based on a submitted treatment by Harlan Ellison back in 1966. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the Batman 66 comic book run and every special edition story as well.

​John and Dan talk the fantastic art of the comic and the one artistic choice that took John out of the story, the differing Two-Faces in the comics and other media, and whether or not this was ever really a Batman 66 story.

​Check out Dan's Interview with the late Len Win, author of the comic adaptation of Ellison's treatment.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"A Perfidious Pieman is Simon" & "Cool, Cruel Christmas Caper"Aired December 14, 1968

Filmation's original Batman baddie, Simon the Pieman, returns for more cross dressing villainy in a story that might just be better than his first appearance. Simon has a pie themed park for the kiddies all set to launch, but his plans are interrupted by Barbara Gordon and chaos ensues. Plus, what might just be the best Mr. Freeze story to date deals with Christmas in Gotham City and a scheme to steal valuable Christmas icons.

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In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the detail that went into creating a mythos for Simon the Pieman, the sadistic streak of Batgirl, and their wish for a full length Batman Christmas special from the 60s.

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Comment on the episode here or write [email protected].

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"The Hatter Takes the Crown" & "The Clock King Strikes!"Published: October 16, 2013 The Dynamic Duo travel to merry old England to track down the Mad Hatter. There's a lot to love about this story, including the fact that the back up story is actually a follow-up to the main one featuring Clock King.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' fourth issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well.

​John and Dan talk about why Londinium is never mentioned and yet they're fine with it, the great nods to other aspects of pop culture in the story, and the familial connection between Mad Hatter and Clock King.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"The Joker Sees Red" & "Scrambled Eggs" Published: September 18, 2013 There's a new villain in town, The Red Hood, and he's calling out the Joker. Batman must work with his greatest arch-villain in order to bring down the Hood and his gang. Plus, Egghead has captured the Dynamic Duo and placed them in an inescapable egg trap. But Batman has a trick and a Batcopter up his sleeve.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' third issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well.

​John and Dan talk the introduction of pre (The Red Hood) and post (Dr. Harley Qunizel) Batman 66 elements into the story, the art style of Joseph A. Quinones, and John's disappointment in the Egghead story.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"Emperor Penguin" & "Chandell's Chanteuse" Published: August 21, 2013 The Penguin has his own little island nation in the form of an iceberg in Gotham Harbor. Because of this, he demands ransom for any cargo ship delivering supplies to Gotham City. And how does he manage to keep this little nation afloat? He joins forces with Mr. Freeze. Plus, Chandell is back in Gotham, under the spell of The Siren who has plans of her own.

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' second issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through every issue of the run and every special edition story as well.

​John and Dan talk about the different art styles of the two stories, the Filmation setup of the Penguin story with a neat 66 series ending, and the various cameos in the Chandell/Siren story.

"The Riddler's Ruse" Published: July 17, 2013

The Riddler is back in Gotham City with a scheme to steal a series of art treasures that when put together will lead to a greater treasure. But Batman and Robin, with the aid of a ticked off Catwoman are on his tail

John and Dan Greenfield of 13th Dimension get together in the Batcave to review DC Comics' first issue of the 66 series run. Join them every Wednesday for a new review as they go through ever issue of the run and every special edition story as well.

​In the first edition of this review series, they talk about the art and art style used, the rendition of the characters, the inclusion of Catwoman in the story, and the variant covers issued to introduce the series.

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"From Catwoman with Love" & "Perilous Playthings" Aired December 3, 1968

Catwoman returns for a double dose of treachery as she appears in both the double and single entry stories for this episode of the podcast. First, she presents the Dynamic Duo the gift of a cat that takes a shine to Robin. But what is the mystery behind this unexpected gift? Then, Catwoman takes over a movie studio and plans to trap the Dynamic Duo in the oversized props available to her.

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In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the creepiness of the cat, Valentina, the disappointment that Superman and Batman never teamed up in Filmation, and the parallels with elements in the one part story with an episode of Challenge of the Super Friends.

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Comment on the episode here or write [email protected].

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter

"Simon the Pieman" & "A Mad, Mad Tea Party" Aired November 30, 1968

Filmation introduces a new villain of their creation, Simon the Pieman. Simon's theme is pastry related crimes while cross-dressing as Mother Apple. He takes over the crime scene in Gotham City by capturing all the major criminals in Batman's Rogue's Gallery. How is it that such an odd villain would make such a perfect Batman 66 villain.

Plus, Filmation offers their version of The Mad Hatter, now with the Alice in Wonderland theme. But there are elements from the 66 show.

​In addition, John and Dan Greenfield, creator and author of the 13th Dimension discuss the odd moll Simon has, the odd choice not to have any of the other villains that Simon captures speak considering all the voice talent were involved in this episode, and how Filmation was introducing new stock footage visual images to vary up the content on the show.

​Comment on the episode here or write [email protected].

Dan Greenfield is the editor and co-creator of 13thDimension.com, a website devoted primarily to comics and pop culture, past and present. To him, the basic food groups are Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek (the Original Series), James Bond, the Beatles and the Stones. But if he had to he'd be able to subsist on Batman alone. Channel 11 in New York was his favorite syndicated channel as a kid -- you can guess why -- followed closely by Channel 5. Channel 9 didn't really enter into it unless he was home sick and there wasn't much else on. He's married to his remarkably patient wife Wendy and his best sidekick is his son, Sam. They have two cats,Lex and Zod.

Links

13th Dimension Website

Facebook page

Twitter