Batman TV series DVD set in 2014!!

[BATWINGED HORNET]

The extras are weak, but on a personal note, the uncut series is all that matters--the end of nearly 50 years of poor, butchered syndication prints.

I understood WB was not going to take this in the direction of Criterion sets, where script reproductions, well-loaded photo galleries, studio promotionals, or in Batman's case, non-Dozier guest spots on Merv Griffin or Milton Berle's shows (for two examples) would be included. For extras, one can always take comfort in Holy Batmania, the limited run Bat-Clips DVD and...You Tube.

Just watching the series as originally shot is the joy of this release.

Regarding High C's observation on the absence of Batgirl, well, that just about places an official seal on the perception of the TV character. She is near-universally seen as that which set the series' demise in motion. No need to remind the public of that anymore than necessary. Using villains on the disc booklets was a smart move, as they are the next essential representation of the show after Batman & Robin.

[epaddon]

I agree, the uncut series in the best quality does count first and foremost above all. But it's really unfortunate that some truly great bonus content of an archival nature couldn't have been made available. Saying we should just to go to YouTube or look for a now long OOP DVD as "Batmania" is really not what I could consider a valid excuse. Why *not* include something as simple as the Batgirl pilot and the PSA spots?

[benderdalek]

Here is what they are saying for the BluRay set and the episodes that will be on each disc. I can't believe people are complaining saying there is too many episodes per disc.

Season1
Disc 1
1 HI DIDDLE RIDDLE
2 SMACK IN THE MIDDLE
3 FINE FEATHERED FINKS
4 THE PENGUIN'S A JINX
5 THE JOKER IS WILD
6 BATMAN IS RILED
7 INSTANT FREEZE
8 RATS LIKE CHEESE
9 ZELDA THE GREAT
10 A DEATH WORSE THAN FATE
11 A RIDDLE A DAY KEEPS THE RIDDLER AWAY
12 WHEN THE RAT'S AWAY THE MICE WILL PLAY

Disc 2
13 THE THIRTEENTH HAT
14 BATMAN STANDS PAT
15 THE JOKER GOES TO SCHOOL
16 HE MEETS HIS MATCH, THE GRISLY GHOUL
17 TRUE OR FALSE FACE
18 HOLY RAT RACE
19 THE PURR-FECT CRIME
20 BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME
21 THE PENGUIN GOES STRAIGHT
22 NOT YET, HE AIN'T
23 THE RING OF WAX
24 GIVE 'EM THE AXE

Disc 3
25 THE JOKER TRUMPS AN ACE
26 BATMAN SETS THE PACE
27 THE CURSE OF TUT
28 THE PHARAOH'S IN A RUT
29 THE BOOKWORM TURNS
30 WHILE GOTHAM CITY BURNS
31 DEATH IN SLOW MOTION
32 THE RIDDLER'S FALSE NOTION
33 FINE FINNY FIENDS
34 BATMAN MAKES THE SCENES

Season 2
Disc 4
1 SHOOT A CROOKED ARROW
2 WALK THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
3 HOT OFF THE GRIDDLE
4 THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE
5 THE MINSTREL'S SHAKEDOWN
6 BARBECUED BATMAN?
7 THE SPELL OF TUT
8 TUT'S CASE IS SHUT
9 THE GREATEST MOTHER OF THEM ALL
10 MA PARKER
11 THE CLOCK KING'S CRAZY CRIMES
12 THE CLOCK KING GETS CROWNED

Disc 5
13 AN EGG GROWS IN GOTHAM
14 THE YEGG FOES IN GOTHAM
15 THE DEVIL'S FINGERS
16 THE DEAD RINGERS
17 HIZZONNER THE PENGUIN
18 DIZZONER THE PENGUIN
19 GREEN ICE
20 DEEP FREEZE
21 THE IMPRACTICAL JOKER
22 THE JOKER'S PROVOKERS
23 MARSHA, QUEEN OF DIAMONDS
24 MARSHA'S SCHEME OF DIAMONDS

Disc 6
25 COME BACK, SHAME
26 IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME
27 THE PENGUIN'S NEST
28 THE BIRD'S LAST JEST
29 THE CAT'S MEOW
30 THE BAT'S KOW TOW

Disc 7
31 THE PUZZLES ARE COMING
32 THE DUO IS SLUMMING
33 THE SANDMAN COMETH
34 THE CATWOMAN GOETH
35 THE CONTAMINATED COWL
36 THE MAD HATTER RUNS AFOUL
37 THE ZODIAC CRIMES
38 THE JOKER'S HARD TIMES
39 THE PENGUIN DECLINES
40 THAT DARN CATWOMAN
41 SCAT! DARN CATWOMAN
42 PENGUIN IS A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

Disc 8
43 PENGUIN SETS A TREND
44 PENGUIN'S DISASTROUS END
45 BATMAN'S ANNIVERSARY
46 A RIDDLING CONTROVERSY
47 THE JOKER'S LAST LAUGH
48 THE JOKER'S EPITAPH
49 CATWOMAN GOES TO COLLEGE
50 BATMAN DISPLAYS HIS KNOWLEDGE
51 A PIECE OF THE ACTION
52 BATMAN'S SATISFACTION
53 KING TUT'S COUP
54 BATMAN'S WATERLOO

Disc 9
55 BLACK WIDOW STRIKES AGAIN
56 CAUGHT IN THE SPIDER'S DEN
57 POP GOES THE JOKER
58 FLOP GOES THE JOKER
59 ICE SPY
60 THE DUO DEFY

Season 3
Disc 10
1 ENTER BATGIRL,EXIT PENGUIN
2 RING AROUND THE RIDDLER
3 THE WAIL OF THE SIREN
4 THE SPORT OF PENGUINS
5 A HORSE OF ANOTHER COLOR
6 THE UNKINDEST TUT OF ALL
7 LOUIE, THE LILAC
8 THE OGG AND I
9 HOW TO HATCH A DINOSAUR
10 SURF'S UP! JOKER'S UNDER!

Disc 11
11 THE LONDINIUM LARCENIES
12 THE FOGGIEST NOTION
13 THE BLOODY TOWER
14 CATWOMAN'S DRESSED TO KILL
15 THE OGG COUPLE
16 THE FUNNY FELINE FELONIES
17 THE JOKE'S ON CATWOMAN
18 LOUIE'S LETHAL LILAC TIME
19 NORA CLAVICLE AND THE LADIES' CRIME CLUB
20 PENGUIN'S CLEAN SWEEP
21 THE GREAT ESCAPE
22 THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
23 I'LL BE A MUMMY'S UNCLE
24 THE JOKER'S FLYING SAUCER

Disc 12
25 THE ENTRANCING DR. CASSANDRA
26 MINERVA, MAYHEM AND MILLIONAIRES

Disc 13
EC Disc

[benderdalek]

The extras are weak, but on a personal note, the uncut series is all that matters--the end of nearly 50 years of poor, butchered syndication prints.

I understood WB was not going to take this in the direction of Criterion sets, where script reproductions, well-loaded photo galleries, studio promotionals, or in Batman's case, non-Dozier guest spots on Merv Griffin or Milton Berle's shows (for two examples) would be included. For extras, one can always take comfort in Holy Batmania, the limited run Bat-Clips DVD and...You Tube.

Just watching the series as originally shot is the joy of this release.

Regarding High C's observation on the absence of Batgirl, well, that just about places an official seal on the perception of the TV character. She is near-universally seen as that which set the series' demise in motion. No need to remind the public of that anymore than necessary. Using villains on the disc booklets was a smart move, as they are the next essential representation of the show after Batman & Robin.

I think people are complaining too much on the extras myself its like they expect this to be the classic series Doctor Who line with a making of for each individual story. All that matters here is uncut episodes in clear pristine condition to watch for me like you said.

[High C]

I agree, the uncut series in the best quality does count first and foremost above all. But it's really unfortunate that some truly great bonus content of an archival nature couldn't have been made available. Saying we should just to go to YouTube or look for a now long OOP DVD as "Batmania" is really not what I could consider a valid excuse. Why *not* include something as simple as the Batgirl pilot and the PSA spots?

Agree with everything you said, but also would go back to my point--seems that other than the eps themselves, they are in 'let's pretend Batgirl never existed' mode.

[dodgr31]

I can't believe people are complaining at all, like many others I have waited a very long time for the release. I applaud WB for getting it done and I am just grateful to be getting an uncut, high quality product. My era grew up on basic TV watching this show on a grainy screen, this is better than I hoped for.

[epaddon]

That's not the point. Like I said, I'm grateful for an uncut set, first and foremost among everything else, but the fact is, if you're going to make an announcement with that kind of fanfare at this kind of occasion, then you are it has to be said, raising some expectations on the bonus content as well, and when it ends up coming over with a giant lead balloon thud, then that's going to invite criticism even from people like me who aren't about to cancel their orders and not be grateful for the simple fact that the episodes will be released at last.

And just to show how I don't believe in criticizing for the sake of criticizing, I think it is ridiculous to say too many episodes are on each Blu-Ray disc when Blu-Ray is *designed* to hold that much more content than the norm.

[benderdalek]

This has more special features than the average TV Series release gets. So I don't get the complaints and why put on old documentaries that no longer apply times have changed since back them. I am happy with this set.

[Bat_Michael]

This package looks awesome:) did they announce anything about an international release? I'm over in UK and is far we can't pre order it for our region. Only in the USA.

[marvelbloodhound]

I OFFICIALLY retract my now infamous "JBL" rant from back in '06. Take my word for it, I made Charlie Sheen look RATIONAL!! If possible, can someone post to show how NOT to act? I hear it's therapeutic to face your mistakes...

[Phil B]

Anything on the distribution of episodes on the straight DVD release?

[Ben Bentley]

This is glorious, glorious news!

As regards special features, nearly fifty years on, I for one am over the moon to see some new content pertaining to the show. We live in a world where a lot of the aforementioned things are already out there in the ether. To me it strikes of a respect for the show to spend money on producing new content for special features when in reality they could have simply repackaged existing stuff. This hopefully goes a long way to dispelling the long standing and widespread fan myth that the WB wanted nothing to do with the classic TV series.

I also get the distinct feeling that some people would be complaining if they had simply rehashed older content that is out there and skimped on the fresh looks. As we all know, pleasing all of the people all of the time is a fallacy. At this point, as some of you have already expressed, the crucial thing here is that in a few short we are going to have a beautiful, rich looking HD remastered uncut boxed set of all 120 epsiodes of our beloved show.

[clavierankh]

I think Warner was in a "Damned if you do and Damned if you don't" position on extras. After almost fifty years so many of the principals are gone so how do you come up with new features. While many of us would like to see pristine versions of Batmania , Back to the Batcave the Batgirl Pilot a lot of people would have seen that as a rip-off. Repackaging old stuff that's out on you tube.

Was anythin said about episode commentaries?

[BatDavidEvanSmith]

Seems odd to me that if there was a standard of 12 episodes per disc, that some would be so light as to have 6 or even 2! Not only is it not economical, by wasting disc space and surely charging more for the set by spreading it over more discs, but the only other thinking for me would be that these "lighter" discs contain more special features that require the storage space that would cause them to lighten up episodes. But those particular episodes aren't that spectacular that I'd want there to be episode commentaries on them, LOL.

IF we adhered to a straight 12 episodes per disc, this is how the full run would lay out, still taking into account separation by season.

Season1
Disc 1
1 HI DIDDLE RIDDLE
2 SMACK IN THE MIDDLE
3 FINE FEATHERED FINKS
4 THE PENGUIN'S A JINX
5 THE JOKER IS WILD
6 BATMAN IS RILED
7 INSTANT FREEZE
8 RATS LIKE CHEESE
9 ZELDA THE GREAT
10 A DEATH WORSE THAN FATE
11 A RIDDLE A DAY KEEPS THE RIDDLER AWAY
12 WHEN THE RAT'S AWAY THE MICE WILL PLAY

Disc 2
13 THE THIRTEENTH HAT
14 BATMAN STANDS PAT
15 THE JOKER GOES TO SCHOOL
16 HE MEETS HIS MATCH, THE GRISLY GHOUL
17 TRUE OR FALSE FACE
18 HOLY RAT RACE
19 THE PURR-FECT CRIME
20 BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME
21 THE PENGUIN GOES STRAIGHT
22 NOT YET, HE AIN'T
23 THE RING OF WAX
24 GIVE 'EM THE AXE

Disc 3
25 THE JOKER TRUMPS AN ACE
26 BATMAN SETS THE PACE
27 THE CURSE OF TUT
28 THE PHARAOH'S IN A RUT
29 THE BOOKWORM TURNS
30 WHILE GOTHAM CITY BURNS
31 DEATH IN SLOW MOTION
32 THE RIDDLER'S FALSE NOTION
33 FINE FINNY FIENDS
34 BATMAN MAKES THE SCENES

Season 2
Disc 4
1 SHOOT A CROOKED ARROW
2 WALK THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
3 HOT OFF THE GRIDDLE
4 THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE
5 THE MINSTREL'S SHAKEDOWN
6 BARBECUED BATMAN?
7 THE SPELL OF TUT
8 TUT'S CASE IS SHUT
9 THE GREATEST MOTHER OF THEM ALL
10 MA PARKER
11 THE CLOCK KING'S CRAZY CRIMES
12 THE CLOCK KING GETS CROWNED

Disc 5
13 AN EGG GROWS IN GOTHAM
14 THE YEGG FOES IN GOTHAM
15 THE DEVIL'S FINGERS
16 THE DEAD RINGERS
17 HIZZONNER THE PENGUIN
18 DIZZONER THE PENGUIN
19 GREEN ICE
20 DEEP FREEZE
21 THE IMPRACTICAL JOKER
22 THE JOKER'S PROVOKERS
23 MARSHA, QUEEN OF DIAMONDS
24 MARSHA'S SCHEME OF DIAMONDS

Disc 6
25 COME BACK, SHAME
26 IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME
27 THE PENGUIN'S NEST
28 THE BIRD'S LAST JEST
29 THE CAT'S MEOW
30 THE BAT'S KOW TOW
31 THE PUZZLES ARE COMING
32 THE DUO IS SLUMMING
33 THE SANDMAN COMETH
34 THE CATWOMAN GOETH
35 THE CONTAMINATED COWL
36 THE MAD HATTER RUNS AFOUL

Disc 7
37 THE ZODIAC CRIMES
38 THE JOKER'S HARD TIMES
39 THE PENGUIN DECLINES
40 THAT DARN CATWOMAN
41 SCAT! DARN CATWOMAN
42 PENGUIN IS A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND
43 PENGUIN SETS A TREND
44 PENGUIN'S DISASTROUS END
45 BATMAN'S ANNIVERSARY
46 A RIDDLING CONTROVERSY
47 THE JOKER'S LAST LAUGH
48 THE JOKER'S EPITAPH

Disc 8
49 CATWOMAN GOES TO COLLEGE
50 BATMAN DISPLAYS HIS KNOWLEDGE
51 A PIECE OF THE ACTION
52 BATMAN'S SATISFACTION
53 KING TUT'S COUP
54 BATMAN'S WATERLOO
55 BLACK WIDOW STRIKES AGAIN
56 CAUGHT IN THE SPIDER'S DEN
57 POP GOES THE JOKER
58 FLOP GOES THE JOKER
59 ICE SPY
60 THE DUO DEFY

Season 3
Disc 9
1 ENTER BATGIRL,EXIT PENGUIN
2 RING AROUND THE RIDDLER
3 THE WAIL OF THE SIREN
4 THE SPORT OF PENGUINS
5 A HORSE OF ANOTHER COLOR
6 THE UNKINDEST TUT OF ALL
7 LOUIE, THE LILAC
8 THE OGG AND I
9 HOW TO HATCH A DINOSAUR
10 SURF'S UP! JOKER'S UNDER!
11 THE LONDINIUM LARCENIES
12 THE FOGGIEST NOTION

Disc 10
13 THE BLOODY TOWER
14 CATWOMAN'S DRESSED TO KILL
15 THE OGG COUPLE
16 THE FUNNY FELINE FELONIES
17 THE JOKE'S ON CATWOMAN
18 LOUIE'S LETHAL LILAC TIME
19 NORA CLAVICLE AND THE LADIES' CRIME CLUB
20 PENGUIN'S CLEAN SWEEP
21 THE GREAT ESCAPE
22 THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
23 I'LL BE A MUMMY'S UNCLE
24 THE JOKER'S FLYING SAUCER

Disc 11
25 THE ENTRANCING DR. CASSANDRA
26 MINERVA, MAYHEM AND MILLIONAIRES
Extra Content

So it would cut down the amount of discs by two, IF the additional content could fit on the end of the Disc 11 containing the final two episodes. Season 2 is where they waste an extra disc with two six episode discs, and in my breakdown it would keep both 3-parter episodes self-contained on one disc together, without having to switch discs to complete the full story arcs. This would not be true when it comes to the season 3 Lord Ffogg episodes, but what can ya do.

[clavierankh]

It seems like the broke season 2 in half. AS if when they release season sets seasonn 2 will be in two volumes.