The cowl that Adam used after the show....

[Larry A.]

AHHHHH!!!!!!! Thank You Ben. I find it amazing how, even in a, relatively speaking, small fandom, there is a linguistic drift. In this case, it is similar to how the trade name of Xerox by itself has become not only a verb as in "to Xerox ( or Zerox), but a generalized term which means to copy.
To quote another Pop Culture Hero, "Fascinating!"

Thank again,

[Scott Sebring]

Please forgive my ignorance, Folks, but "Gila Cowl?""

"Gila Cowl" is the nickname that I believe Wally coined for the cowl seen in Legend of the Superheros and subsequently the cow Adam wore at appearances with the skirt that was too short to lay properly under the cape as the coverings were made to do. "Gila" is a humorous reference to the lizard-like animals that puff out their necks baring a resemblance to the skirt of the badly covered cowl.

Actually, it was coined from an interview I did with Wally back in 2004 where we were discussing that cowl and he described how the cowl would start out tucked in under the cape collar at an appearance but because the skirt was so short it would pop out and flare out around Adam's neck. I chimed, "Like a Gila Monster." And Wally said back,"Like a Gila Monster." And it stuck. Thus, it has since been commonly referred to as the "Gila Cowl."

Sad to say, I soon realized after this that Gila Monsters are not the lizards that have the necks that puff out. That would be the frilled-neck lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii). But "Gila Cowl" remains. Lol.

Frilled-Lizard.jpg (55.06 KiB) Viewed 4371 times

gila_cowl.jpg (29.82 KiB) Viewed 4371 times

[Chuck Williams]

It works buddy!

[Larry A.]

Works for me, too, Scott.

[AndyFish]

Because the two shots are not from the same angle it's tough to tell precisely, but using some Photoshop CSi I lined up both the shape of the cowl and the nose and cheek lines-- I'd say it's a perfect match old chum. Looks like you discovered the basis of the Gila.

[Larry A.]

Well Done, Andy! Well Done!!!!!!
Double Cheers,

[Batfanman]

Gila (adj.): Descriptive, hereafter humorous pre-fix conveyed both verbally and/or physically (with large lettered signage) to objects, actions, views and principles that run counter to high-quality expectations of fans and the inhabiting characters of the Batman 1966 TV series universe.

[A. Pennyworth]

Great detective work and attention to details as always...here is a video clip starring Adam himself. Wonder if he knew about the "cowl" and it's name when introducing this movie?
https://youtu.be/_7OKDI1oxx0

[Larry A.]

Great Detective Work indeed!!!!!! From both of You!!!!!!

[Chuck Williams]

WOW! What a find AP!!! Love the video!

Thanks Andy!!! It's always welcome to have your imagery in these comparisons.
I'm still thrilled with the fade you did between our cowl and the original!!

Thanks Guys!!!

[Batman65]

That's some VERY cool photo shopping there my friend!

[AndyFish]

Wally tells the story of recovering the cowl right from the source; the cowl was in rough shape and needed to be screen ready for the Legends of the Superheroes special, the seamstress stripped the cowl without taking polaroids of it-- now we're talking late 70s, there's no internet, no bootleg copies of the show to watch, yes there are still photos but depending on the time frame they weren't readily available.

As for Adam remembering them this was just a job for him for two years. He tried to distance himself from Batman but wasn't against appearing as him in costume at events and car shows. Trust me, I've not heard this from him, but I'd bet these personal appearances and years were painful for him (and he does make vague reference to this in his book). I've done enough comic conventions with celebrities who's careers weren't where they wanted them to be and these shows were just ways to pay the bills.

I got pretty close to a former BIG TV star at a con one year- over the course of the four day show we'd chat in the green room, grab a quick lunch, drinks after the show-- as the show was coming to a close we were having a drink at the bar and they broke down, saying this is not where they saw themselves so many years ago. That they were once on all the tabloids, hounded for autographs, offered movie rolls, and now they were appearing at these types of things hearing over and over again how great they were in that ONE thing they did SOOOOO many years ago.

While they appreciated the fans and their affection, it wasn't what they signed up for. I was also with them when they threw away a box of trinkets fans had brought to them during the show. Again, they appreciated the effort and the thought but explained if they kept everything people sent them or gave them they'd need a second house.

It was a sad thing to see up close. As a comic book creator, these conventions are really about the deals we make behind the scenes with publishers and editors more than it is meeting fans. I know some big name creators who certainly may feel differently because they have throngs of fans at their tables all the time (some of them are even here on this board) but that's not my experience.

So I doubt even Adam knew the cowl markings were wrong-- I'm sure he knew the neck was too short, because that had to have been annoying as all get out, but I doubt he cared if it was accurate, he was just trying to pay the bills.

[Chuck Williams]

Agree 100%

[Batman65]

Andy, you speak volumes. One tends to forget sometimes that some of these iconic actors, Bob Denver (Gilligan), Max Baer (Jethro Bodine) and the like, hated those roles, saying it ruined their careers because of type casting. I for one am happy Adam has not steered away from the Batman series and is still around to promote it. But even at that, looking at that cowl, even he has to have known it was not right. I am willing to bet he did, but for the reasons stated, hey..its to pay the bills.. Completely understandable.

[Larry A.]

I have to agree with You Andy. I've hung a bit with several Actors over the years and a couple who shall remain nameless for soon to be obvious reasons said that their nadir was appearing on an episode of a talk show whose episode title was "Has Been Hunks of the 70's"
Another VERY blatant viewing of this comes in the beginning of a GREAT Tim Allen, et. all movie, "Galaxy Quest" where the viewer sees the same things mentioned by Andy, et. all being brought up by the "actors"......"For God's Sake, I did Shakespeare!" (Alan Rickman). I think We all get the idea!
Cheers,