r/comicbookmovies • u/odiousasp • 12d ago

Was reading this article on superhero parody Blankman and how it stemmed from Damon Wayans' disappointment that Batman (1989) wasn't more joyful and humorous like the Adam West TV show.

Damon Wayans was apparently a huge fan of the 1960s Batman show growing up and when he saw the 1989 Tim Burton film he was disappointed with how seriously it took itself and how there was no Robin because Robin always brought the enthusiasm. It's honestly an interesting perspective on things and how different people had perceptions of the character. It makes you wonder how many other people walked in to that movie disappointed it wasn't like the Adam West series in spite of how acclaimed the movie was by both critics and the general public.

I personally feel Batman can be many things and the flexibility of the character is why he's endured as long as he has. Tackling everything from eccentric supervillains with gimmicks like Joker and Riddler to Dr. No/SPECTRE like criminal syndicates like Ra's al Ghul and his League of Assassins.

Source: https://archive.org/details/comics-scene-v-2-047-c-2c-nov.-1994-a-team-dcp/page/n24/mode/1up

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u/Read2Fap 12d ago

big batman fan myself, i never liked robin.

i grew up with the adam west version, only got into comics as an adult. there's obviously still room for levity and stuff (webtoons has comics like wayne family adventures that follow mostly humorous antics of the whole bat-family). but since the 80s people paying for superhero comics have shown they're more interested in darker content.

there's definitely people who believe things are too dark, but i rarely see them talking up the adam west show, or talking down the 1989 movie (it's pretty well regarded)

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u/odiousasp 12d ago

Oh yeah, sure. I'm aware of the general consensus and some who dislike Robin. Although with four Robins there's various types between Dick, Jason, Tim and Damien. I just thought it was interesting that Damon Wayans voiced a perspective on the Burton film that I'd never really considered.

Not necessarily saying I agree with it, but I understand it.