One of the most shocking announcements to come out of this year’s San Diego Comic Con…but it’s not what you think.
The Batman in question is the Dark Knight from DC Comics’ Batman ’66, based of the television series Batman starring Adam West (Batman/Bruce Wayne) and Burt Ward (Robin/Dick Grayson). And the Avengers are not from that other comic book company, but the originals from the British television series The Avengers starring Patrick Macnee (John Steed) and Diana Rigg (Emma Peel).
DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio made the announcement at this year’s SDCC that the campy Caped Crusaders would meet the super groovy spies Steed and Peel in the digital-first DC comic series Batman ’66. Batman ’66 was released in July 2013 and featured the world of the 1960’s TV Batman, including famous (or infamous) versions of the Joker, Catwoman and the Penguin. And let’s not forget the iconic Batmobile.
No newcomers to the comic book world themselves, Steed and Peel have been featured in several comic strips and books, though the Avengers name had already been taken in the US by another comic book company.