Batman '66 #13 is an issue of the series Batman '66 (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 2014. It was published on July 23, 2014.
Synopsis for "Don't Change That Bat-Channel!"
Gotham is swept by The Dark Knight Detective, a prime-time crime drama that "adapts" Batman into a grizzled private eye who solves every problem with excessive violence. While many citizens - including Aunt Harriet - instantly adore the show, Batman is perturbed, especially when the city begins expecting him to act as brutal as his televised counterpart.
Eventually, Batman and Robin visit the show's studios to lodge a complaint with showrunner Fred Fillips. Fillips at first proves gracious, promising his next episode will be the last; when the duo refuse to guest-star in his finale, however, the crew instantly restrains them. Before the crimefighters' startled eyes, Fillips reveals himself to be none other than False Face, producing the show in the name of quick money and destroying Batman - first in reputation, then in reality.
At the show's usual timeslot, False Face delivers a live broadcast to viewers across the nation, announcing the televised deaths of Batman and Robin. To his dismay, however, Batman and Robin quickly overcome all his men and apprehend him before the rolling cameras - an unplanned finale that ironically leaves the show more popular than ever.
Several months later, much to False Face's delight (and the Dynamic Duo's disgust) The Dark Knight Detective wins first place at the annual TV awards.
Appearing in "Don't Change That Bat-Channel!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- False Face ("Fred Fillips")
- Electric (Single appearance)
- Grip (Single appearance)
- Hack (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Batsmen (On a TV or computer screen)
- Cast of The Dark Knight Detective
- "Batman"
- "Commissioner Gordon"
- "Joker"
- "Penguin" (Mentioned only)
- Corson Belles (Mentioned only)
- Joker (Mentioned only)
- Penguin (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Gotham City Police Headquarters
- Gotham State Penitentiary
- LesiDu Studios
- Stage Number 3
- Stately Wayne Manor
Items:
- Batman's Utility Belt
- Bat-Cuffs
- Batrope
- Gotham Gazette
- Bat-Signal (Mentioned only)
Vehicles:
Concepts:
- Batusi (Mentioned only)
Notes
- The contents of this issue were originally released digitally as Batman '66 Chapters Thirty-Seven and Thirty-Eight (originally titled "The Bat-Host With the Most"), on June 25 and July 9, 2014, respectively.
- This issue is reprinted in Batman '66 Vol. 3.
Trivia
- LesiDu Studios is a reference to the production company Desilu Studios, which was known for the original Star Trek series among several other famous 1950s and 1960s television shows.
- In addition to The Dark Knight Detective, The Wacky World of Googy Dills (presumably a parody of The Wacky World of Jonathan Winters) and The Doom Patrol (starring Orson Welles takeoff "Corson Belles") are mentioned as contenders for the TV Awards.
See Also