Changes

Although the series caught on quickly, it fell just as suddenly.  During the series' third season, Yvonne Craig was hired to protray "Batgirl" - a young woman who wore a tight purple leather outfit.  This did nothing to slow the ratings plunge.  The last few episode of "Batman" were literally among the lowest rated television series of the 60s.   

Although the series caught on quickly, it fell just as suddenly.  During the series' third season, Yvonne Craig was hired to protray "Batgirl" - a young woman who wore a tight purple leather outfit.  This did nothing to slow the ratings plunge.  The last few episode of "Batman" were literally among the lowest rated television series of the 60s.   

For decades after, the "Batman" television series defined the filmed comic book template, an which attitude destroyed several promising projects, such as the feature film version of "Doc Savage" and the television productions of "The Justice League" and "The Spirit". (A show which thankfully broke the template was 1978's "The Incredible Hulk" starring Bill Bixby.)

For decades after, the "Batman" television series defined the filmed comic book template, which can be seen feature films such as "Doc Savage" and the television productions of "The Justice League" and "The Spirit". The template was broken in 1978 with the success of  1978's "The Incredible Hulk" starring Bill Bixby. Later comic based characters would take on a more serious role, including Batman himself.

''Batman'' film took a darker turn in 1989, when the Tim Burton-directed film, starring Michael Keaton, portrayed Bruce Wayne as a reclusive, quirky billionaire who probably was not entirely sane.  While at first wary of an actor known primarily for comedies playing Batman, some fans ended up going to other movies before its release just to see the trailer for the Batman film, and then walked out, not even watching the movie they paid for.  The film was a success, and was widely-lauded for Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Batman's nemesis, the Joker.  It was followed up with 1992's ''Batman Returns'', which, while not as well-reviewed or successful, was still accepted by the fans, and brought the iconic figures of Catwoman and the Penguin into the movie universe.

''Batman'' film took a darker turn in 1989, when the Tim Burton-directed film, starring Michael Keaton, portrayed Bruce Wayne as a reclusive, quirky billionaire who probably was not entirely sane.  While at first wary of an actor known primarily for comedies playing Batman, some fans ended up going to other movies before its release just to see the trailer for the Batman film, and then walked out, not even watching the movie they paid for.  The film was a success, and was widely-lauded for Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Batman's nemesis, the Joker.  It was followed up with 1992's ''Batman Returns'', which, while not as well-reviewed or successful, was still accepted by the fans, and brought the iconic figures of Catwoman and the Penguin into the movie universe.