Archie Andrews: The Beginning

Popular culture loves its icons.  Archie Andrews is one of them. He doesn’t have superpowers like Superman or Spiderman. He’s not a vigilante like Batman or the Lone Ranger. He can’t save the universe like Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers. He’s just...

1960s Sex Symbols: Catwoman Is Purrrfect

Julie Newmar’s sex appeal as Catwoman on the 1960s television show Batman stemmed not only from a statuesque figure, a skin-tight outfit, and a beautiful visage.  Newmar’s self-assuredness was a powerful force, too. In The Twilight Zone episode Of Late I...

Tarzan on Television

Tarzan benefited from the superhero craze of the mid-1960s ignited by the 1966 launch of the camp television show Batman.  On September 8, 1966, Ron Ely debuted as the title character in Tarzan.  Jane did not appear on the show.  It lasted two seasons. Twenty-five...

How Edgar Rice Burroughs Created Tarzan

Six letters.  _ A _ _ A N.  Clue:  He is considered a superhero but he has no superpowers.  He is the protector of a dangerous, labyrinthian jungle envorinment and its citizenry. Batman? No.  Although Batman fits the description and Gotham City is an urban, concrete,...

When Batman Ruled Television

When Batman debuted on television in January 1966, it made a brief but noticeable mark on the television programming landscape.  Batman showcased Adam West as the title character and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, residing in stately Wayne Manor along with Wayne’s...