Batman 1966 | Two-Face Twosday | Part 1 of 2


Batman, the television series, made famous a number of well-known villains who had previously appeared in Batman and Detective Comics: Riddler, Penguin, Joker, Mad Hatter, Catwoman.  The series made famous some zero villains, including False Face and Mr. Zero, who was renamed Mr. Freeze for the show and later the comic books made the same name change.  Other villains were created for the show, including King Tut, Egghead, Bookworm, Archer, and Minstrel.  Some of these villains were later included in the comic books.   

There were a number of other Bat-villains who were seen in the comics, but never used on the series, including Blockbuster, Detective Comics #345 (November 1965); Deadshot, Batman #59 (June/July 1950); Hugo Strange, Detective Comics #36 (February 1940); Poison Ivy, Batman #181 (June 1966); Scarecrow, World Finest Comics #3 (Fall 1941); Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Detective Comics #74 (April 1943).

But the most famous "one that got away" and the most appropriate to write about on this 22nd day of the 2nd month of the year 2022 is Two-Face, who first appeared in Detective Comics #66 (August 1942).  Writer Harlan Ellison wrote a story treatment for Batman that would have introduced Two-Face to Batman and Robin's television rogues gallery.  Ellison's "The Two-Way Crimes of Two-Face" never aired as part of the series, however.  Had the show continued for a fourth season, it is possible it would have been developed into a script.  It would have been appropriate as a two-parter.... 

In 2014, DC Comics published Batman '66: The Lost Episode #1.  Ellison's Two-Face story was fleshed out by writer Len Wein and lavishly illustrated by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez.  Alex Ross provided a beautiful painted cover.  This issue is a must for Batman fans, as it includes the "lost" story, a selection of penciled pages in black and white by J.L.G.L., sketches of alternate covers, the treatment by Ellison, and photos from the Batman television series.  

But, this wouldn't be a Two-Face post without a second part, so join us in 12 hours for Two-Face Tuesday, Part Two!    

 

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