Batman '66 #17 Review

Written by: Tom Peyer
Art by: Ty Templeton
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: Oct 23, 2013


Batman '66 has been good fun since its inception.  Last issue was no exception with Tom Peyer giving us a goofy Bookworm tale that while light on story had enough jokes to be worthwhile.  This issue is the end of the Bookworm arc and the story is still a bit underdeveloped but worse is that most of the jokes fall flat as well.

The Bookworm has been putting together a book of Batman.  All of his observations of the Caped Crusader are in it and he is only a few entries from figuring out Batman's true identity.  He leaves obvious clues to his next caper all with the intention of observing Batman and his tendencies. Unfortunately for him, Batman is on to his game and gives him false information  that lead the villain to make the wrong conclusion.

This issue fails in the most important way, it would not have made a good episode of the original TV show.  The Bookworm is a pretty weak villain so Tom Peyer was fighting an uphill battle in the first place, but it's the failed jokes that hurt the most.  Some, like the convoluted reasoning the dynamic duo uses to figure out the Bookworms next move, are mediocre at best.  Most, however, just make you roll your eyes while reading them.  The fun of Batman '66 is to go with the campy fun.  This issue seems more like a parody than a tribute, wanting you to laugh at the book not with it.

Bits and Pieces:

Batman '66 #17 was a disappointment.  The Bookworm may be a weak villain, but that doesn't mean he has to have a weak story to match.  Worse yet, the book was not much fun.  It seemed to be mocking the beloved source material instead of celebrating it.  Not recommended at all.

4.5/10