The 1966 Batman logo - as unique as it's series

[Lee Kirkham]

If you look at the TV series logo, it becomes apparent that it was a product of the hand-drawn age of artwork, with it's myriad inconsistencies and flaws, which is what makes it great! That unique craftsmanship and style. It's instantly identifiable among any other Bat logo produced.

[Batfanman]

My favorite, too and here's the other one that I always identify with. It's the one used on a lot of the merchandise from the era.

[Jim Akin]

The cool lettering was created for the TV logo, but the underlying image -- bat wings and Batman head -- dates back to the 40s. I was stunned when I first saw this, because the logo looks so "modern" to my eyes.



Bonus: Here's a cool video I found that re-traces the evolution of the bat-logo.

[robinboyblunderer]

The 66 logo is great and fits the opening animation perfectly. I particularly like the bat-ears on the letter A's.

[BATWINGED HORNET]

I love the TV logo; it was the stylish bridge between the 1940s logo (as seen in Quillpen's post) and the wild, off-the-cuff styling in the 60s. In the book Batman: Cover to Cover, the late 60s comic logo (starting in issue 220) it is suggested the type fitting inside the bat shape could have been inspired by the TV series logo. I agree, as i've always believed the logo to be the "next generation" of the 1966 version, whether planned or not.

Perhaps the idea that anything along the lines of the 1966 logo was "kid friendly" also inspired this "next generation" logo to be used for the Mego 8-inch action figure (1972) and the 1st season title sequence of the Super Friends (1973).

[Batfanman]

Can you imagine if DC wasn't so canon-istic (for lack of a better word) back then? Instead of just Batman and "Tec, we could have had a separate TV series comic book with the TV series logo & Adam West characters instead of having to wait all these years. If they had, it probably would have out-sold BM & Tec and probably would have sunk at least one of those titles.

[SprangFan]

Notice that although the bat-shape did originate in the comics, the head as well as the lettering was redone for the show. And as Lee noted, it's a bit "off," which adds to the charm.

My favorite as a kid was that 1970 version, designed by Neal Adams. However I understand it proved very limiting when it came to comic cover designs, and they dropped it relatively quickly (even though it still appeared in the interiors of Worlds Finest and Justice League for a long time thereafter).

[Batfanman]

Notice that although the bat-shape did originate in the comics, the head as well as the lettering was redone for the show. And as Lee noted, it's a bit "off," which adds to the charm.

My favorite as a kid was that 1970 version, designed by Neal Adams. However I understand it proved very limiting when it came to comic cover designs, and they dropped it relatively quickly (even though it still appeared in the interiors of Worlds Finest and Justice League for a long time thereafter).

The TV show Bat has (what I've always thought to be) a subtle smile, perhaps to add to kid-appeal.

[Gernot]

I always liked how the 1943 serial logo reminded me of the TV show's logo.

[Chuck Williams]

Love the TV show logo!!

Here are a couple of versions of a piece I did of the old Bob Kane styled Batman in the same theme...



Same sculpture, different paint...

[Dark Detective]

I always liked how the 1943 serial logo reminded me of the TV show's logo.

My favourite serial. It's been years since I last watched it.

John

[Dark Detective]

Love the TV show logo!!

Here are a couple of versions of a piece I did of the old Bob Kane styled Batman in the same theme...



Same sculpture, different paint...

Very nice, from 'tec #31.

John

[Gernot]

I always liked how the 1943 serial logo reminded me of the TV show's logo.

My favourite serial. It's been years since I last watched it.

John

I just saw it a few months ago! I introduced my wife to that particular Batman after she confessed to liking the TV show on ME-TV, and she loved both serials.

[BATWINGED HORNET]

Love the TV show logo!!

Here are a couple of versions of a piece I did of the old Bob Kane styled Batman in the same theme...



Same sculpture, different paint...

such sharp work, Chuck. Have you ever considered sculpting the entire logo--with the name? Or any of the other Bat-logos?

[Chuck Williams]

Thanks!

Nope, logos are best done with printing plates (the way we did them a million years ago!) or on computer now.
Faster and more accurate that way too.

Making a hybrid, high relief sculpture sounds intriguing though!

Chuck...