Why Adam West’s Campy Batman Is The Key To James Gunn’s DCU

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James Gunn’s new DC Universe is still deciding how to approach Batman, and a fun, funny version like the one seen with Adam West might be the answer. While Gunn’s DCU got off to a great start with the hit movie Superman, the big question is whether it can keep up that success.

Now, the plan is to complete the Justice League lineup by introducing other famous DC characters. We’ll see a Green Lantern show and a Wonder Woman movie soon, and there are also projects being developed around lesser-known heroes like Clayface, Swamp Thing, and Sgt. Rock. However, DC is still working to establish a definitive version of Batman for this universe.

Batman is arguably as popular as Superman, and definitely one of DC’s most important characters. However, introducing Batman into the new DC Universe (DCU) presents some difficulties. The DCU’s version of Batman needs to feel at home in the generally hopeful world created in the Superman movie, while also respecting the darker, separate continuity of Matt Reeves’ The Batman films.

James Gunn revealed that the first Batman movie in the new DC Universe will be called The Brave and the Bold. The film will focus on Bruce Wayne mentoring his son, Damian, who will be taking on the role of Robin. Andy Muschietti, who directed The Flash, is set to direct, but the movie is currently on hold while Matt Reeves finishes The Batman: Part II, as a script is still being developed.

DC is clearly struggling to find a way to include Batman in its shared movie universe, alongside characters like Superman and Peacemaker. I believe James Gunn and his team should consider inspiration from Western films to solve this challenge.

The DCU’s Batman Should Take Inspiration From Adam West’s Campy ’60s TV Show

The new DC Universe’s Batman could learn a lot from the 1960s Batman TV show. That series, which aired 120 episodes between 1966 and 1968, was the longest-running live-action superhero program for nearly 50 years until Smallville came along. It was famous for being cheerfully over-the-top, having a memorable theme song, using playful humor, and presenting a clear-cut view of right and wrong, all geared towards a younger audience.

The way Bruce Wayne is depicted as a parent to Damian Wayne in The Brave and the Bold suggests the series is aiming for a similar dark and realistic style as seen in films like The Batman, Zack Snyder’s DC films, and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. However, I believe the DC Universe’s Batman would be better served by leaning into the more lighthearted and playful tone of the 1960s Batman series starring Adam West.

Snyder’s version of Batman was violent and relied on guns, while directors like Reeves and Nolan have tried to create a more realistic take on the character. However, I believe the more you attempt to ground a story about a wealthy man dressing as a bat to fight crime in reality, the sillier the premise becomes.

The 1960s Batman series wasn’t concerned with being realistic at all. It was more like a live-action cartoon, full of unbelievable gadgets and flashy on-screen effects that ignored the rules of physics. The show didn’t try to portray Batman as grounded in reality – it embraced the silliness, but played it with a straight face. That kind of playful approach is exactly what the DC Universe could benefit from now.

A Modernized Blockbuster Version Of Adam West’s Batman Would Differentiate The DCU’s Batman From Matt Reeves’ Films

As a huge DC fan, I think the biggest hurdle for James Gunn’s new DCU is making this Batman feel different from Robert Pattinson’s in The Batman. We’ve seen different versions of Spider-Man work before – the MCU movies and the Spider-Verse animated films both do well – but it’s gotta be obvious to everyone that these are two totally separate Batmen and universes. Otherwise, it’ll just get confusing!

Bringing back the playful, colorful style of the 1960s Batman series with a modern, big-budget update would be a great way to make the DC Universe’s Batman stand out from the darker, more realistic version we’ve seen recently. Imagine taking those classic, exaggerated gadgets and over-the-top fight scenes and bringing them to life with today’s special effects – it could be really exciting!

A Funny, Lighthearted Batman Would Fit In Better With James Gunn’s Superman

James Gunn has a clear vision for the DC Universe, and a Batman film in the style of Christopher Nolan’s or Matt Reeves’ wouldn’t quite fit. While Gunn wants to allow different filmmakers to bring their own style to the DCU, it’s still a shared universe, meaning all characters and stories need to feel connected.

Once the Justice League comes together in the DCU, Superman – played by David Corenswet – will share scenes with established heroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. Director James Gunn has already created a lighthearted and colorful style with Superman and Peacemaker, so a dark and gritty Batman wouldn’t feel right in that universe.

A Batman similar to the one played by West would blend seamlessly into the world of Superman and the Justice League. The DC Universe doesn’t need a dark and brooding Batman; it should embrace a more lighthearted and playful approach to the character.

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2025-11-09 20:29