You may have heard, there’s a little film called The Dark Knight Rises out next month. But before you join the writhing crush of audiences eager to see Batman take on Bane, why not reacquaint yourself with his every venture on celluloid so far in Holy Franchise, Batman!.
Holy Franchise, Batman! makes the bold claim of being ‘the Caped Crusader fan’s bible’, and lives up to its assertion. Charting every one of the Dark Knight’s appearances on film and TV (and we do mean every one – apparently he even turned up in the cartoon Krypto the Super Dog), author Gary Collinson is a man who seems to know Batman better than Alfred the butler does.
Don’t let the unfortunately garish cover lead you to think this is anything less than one of the most comprehensive encyclopedia of Batman’s onscreen exploits published.
From his first live-action debut in the 1943 TV serial, right up to appearances in DC’s ongoing animated ventures, Collinson’s mix of production notes, facts, synopses, and trivia results in a book that is accessible for all to dip into; a utility belt of information wherein even the true Bat-fan who knows his Mr. Zero from his Ten-Eyed Man will find many an obscure fact that hasn’t yet crossed to the trivia section of IMDb.
Every show overview is pleasingly in-depth, while his ‘Bringing Batman to the Screen’ essays that accompany each movie are well-researched and impartial. The standout feature of the book is the detailed episode-by-episode guide to the 1960s Batman series, featuring transmission details, cast, story background, and ‘Bat-facts’ for every one of Adam West’s 120 groovy episodes. Practically the only article of the show it lacks is Burt Ward dancing the Bat-Tootsie.
More pictures peppered throughout the book would be appreciated, as the simplistic presentation can become monotonous across the 244 pages. 10 pictures in a book this size feels more like an afterthought than an attempt to add colour, but this ‘no-frills’ feeling is really the only true fault that can be found with Holy Franchise, Batman!.
Though the timing of the book’s release is understandable, its publication just before The Dark Knight Rises does mean that a major instalment in the franchise is omitted; a fact likely to irk some. But whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Caped Crusader or an enthusiastic sidekick looking to further their Dark Knight knowledge, the wealth of information here means you’d have to be some kind of joker not to consider picking this up…
Published on Saturday 30th June 2012 by Robert Hale Ltd.
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