DC COMICS: Batman Family (Wrestling Caped Crusader)

Batman Family in the Media

ARTICLE:
There was a time until fairly recently that comic strip characters stayed in one of two places, either the strip section of the daily newspapers or in the perennial favorite of the younger set, the comic book.ZZZBut, alas, in the year 1966, this was all to change. Television viewers were teased for weeks with preview glimpses of a new kind of show heretofore reserved for the comics only. A public, hungry for entertainment that was "way out," yet somehow believable in the broadest sense, welcomed the dashing, smashing duo of Batman and Robin.XXXThe show occupies prime time on a national TV network and has a following from all age groups that numbers in the millions. Therefore, it is not surprising that the wrestling world has recently been invaded by another smashing, dashing duo appropriately billed as the Caped Crusader and Wonder Boy. XXXAs we go to press the center of their activities is in Eastern Canada and parts of New York State.XXXOn the night that they made their debut in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, I made a point of visiting them in the dressing room to see for myself just what all the fuss was about. The room they occupied was filled with other wrestlers of different shapes and sizes in various stages of undress. Some seemed amused with the new pair, some annoyed and others were completely indifferent.XXXOne wrestler whose name will remain anonymous kept mumbling under his breath, "What the h--- is this business coming to anyway, is it a circus now or a sport?"XXX"Hey Batman and Robin," I yelled above the dressing room din, "tell me something about yourselves. What gave you the idea of using this gimmick? Do you think the wrestling fans will go for it?"XXXThe Crusader, thinking I was ribbing him, gave me a hard, cold look. Then, recognizing me, his expression softened. NOTE #2 He said, "You're looking for a story for Wrestling Revue. Okay! I'll answer your questions but be sure to get the facts straight. This is no 'gimmick' in the way you mean it. We are deadly serious about this new role.XXX"As you know, I am no 'Johnny-come-lately' in the grunt-and-groan game, right? (I nodded in the affirmative.) Since the beginning of my career I have always played it straight and scientific. I have always believed in giving the other guy an even break. To me wrestling is a contest of strength and skill.XXX"However, the trouble with this business is the fact that it is infested with guys who are barroom brawlers instead of wrestlers. Some of them wouldn't know a wrestling hold if they saw one. All they do is punch, kick, stomp, butt, use their elbows, knees, chairs, pieces of metal and so forth. They don't care what they do or how they win.XXXThe Caped Crusader sends Al Bell reeling from a well deliverd elbow smash.   "I have always loved kids and it bothers me when I see youngsters at the matches watching these brawlers throwing all the rules out the window. These young people have very impressionable minds and are sure to lose a lot of respect for sportsmanship when these butchers are so often declared winners against clean, scientific wrestlers. Worst of all, these bad guys also push the referees around, which makes the youngsters lose respect for law and order." XXXDuring our spirited one-way conversation Wonder Boy was silent but I could see he was itching to add his own version to what his partner had already said.XXX"We are on a campaign to defeat and humiliate as many ruffians in this business as we can. We are especially out after bad guys like Bulldog Brower, Dick the Bruiser and Mad Dog Vachon, who need to be taught a lesson. The Crusader is the man to teach them this lesson. He is fast, strong, and has limitless endurance plus a tremendous repertoire of scientific holds. He also has plenty of counters to call on which will combat any of the foul deeds these cads dare try on him."XXX Wonder Boy was really warming to his task. "Holy hammerlock," he exclaimed, "so far the Crusader is undefeated in this area. The only man he hasn't actually defeated in the ring on his Canadian tour is that horrible hallucination, Bulldog Brower, but the best Brower could get with the Crusader was a draw."   The kids flock around this pair on every appearance in each arena where they appear. Their entrance into the ring is preceded by the Batman theme on the public address system. This really sets the fans on the edge of their seats and the cheers are deafening as they bound into the ring with all the color and drama of a real-life Batman and Robin. XXXWonder Boy acts in the capacity of confidant and second to the Crusader but becomes involved in most of the Crusader's matches when his opponents take exception to the presence of his little partner at ringside. Recently in Toronto the Crusader's opponent, Bulldog Brower, in a fit of anger, took a swing at Wonder Boy, who is only half his size, and then chased the plucky little masked man all the way to his dressing room in an effort to get hold of him. Fortunately for Wonder Boy, he makes up for his lack of stature with extra speed.XXXHow long this pair will campaign against the forces of evil in the wrestling business is anybody's guess, but, judging by their reception today, they have a lengthy period ahead of them in which to portray their famed namesakes.

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