(And why on earth is Batman’s cowl worn over his cape?) The costumes are authentic but clearly done on the cheap as were the visual effects. The laugh track is badly handled since it is triggered by the lamest of activities. The heroes act like dim-wits and never use their powers when they would be needed. Not a single hero or villain has a personality depriving the story from any humorous opportunities. Mike Marmer and Peter Gallay, who wrote the script for both specials, apparently never learned that humor is derived from character and situation. The heroes split up and run around like idiots in an attempt to find and disarm the doomsday device. The Challenge pits a gaggle of villains led by Mordru the Merciless to once more destroy the world. You have to love kitsch, bad writing, awful acting, and comic books to enjoy (or endure) these specials. While illegal bootlegs have circulated for years, Warner Archive has collected them on a single disc from the best source material available. A veritable who’s who of B-list performers and outright unknowns filled the remainder of the costumes.Ĭomic book fans probably loved seeing Captain Marvel, Hawkman, Huntress, Black Canary, and others in real life but the shows did not earn great ratings and have been derided by those who recall seeing them. As a result, the aging trio donned the tights once more to anchor the two specials. The Challenge and The Roast, aired as ]], were probably the first time mass audiences were introduced to ]] or]] or Hawkman but they certainly knew Adam West’s Batman, Burt Ward’s Robin and Frank Gorshin’s delightful Riddler. I’ve never seen an NBC executive explain what made them think the two specials that aired in January 1979. But the absolute most mind-numbing and cringe worthy hours featured DC Comics’ stalwart heroes and villains. First there was the Cathy lee Crosby misfire of a ]] telefilm then there were the Reb Brown]] telefilms.]] made it to prime time as a series but it didn’t resemble the comic in tone or style and died a swift death. The 1970s was not a kind decade for live-action television based on comic book heroes.

Legends of the superheroes 1979