United Underworld

The interesting part about Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and the Riddler all appearing on the Batman TV series is that had Bill Finger been properly credited and compensated by DC Comics, 20th Century Fox, and ABC, he might have become a millionaire just on that basis that all the main memorable characters were ones he created. But I digress...

Finally got a Julie Newmar Catwoman to complete the classic Batman TV villains group. And for the most part this will likely be it, just because Mattel has dragged their feet on this line at a point when we could have gotten Mr. Freeze (I had suggested interchangeable heads between Eli Wallach and Otto Preminger since they wore essentially the same costume as the character), Louie the Lilac, King Tut, Bookworm, Mad Hatter, and Egghead (likely another likeness rights issue with Vincent Price's estate). A far cry from DC Universe Classics when that line was brave enough to mine the depths of the DCU to its most obscure limites, although in fairness that line required far less retooling for the unique characters that populated the Batman TV show.

Newmar's portrayal of Catwoman across two seasons of the show (two episodes in season one and ten in season two; she was replaced by Lee Meriwether in the 1966 movie and by Eartha Kitt in the third season) is considered one of the most iconic, which is saying a lot given Michelle Pfhieffer's ultra-sexy turn in 1992's Batman Returns. Her interplay with Adam West's Batman and sultry attitude (not to mention that costume that accentuated her curves oh-so-well) defined the character, playing up the romantic tension only hinted at in the comics between herself and Batman. 

I don't quite remember if Newmar's Catwoman ever joined forces with Joker, Riddler, and Penguin. Meriwether sure did in the 1966 movie. But she looks so right standing next to the group that I couldn't resist adding her.