Superhero shows have been captivating fans for decades. Current Marvel fans have been able to enjoy shows like She-Hulk, WandaVison and Ms. Marvel, and DC enthusiasts can get their fix with everything from The Sandman to Harley Quinn. While modern day effects and popular contemporary actors add to the appeal of these shows, sometimes viewers want to go back in time by getting into a something vintage.
The 1960s ushered in a new era of superhero shows, with characters like Spider-Man and Batman making some of their first appearances on screen. Although the old-school animation or costuming in these shows might be outdated, these series remain historical gems for superhero fans or anyone who just wants to enjoy a piece of 1960s culture.
10 Adam West's Batman Is An Unforgettable Classic
Starring Adam West as the titular hero, the Batman live-action series ran from 1966 to 1968. Contemporary audiences know Batman's screen presence to be particularly dark and brooding, but this show was light, silly, and knowingly campy. Heavily choreographed fight scenes, colorful sets and comical effects make the show anything but serious.
The live-action Batman of the 1960s might not have the same terrifying effect as most modern day Batman shows and movies, but the show is fondly remembered as a fun classic. It serves as a portal to a different time when superheros where a little less grizzly and a little funnier.
9 The Original Fantastic Four Is Full Of Old-School Fun
Premiering in 1967, the animated series Fantastic Four was the first ever on-screen appearance of Invisible Woman, Mister Fantastic, Human Torch and Thing. Together, they battled many of their regular comic book foes including Doctor Doom and Mole Man.
The show feels like a comforting trip back to a Saturday morning the mid-60s, with its old-school sound effects and admittedly cheesy dialogue. For Marvel fans, this is an enjoyable early piece of television history, which makes it all the more disappointing that it's never been available to stream Disney+.
8 The New Adventures Of Superman Features Short Storylines
Superman is one of history's most popular superheros, spawning endless content since his creation in the late 1930s. The New Adventures of Superman ran from 1966 to 1970, and featured short segments in which Superman batted various foes. The show also took on various names as it added more heroes to its roster, shifting into The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure and eventually The Batman/Superman Hour.
Providing many of Superman's oldest animated appearances, the show is a significant piece of Superman lore. Plus, in a modern world where on-screen superhero stories are hours long, it's fun to watch storylines that wrap up in less than ten minutes.
7 Birdman And The Galaxy Trio Spawned Many Spin-Offs
Viewers may be familiar with the 2001 Adult Swim show Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, or even its spin-off show Birdgirl. Neither of these shows would exist, however, without Birdman and the Galaxy Trio, a late 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
Birdman and the Galaxy Trio featured segments of bird-like hero Birdman, interspersed with segments starring the Galaxy Trio, a group of extraterrestrial heroes who patrol space. In Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Birdman quits the superhero life and becomes a lawyer in cases featuring other Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters, including Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear and the Jetsons.
6 The Original Spider-Man Series Remains A Part Of Pop Culture
In 1967, Spider-Man got his first TV show, simply titled Spider-Man. This animated show did create the iconic Spider-Man theme song fans know and love, but it was also pretty low-budget and corny. Nowadays, its regarded as a humorous piece of Spider-Man history, and has a cult following.
Most significantly, 1960s Spider-Man continues to live on through memes which poke fun at the show's shoddy animation and ridiculous situations. The infamous image in which Spider-Man points to his imposter originates from the 1967 series, and catapulted the show back into pop culture in the modern day.
5 Green Hornet Is Another Live-Action Spectacular
The Green Hornet premiered in 1966, running for one season. The series is known for featuring Bruce Lee as Green Hornet's sidekick Kato, before Lee found mainstream Hollywood fame. Lee has even credited The Green Hornet as his breakthrough into American show business.
The show aired around the same time as the live action Batman, and the two shows even had a few crossover episodes. Unlike Batman, however, The Green Hornet takes on a darker, more serious tone. The show still has a few corny moments, but it maintains a cinematic quality that stands the test of time.
4 The Marvel Super Heroes Is Marvel's First Ever TV Show
The Marvel Super Heroes brought Marvel characters to television screens for the very first time in 1966. The show was made up of short segments, each starring a different Marvel superhero. The roster included Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and the Sub-Mariner.
Although the show's rudimentary animation is outdated, The Marvel Super Heroes is a remarkable relic of Marvel history. Although many other great Marvel TV shows followed in its wake, The Marvel Super Heroes introduced television audiences to the franchises' heroes for the very first time.
3 The Adventures of Batman Brought The Dynamic Duo To Animation
Another show with short segments, The Adventures of Batman offered an animated alternative to the hit live-action series that also aired in the mid-60s. These segments were first grouped with The Batman/Superman Hour before being repackaged without the Superman segments and rebranded as Batman with Robin The Boy Wonder.
The Adventures of Batman allows viewers to go back in time and see 1960s versions of their favorite characters on screen, including the Joker, The Penguin and Mr. Freeze. It's nostalgic animation style is charming, making the show a delight for Batman fans or anyone who loves old cartoons.
2 The Impossibles Is A Time Capsule To 60s Rock And Roll Culture
The 1960s are often remembered as time when rock groups like the Beatles dominated pop culture. Screaming fans would chase these musicians down the street and proclaim their undying love for their favorite rock and roller. The Impossibles takes this craze and turns it into a superhero cartoon, by depicting three superheros who disguise themselves as a rock trio with an army of loyal fans.
The Impossibles aired as short segments, grouped in with segments from Frankenstein Jr. on Saturday mornings. With their mop top haircuts, guitars and Beatles-esque dance moves, The Impossibles is a delightful relic of the 1960s boy band wave.
1 Mr. Terrific Is A Campy Cult Classic
When the live-action Batman became a huge success, other shows attempted to recreate the idea of a campy superhero who was more funny than fearsome. Mr. Terrific was one of these shows, and told the tale of awkward gas-station attendant Stanley Beamish who could only transform into his alter ego, Mr. Terrific, by taking a "power pill."
The show didn't really take off and only aired for 17 episodes. It's become a cult classic, however, and serves as a window into a pop culture craze that swept TV in the 1960s. If viewers want to watch corny antics and a bumbling protagonist who struggles with heroism, Mr. Terrific might be the right choice.