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[Andrew999]

I haven't seen the Batwoman series yet - saving it up to binge watch in the autumn - but I am interested in what others think about it.

Has anyone out there seen it?

[paw broon]

I've watched the first 2 episodes.  It's ok.  I like Dougray Scott.  In just hope the writers have enough imagination to create other bad guys an menaces and don't just go with Alice all or most of the time.
My other problem is that I'm a huge fan of the Kathy Kane Batwoman - that costume !!!! Impossible I know, but it would have been great to see that version on screen. But then, comics were fun when Kathy Kane was Batwoman and Betty was Batgirl. Now It's all so serious and traumatic.

[Andrew999]

As well as Kathy Kane, I also liked the Mexican Batwoman movie - bonkers but fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2HUwqB5WbQ

[The Australian Panther]

Well, I like the cars and the soundtrack!

[paw broon]

Well done Andrew, that is a bonkers film - and I love it.  A gill man as a villain too. I've recently mentioned the Batwoman film in an article in a fanzine.
Just as bonkers is the Mexican version of The Avengers - the tv Avengers, that is. Actually, it's a Cybernauts movie. If you haven't seen it, part one is here:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFN06O4Zbac

[The Australian Panther]

I'm with Paw re the original Batwoman. I currently have two collections of Batstories with the Character and Betty to find time to reread.
The interplay between Betty and Robin was memorable if you were a pre-adolescent teenager at the time.
Looking for the Mexican 'Avengers' I found this on the same Youtube page. 
The prisoner season 1 Episode 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osNmf_zmSyE
The connection with comics? Jack Kirby was fascinated by the concept.
He adopted it for a two-[or 3?]part Fantastic Four story where the FF were put in a similar situation in Latveria.
He also drew most of the first issue of a projected comic book of the Prisoner. If I have it correct, it was never published. But the art exists. I have seen it.
Also had a connection with Rock music. Wilco Johnsone was never seen without his Prisoner Button on his jacket.     

[Andrew999]

There's a whole website devoted to the Prisoner:

https://www.theunmutual.co.uk

I confess to being a bit of an addict. For newbies, the best way to start is by watching all seventeen of the original episodes on YouTube (oddly, they seem to play best at speed 1.25 - I think that may have something to do with TV programmes being slowed for DVD to compensate for long commercial breaks)

Once you've seen the series, you can then head down the rabbit hole about what it all means and how predictive it is of modern day life - 24hr supervision, fake news, being ever-cautious of saying upfront what you believe, corporate compliance etc - and that's just for starters!

[Andrew999]

Thanks Paw - looks brilliant - I shall watch it tonight.

I've seen many Mexican movies over the years (way too many). One of my favourites is Santo v Vampire Women:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXXO3-o9KnQ&list=RDQMVrDnlyU3qAM&start_radio=1

If you like that, there are many other Santo movies (or Samson as they were rebranded by AIP in the States).

I know Paw already knows all this stuff but this is in case anyone else is reading this comment.

If you fall in love with Lorena Velazquez (and who couldn't), another favourite of mine is the totally mind-boggling Ship of Monsters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cTNV-ADF64

[paw broon]

Oh yes indeedy.  Piles of awful great enjoyment to be had. Santo V. Vampire Women , great stuff.  Have you had a look at WRESTLING WOMEN VS AZTEC MUMMY ? here:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLhxUzHXZ-c
or Caltiki the Immortal Monster?
Apart from the great El Santo, there are many other masked Mexican superhero wrestlers in film and comics.  I like the Neutron movies.  Here's one:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hvY-znpv5Y&list=PLJOC0Sfa8ceHfG4UEXucOeZjqXpg3828Y&index=3&t=0s
And the "classic" Robot v Aztec Mummy:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NIuBoB58ts

[Andrew999]

Thanks for the pointer on Las Luchadoras contra el Robot Asesino - watched it last night. Loved it - women wrestlers, leering mad scientists (possibly the best leer I've seen in many a day) and cybernauts - a perfect evening's entertainment!

I'll catch up with your other tips over the next few days. 

[Drahken]

I'm up to ep 18 so far. The series is good, but no, there aren't really any other villains to speak of. They might wind up doing what flash did and have different major villains per season.

[Andrew999]

I've just read that Ruby Rose has resigned as Batwoman - career suicide or what?

[Andrew999]

Javicia Leslie has been cast as Batwoman for the second series - she's black and bisexual so I guess that ticks a lot of boxes at the moment. What's really important though is whether she can act and rescue a series that's in trouble after Ruby Rose's departure