The Robin inspiration

So I'm actually writing this on the 4th, when I said I wanted to reference some inspiration I'd had - but if I did, it'd give away a major plot point.

Hopefully by the time you read this, you'll know all about the resolution of issue 20 and the Crossover arc (Hey, you're ahead of me, I haven't written it yet! Ah, the joys of projecting into the future) so now I can talk about my inspiration.

When it comes to impersonating Robin, well, there's probably been more than a few occasions over the years... but one that sticks in my head particularly because it was in the 1960s (the spiritual home of my SG series) and also because it featured a woman doing the impersonating, is Jill St. John as Molly, in only the second episode of the Batman TV show.

In case you haven't seen the episode in question, naturally it's illegally available on YouTube (here's Part One, in which the impersonation takes place; here's Part Two, in which you sort-of see Molly unmask). What makes the episode so fun for me is actually (believe it or not) Burt Ward's performance. When he's playing 'Molly as Robin' he really does camp it up in a few places, and boy if that ain't kinky.

Anyway, when I was writing the (SPOILER!) Betty-as-Robin scenes in issue 20, I needed reference to remember what the heck the 'classic Robin' costume looked like. So I went looking for visuals, and then I remembered that episode. One quick YouTube search later and I was delighting in that scene again. That gave me all the visual reference I needed, and also Molly's delicious play acting as Robin ("Riddler, you fiend!" she says when she first turns up, Robin mask in hand) really inspired me to ensure that Betty-as-Robin took the 'role' seriously.

Here's a few gratuitous pics of the scene when Molly turns up dressed as Robin. Sorry about the quality, but they're just screen-grabbed from YouTube:

Molly confronts the Riddler, costume ready, mask in hand...

A knowing glance to her partner in crime... time to transform...

Ta-da... out goes Jill, in comes Burt, and he's happy to 'play the girl'.

Great stuff. If you haven't seen it, be sure to check it out.

2012 Update: As this post still gets hits - most likely people looking for the same memories I had - here's a couple of bonuses. One, this entire episode is on YouTube now, who knows how long for:

Second, here's another screengrab - the moment after Molly unmasks herself (which frankly, is a terrible, terrible piece of fakery, but at least she's pictured here, mask in hand):

"Maybe you could put that back on and we'll have a little fun..."