The 1960s Batman series is known for its campy charm, colorful villains, and its pivotal role in bringing the Caped Crusader to a mainstream television audience. With Adam West at the helm as Batman and Burt Ward as his loyal sidekick Robin, this series has become iconic. Here are the 10 best episodes that capture the magic of this classic show:

1. “Hi Diddle Riddle” / “Smack in the Middle” (Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2) – The Dynamic Duo’s debut on the small screen, featuring Frank Gorshin’s indelible performance as The Riddler. This two-part episode sets the tone for the entire series with its fast-paced plot and quirky humor.

2. “Better Luck Next Time” (Season 1, Episode 26) – Julie Newmar makes her mark as Catwoman in an episode filled with tension and chemistry between her and Batman, showcasing a combination of wit, danger, and romance.

3. “The Joker Is Wild / Batman Is Riled” (Season 1, Episodes 5 & 6) – Cesar Romero’s Joker is at his finest here, introducing his manic energy and devious plots to a television audience that had never seen anything quite like it.

4. “The Penguin’s A Jinx” (Season 1, Episode 3) – Burgess Meredith establishes The Penguin’s iconic image with his squawks and unique umbrella gadgets. This episode is a quintessential example of Penguin’s elaborate scheming.

5. “The Joker Goes to School / He Meets His Match, The Grisly Ghoul” (Season 1, Episodes 15 & 16) – Delve into the darker side of high school with these episodes where The Joker tries to corrupt youth with his villainous antics.

6. “Zelda The Great / A Death Worse Than Fate” (Season 1, Episodes 9 & 10) – Featuring Anne Baxter as Zelda the Great, this two-parter adds depth to its villain with compelling motivations beyond simple criminal activity.

7. “Fine Feathered Finks / The Penguin’s a Jinx” (Season 1, Episodes 17 & 18) – A clever story involving The Penguin trying to trick Batman into designing his next crime; these episodes demonstrate clever writing and plot development.

8. “The Purr-Fect Crime / Better Luck Next Time” (Season 1, Episodes 19 & 20) – Another Catwoman double feature that sees Gotham’s feline fiend at her crafty best.

9. “Hot Off the Griddle / The Cat and the Fiddle” (Season 2, Episodes 3 & 4) – A fast-paced adventure with Catwoman leading Batman on a chase across Gotham’s rooftops that is both thrilling and humorous.

10. “An Egg Grows in Gotham / The Yegg Foes in Gotham” (Season2, Episodes13&14) – Introducing Vincent Price as Egghead in one of the most egg-centric episodes full of puns and delightfully absurd plot points.

These episodes stand out because they encapsulate everything that made the ’60s Batman beloved by many: outrageous villains, over-the-top action sequences, witty dialogue interspersed with educational tidbits (“Bat-messages”), and an undeniable sense that despite the perils within Gotham City, fun remained at the heart of every adventure.