6) Batman ’66
The previous iteration of the Caped Crusader that LEGO Batman has the most in common with is Batman ’66, so it’s no surprise that there are many callbacks to it. There are obvious ones, like the use of “bam/smack/pow” SFX in the final fight and a cameo from the infamous Shark Repellent Bat-Spray, but there are also some more easily-missed ones, too.
Commissioner Gordon’s right-hand woman in the movie is O’Hara. Presumably, she’s a gender-swapped, non-Irish version of Chief O’Hara, Gordon’s chief of police from the 1960s show. Furthermore, when the Batmobile is ready to ride, ‘Puter says: “Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed.” This is what Robin always used to say when Batman started up the car in the TV show.
Speaking of the 60s Batmobile, at one point, Bruce is reading a magazine with the advert “Barris Automobiles.” This references George Barris – who designed the car from the series.
[zergpaid]5) Robin Becomes Nightwing
Michael Cera’s adorable version of Dick Grayson might be very different from any other version of the character, but he is used to reference different iterations of the hero several times.
For starters, his civilian get-up is a geeky shirt and sweater combo and blue jeans – just like Burt Ward’s Dick in Batman ’66. On the other hand, his Robin costume contains a pair of green goggles with a red and green unitard and a yellow cape. This look is identical to Carrie Kelly, the female Robin from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.
Later, Robin attempts to be like Batman and go at it alone. He then gets a new dark costume from the Batcave. This is labelled Nightwing – the superhero identity Grayson dons when he gets older in the comics. Nightwing’s usual hunting ground of Bludhaven is also referenced several times throughout the movie.