King Tut is a villain that was specially written for the classic Batman (1966 TV Series). However, many might consider this classic TV series a campy portrayal of Batman and his rogues’ gallery at best. However, others still call it a masterpiece for its time. The campy portrayal of the characters was something that the studio integrated into the show’s production, suiting the needs of their audiences. And if you look through this initial impression of a campy show. You will find that this show introduced some of the most iconic and unusual villains that Batman faced.
Once such villain in King Tut. Even Adam West, the actor who played Batman in the show, stated in his memoirs. That King Tut was the only villain that was written to be a real success. He was regularly featured in the Batman (1966 TV Series) and is one of the most formidable foes of Batman. In this article, we will look at King Tut in complete detail.
History
King Tut is the alter-ego of Professor William Omaha McElroy, an Egyptologist at Yale University. He transformed into King Tut after he was hit in the head during a student riot. This blow to the head made him suffer from severe amnesia.
While suffering from this amnesia, he starts to believe that he is the reincarnation of King Tut. And Gotham City to be a modern-day Thebes. Therefore he decides to take control of Gotham or what he thought his kingdom is.
He arrives in the middle of Gotham’s Central Park inside a gigantic Sphinx. And announces several demands, including the killing of the dynamic duo. Batman and Robin try to infiltrate the sphinx but fail to do so. As the episode progresses, King Tut kidnaps Bruce with the help of his minions. Bruce narrowly escapes death while trying to break free from these minions.
Bruce then tracks the minions as Batman and finds the secret hideout of King Tut. But he is captured again, only to be rescued by Robin and Alfred. Finally, King Tut is defeated with another blow to his head which restores his original memories as Professor William Omaha McElroy.
Transformation Into King Tut
After his initial appearance, Professor William Omaha McElroy transforms into King tut whenever he gets hit on his head. And is restored into the Professor after he receives another blow on his head.
This trend continued throughout the Batman (1966 TV Series). But due to this trend, the insanity plea would apply to him whenever he committed crimes as King Tut. And as a result, he is the only Batman villain ever who was never incarcerated for his actions. Professor McElroy even tried to prevent this transformation by wearing a re-inforced hat but to no avail.
Further Appearances
In his next appearance, the self-proclaimed Egyptian King attempted to release a deadly poison. This poison had the ability to subdue all of Gotham and make him the king. The poison was extracted from scarab beetles and was called “Abu Rabu Simbu Tu.” And was even successful in poisoning the Police Chief at the time and making him his slave.
He nearly succeeded in his plan but was duped into ingesting his own poison, making him Batman’s slave. After which, the dynamic duo transported him to Gordon, where his original personality was restored.
In another episode, along with Professor McElroy, a group of two students also gets hit on the head. The students then transform into King Tut’s Royal Jester and Lord Chancellor. And together, they plan on kidnapping Lisa Carson. But he is neutralized after Batman and Robin manage to hit him on his head.
Another interesting encounter that King Tut had with Batman was when he buys a plot next to the Wayne Manor. The reason behind this purchase was to find a rare mineral buried somewhere in that vicinity. But during the search for this mineral, he accidentally discovers the Batcave. And deduce that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
The dynamic duo erases the memories of the henchmen by using a spray that erases memories. But King Tut can escape to the ground. But when he is about to reveal the true identity of Batman to Commissioner Gordon, Batman provokes him into speaking loudly. Unfortunately, this results in a stone breaking from above him and hitting him in the head. And he transforms back into the Professor.
Conclusion
You can call the show campy, but King Tut is among the most interesting characters introduced in the show. If you liked this article, then do visit www.batmanfactor.com to read other Batman-related articles as well.
