The Osiris Virus! was the thirty-second and thirty-third overall story published in DC Comics' Batman '66 title. The story was initially published in Digital Issues #45 and #46, and reprinted in Print Issue #17, with a further reprint in Volume 4 of the Compiled Volume series.
Plot Summary[]
"The Osiris Virus!"[]
At Yale University, Professor McElroy was struck with a flying coquet ball which reverted him back into his villainous alter ego, King Tut. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin were captured by the Bookworm who trapped them in a giant book, but the Dynamic Duo cleverly escaped and defeated Bookworm, leading to his arrest by the arrival of Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara, who informed Batman and Robin that McElroy has reverted back into his King Tut identity.
In his hideout, Tut explains his plan: He is going to unleash the Osiris Virus on all of Gotham City, putting everyone in a deep sleep and they will wake up as the living dead, while he is protected by a special vaccine.
At a drive-in restaurant, Batman and Robin received a call from Gordon, informing them that Tut is gassing people at Cemetary Park. As they head over to the cemetery, the Dynamic Duo donned their gas masks. Arriving, Batman and Robin were confronted by Tut who unleashes his army of zombified slaves to kill the Dynamic Duo.
As the zombies surround Batman and Robin, Tot ordered them buried in a grave marked with their tombstone while he and his gang infect Gotham with the virus. While Gotham was infected by the Osiris Virus, Batman and Robin escaped their tomb and arrived in the Batmobile to confront Tut and his gang. After defeating Tut and his men, Batman explains that the virus is a short-lived organism that won't survived in the sunlight which reverted all infected Gothamites back to normal. Excepting his defeat, Tut orders a bowler to drop his bowling ball onto his head.
Trivia[]
- According to the inscription on the gravestone that King Tut prepared for the Dynamic Duo, this story takes place in 1969. This would set it after the third season of the television series, which concluded in March 1968.
- This issue features numerous easter eggs referring to DC Comics. At Gotham Cemetery, the graves of Cyrus Gold, Boston Brand and James Craddock are seen. In other scenes, Gotham City Public Library, the Monarch Theater, Queen Industries and the Ventriloquist Club make cameo appearances in the background. A giant billboard advertising "Matt Hagen in Mud Pack" is also visible in the background of one panel, alluding to the second Clayface and the team he later joined.
- The Clavicle Club is a reference to the episode "Nora Clavicle And The Ladies' Crime Club" from the third season of Batman. Nora Clavicle herself appears to be among the citizens who get infected with the Osiris Virus.