Original 'Catwoman' Julie Newmar coming to Comic Expo

Holy star power, Batman! Julie Newmar, the original "Catwoman" from the 1960s "Batman" series, will attend the Cincinnati Comic Expo at Duke Energy Convention Center Sept. 19-21.

The veteran TV and movie actress was added to the lineup after the cancellation of David Prowse (Darth Vader from "Star Wars"), who is recovering from knee surgery in Europe, said Matt Bredestege, Cincinnati Comic Expo chief financial officer.

Actor Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca from "Star Wars"), who is filming "Star Wars VII," is still scheduled to attend the weekend event, he said.

"Many fans have been asking (about Mayhew)," Bredestege said. "If Peter's schedule for 'Star Wars VII' should change and prevent him from coming to Cincinnati, we will let all of our fans know as soon as possible. … We have been in contact with representatives for Peter, and nothing has changed yet."

Newmar had a recurring role on the first seasons of the campy Adam West-Burt Ward "Batman" series (1966-68). "Catwoman" was later played on the show by Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt, but Newmar returned to play herself in 2003 in "Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt."

Newmar was nominated for a 1961 Golden Globe as a "most promising female newcomer." She appeared in many iconic TV series for three decades: "Star Trek," "The Monkees," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Bionic Woman," "The Love Boat," "Hart to Hart," "Fantasy Island," "Columbo," "Route 66," "My Living Doll," "The Twilight Zone," "Get Smart" and "F Troop." Her movie credits include "Mackenna's Gold," "Seven Brides for Seven Sisters" and, of course, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar."

She joins an impressive lineup of TV/movie/pop culture stars at the 2014 Cincinnati Comic Expo: Henry Winkler ("Happy Days"), Lou Ferrigno ("The Incredible Hulk"), Jewel Staite ("Firefly"), John Rhys-Davies ("Indiana Jones" and "Lord of the Rings" movies), Paul McGann (the eighth "Doctor Who"), Jason David Frank and Walter Jones ("The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers") and Livvy Stubenrauch of Harrison Township (voice actress from "Frozen"). More information and tickets ($20-$75) can be found at Cincinnaticomicexpo.com.