PEORIA MAGAZINE April 2023

‘THERE’S NO INSTRUCTION ON YOUTUBE ON HOW TO BUILD A BATMOBILE’ — John Bisanz First, for the body, he got a hold of a 1977 Lincoln Continental. That was the easy part. He had to figure out the rest. “There’s no instructions on YouTube on how to build a Batmobile,” he said. Meantime, he needed parts exclusive to the Batmobile, such as the Bat-phone, the Emergency Bat-turn lever and the turbine exhaust. “I can’t go to O’Reilly’s and buy parts for a ’66 Batmobile,” Bisanz said with a laugh. “They’d look at me really weird.” So, he had to either make the parts himself or order them from other Bat fans. The labor of love took 10 years, as Bisanz was persnickety about his four-wheel baby. During that time, he financed the project with sweat equity. Bisanz is known around Washington as a reliable fix-it guy, from lawn-mower repair to small home renovations. “I’m just insanely handy,” he said. Between projects as a handyman and Realtor, Bisanz finally got his Batmobile done earlier this year. To complete the picture, he bought a batsuit, which he plans to wear as Central Illinois Batman in public appearances with his vehicle. “The goal for me has been to raise money to help kids,” he said of the chil dren’s charities he plans on supporting. Some kids are hip to the ‘60s Batman

show. But not all, such as the 12-year old girl who spotted Bisanz’s Batmobile roll by recently and yelled out, “Nice ‘Fast & Furious’ car.” Bisanz laughs at the memory. “But the older people, they totally get it,” he said. Washington Police Chief Mike McCoy has heard about Central Illinois Batman but hasn’t yet encountered him or the Batmobile. The chief appreciates any law-and-order support. “We, as with most cities, can use all the help we can get,” McCoy said with a chuckle. “We would welcome caped crusaders in Washington.” Bisanz has taken a few spins around Washington, always prompting wide eyes and cell phone shots. He made a recent stop at a fast-food eatery and the parking lot quickly filled with curiosity-seekers. One gent sped home to retrieve his son.

“His son, who is about 35 years, old, was dressed head to toe in a full Batman suit,” Bisanz said. “They were taking pictures. We had the greatest laugh.” ‘THE GOAL FOR ME HAS BEEN TO RAISE MONEY TO HELP KIDS’

— John Bisanz

Central Illinois Batman looks forward to many more such encounters. “That the best part,” he said, “just making people’s day and seeing their reactions.”

Phil Luciano is a senior writer/columnist for Peoria Magazine and content contributor to public television station WTVP

APRIL 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE 63