Detective Comics No. 347
January 1966
Cover: Tearful Robin holding newspaper with photograph of dead Batman
//Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Strange Death of Batman” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #64;
next appears in BATMAN #178), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #1;
next appears in BATMAN #178)
Intro: Gardner Fox (of Earth-Prime)
Cameo appearances: Batman (dies in this story), Robin, the Bouncer,
Superman, Atom, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman,
Hawkman (the Justice League of America), Batman of Earth-Two, Alfred Beagle
(in a “what-if” version of the story)
Villain: The Bouncer (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #336)
Comment: Pages 10-14 of this story are a “what-if” version of pages
1-9, showing an imaginary version in which Batman dies and Robin avenges
his death.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin tackle a foe called the Bouncer, who wears
a suit of rubber-and-steel alloy that allows him to shrug off punches and
bounce for great distances.
Batman No. 178
February 1966
Cover: Batman vs. Rocketeers //Gil Kane / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Raid of the Rocketeers” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #347)
Intro: Prof. Hank Wilson (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Hank Wilson’s ancestors (first and only appearance
for all)
Villains: The Rocketeers and their leader (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: The Rocketeers, a jet-pack-powered group of criminals, hijack
three missles and threaten to use them against Gotham City unless a billion-dollar
ransom is paid. Batman and Robin attempt to abort the missle launch
and capture the Rocketeers.
Story: “The Loan Shark’s Hidden Hoard” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#42), Robin (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #348)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #64; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155)
Intro: Rosy, Weeper (only appearance for both)
Villains: Shark Sharkey, Mako, Louie, Chesty, a thug (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Metamorpho fight the Unimaginable in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #42.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin trace a series of bombings to a loan shark
who has been blasting clients who refused to pay up.
Detective Comics No. 348
February 1966
Cover: Birdmaster watching Batman and Robin battle killer birds in
cage //Joe Kubert (signed)
Story: “Birdmaster of Bedlam” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#42; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #178; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155)
Intro: Mona (dies in this story)
Villain: The Birdmaster (first appearance; dies in this story) and
his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to discover the true identity of Nightman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin are confronted by the Birdmaster, a criminal
who commands a horde of trained birds to destroy aircraft in flight.
Batman No. 179
March 1966
Cover: Riddler with riddle-cards, Batman and Robin swinging in //Gil
Kane / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Clay Pigeon For a Killer” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman, Dick Grayson (does not appear as Robin
in this story; last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155)
Intro: Roger Kay (only appearance)
Villains: Victor Iago and his gang (three of whom die in this story;
first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman impersonates Roger Kay, a TV host who has promised
to unveil the identity of the perpetrators of a $3,000,000 robbery
but who now realizes he has made himself a target for murder.
Story: “The Riddle-Less Robberies of the Riddler” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #91)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #155; next appears in issue #181)
Other Character: Warden of State Penitentiary (last appearance in issue
#171; last appearance)
Villains: The Riddler (last appearance in issue #171; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #68) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
and Jimmy Olsen to battle the Dragons in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #91.
Then Batman teams with the Justice League to fight the Royal Flush Gang
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #43 while Robin helps the Teen Titans deal
with Garn in TEEN TITANS #2.
Synopsis: The Riddler breaks jail and decides he must stop giving Batman
riddles, since the Caped Crusader always figures them out and apprehends
him. But he learns he is unable to rob without giving a riddle beforehand.
Detective Comics No. 349
March 1966
Cover: Blockbuster vs. Batman and Robin //Joe Kubert (signed)
Story: “The Blockbuster Breaks Loose” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#43; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156), Robin (last appearance
in TEEN TITANS #2; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
Cameo appearance: Roland Desmond (in flashback)
Villains: The Blockbuster (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#46), the Outsider (between issues #340 / 356), a gang of crooks (first
and only appearance)
Comments: Reader Henry Goldman in the letters page of this issue guesses
that Alfred Pennyworth is the Outsider, and editor Julius Schwartz acknowledges
that this is the best guess yet.
Shortly after this story, Batman and Robin team with Superman
to face Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Batman, and the Joker in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #156. Then Batman visits Jimmy Olsen in the hospital
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #92.
Synopsis: The Outsider uses the Blockbuster to overpower Batman and
place him in a deathtrap.
Detective Comics No. 350
April 1966
Cover: Batman vs. the Monarch of Menace //Joe Kubert (signed)
Story: “The Monarch of Menace” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #92; next appears in BATMAN #180), Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #156; next appears in BATMAN #180)
Villains: The Monarch of Menace (first appearance; next appears in
BATMAN #293), his son, his gang, various crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Batman confesses that there is one super-criminal he failed
to catch, the Monarch of Menace, whom he encountered early in his career.
But Robin catches the Monarch’s son, and both of them lay a trap for his
father.
Batman No. 180
May 1966
Cover: Death-Man kicking Batman and Robin into an open grave //Gil
Kane / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Death Knocks Three Times” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #350;
next appears in SUPERMAN #186), Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#350; next appears in TEEN TITANS #3)
Intro: A guard (dies in this story), a yogi (only appearance)
Villains: Death-Man (first appearance; dies in this story) and his
gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps Superman expose a group
of phonies in SUPERMAN #186, then helps the Justice League fight the Unimaginable
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #44, while Robin helps the Teen Titans battle
Ding-Dong Daddy Dowd in TEEN TITANS #3.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin meet Death-Man, a skeleton-costumed villain
who appears to die twice--and then returns from both deaths.
Detective Comics No. 351
May 1966
Cover: The Cluemaster dropping clue signboard between himself and Batman
and Robin //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Cluemaster’s Topsy-Turvy Crimes” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#44; next appears in BATMAN #181), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS
#3; next appears in BATMAN #181)
Supporting Character: Harriet Cooper (between BATMAN #175 / 184)
Villains: The Cluemaster (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN
#201) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman and Robin meet the Cluemaster, a villain who deliberately
leaves clues to his future crimes, and who intends to unmask Batman and
strike at him in his secret identity.
Batman No. 181
June 1966
Cover: Batman, Robin, and Poison Ivy //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
(signed)
Story: “Beware of Poison Ivy” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #351),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #351; next appears in DOOM PATROL
#104)
Villains: Poison Ivy (Pamela Lillian Isley; first and last names revealed
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111; middle name revealed in Wonder Woman
story in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #252, where she is called “Lillian Rose”;
true full name revealed in WHO’S WHO #18; first appearance; last chronological
appearance and origin revealed in Wonder Woman story in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #252; next appears in issue #183) and her gang, Silken Spider, Tiger
Moth, Dragon Fly, and their gangs (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This issue also includes a two-page pinup of Batman and Robin
by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.
Synopsis: Batman appears to be falling for a beautiful new thief in
town, Poison Ivy, who appears to come between him and Robin.
Story: “The Perfect Crime--Slightly Imperfect” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in DOOM PATROL #104)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue
#179; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #352), Kaye Daye, District Attorney
Danton, Art Saddows, Martin Tellman (the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City;
all between issues #174 / 194)
Intro: Nancy Owens (only appearance)
Villains: Fern Hunter, Chuck, Joe, another crook (first and only appearance
for all)
Comments: This is the third Mystery Analysts of Gotham City story.
Shortly after this story Batman and Robin, together with the
Justice League and the Teen Titans, attend the wedding of Elasti-Girl and
Mento in DOOM PATROL #104. Then Batman helps the Justice League fight
Shaggy Man in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #45.
Synopsis: Batman and the Mystery Analysts learn from mystery writer
Kaye Daye that she is about to win the Sherlock Award for The Stars Do
Kill--a book she insists she did not write.
Detective Comics No. 352
June 1966
Cover: Batman vs. Mr. Esper //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “Batman’s Crime-Hunt A-Go-Go” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#45; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158), Robin (last appearance
in DOOM PATROL #104; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#181)
Intro: Lynda (only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Esper (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #201)
and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to meet Brainiac A in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158.
Synopsis: Batman is grateful for a string of hunches that lead him
and Robin to the site of crimes in progress, until one turns out to be
a red herring that lures them away from a million-dollar robbery.
Detective Comics No. 353
July 1966
Cover: Flash, Weather Wizard, Batman, and Robin //Carmine Infantino
/ Joe Giella
Story: “The Weather-Wizard’s Triple-Treasure Thefts” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#158; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #67), Robin (last appearance in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158; next appears in BATMAN #183)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon
Intro: Felix Bayard
Villain: Weather Wizard (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#41; next appears in THE FLASH #175)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Flash to fight
the Speed Boys in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #67.
Synopsis: The Weather Wizard shifts operations from Central City to
Gotham City and challenges Batman and Robin to stop his robberies of wealthy
men.
Batman No. 183
August 1966
Cover: Batman impostor and Robin in Bat-Cave //Carmine Infantino /
Joe Giella
Story: “A Touch of Poison Ivy” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #67),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #353)
Villains: Poison Ivy (last appearance in issue #181; next appears in
the Rose and Thorn story in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #116) and
her gang, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Poison Ivy plays on Batman’s obsession with her to force
him to break her out of jail, or see it destroyed with an explosive she
has concealed in her hair. Once freed, she makes Batman her captive.
Story: “Batman’s Baffling Turnabout” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both next appear in METAL MEN #21)
Villains: A Batman impostor and his gang (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin capture a gang of
crooks in METAL MEN #21.
Synopsis: A Batman impostor traps Batman and tries to convince Robin
he is the real article, but his old-style bat-emblem trips him up.
Detective Comics No. 354
August 1966
Cover: Batman surrounded by Dr. Tzin-Tzin’s gang; Dr. Tzin-Tzin vignette
//Carmine Infantino / Joe Giella
Story: “No Exit For Batman” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in METAL
MEN #21; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #159)
Intro: Dr. Corey (only appearance)
Villains: Dr. Tzin-Tzin (first appearance; next appears in issue #408)
and his gang (first and only appearance), Strip Bander (first appearance;
dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with
Superman to fight Anti-Superman and Anti-Batman (Commissioner Gordon) in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159.
Synopsis: A gangster’s death by fright leads Batman and Robin into
the clutches of criminal mastermind Dr. Tzin-Tzin.
Batman No. 184
September 1966
Cover: Hot-Line, Batman and Robin //Carmine Infantino / Joe Giella
Story: “Mystery of the Missing Manhunters” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #159)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #159; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #355), Harriet Cooper
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #351 / 356), Sgt. Harvey Hainer (?; last appearance
in issue #142; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #405)
Villains: Slippery Sam Lorenzo (first appearance; dies in this story),
Lefty Wright, Robbery Incorporated (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman goes missing for 13 days, appears on the 14th day
with no memory of what happened to him during the last two weeks, and has
Robin put him in a hypnotic trance to find out what took place during that
time.
Story: “The Boy Wonder’s Boo-Boo Patrol” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Character: Robin (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #355)
GS: Bruce Wayne (does not appear as Batman in this story; next appears,
as Batman, in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #46)
Intro: Viola Lance, Bill Porter (only appearance for both)
Villains: Two thieves (first and only appearance)
Comments: This is a Robin solo story.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Justice Society fight Anti-Matter Man, Blockbuster, and Solomon Grundy
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #46-47.
Synopsis: Robin, left to guard Gotham City in Batman’s abscence, becomes
involved (in a blundering way) with a stunt girl filming an episode of
a TV series.
Detective Comics No. 355
September 1966
Cover: Hooded Hangman dangling Batman off roof //Carmine Infantino
/ Joe Giella (signed)
Story: “Hate of the Hooded Hangman” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#46; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #184; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#184; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160)
Intro: The Arizona Apache (only appearance)
Villain: The Hooded Hangman (Telman Davies; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman and Robin team with Superman
to fight Dr. Zodiac in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160, then Batman teams with
Metamorpho to fight the Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #68 and Robin helps the Teen Titans deal with the Ant in TEEN
TITANS #5.
Synopsis: A masked wrestler, the Hooded Hangman, seeks to become the
most famous “secret identity” hero in Gotham City by unmasking Batman.
Detective Comics No. 356
October 1966
Cover: Robin turning into coffin as Batman fights Outsider //Carmine
Infantino / Joe Giella (signed)
Story: “Inside Story of the Outsider” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #68;
next appears in AQUAMAN #30), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #5;
next appears in BATMAN #186)
Supporting Character: Harriet Cooper (last appearance in BATMAN #184;
next appears in issue #358)
Intro: Brandon Crawford (only appearance)
Villains: The Outsider (last appearance in issue #349; restored to
being Alfred Pennyworth in this story; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#90; also appears in flashback, between issues #328 / 334; origin revealed
in this story), the Grasshoppers (last appearance for both in issue #334;
last appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman attends the mock funeral of
Aquaman in AQUAMAN #30, then teams with Adam Strange to fight Brian T.
Fassett in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #90.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin finally learn the secret of the Outsider
as the villain prepares to transform them both into coffins.
Batman No. 186
November 1966
Cover: Batman vs. Joker and Gaggy //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Joker’s Original Robberies” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #90),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #356)
Intro: Philip Perry, Gotham City Historical Society (only appearance
for all)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #68; next
appears in issue #191) and his gang, Gaggy (Gagsworth A. Gagsworth;
first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Joker resumes his duel against Batman and Robin with
a new partner in tow, Gaggy, a midget clown hired to keep him laughing
in order to make him think of new crime motifs.
Story: “Commissioner Gordon’s Death-Threat” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in BLACKHAWK #228), Robin
(next appears in TEEN TITANS #6)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#90 / 69)
Intro: Judge Parker (in flashback; only appearance)
Villains: Fred Purley and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League monitor
the Blackhawks in BLACKHAWK #228-230 and fight Felix Faust in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #49, while Robin and the Teen Titans meet Beast Boy in TEEN
TITANS #6.
Synopsis: Batman tries to protect Commissioner Gordon from an ex-con
who has sworn to kill him.
Detective Comics No. 357
November 1966
Cover: William B. Williams, Batman, Robin, Bruce Wayne, and Dick Grayson
//Carmine Infantino / Joe Giella
Story: “Bruce Wayne Unmasks Batman” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#49; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #162), Robin (last appearance
in TEEN TITANS #6; next appears in BATMAN #188)
Intro: William B. Williams (of Earth-One), Tom Wiley, Stewart Hall,
“Meat Hook” (only appearance for all)
Villains: Frankie Fargo, Beefy, Boo-Boo, Slugger (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to help
the knights of the Round Table battle aliens in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #162
and teams with Green Lantern to fight the Time Commander in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #69.
Synopsis: A radio personality invites a phony Batman and Robin to appear
with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, and two bumbling hoods decide to take
advantage of the situation.
Batman No. 188
December 1966
Cover: Batman and Robin being “erased” by the Eraser //Carmine Infantino
/ Joe Giella
Story: “The Eraser Who Tried To Rub Out Batman” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #69;
origin details revealed; see Comment under issue #81 for chronology), Robin
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #357)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #90; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS # 358), Commissioner
Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #69)
Intro: Celia Smith (in flashback; only appearance)
Villains: The Eraser (Lenny Fiasco) and his gang, various crooks (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman and Robin encounter the Eraser, a crook whose “pencil-eraser”
headgear removes incriminating traces from crime scenes, and who proves
to be an old college classmate of Bruce Wayne’s.
Story: “The Ten Best-Dressed Corpses In Gotham City” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both next appear in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #50)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #359)
Villains: Matt Whitson, Hampden Dennis, Strongin (first and only appearance
for all), Deems Davis (no appearance; name only mentioned; first appearance;
dies before this story begins)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin help the Justice
League fight the Lord of Time in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50. Then
Batman and Superman briefly switch bodies in ACTION COMICS #344.
Synopsis: The “Ten Best-Dressed Men in Gotham City” are being killed,
one by one, and Bruce Wayne’s name is fourth on the list.
Detective Comics No. 358
December 1966
Cover: Spellbinder vs. Batman //Carmine Infantino / Joe Giella (signed)
Story: “The Circle of Terror” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #344;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163), Robin (last appearance in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #70)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#188), Harriet Cooper (last appearance in issue #356; next appears in BATMAN
#191)
Intro: Dr. Harris (only appearance)
Villains: The Spellbinder (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN
#336), Dipsy, Doodler, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Jemphis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163. Then Batman, Robin, Superman,
and Lois Lane fight the Catwoman and the Penguin in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #70-71.
Synopsis: The Spellbinder, a crook who uses hypnotic patterns on his
costume to induce trances, causes Batman to have flashbacks to a dream
in which he is about to die.
Detective Comics No. 359
January 1967
Cover: Batman, Robin, and Batgirl //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #71; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #70), Robin (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71; next appears in TEEN TITANS #7)
Intro and origin: Batgirl (Barbara Gordon; last chronological appearance
in ADVENTURE COMICS #453; next appears in BATMAN #191)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#188; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #70), Alfred Pennyworth (next
appears in BATMAN #189)
Intro: Burton Talbot (only appearance)
Villains: Killer Moth (of Earth-One; Cameron Van Cleer; first appearance;
next appears in BATMAN #200) and his Moth-Men (including Larva and Pupa;
first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Hawkman to fight
the Collector in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #70 while Robin helps the Teen Titans
battle the Mad Mod in TEEN TITANS #7.
Synopsis: Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, goes to a
masquerade ball in a Batgirl costume of her own creation. But on the way
there she notices Bruce Wayne being attacked by Killer Moth and his cronies,
swings into action, and begins a crime-fighting career of her own.
Later, she aids Batman and Robin in bringing down the Moth.
Batman No. 189
February 1967
Cover: Scarecrow with defeated Batman //Carmine Infantino / Joe Giella
(signed)
Story: “Fright of the Scarecrow” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #70;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #51), Robin (last appearance
in TEEN TITANS #7; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #360)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #359)
Intro: Andy and other children, Jeremy T. Fall (only appearance for
all)
Villains: The Scarecrow (of Earth-One; Jonathan Crane; first appearance;
next appears in issue #200; see Comment below) and his gang (first and
only appearance)
Comments: This is the first appearance of the Earth-One Scarecrow.
As such, the flashback to the Scarecrow’s origin is not the one presented
for the Earth-Two Scarecrow in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #3, so the citation
of that issue is technically incorrect.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League reunite
Zatanna with Zatara in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #51.
Synopsis: Jonathan Crane, a tall, skinny psychology professor who specialized
in the mental processes of fear, turned to crime as the Scarecrow and used
fear in his robberies, encountering Batman and Robin in the past.
Now, after a long abscence, he is back to challenge the Dynamic Duo anew.
Detective Comics No. 360
February 1967
Cover: Batman and Robin lying on steps, shadow of Gunshy Barton using
telephone //Carmine Infantino / Joe Giella
Story: “The Case of the Abbreviated Batman” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#51; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #189; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #70)
Villains: Gunshy Barton and his gang (including Slugs; first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to battle Brainiac and Genia in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164.
Synopsis: Gangster Gunshy Barton hits on a new way to fight Batman
and Robin, cueing his gang with signals derived from abbreviated words.
Batman No. 190
March 1967
Cover: Penguin using flying umbrellas against Batman and Robin //Carmine
Infantino / Joe Giella (signed)
Story: “The Penguin Takes a Flyer Into the Future” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#164; next appears in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52), Robin
(last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164; next appears in TEEN TITANS
#8)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #361)
Villains: The Penguin (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #70), a robot Penguin (first appearance; destroyed in this story),
Brolly, Swifty, Bald Eagle, and the rest of the Penguin’s gang (first and
only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
cubistic aliens in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52 while Robin
helps the Teen Titans fight “Honey Bun” in TEEN TITANS #8.
Synopsis: The Penguin, feeling that the law has “outmoded” most crooks
with their scientific crook-catching devices, strikes back by equipping
his gang with futuristic equipment before their next encounters with Batman
and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 361
March 1967
Cover: Robin trapped in “hot box” while Batman chases crooks //Carmine
Infantino / Joe Giella
Story: “The Dynamic Duo’s Double Deathtrap” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in flashback in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #165), Robin
(last appearance in TEEN TITANS #8; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#165)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (between BATMAN #190 / 191),
Commissioner Gordon
Intro: Thea Albrecht (only appearance)
Villains: Eivol Ekdal (last appearance in issue #346; dies in this
story), Yuri Melikov (first appearance; dies in this story), Igor, Alexei,
various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to fight King Wolff in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #165, then Batman teams with
Green Arrow to fight the Promoter in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #71.
Synopsis: Eivol Ekdal creates a deathtrap rigged to fry Robin with
super-heat once he is inside of it, and to blow him and Batman to bits
if Batman attempts to open it.
Detective Comics No. 362
April 1967
Cover: Batman smashing model of Gotham City //Carminie Infantino /
Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Night Batman Destroyed Gotham City” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #71;
next appears in BATMAN #191), Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #165; next appears in BATMAN #191)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in BATMAN #191)
Intro: Angelo (only appearance)
Villains: The Riddler (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #68; next
appears in issue #364), the Enigmen (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Riddler hides a bomb in a model of Gotham City, and Batman
must destroy the whole “city” before it can blow up part of the real Gotham.
Batman No. 191
May 1967
Cover: Alfred and Dick Grayson crying as Batman auctions off his bat-equipment
and costume //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Day Batman Sold Out” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance of both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #362)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between DETECTIVE COMICS #359 / 363)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#362 / 363), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #361)
Villains: Ira Radon (first appearance; dies in this story), the Penguin
(next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60), the Joker (last appearance
in issue #186; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #365), various crooks (first
and only appearance)
Synopsis: Ira Radon, while fighting Batman, is accidentally irradiated
by an isotope and will die if he ever steals again, setting off a particular
glandular reaction in his body. Therefore, he plots to irradiate
Batman and force him to give up crime-fighting and auction off his equipment.
Story: “Alfred’s Mystery Menu” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #74), Robin (next appears in TEEN TITANS #9)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #364), Harriet Cooper (between DETECTIVE COMICS #358 / 364)
Villains: Duke Kelsey and his gang, the Millionaire Mobster Club (first
and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League negotiate
an interplanetary prison in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74, battle
the “Master Thief” in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53, and help Supergirl
fight “Fingers” Cooley in ACTION COMICS #350, while Robin helps the Teen
Titans fight Captain Tiger in TEEN TITANS #9.
Synopsis: Alfred is kidnapped by a mobster who forces him to fix a
millionaire’s meal for the Millionaire Mobsters’ Club, and his only way
out is to leave clues by way of food purchases for Batman and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 363
May 1967
Cover: Batman unmasking, Robin, and blindfolded Batgirl //Carmine Infantino
/ Murphy Anderson
Story: “The True-False Face of Batman” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #350;
next appears in BATMAN #192), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #9;
next appears in BATMAN #192)
GS: Batgirl (last appearance in BATMAN #191; next appears in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #169)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in issue #365)
Villains: Paul Crowell, Mr. Brains (John Hart), and their gang (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: While tracking down a gang of museum thieves who signal their
jobs through clues involving library books, Batman unmasks before Batgirl,
but still conceals his identity.
Batman No. 192
June 1967
Cover: Johnny Witts (as the Swami), the Fearsome Foursome, and Batman’s
face in crystal ball //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Crystal Ball That Betrayed Batman” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #363)
Intro: Chen Ku, Lisan (only appearance for both)
Villains: Johnny Witts (as the Swami; last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #344; next appears in issue #201), the Fearsome Foursome (including
Silent Stan; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A Chinatown robbery leads Batman to the lair of the Swami,
who makes predictions for crooks, and who is an old foe of Batman’s in
disguise.
Story: “Dick Grayson’s Secret Guardian” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Robin (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #364)
GS: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54)
Intro: Frank Reynolds (first and only appearance)
Villains: Toughy Loomis, Don, two other crooks (first and only apperance
for all)
Comment: This is a Robin story and probably takes place in early September.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
the Royal Flush Gang in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54.
The “man-amplifier” in this story later is used by Mal to become
the Guardian of the Teen Titans.
Synopsis: Dick Grayson makes an enemy of Toughy Loomis and his gang,
who attempt to beat him up after school, but makes a friend of a masked
youth who comes to his rescue with lifting power beyond normal human strength.
Detective Comics No. 364
June 1967
Cover: Batman and Robin examining footprints on wall and ceiling //Carmine
Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Curious Case of the Crime-Less Clues” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#54), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #192; next appears in TEEN TITANS
#10)
Supporting Characters: Harriet Cooper (last appearance in BATMAN #191;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance
in BATMAN #191; briefly reverts to his Outsider persona in this story)
Villains: The Riddler (between issues #362 / 373 (Elongated Man story)),
Alfred Pennyworth (as the Outsider), various crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Robin helps the Teen Titans fight
the Scorcher in TEEN TITANS #10.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin find crimes with the trademarks of the Riddler,
the Joker, and the Getaway Genius, even though all three crooks are in
jail.
Detective Comics No. 365
July 1967
Cover: Batman and Robin being fired upon by hoods inside Joker-house
//Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The House the Joker Built” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in BATMAN #194), Robin (last
appearance in TEEN TITANS #10; next appears in BATMAN #194)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue
#363; next appears in BATMAN #194), Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168)
Intro: Harry, Charley (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Joker (between BATMAN #191 / 200) and his gang (including
Heister and Lensy), various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Joker begins merchandising himself with Joker clothing
and TV sets on which he plays films taken of his latest clashes with Batman
and Robin.
Batman No. 194
August 1967
Cover: Batman vs. Blockbuster //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
(signed)
Story: “The Blockbuster Goes Bat-Mad” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #365),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #365; next appears in SUPERMAN
#199)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #365)
Intro: Dr. Margot Rankin, Dr. Sloane (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearance: Solomon Grundy (as a disguise for Batman)
Villain: The Blockbuster (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #47 / 135)
Synopsis: The Blockbuster has been given therapy, taught to love instead
of hate, and taught to speak simple sentences. But when he sees a
display of Batman toys, it triggers a hate-rampage again, and he goes on
the rampage against the Caped Crusader.
Story: “The Problem of the Proxy Paintings” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in SUPERMAN #199)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #366), Hugh Rankin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #339; last
appearance), District Attorney Danton (between issues #181 / 196), Kaye
Daye, Art Saddows, Martin Tellman (last appearance for all in issue #181;
all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111; all characters appear
as the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City)
Intro: Haverford Mimms, Reginald Stonefellow, Ronald Stonefellow (only
appearance for all)
Villains: John Burleson, three crooks (only appearance for all)
Comments: This is a Mystery Analysts of Gotham City story. The
next Mystery Analysts story appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111.
Shortly after this story, Batman and Robin join the Justice League
and Supergirl to attend the first Superman / Flash race in SUPERMAN #199,
then team up with Superman to fight the Composite Superman in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #168.
Synopsis: When two original paintings worth $150,000 show up in Martin
Tellman’s living room in place of the $200 copies of them, Tellman calls
in the Mystery Analysts, and Batman gets on the case.
Batman No. 195
September 1967
Cover: Batman facing Bag O’Bones //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
(signed)
Story: “The Spark-Spangled See-Through Man” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#168; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #366), Robin (last appearance in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168; next appears in TEEN TITANS #11)
Villains: Bag O’Bones (Ned Creegan; first appearance; next appears
as Cyclotron in BLACK LIGHTNING #4), Nevil Logan, Charley the Fence (first
and only appearance for both)
Comments: Bag O’Bones returns in BLACK LIGHTNING #4 and 5 as Cyclotron,
and then appears as Meltdown in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #4.
Shortly after this story Robin and the Teen Titans battle the
Gargoyle in TEEN TITANS #14 and help Willie Gregson in TEEN TITANS #11.
Synopsis: Ned Creegan, irradiated during a jewel robbery, has his flesh
turn transparent and gains static electric powers. As Bag O’Bones,
he goes against Batman and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 366
August 1967
Cover: Batman making out will //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
(signed)
Story: “The Round-Robin Death Threats” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #195), Robin
(last appearance in TEEN TITANS #11)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #168), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN #194)
Intro: John Kobler, Fred Tinney
Villains: Doc Hastings (first appearance), various crooks (first and
only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Batman is mentally forced to participate in a master criminal’s
round-robin death-plot for himself and four others, but leaves a clue for
Robin to help them avoid their fates.
Detective Comics No. 367
September 1967
Cover: Doc Hastings holding gun on Batman (jigsaw puzzle) //Carmine
Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Slay” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (next appearance for both in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #169)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (next
appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #74)
Other Characters: John Kobler, Fred Tinney
Villain: Doc Hastings (last appearance)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Batgirl,
Superman, and Batman to deal with Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #169. Then Batman teams with the Metal Men to battle
Dr. Daedalus in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #74 while Robin helps the Teen Titans
fight the Deliverer in TEEN TITANS #12.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin attempt to capture Doc Hastings and to end
the round-robin death-threats.
Detective Comics No. 368
October 1967
Cover: Giant inflatable Batman over Gotham City //Carmine Infantino
/ Murphy Anderson
Story: “Seven Wonder Crimes of Gotham City” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #74;
next appears in BATMAN #196), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #12;
next appears in BATMAN #196)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #171)
Villains: The “Mastermind Thief” and his gang (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Batman and Robin try to foil seven robberies in Gotham City
based on the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.
Batman No. 196
November 1967
Cover: James Frost pushing Batman out of loft over Robin //Carmine
Infantino / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Psychic Super-Sleuth” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #368)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#74 / 75)
Intro: Petru Dubrov, Joey Tolliver, Hank, Kenny (only appearance for
all)
Villains: A Petru Dubrov impostor, Dubrov’s “friend” and his gang (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A psychic offers his help to Batman, Robin, and Commissioner
Gordon on a case, but Batman deduces that the “psychic” is an impersonator
who has kidnapped the real mentalist.
Story: “The Purloined Parchment Puzzle” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #171)
Supporting Character: District Attorney Danton (last appearance in
issue #194; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111)
Intro: Howard Purley, Donald Connery, Lt. Bert Savelli (only appearance
for all)
Villains: James Frost, various crooks (first and only appearance for
all)
Comments: The flashbacks in this story take place March 21, 1967.
Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to deal with Victor Stark in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171. Then
Batman teams with the Spectre to fight Shahn-Zi in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #75.
Synopsis: During a pre-trial hearing for accused thief Donald Connery,
Batman proclaims Connery’s innocence and promises to expose the real crook
during the proceedings.
Detective Comics No. 369
November 1967
Cover: Batgirl and Batman having tug-of-war with Robin //Gil Kane /
Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “Batgirl Breaks Up the Dynamic Duo” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #75;
next appears in BATMAN #197), Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #171; next appears in BATMAN #197)
GS: Batgirl (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169; next appears
in BATMAN #197)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #171)
Villains: Catwoman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #71; next appears in BATMAN #197), various crooks (first and only
appearance)
Comment: This story continues in part in BATMAN #197.
Synopsis: Batman comes down with swamp fever, and Batgirl and Robin
are forced to scoop him in crime-fighting for a week in order to keep him
inactive long enough to recover.
Batman No. 197
December 1967
Cover: Batgirl squaring off against Catwoman over fallen Batman //Ross
Andru / Jack Abel
Story: “Catwoman Sets Her Claws For Batman” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Chic Stone
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #369;
next appears in THE FLASH #175), Robin (between DETECTIVE COMICS #369 /
370)
GS: Batgirl (between DETECTIVE COMICS #369 / 371)
Villains: Catwoman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #369; next
appears in issue #201) and her gang, the Parker Brothers (first and only
appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues in part from DETECTIVE COMICS #369.
Catwoman first wears her all-green uniform in this story.
Shortly after this story Batman and the Justice League watch
the second Superman / Flash race in THE FLASH #175 and then fight the Contras
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #59.
Synopsis: Catwoman, feeling herself threatened by Batgirl as a love
interest for Batman, launches herself into a crime-fighting campaign and
captures a number of crooks. But, when he refuses to take the marriage
bait, she captures him, Robin, and Batgirl, to make him an offer she thinks
he cannot refuse.
Detective Comics No. 370
December 1967
Cover: Robin watching Blitzkrieg Bandit beat on Batman //Carmine Infantino
/ Neal Adams
Story: “The Nemesis From Batman’s Boyhood” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#59; origin details revealed in flashback; see Comment under BATMAN #81
for chronology), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #197; next appears in
TEEN TITANS #13)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in issue #372)
Villain: The Blitzkrieg Bandit (Bart Lambert; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Robin helps the Teen Titans fight
Mr. Big in TEEN TITANS #13.
Synopsis: Faced with a foe who beat Bruce Wayne as a child, Batman
is unable to strike him back.
Detective Comics No. 371
January 1968
Cover: Batman and Robin beset by crooks while Batgirl examines a run
in her tights //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Batgirl’s Costume Cut-Ups” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Gil Kane
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #76),
Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #13; next appears in BATMAN #199)
GS: Batgirl (last appearance in BATMAN #197; next appears in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #75)
Intro: Stuffy (only appearance)
Villains: The Sports Spoilers Gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Plastic Man to
fight the Molder in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #76.
Synopsis: Batgirl’s concern for her appearance leads to troubles during
her and Batman’s and Robin’s encounters with the Sports Spoilers Gang.
Batman No. 199
February 1968
Cover: Batman at newsstand which carries copies of SUPERMAN #203, FLASH
#175, WONDER WOMAN #174, GREEN LANTERN #38, ATOM #34, and HAWKMAN #23 //Carmine
Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Peril of the Poison Rings” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #76),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #372)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #75; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #372)
Intro: Warren Norwood (only appearance)
Villains: Rembrandt Dickens and his gang (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: This story establishes that Earth-One has true-crime DC superhero
comics of its own, which pop up periodically in Earth-One stories.
A flashback takes place in March, some “eighteen months” prior
to this story, seemingly placing it in September, 1967. However,
since the Teen Titans have a Christmas adventure in TEEN TITANS #13, published
last month, the March date is an obvious textual error.
Synopsis: The writer-artist of Batman and other DC Comics, Rembrandt
Dickens, is secretly a criminal and has one of his gang scratch Batman
with a poison ring. Unless Batman can find an issue of Batman to
help him solve the mystery of the gangleader’s identity, he will soon die.
Story: “Seven Steps To Save Face” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#60), Robin (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #372)
Villains: Eddie and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps Batgirl and the Justice
League fight the Queen Bee in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60, after which
he helps Superman out in ACTION COMICS #359.
Synopsis: When a phony Robin unmasks Batman in the Bat-Cave, the Gotham
Goliath undertakes a seven-step plan to save his secret identity.
Detective Comics No. 372
February 1968
Cover: Batman vs. Karonians //Neal Adams
Story: “The Fearsome Foot-Fighters” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #359;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #173), Dick Grayson (does not appear
as Robin in this story; last appearance in BATMAN #199; next appears in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #173)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in issue
#370; next appears in BATMAN #200), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance
in BATMAN #199)
Intro: Mrs. Zoldin, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Garrison, Andrea (only appearance
for all), Marne Zoldin (dies in this story)
Villains: Idimo and other Karonians (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team up with Superman
to fight Dr. Arron in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #173.
Synopsis: Batman investigates some savate-fighting Karonians who claim
to be tracking a criminal from their land, who is actually a freedom fighter.
Batman No. 200
March 1968
Cover: Batman and Robin holding “200" bat; reproductions of covers
from issues #1, 31, 8, 16, 47, 67, 156, 44, and 181 //Neal Adams
Story: “The Man Who Radiated Fear” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#173; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #61; origin retold in this
story), Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #173; next appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #373; origin retold in this story)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (between DETECTIVE COMICS #372
/ 373)
Cameo appearances: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Joe Chill, John Grayson,
Mary Grayson, Jack Haly (spelled “Haley” in this story), Boss Zucco and
his gang (in flashbacks)
Villains: The Scarecrow (last appearance in issue #189; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #389), the Penguin (last appearance in issue #190;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #61), Killer Moth (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #359; next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #10), the Joker
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #365) and his gang, Larry, Raybourne,
Biljo, Roberts (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: This issue contains a reprint of page 1 of “The Case of the
Chemical Syndicate” (the first Batman story) from DETECTIVE COMICS #27,
a partial reproduction of a Batman feature page from issue #3, and a Mike
Friedrich interview with Biljo White as part of the 200th Issue celebration.
The crook named Biljo is named for Batman fan Biljo White.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
Dr. Destiny, the Penguin, and other villains in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#60.
Synopsis: The Scarecrow develops a fear-radiating pill that enables
him to make Batman and Robin faint with fright at the sight of him.
Detective Comics No. 373
March 1968
Cover: Mr. Freeze kicking frozen Batman off roof //Irv Novick
Story: “Mr. Freeze’s Chilling Deathtrap” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Chic Stone
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#60; next appears in Elongated Man story in this issue), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #200; next appears in the Elongated Man story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Harriet Cooper (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #168; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111), Alfred
Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN #200; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #174), Commissioner Gordon (next appears in the Elongated Man story
in this issue)
Intro: Dr. Nostrand (only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Freeze (formerly Mr. Zero; between BATMAN #121 / 291)
and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman and Robin help the Elongated
Man capture the Riddler in the second story in this issue. Then Batman
and Robin team with Superman to test their android doubles in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #174. Then Batman teams with the Atom to fight the Cannoneer
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #77.
Synopsis: A cryogenic operating instrument fails, and Batman must bring
in Mr. Freeze and appropriate his cold-gun to save Aunt Harriet’s life.
Detective Comics No. 374
April 1968
Cover: Batman finding beaten Robin in alley //Carmine Infantino and
Irv Novick (signed)
Story: “Hunt For a Robin-Killer” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Gil Kane
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #77;
next appears in BATMAN #201), Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #174; next appears in TEEN TITANS #15)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #77; next appears in BATMAN #201)
Villains: Jim Connors, Ed Connors (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: After Robin recovers from his beating, he helps the Teen Titans
fight Captain Rumble in TEEN TITANS #15. Then both he and Batman
join Supergirl, Superman, and several members of the Legion of Super-Heroes
on a dimensional trip in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #117 (flashback).
Synopsis: Batman goes on a vendetta against the man who beat Robin
almost to death.
BATMAN #201
May 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick (signed)
Letterer:
STORY
"Batman's Gangland Guardians" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Chic Stone
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #117; next appears
in Justice League of America #62)
Robin (last seen in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #117; next appears
in Detective Comics #375)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in Detective Comics #374; next appears
in World's Finest Comics #175)
Alfred Pennyworth (last seen in World's Finest Comics #174)
Villains
Mr. Esper (last seen in Detective Comics #352; next appears in issue
#209)
The Penguin (last seen in Justice League of America #61; next appears
in issue #257)
The Joker (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #177)
Catwoman (between issues #197 / 210)
Mad Hatter (between issues #161 / 291)
Cluemaster (last seen in Detective Comics #351; next appears in issue
#293)
Roy Reynolds (between issues #174 / 254)
Johnny Witts (last seen in issue #192; last appearance to date)
A West Coast syndicate (first and only appearance to date for all)
Comments
Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League to fight Leo
Locke and Bullets Jameson in Justice League of America #62. .
Synopsis
The Penguin calls a meeting of Batman's greatest
foes--himself, the Joker, Catwoman, Cluemaster, Johnny Witts, the Mad Hatter,
and Roy Reynolds--and tells them he has learned of a West Coast crime syndicate
trying to relocate in Gotham City. "A voice ...out of thin air" told
the Penguin where and when the syndicate plans to stage robberies in order
to sucker Batman into deathtraps. But if Batman is killed, the syndicate
will then kill his greatest foes--themselves--to eliminate the competition.
Thus, all of them must band together to save Batman's life. The Penguin
volunteers for the first watch.
The blackbird of banditry saves Batman for
a doorway bomb in the Gotham City Museum workshop. The Mad Hatter
rescues him from a booby-trapped pearl at a gem display. Cluemaster
prevents Batman from flying his Bat-copter into an explosive cloud.
Johnny Witts destroys a bomb-buoy before the Bat-Boat can contact it.
But Batman is finally captured by the syndicate on a waterfront dock, and
Roy Reynolds manages to save him. Batman sees none of his saviors
in these cases, and after determining neither Alfred nor Robin helped him
out, decides that another Justice League member gave him an unseen hand.
Batman has guessed, however, who mentally
influenced him to patrol certain areas, the same man who telepathed instructions
to the Penguin: Mr. Esper. Esper had been paid by the syndicate
to lure Batman into traps, but welshed on the deal so that he could tackle
Batman on his own. The syndicate bows out of Gotham, and things return
to normal.
Detective Comics No. 375
May 1968
Cover: Batman and Robin in Batmobile, Pete Maddox aiming gun at them
//Irv Novick
Story: “The Frigid Finger of Fate” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Penciller: Chic Stone
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#62; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #175), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #201; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #175)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#60; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #78)
Villains: Pete Maddox (dies in this story) and his gang (first and
only appearance)
Comment: Governor Morris and Mayor Taylor are named in this story.
Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team up with Superman
and Jimmy Olsen to defeat the Superman and Batman Revenge Squads in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #175. Then Batman and Batgirl team with Wonder Woman
to fight the Copperhead in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #78.
Synopsis: Pete Maddox discovers he can foretell the future in his dreams
if he exposes himself to cold, and has a dream in which he murders Batman.
BATMAN #202
June 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick (signed)
Letterer:
FIRST STORY
"Gateway to Death" (13 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller:
Inker: Sid Greene
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #78)
Robin (last seen in World's Finest Comics #175)
Supporting Character
Alfred Pennyworth
Villains
The Great Norman and his two stooges (first and only appearance for
all to date)
Other Characters
Jackson and a bank teller (first and only appearance for both to date)
Synopsis
Batman and Robin, on patrol, find a downed
officer beside a broken diamond emporium store window. The officer,
revived, tells them that a load of bricks simply levitated themselves to
smash down the store window, and he was struck down by an unseen force.
Batman and Robin see that the safe has been cleaned out. Batman says
that the "Psychic Plunderer", who has earlier pulled off a bank robbery
with a levitated gun and a disembodied voice, has struck again.
When Batman and Robin relate their caper to
Alfred in the Batcave, he suffers a mental shock while trying to tell them
their opponent's name, and can only gasp out "Eternal gate" before collapsing.
After putting Alfred in a doctor's care, the two heroes go to the Eternal
Gate cemetery. Following footprints into a mausoleum, they confront
three crooks, who battle them with paralyzing sound-screeches, psychokinetic
powers, and a vial of perception-slowing gas. Batman and Robin nevertheless
manage to defeat their foes, and then head back to the Wayne mansion.
A recovering Alfred tells them that, in the
English music halls where he once was an entertainer, there was a "mind-over-matter"
magician called the Great Norman who could mentally hurl objects across
the stage. Alfred admits he never learned how Norman did it, though
he suspected trickery. Norman once saved Alfred's life during World
War II, and only days ago, Alfred saw Norman again while visiting his father
Jarvis's grave at Eternal Gate Cemetery. The conflict of his loyalty
to Norman and his wish to see him captured caused Alfred's breakdown, but
he says that a stay in prison may mend Norman's criminal ways.
SECOND STORY
"Menace of the Motorcycle Marauders" (10 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff?
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Character
Robin (next appears in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #111)
Guest Star
Bruce Wayne (does not appear as Batman in this story; next appears
in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #111)
Supporting Character
Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #111)
Villains
The Hornets (including Tommy the Tramp, Magoo, and Jimbo; first and
only appearance to date for all)
Other Character
Mr. Wagner (no appearance; name only mentioned; first and only appearance
to date)
Comments
This is a Robin story. It takes place in early Fall, 1968, (?),
during Robin's junior year of high school.
Shortly after this story Batman and Robin help Jimmy Olsen join the
Mystery Analysts of Gotham City in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #111, then
Batman joins the Justice League to fight the Key in Justice League of America
#63.
Synopsis
Dick Grayson, on his way to give his election
speech for the presidence of the junior class at his high school, comes
across a motorcycle gang called The Hornets. Their leader, Tommy
the Tramp, has been expelled from school by Mr. Wagner, the principal,
and Tommy is gaining revenge by trashing Wagner's car. Dick becomes
Robin and battles the gang, but is clouted from behind. Jimbo, another
hood, comes for Robin, but is flipped over and out. The other Hornets
are driven away by approaching police sirens.
Robin appropriates Jimbo's cycle, disguises
himself as Jimbo, and tracks down the Hornets' hideout through detective
work. Once inside, he rips off his Hornet colors and takes out the
startled bikers. But by the time he is through, the school election
is over and Dick Grayson has lost. Bruce and Alfred console the brave
youth, but Dick turns away, hiding tears of disappointment.
BATMAN #203
July-August 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Neal Adams
Letterer:
FIRST REPRINTED STORY
"The 1,000 Secrets
of the Batcave" (from Batman #48)
SECOND REPRINTED STORY
"The Birth of Batplane II" (from Batman #61)
THIRD REPRINTED STORY
"The Secret of Batman's Utility Belt" (from Detective Comics
#185)
FOURTH REPRINTED STORY
"The 100 Batarangs of Batman" (from Detective
Comics #244)
FIFTH REPRINTED STORY
"The Secret of the Batmobile" (from Batman #98)
SIXTH REPRINTED STORY
"The Flying
Batcave" (from Detective Comics #186)
Comments
This issue also contains a four-page featurette, "Secrets of the Batcave--1968,"
pages 1 and 2 drawn by Frank Springer, and pages 3-4 drawn by Gil Kane
and Murphy Anderson.
This issue is also numbered as 80 Page Giant #G-49 and is edited by
E. Nelson Bridwell.
Detective Comics No. 376
June 1968
Cover: Batman, Robin, and Tomas Wayne (in Batman costume) in skylight
//Irv Novick
Story: “Hunted Or Haunted?” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Chic Stone?
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #176)
Intro: Tomas Wayne (Batman’s descendant) and the Batmaniacs (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Yo-Yo Yates, Harve Pelley and his gang (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Batgirl,
Supergirl, Superman, and Jimmy Olsen to become entangled in a plot of Ronald
Jason's in World's Finest Comics #176. Then Robin and the Teen Titans
fight aliens from Dimension X in Teen Titans #16.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin attempt to solve the mystery of Commissioner
Gordon’s missing briefcase while being observed by one of his descendants
from the future.
Detective Comics No. 377
July 1968
Cover: Batman in jail cell while Robin and Riddler taunt him //Irv
Novick
Story: “The Riddler’s Prison-Puzzle Problem” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Chic Stone
Inker: Sid Greene
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#176; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #79), Robin (last appearance in
TEEN TITANS #16; next appears in ACTION COMICS #365)
Intro: Morland (only appearance)
Villains: The Riddler (last appearance in Elongated Man story in issue
#373; next appears in BATMAN #263) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story,Batman and Deadman combat Max Chill
and Carleton Kaine in Brave and the Bold #79. Then Batman and Robin
attend a memorial service for Superman and Batman helps Supergirl
and the Justice League substitute for Superman during his abscence in Action
Comics #365 and 366. Finally, Batman, Robin, and Superman fight the
Lex Luthor-Joker team in World's Finest Comics #177.
Synopsis: The Riddler is captured during the act of committing a crime
by Batman, but Batman is the one who ends up in a cell.
BATMAN #204
August 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick
Letterer:
STORY
"Operation: Blindfold" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman and Robin (both last seen in World's Finest Comics #177)
Supporting Character
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in Brave and the Bold #79)
Villains
The Schemer (first appearance)
Men of Operation: Blindfold (first appearance for all)
The Wharf Rats (first and only appearance for all to date)
Other Characters
A blind man (first appearance; dies in this story)
Joe (named in next issue) and another armored car driver (first appearance
for both)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
This story is continued in the next issue, making it the first two-issue
story in Batman.
Synopsis
A blind man is murdered by the cohorts of
the master-criminal known as The Schemer. The police, tipped off
by an anonymous call, find the corpse beside a wall bearing a message scrawled
with his cane-tip: COMMISSIONER GORDON...THEY FOUND OUT I'M BATMAN.
Gordon tries to contact Batman and Robin through the Bat-Signal and hot-line,
but the duo are cleaning up on the Wharf Rats waterfront gang and are unaware
of the call. When they do learn of the killing and turn up at the
murder site, Gordon, who has since heard from several impostor "Batmen",
is skeptical of their being the real Dynamic Duo. The Schemer's men,
meanwhile, are keeping tabs on the situation, disguised as blind men from
the "U.S. Sightless Society", reporting back in through microphones concealed
in their cane-handles.
Batman demonstrates that the dead man was
not the one who scrawled the message, since he is truly blind and could
not see to write. The objective was to immobilize Batman while the
real murderers carried out another caper. Gordon, unconvinced, orders
Batman and Robin taken in. Batman allows Robin to break free to trail
the blind men, while he palms a hearing-aid he saw on the corpse and Gordon
takes the cane as evidence.
Batman, trying on the hearing-aid, picks up
instructions from the Schemer and grabs the cane-microphone to call him
"a kook". The Schemer is shaken, but, when he hears that Robin is
free, orders the Boy Wonder to be taken out dead or alive. Robin,
in the meantime, has learned of the "blind" men's real target, an armored
car full of gold, on which he hitches a ride. A "blind" man fires
a small missle from his cane at the truck, causing the drivers to take
an alternate route. The armored car careens into the path of the
prowl car holding Batman, Gordon, and two cops. The prowl car crashes
into a lamppost. Batman, handcuffed and holding the cane, tumbles
out and down a long flight of stairs at street level, bowling over a "blind"
spotter and dazing himself. Seconds later he revives and hears the
Schemer directing his men to the First Federal Bank, where they are to
grab the gold and kill Robin. But pointed at his face is the hollow
end of the spotter's cane, ready to blow him into eternity.
BATMAN #205
September 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick
Letterer:
STORY
"Blind as a...Bat?" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (next appears in Justice League of America #65)
Robin (next appears in Teen Titans #17)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (next appears in Detective Comics #379)
Alfred Pennyworth (last seen in Brave and the Bold #79; next appears
in Detective Comics #378)
Villains
The Schemer and the men of Operation: Blindfold (last appearance
for all to date)
Other Characters
Joe and the armored car driver (last appearance for both to date)
Police of Gotham City
Comments
This story is continued from last issue.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League battle T.O.
Morrow in Justice League of America #65 while Robin and the Teen Titans
fight the Mad Mod in Teen Titans #17.
Synopsis
Batman ducks under the spotter's first shot,
holding up his wrists so that the blast shatters his handcuff chains.
He then kayoes the spotter and switches clothes with him, posing as a blind
man to deliver the Batman "impostor" to Gordon and the police. Batman
discovers that the "blind" man's glasses are photosensitive, adjusting
to darken bright lights.
Robin and the disguised Batman are on hand
when the "sightless men" converge on the armored car, along with a helicopter.
The chopper drops a magnesium flare, temporarily blinding all those without
the glasses. But Batman commandeers the truck and uses it to smash
a fire hydrant, bowling over the "blind" men, and then turns it over to
the truck drivers who take it to Gotham International Airport. Robin,
however, falls into the hands of the crooks and is transferred to the helicopter
as a hostage.
Batman calls in Alfred with the Bat-copter,
and is also provided with a new uniform. The Schemer has already
transferred Robin to his submarine, from which he intends to launch a missle
that will knock down the plane carrying the gold shipment transferred from
the armored car; afterwards, he will retreive the gold underwater.
But Batman and Alfred locate the sub, disguised as a "duck blind" even
though duck season has not begun. Freeing Robin, the heroes defeat
the Schemer and his men in hand-to-hand combat.
Later, Commissioner Gordon apologizes to Batman
and Robin for doubting them and tells them that the blind man was hired
by The Schemer to train his men to act convincingly "blind." He was
killed to keep him silent, and to facilitate the "dead Batman" ruse.
Gordon, Batman, and Robin don dark glasses and crack "blind" jokes.
Detective Comics No. 378
August 1968
Cover: Newpaper with photo of Robin punching Batman //Irv Novick (signed)
Story: “Batman! Drop Dead--Twice!” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#65), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #17)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#205)
Intro: Joe (only appearance)
Villains: Salvo, Chino, Chopper, the Icer (first appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin have a falling out, as do a syndicate head
and his son. Dick Grayson and the wayward boy fall in together, but
Dick doesn’t count on being dressed as Robin and left as bait in a trap
for Batman.
Detective Comics No. 379
September 1968
Cover: Chino watching two Batmen getting shot by killers //Irv Novick
Story: “Two Killings For the Price of One” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #80),
Robin (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #117)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (last
appearance in BATMAN #205; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #80)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Champion (only appearance for both)
Villains: Salvo, Chino, Chopper, Icer (last appearance for all), another
crook (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story , Batman and the Creeper fight Hellgrammite
in Brave and the Bold #80, Batman joins the Justice League to combat Generalissimo
Demmy Gog in Justice League of America #66, and Superman takes Batman,
Robin, Supergirl and several members of the Legion of Super-Heroes on a
dimensional trip in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #117.
Synopsis: Batman, Alfred, and Robin capture Salvo and his gang, and
get Chino into the hands of a decent adoptive family.
Detective Comics No. 380
October 1968
Cover: Batman and Robin and shadow of Ginny Jenkins //Irv Novick
Story: “Marital-Bliss Miss” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #117)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Harriet Cooper (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111; next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #4)
Intro: Ginny Jenkins (next appears in issue #391), Mrs. Hawkins (only
appearance)
Villains: Jim Jenkins (first appearance; dies in this story), Eugene
Driscoll (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Alfred are dumbfounded when
a woman named Ginny Jenkins appears at their doorstep with the revelation
that she is really Bruce’s wife.
BATMAN #206
November 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick (signed)
Letterer:
STORY
"Batman Walks the Last Mile" (24 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (between Detective Comics #380 and 381)
Robin (last seen in Detective Comics #380; next appears in Teen Titans
#18)
Supporting Character
Commissioner Gordon (between Brave and the Bold #80 and 81)
Villains
The Planner (E. G. Never; first appearance; dies shortly after this
story)
The Cat-Crook (first appearance; dies in this story)
Chief Sittin'-In, Big Squat, Little Moose, Chomp and Stomp, and A.
N. Tenna (first and only appearance for all to date)
Other Characters
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
Shortly after this story Robin joins the Teen Titans and Starfire I
(later Red Star) to battle Andre Le Blanc in Teen Titans #18.
Synopsis
A new criminal mastermind, the Planner, holds
court in a junk yard, concealed in the cab of a crane, picking up his "clients"
in their cars with an electromagnet on the crane's arm and giving them
detailed instructions for crimes they can pull--for a fee. His latest
customers, a trio of rock musicians-cum-thieves, are tracked down and captured
by Batman and Robin. For revenge, the Planner, aka E. G. Never, crashes
a party held in Batman's and Robin's honor and claims to be the brains
behind the two heroes. Never challenges them to a duel: when
a big crime comes up, let Batman and Robin see if they can solve it without
him, and if they cannot, turn the case over to Never.
Since the next case turns out to be a "foolproof"
crime planned by Never, Batman and Robin fail and Never naturally succeeds.
Batman allows that there will be another round. Never gives a costumed
thief, the Cat-Crook, a plan and gives him a TV alignment tool to drop
in the robbery site. Batman and Robin pick up the "clue" and nab
A. N. Tenna, a TV repairman whose only crime is padding his bill.
Never "deduces" that the Cat-Crook is the culprit, and leaves in his car,
knowing that Batman and Robin will trail him to the junkyard where he intends
to shoot them both in "self-defense."
But the Cat-Crook has heard Never's voice,
deduces that he is the Planner, and, elbowing free of his guard, escapes
and cycles over to the junkyard, intending to kill his traitorous "partner."
In the darkness, Never mistakes the Cat-Crook for Batman and shoots him.
Batman and Robin capture Never, bring him to trial, and have him conviced
of premeditated murder and other crimes. Never breaks down at the
trial, shouting out that he is Batman. And when he walks to the electric
chair some time later, he is allowed to do so--in a Batman costume.
Detective Comics No. 381
November 1968
Cover: Batman throwing Robin off of lighthouse //Irv Novick (signed)
Story: “One Drown--One More To Go” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #206; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #81), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #18;
next appears in BATMAN #207)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #181)
Villains: Captain Cyrus Spume (first appearance; dies in this story),
Looey, Mush, Dead-Eye, two crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Flash to fight
Carl Bork in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #81.
Synopsis: To crack a smuggling ring, Batman and Robin use a ruse which
involves having Robin dumped in Gotham Bay with concrete blocks chained
to his legs.
BATMAN #207
December 1968
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick (signed)
Letterer:
STORY
"The Doomsday Ball" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #81; next appears in Justice
League of America #68)
Robin (between Detective Comics #381 and 382)
Supporting Character
Commissioner Gordon (between Brave and the Bold #81 and 82)
Villains
Bertram Smith (first appearance; dies in this story)
Big Brill and his gang (including Snake-Eyes and One-Ear; first and
only appearance for all to date)
Other Characters
Mayor Hayes (first and only appearance to date)
Major-General Hawkins, Robertson, Fairbanks, Prof. Willi Von Gail,
Master-Sergeant Owens, and other military personnel (first and only appearance
for all to date)
Skinnay, his mother, and Tillie Conway (first and only appearance for
all to date)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League to battle
Neverwas in Justice League of America #68.
Synopsis
A man named Bertram Smith recovers a lost
miniaturized H-bomb from a crashed Air Force jet and sends a tape to police
headquarters in Gotham, warning that he will blow the city off the map
by midnight unless he receives $10 million in ransom. Only six hours
remain till midnight, so there is no hope of evacuating the city.
Batman and Robin are called in on the case.
The two heroes enlist the aid of Big Brill,
Gotham's head gangster, battling their way into his penthouse retreat before
they explain their mission. Brill calls in his division chiefs to
listen to the taped message from Smith and try and identify the background
noises to place Smith's location. One of the men, "One-Ear," places
it on his turf. Batman and Robin learn Smith's name and location
from a TV repairman who fixed the tape recorder on which he prepared the
message. Kids in the street outside Smith's boarding house
give Batman a description of Smith's car and liscence number, and tell
him that they broke his window with a ball in a street baseball game and
were recently given a new ball by Smith.
Batman has the police track down Smith's car,
but the bomb, found in the trunk, is tagged with a warning not to tamper
with or remove it. He and Robin finally see Smith at the airport,
watching the transfer of his ransom money to a plane. Smith tries
to escape the heroes, but is struck by the plane's wheels as it taxies
down the runway, and dies. With his last breath, he reveals that
he planted the trigger to the bomb in a rubber ball. Batman and Robin
hurry back to the boarding house, where they cut open the ball Smith gave
to a kid named Skinnay, find the trigger, and deactivate it just in time.
Detective Comics No. 382
December 1968
Cover: Batman standing on roof of building while Robin and a crook
crack a safe //Irv Novick
Story: “Riddle of the Robbin’ Robin” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#68; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #181), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #207; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #181)
Villains: Fingers, Muscle (first appearance for both; both die in this
story), the Armorer (J. Armory), the Smokescreen Mob (including Wheels,
Nails, and Nutsy), the Blowtorch Mob (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to encounter the Orrians in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #181.
Synopsis: The Armorer, a funeral director who runs guns for mobs, eavesdrops
on them by hidden mikes in the weapons and secretly steals their loot.
But when the crooks ask him for help in setting a booby-trap, he turns
it into a deathtrap for Batman and Robin.
BATMAN #208
January-February 1969
Cover Credits
Artist: Nick Cardy; reprint vignettes from covers of issues #181
(Poison Ivy) and 197 (Batgirl and Catwoman)
Letterer:
STORY
"The Women in Batman's Life" (10 pages)
Credits
Editor, Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Gil Kane
Inker: Jack Abel
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in World's Finest Comics #181; next appears in Detective
Comics #383; see Comment below)
Robin (last seen in World's Finest Comics #181; next appears in Teen
Titans #19; see Comment below)
Supporting Characters
Julie Madison of Earth-One (in flashback; first appearance; next appears
in World's Finest Comics #248)
Linda Page of Earth-One (in flashback; first and only appearance to
date)
Dr. Philip Wayne (in flashback; first name and relationship to Bruce
revealed in this story; first and last chronological appearance revealed
here; his appearance in the Superboy story in Adventure Comics #275 takes
place between them)
Villains
Clayface I of Earth-One (Basil Karlo; in flashback; first appearance;
next appears in Detective Comics #496)
Catwoman (in flashback; first chronological appearance; next chronological
appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #70)
Denny of Earth-One (in flashback; first and only appearance to date)
Mike Grogan of Earth-One (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this
story)
Joe of Earth-One and his gang of bank robbers (in flashback; first
and only appearance to date for all)
Roxy Brenner of Earth-One (in flashback; first and only appearance
to date)
Other Characters
Mrs. Chilton (first and only appearance to date)
Lorna Dane of Earth-One and Fred Walker of Earth-One (in flashback;
first appearance for both; both die in this story)
Kenneth Todd of Earth-One (not named in this story; in flashback; first
and only appearance to date)
Bentley of Earth-One, Ned Norton of Earth-One, Martha Travers of Earth-One,
and Tommy Grogan of Earth-One (in flashback; first and only appearance
to date for all)
Cameo appearances
Thomas and Martha Wayne (in flashback; both die in this story)
Joe Chill (in flashback and on a newspaper photo)
Max Chill (on a newspaper photo)
Barbara Gordon, Queen Bee (Marcia Monroe), Vicki Vale, Kaye Daye, and
Kathy Kane
Comments
Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson make present-day appearances in this story
only in civilian guise. They appear as Batman and Robin in flashbacks.
This story is a framing sequence for the reprints in this issue, and
is composed mostly of flashbacks to Earth-One versions of Earth-Two stories.
The flashbacks are chronologized as follows:
Batman and Robin vs. Clayface I (pages 2-4): between Red Hood
flashback in Untold Legend of the Batman #1 and first encounter with the
Joker (never pictured).
Batman and Robin vs. the Cat (pg. 5): between Batman's second
and third battles with Hugo Strange (never pictured).
Batman and Robin vs. Mike Grogan's gang (pgs. 6-7): between Batman's
third battle with Hugo Strange (never pictured) and Batman and Robin's
battle with the Scarecrow (Batman #189 (flashback)).
The murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne (pg. 8): between Thomas
Wayne's encounter with Lew Moxon (Detective Comics #235 (flashback)) and
Bruce Wayne's meeting with Leslie Thompkins (Detective Comics #457 (flashback));
isochronal with flashback in Detective Comics #235 et al.
Bruce Wayne is placed in custody of Philip Wayne and Mrs. Chilton and,
at his parents' funeral, vows to find their murderer and war on crime (pages
8-9): between his encounter with Otis Higbee (Superboy #182 (flashback))
and his repeating his vow before the portrait of his parents (Detective
Comics #235 (flashback)).
Bruce Wayne's graduation from college (page 9): between his meeting
with Lenny Fiasco (Batman #188 (flashback)) and the visit to his parents'
gravesite (Untold Legend of the Batman #1 (flashback)).
Shortly after this story Robin joins the Teen Titans to battle Punch
in Teen Titans #19.
Synopsis
Mrs. Chilton, an elderly lady, keeps a scrapbook
of more than casual note. It is devoted to the women in Batman's
life, and she considers herself the most important woman he has known.
She reminesces over Bruce Wayne's first girlfriend, Julie Madison, whom
Batman and Robin saved from the original Clayface. She recalls the
first exploit of the Cat, later the Catwoman, who started out as a jewel
thief. She brings to mind Linda Page, a former socialite turned nurse,
who was Bruce Wayne's girlfriend for a while and who led Batman and Robin
to the Grogan Gang. There were many others, sweethearts, crime-fighters
and villainesses, but Mrs. Chilton puts away her scrapbook as Bruce Wayne
and Dick Grayson arrive.
Bruce remembers how his parents were gunned
down by Joe Chill, and how he became the ward of his Uncle Philip, who
left him ofttimes in the care of Mrs. Chilton, his housekeeper. Mrs.
Chilton reminds him of his vow to fight crime at his parents' grave, and
that he has fulfilled it--through the Wayne Foundation. As Bruce
and Dick leave, she remembers how it was obvious to her that Bruce was
Batman. She also recalls how her sons, Joe and Max, left home, changed
their last names to Chill, and became underworld triggermen, one of them
killing the Waynes, and both of them dying as a result of encounters with
Batman.
FIRST REPRINTED STORY
"The Secret Life of the Catwoman" (from Batman #62)
SECOND REPRINTED STORY
("Crimes
of the Catwoman") (from Detective Comics #203)
Comment
Only pages 2 and 3 of the original story are reprinted.
THIRD REPRINTED STORY
"Vicki Vale's Secret" (from Batman #73)
FOURTH REPRINTED STORY
("The Batwoman") (from Detective Comics #233)
Comment
Only page 5 of the original story is reprinted.
FIFTH REPRINTED STORY
"The Menace of the Firefly" (from Batman #126)
SIXTH REPRINTED STORY
("Problem of the Proxy Paintings") (from Batman #194)
Comment
Only page 7 of the original story is reprinted.
SEVENTH REPRINTED STORY
("Gotham Gang Line-Up") (from Detective Comics #328)
Comment
Only page 14 panels 5, 6 and page 15 of the original story are reprinted.
EIGHTH REPRINTED STORY
"The Dilemma of the Detective's Daughter"
(from Batman #165)
NINTH REPRINTED STORY
("Batman Versus
Eclipso") (from Brave and the Bold #64)
Comment
Only pages 4-5, page 6 panels 1-3, page 12 panel 5, and pages 19-20
of the original story are reprinted.
TENTH REPRINTED STORY
("Beware of Poison Ivy") (from Batman #181)
Comment
Only pages 2-3 of the original story are reprinted.
ELEVENTH REPRINTED STORY
("A Touch of Poison Ivy") (from Batman #182)
Comment
Only pages 13-14 of the original story are reprinted.
TWELFTH REPRINTED STORY
("The Million-Dollar Debut of Batgirl") (from Detective Comics
#359)
Comment
Only pages 2-4, page 5 panels 1-3, page 7 panels 4-6, and page 9 of
the original story are reprinted.
Detective Comics No. 383
January 1969
Cover: Batman and Robin in Chinese restaurant, menaced by Tongs //Irv
Novick
Story: “The Fortune-Cookie Caper” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #208; next appears
in BRAVE AND THEBOLD #82), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #19; next
appears in BATMAN #209)
Intro: Tommy Chee (only appearance)
Villains: Chug, Yin Yan, Ying, Hu Shi, other crooks (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Aquaman to fight
the Ocean Master in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #82.
Synopsis: A message in a fortune cookie leads Batman and Robin to a
pearl-smuggling racket in a Chinese bakery.
BATMAN #209
February 1969
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick
Letterer:
STORY
"Jungle Jeopardy" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #82; next appears in Justice
League of America #69)
Robin (between Detective Comics #383 and 384)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth (both last seen in Brave
and the Bold #82)
Villains
Mr. Esper (last seen in issue #201; next appears in Teen Titans #50
as "Captain Calamity")
Squelch, Ginko, Jax, Spook, Fingers, Wizard, and other members of the
Sewer-Rats (first and only appearance to date for all)
Other Characters
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
Shortly after this story Batman and the Justice League fight Headmaster
Mind in Justice League of America #69.
Synopsis
Hired by the ganglords of Gotham to put Batman
and Robin out of action, Mr. Esper, alias "Brainwash", lures the two heroes
to a bank robbery where he can implant a subliminal device beneath the
Batmobile. Once the heroes return to the Batcave, they are induced
to see it as transformed into an African jungle, with wild animals threatening
them. The same sight awaits them when they ascend to Wayne Manor.
But Batman realizes that the setting is wrong, as an African elephant would
not be in the same locale as an Asian tiger. They discover the subliminal
image-inducer, realize that it was part of a plot to drive them both mad,
and realize Mr. Esper was behind the plot. They capture Esper and
his gang trying to crack the vault of the Gotham National Bank and defeat
their foes, using earplugs to rid them of the subliminal stimuli.
Detective Comics No. 384
February 1969
Cover: Batman and cowering gangsters //Irv Novick
Story: “Whatever Will Happen To Heiress Heloise?” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gardner Fox
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#69; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #182), Robin (last appearance
in BATMAN #209; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #182)
Intro: Heloise Madigan (only appearance)
Villain: Colleen Kiernan, Kenneth Rogers and his gang, a Colleen Kiernan
look-alike (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Robin takes part in an undepicted Teen Titans adventure during
the course of this story.
Shortly after this story Batman, Robin, and Supergirl help Superman
deal with the Rorna Curse in World's Finest Comics #182.
Synopsis: When two look-alike women, both claiming to be a wealthy
heiress, are targeted by hoods, Batman steps in to protect them in and
solve the mystery.
BATMAN #210
March 1969
Cover Credits
Artist: Neal Adams
Letterer:
STORY
"The Case of the Purr-Loined Pearl"
(23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in World's Finest Comics #182; next appears in Justice
League of America #70)
Robin (last seen in World's Finest Comics #182; next appears in TEEN
TITANS #20)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth (both next appear in Detective
Comics #385)
Villains
Catwoman (last seen in issue #201; next appears in Adventure Comics
#419)
The Feline Furies (Light Laura, Florid Flo, Big Barbara, Sultry Sarah,
Timid Trixie, Leapin' Lena, and two unnamed members; first and only appearance
for all to date)
Two unnamed crooks (first and only appearance for both to date)
Other Characters
The Nizam of Nepal (first and only appearance to date)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
Catwoman's costume changes to a blue leotard in this issue.
Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League to team with
the Creeper against Mind-Grabber Kid, the Urians, and a bunch of crooks
in Justice League of America #70, while Robin helps the Teen Titans in
their encounter with Joshua in TEEN TITANS #20.
Synopsis
Catwoman, released from jail, starts a weight-reducing
salon as Selina Kyle. But her real ploy begins when she offers crash-reducing
courses to eight women just out of the Women's House of Detention, who
soon discover they are to be Catwoman's doubles and partners. The
ladies balk at first, until Catwoman defeats them all in combat and, after
slenderizing them, issues them all Catwoman costumes.
Bruce Wayne deduces that the Catwoman's target
for theft will be the Petala Pearl, the Orient's biggest such gem, worn
by the visiting Nizam of Nepal. (The capital of Nepal is Katmandu,
cueing the cat-crime.) Bruce offers the Nizam the use of his mansion
to stay in for a few days, and a police cordon is placed around the grounds.
But Catwoman and her Feline Furies steal in, decoying and waylaing the
police and Robin. Catwoman herself snatches what seems to be the
pearl from what seems to be a sleeping Nizam, but the pearl is phoney,
and Batman tricks her into getting tangled up in a ball of sticky plastic
"yarn", trapping her. The "Nizam" proves to be Alfred in disguise,
with the real Nizam hid safely elsewhere.
Detective Comics No. 385
March 1969
Cover: Batgirl and Robin looking at death-note pinned to Batman’s cape
//Neal Adams
Story: “Die Small--Die Big” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#70; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #183), Dick Grayson (does not
appear as Robin in this story; last appearance in TEEN TITANS #20; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #183)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in Batgirl story in this
issue; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #189)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth (last
appearance for both in BATMAN #210; both next appear in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#83)
Intro: Herbert Small (dies in this story)
Villains: A gang of killers (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to fight Lex Luthor and Brainiac in World's Finest Comics #183 and team
with the Teen Titans to battle Grantland Stark in Brave and the Bold #83.
Then Batman helps Superman regain his memory in Action Comics #375.
Synopsis: With only a month to live, mailman Herbert Small chooses
to give his life to save Batman from a band of assassins.
Detective Comics No. 386
April 1969
Cover: Batman and Bruce Wayne impostor //Irv Novick
Story: “Stand-In For Murder” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #375;
next appears in BATMAN #211), Dick Grayson (does not appear as Robin in
this story; next appears in the Robin story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (last
appearance for both in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #83; both next appear in BATMAN
#211)
Intro: Morse (dies in this story), Gen. Hogan (only appearance)
Villains: Carlyle Crane and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Robin meets Craig Rockland in the
Robin story of this issue.
Synopsis: When Bruce Wayne’s stand-in is killed in a plane explosion,
Batman investigates and finds a revenge plot.
BATMAN #211
May 1969
Cover Credits
Artist: Irv Novick
Letterer:
STORY
"Batman's Big Blow-Out" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Detective Comics #386; next appears in Justice
League of America #71)
Robin (last appearance in Detective Comics #386; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #189)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #386; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #189), Alfred Pennyworth (between Detective
Comics #386 and 387)
Villains
Howard Hayes (first and only appearance to date)
Spooks Manson and his gang (first and only appearance for all
to date)
Other Characters
Scribe and Chief, Amos Stark and Wally (first and only appearance for
all to date)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
The character Howard Hayes in this story is based on the real-life
billionaire, Howard Hughes. We have that on good authority from Clifford
Irving.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League of America
fight Commander Blanx in Justice League of America #71. Then Batman
and Robin team with Superman to fight the Big Four in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#189-190.
Synopsis
The underground newspaper, It's Your Bag,
prints the faces of four men beside Batman's face, and asserts one of them
is Batman and that they will reveal his true identity in the next issue.
Scribe, the writer of the article, assures his chief that even though he
does not know who Batman really is, Batman will have to unmask to save
the rest (including underworld kingpin Spooks Manson) from becoming gangland
targets.
Batman throws them a curve by going on television
and unmasking, revealing himself as reclusive billionaire Howard Hayes.
He does so with Hayes's permission, and It's Your Bag goes out of business.
Spooks Manson orders his men not to fight
Batman until he can figure out what angle the Caped Crusader has planned.
Thus, Batman finds a lot of thugs surrendering to him without a fight.
Hayes, watching Batman feted on TV, realizes that Batman has gotten the
one thing he always wanted, public acclaim, by posing as Hayes himself.
He vows to eliminate Batman quietly and take his place. After brushing
up on martial arts and Samurai swordsmanship, Hayes summons Batman to meet
him in battle. Batman initially triumphs, but is so stunned to find
Hayes beneath his foe's hood-mask that Hayes is able to turn the tables,
trap him, and make his way to an awards dinner as Batman. Robin and
Alfred save Batman from a deathtrap, and Batman arrives at the dinner in
time to clobber Hayes, reveal the masquerade, and receive the award himself.
Detective Comics No. 387
May 1969
Cover: Batman holding copies of DETECTIVE COMICS #27 and BATMAN #1,
Robin, Joker, Penguin //Irv Novick
Story: “The Cry of Night Is ‘Sudden Death’” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #190; both next appear in BATMAN #212)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #189; next appears in BATMAN #212), Alfred Pennyworth (between
BATMAN #211 / 214)
Intro: Lambert, Steven Crane (both die in this story), Paul Rogers,
Mel Lambert (only appearance for both)
Villains: Alfred Stryker, a hitman (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: This is the 30th anniversary of Batman’s first appearance,
in issue #27. The first Batman story, “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”,
is reprinted in this issue, and is the basis of this story.
BATMAN #212
June 1969
Cover Credits
Artists: Irv Novick and Dick Giordano (?)
Letterer:
STORY
"Baffling
Deaths of the Crime-Czar" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman and Robin (between Detective Comics #387 and 388)
Supporting Character
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in Detective Comics #387; next appears
in Detective Comics #389)
Villains
Li'l Studs (first appearance; dies in this story)
The Silencer, the Dart, Big Jolt, Crump and his partner, and Quirk
and other Gotham ganglords (first and only appearance to date for all)
Other Characters
Dr. Jennings and Dustin (first and only appearance for both to date)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Synopsis
The aging Mr. Big of the Gotham underworld,
Li'l Studs, is being given a "welcome home" banquet by gangsters following
a stay in the hospital. Quirk, one of Studs's competitors, has hired
three hitmen to rub him out: a crack pistol shot named the Silencer,
a poison-dart hurler called the Dart, and Big Jolt, a specialist in electrocution.
Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are posing as waiters to avert such a hit-attempt,
and thus stave off a gang-war amongst the other mob chiefs for Studs's
place. Studs indeed dies, but none of the mobsters can agree as to
how he was killed, since all three of the assassins struck at the same
time. With help from Dr. Jennings, a doctor who treated Li'l Studs,
Batman discovers the truth: Studs died of a heart attack before any
of the assassins could kill him. Quirk learns the truth on a TV news
broadcast and refuses to pay Silencer, Big Jolt, or Dart. The angry
hitmen decide to take out a contract on Batman.
Big Jolt, knowing Batman will come to Quirk's
house to apprehend him, wires Quirk's doormat to electrocute him.
But when Batman steps on the mat, he throws himself backwards, breaking
the connection and dodging the bullet and dart of the other two assassins.
Batman, who wore insulated shoes, joins Robin to kayo the three hitmen,
and stops Quirk from stepping on his own doormat since he wants him to
stand trial for attempted murder.
Detective Comics No. 388
June 1969
Cover: Joker-face on moon blasting Batman and Robin with eye-rays //Irv
Novick
Story: “Public Luna-Tic Number One” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in BATMAN
#212; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #185)
Intro: Dr. Doomer (only appearance)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #177;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #125) and his gang (first and
only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with
Superman and Jimmy Olsen to encounter the inhabitants of Garenvol in World's
Finest Comics #185. Then Robin joins the Teen Titans and the Hawk
and the Dove to fight the Aliens from Dimension X in Hawk and the
Dove #5 / Teen Titans #21 and 22, and to learn Wonder Girl's true origin
in Teen Titans #22.
Synopsis: The Joker steals an anti-gravity device and uses it to facilitate
his robberies and to trap Batman and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 389
July 1969
Cover: Batman facing his own fear-reflections in mirrors //Neal Adams
Story: “Batman’s Evil Eye” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#185; next appears in BATMAN #214), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS
#22; next appears in BATMAN #214)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #212 / 214)
Villains: The Scarecrow (last appearance in BATMAN #200; next appears
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111) and his gang, various crooks (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Scarecrow is released from jail, and shortly thereafter
Batman seems to have regained his ability to strike terror into the hearts
of gangsters merely by his presence. But it is all part of a fear-trap
sprung against Batman himself.
BATMAN #214
August 1969
Cover Credits
Artists: Irv Novick and Dick Giordano?
Letterer:
STORY
"Batman's Marriage Trap" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman and Robin (both between Detective Comics #389 and 390)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon (between Detective Comics #389 and 390)
Alfred Pennyworth (last seen in Detective Comics #387)
Guest Star
Batgirl (last seen in Detective Comics #389; next appears in Detective
Comics #392)
Villains
Strack, Trigger, and their gang (first and only appearance for all
to date)
Cleo Starr (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Nicki Karr and Mr. Bullfinch (first and only appearance to date for
both)
Women to End Bat-chelorhood (first and only appearance to date for
all)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
The logo changes as of this issue.
Synopsis
Strack, a top Gotham gangster, leads his men
on a multiple robbery on a night when a Gotham beauty contest winner gets
a televised date with Batman, keeping him away from Strack's targets.
Strack then hatches a plot to tie up Batman permanently by getting him
married which, he figures, will keep him too busy to fight crime.
To this end he has his mistress, Cleo Starr, set up an organization called
Women to End Bat-chelorhood and begin an extensive advertising campaign,
all with the objective of getting Batman married, since he is the most
eligible male in Gotham. Batgirl joins to infiltrate the group.
They stage a protest outside city hall. Aghast, Commissioner Gordon
calls in Batman. He and Robin arrive in the Batmobile and are immediately
beset by shrieking, eager females who grab for them and wave picket signs.
Cleo Starr "saves the day" by using a smoke
device in her car to help drive off the women, and fascinates Batman by
saying she has no interest in him. She has another encounter with
Batman later, tossing away avaricious females with judo. While this
all goes on, Strack and his gang rake in the robbery loot, since Batman
is almost paralyzed by gangs of W.E.B. women canvassing the city for him
in units. Batman and Robin are lured into a trap at last by Trigger,
Strack's right-hand man. Cleo arrives, having learned of the plot,
and tearfully hugs Batman, admitting she has fallen for him. But
Batgirl shows up, takes out Trigger before he can fire on Batman and Robin,
and enables the heroes to defeat the gang. With the help of Cleo,
the threesome capture Strack and the remainder of the gang. Cleo
is granted clemency for her part in the capture, and the heroes head homeward,
noticing the W.E.B. women's placards spilling over the top of a trash basket.
Detective Comics No. 390
August 1969
Cover: Masquerader with Batman on rod and reel, lowering him towards
his gang //Irv Novick
Story: “If the Coffin Fits, Wear It” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between BATMAN #214 / 215)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (as a voice; last appearance
in BATMAN #214; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #86)
Villains: The Masquerader (Sam Tweed) and his gang (including Chunk;
first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman encounters the Masquerader, a costumed villain who
uses the Batman’s own costume against him as a deathtrap.
BATMAN #215
September 1969
Cover Credits
Artists: Irv Novick and Dick Giordano?
Letterer:
STORY
"Call Me Master" (24 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Detective Comics #390; next appears in Justice
League of America #72)
Robin (last seen in Detective Comics #390; next appears in Teen Titans
#23)
Supporting Character
Alfred Pennyworth
Villains
Myron Mycroft (first and only appearance to date)
Ears Logan, "Fine-Finger" Fowler, Jigger, and other crooks (first and
only appearance to date for all)
Other Characters
J. Carlyle, Andrew Barclay, Clem Sterling, Emil Hartz, Lawrence Nelson,
and other members of the Civic-Conscience Council (first and only appearance
to date for all)
Citizens of Gotham City
Comments
Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League to battle
cthonic demons in Justice League of America #72 and to help the Justice
Society fight Aquarius in Justice League of America #73 and 74, while Robin
and the Teen Titans encounter sammy Soul in Teen Titans #23. Then
Robin fights a gang boss in Detective Comics #390 and 391.
Synopsis
Batman and Robin try to stop three apparent
robberies during the same night, only to find that each of the "victims"
insists that a legitimate operation is going on, such as transferral of
goods from a warehouse. However, all three "victims" are members
of the Civic Conscience Council, as is Bruce Wayne. Bruce discovers
that all the members of the Council, besides himself, have been hit by
mysterious thefts, and the three "legitimate" operations last night prove
to be illegitimate. Bruce soon receives orders himself from a mysterious
phone caller, is compelled to open a Wayne Foundation drug storeroom to
thieves, and, after Robin subdues the crooks, learns that even Robin can
give him a command to hit him on the chin and he must obey it.
Myron Mycroft, the mastermind and a member of the
Council, soon learns that Batman is subject to his commands. He gives
Batman a phone-command to blow up Wayne Manor as a test, and witnesses
Batman push down a plunger-activator after a fierce internal struggle.
But the "explosion" turns out to be a fireworks display rigged by Robin
and Alfred. When Mycroft pulls a gun on Batman and snarls that he
has placed a microwave willpower transmitter on him, Batman realizes the
device is in the wristwatch he and other Council members were given at
an honors dinner, removes it, and defeats Mycroft. Later, Mycroft
admits he needed money to cover a stock loss in his company, and says that
the watch-device emitted a vibrational frequency that numbed the "voluntary-control
center of the brain, rendering it vulnerable to voice-commands!"
Detective Comics No. 391
September 1969
Cover: Ginny Jenkins, wedding of Batman and Ginny Jenkins, and Ginny
Jenkins at Batman’s gravesite (three vignettes) //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano?
Story: “The Gal Most Likely To Be Batman’s Widow” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#74; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #186)
Other Character: Ginny Jenkins (last appearance in issue #380; last
appearance)
Intro: Tim Clark, Ravell, Antoine (only appearance for all)
Villains: Arnie Arnold and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Superman take a time-trip
to meet Mad Anthony Wayne in World's Finest Comics #186 and 187.
Then Batman and Green Arrow battle Miklos Minotaur in Brave and the Bold
#85, and Batman and Deadman battle the Sensei in Brave and the Bold #86
(and take leave of each other in Deadman #1 in the post-Crisis on Infinite
Earths universe). Then Batman rejoins the Justice League to fight
Dr. Light in Justice League of America #122 and to battle evil Justice
League duplicates in Justice League of America #75.
Synopsis: Physical therapist and workout maven Tim Clark has fallen
for Ginny Jenkins, but her boss, gourmet magazine editor and extortionist
Arnold, comes between them. To make her see the light, Tim decides
to impersonate the Batman.
Detective Comics No. 392
October 1969
Cover: Angles Moore vs. Batman, emerging from water with his cowl (three
vignettes) //Neal Adams
Story: “I Died--A Thousand Deaths” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#75; next appears in BATMAN #216), Robin (last appearance in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #86; next appears in BATMAN #216)
Villains: Scap Scarpel, Angles Moore, and their gang (first and only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman appears to have been killed in a watery fight with
gangster Angles Moore, but Moore and his boss Scap Scarpel are plagued
by ghostly reminders of Batman everywhere they go.
BATMAN #216
November 1969
Cover Credits
Artists: Irv Novick and Dick Giordano?
Letterer:
STORY
"Angel--Or Devil?" (24 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Detective Comics #392; next appears in THE FLASH
#192)
Dick Grayson (does not appear as Robin in this story; last seen in
Detective Comics #392; next appears in Teen Titans #24)
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth (last name, Pennyworth, revealed in this story; some
details of origin revealed in this story; next appears in Detective Comics
#393)
Villains
Kevin, Harry, Emlyn, and other members of Ye Olde Avon Players (first
and only appearance to date for all)
Other Characters
Wilfred Pennyworth (first and only appearance to date; Alfred Pennyworth's
brother)
Daphne Pennyworth (Alfred Pennyworth's niece; first appearance; next
appears in issue #227)
Citizens of Gotham City
Comments
Shortly after this story Robin joins the Teen Titans to battle Anton
Larson in Teen Titans #24. Then Batman and Robin briefly appear in THE
FLASH #192. Then, after accidentally abetting the killing of Dr.
Swenson and being reprimanded by Batman and other Justice League members,
Robin leaves the Teen Titans in Teen Titans #25. Afterward, Batman
helps Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) fight Willi Von Dort in Brave and the
Bold #87.
Synopsis
After stopping a member of Ye Olde Avon Players
from striking a girl at the back door of the Gotham Theatre, Batman finds
the girl grabs his hand and enables the assailant to stun him. He
revives, but loses his quarry in the players backstage. Soon, he
sees the girl hitchhiking and gives her a lift to her destination:
Wayne Manor.
The girl proves to be Daphne Pennyworth, niece
of Wilfred Pennyworth, Alfred's brother, and, like Wilfred, a thespian
with the Players. She says the man who tried to strike her was her
boyfriend and that it was a misunderstanding. Batman doubles back
to meet her at Wayne Manor as Bruce Wayne. Dick Grayson, ailing from
a cold, falls head-over-heels for Daphne and, to impress her, shows her
what she has secretly come for: the first folio of Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet, written in the Bard's own hand. She invites them
to the Players' performance of Romeo and Juliet the next night, and, between
acts, goes back to Wayne Manor to steal the folio. She is stopped
by Alfred, who has anticipated the theft, and shoots him with a prop gun.
Alfred mimes death and Daphne, who thinks she has really killed him, leaves
in tears with the folio.
Daphne returns and passes along the folio
to the other Players, who have been holding her and her father Wilfred
hostage. Wilfred tells her that the gun was a prop and shoves her
onstage to get her out of harm's way. The Players tell Wilfred that
the dagger she will soon plunge into her breast as Juliet is real, and
that they will also kill Wilfred to ensure his silence. But Alfred
and Batman converge on the theater and defeat the Players, and Wilfred
and Dick stop Daphne from stabbing herself. Alfred, informed of Daphne's
real motivations, forgives her.
Detective Comics No. 393
November 1969
Cover: Robin walking away from Batman and defeated thugs //Irv Novick
Story: “The Combo Caper” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #87;
next appears in BATMAN #217), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #25;
next appears in BATMAN #217)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (between BATMAN #216 / 217)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, Skeet Callum (only appearance for all)
Villains: Aristide Naxos, Deena Winslow (first and only appearance
for both)
Comment: This story continues in BATMAN #217. It takes place
over the Labor Day weekend.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin investigate the mystery of a neighbor’s
cracked safe and the combination for it which was found on a soda pull-tab.
BATMAN #217
December 1969
Cover Credits
Artists: Neal Adams and Dick Giordano?
Letterer:
STORY
"One Bullet Too Many" (23 pages)
Credits
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer:
Feature Characters
Batman and Robin (both between Detective Comics #393 and 394)
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth (between Detective Comics #393 and 394)
Miss Atkins (first appearance; as a pair of feet only; name revealed
in Detective Comics #394, her next appearance)
Villains
"Hop" Miller (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story)
"Stub" Sartel (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Dr. Susan Fielding (first and only appearance to date)
Dr. Jonah Fielding (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story)
"Dakota" Jones (first appearance; name revealed in Detective Comics
#394, his next appearance)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
This story continues from Detective Comics #393 and continues in Detective
Comics #394.
Robin leaves Wayne Manor and goes to Hudson University in this story,
having graduated high school. Accordingly, his further appearances
will only be tracked when he appears with Batman.
Synopsis
Dick Grayson has graduated high school.
Bruce Wayne and Alfred bid him farewell as he leaves for Hudson University,
both knowing that Batman and Robin will have to go their separate ways
for awhile.
Bruce reveals to Alfred that they must begin
a new way of life for themselves. He proposes that they move out
of Wayne Manor, leaving the Batcave behind, and station themselves in a
penthouse above the Wayne Foundation building. He also plans to reestablish
the fearful trademark of the "old Batman", to strike terror into the hearts
of the new breed of gangsters hiding behind respectibility.
Part of the new trend, says Bruce, will be
a "Victims, Inc." charity dedicated to helping victims of the underworld.
The name is taken from a series of newspaper articles written by Marla
Manning, a reporter and feature writer. Her latest article tips Bruce
off to his first "victim", Dr. Susan Fielding, a pediatrician whose partner
and husband, Jonah, was shot dead recently by a gangster. With Susan's
help, Batman manages to deduce the identity of the killer, who took Jonah's
life because he was tending to an ex-partner whom "Stub" Martel, the murderer,
shot earlier. Batman catches a slug from Martel in the process, and
Susan Fielding removes it from his arm. The bullet, which matches
the one Jonah Fielding extracted from his former partner, is enough evidence
to have "Stub" Martel arrested. Bruce Wayne arranges a long-term
loan to help Susan in her financial difficulty.
After his arm mends, Bruce is back at his
Wayne Foundation desk. A gun-wielding, one-eyed Indian barges in
and declares that he is one of Wayne's "Victims, Inc.," and that Wayne
himself is about to be the next one.
BATMAN #218
January-February 1970
Cover Credits
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Letterer:
FIRST REPRINTED STORY
"Batman and Robin's Greatest Mystery" (from Detective Comics
#234)
SECOND REPRINTED STORY
"The Hand From Nowhere" (from Batman #130)
THIRD REPRINTED STORY
"The Man Who Couldn't Be
Tried Twice" (from Batman #118)
FOURTH REPRINTED STORY
"The Body in the Bat-Cave" (from Batman #121)
FIFTH REPRINTED STORY
"Four Hours To Live" (8 pages)
Credits
Writer: Bill Finger?
Artist: Jack Burnley
Comment
This is a reprint of the Batman Sunday syndicated newspaper strip,
from June 11 to July 30, 1944.
SIXTH REPRINTED STORY
"The League Against Batman"
(from Detective Comics #197)
Comment
This issue is also numbered Giant G-67 and is 64 pages in length.
The editor is E. Nelson Bridwell.
Detective Comics No. 394
December 1969
Cover: Dakota Jones vs. Batman //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “A Victim’s Victim” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Characters: Batman, Dick Grayson (does not appear as Robin
in this story; last appearance of both in BATMAN #217; both next appear
in Robin story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Miss Atkins (between BATMAN #217 / 220)
Other Character: Dakota Jones (last appearance in BATMAN #217; last
appearance)
Intro: The new Batmobile
Villains: Chance Collins (first appearance; dies in this story), Trim
(first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues from BATMAN #217 and continues in the Robin
story in this issue.
Shortly after this story Batman reads of Robin's fight against
student radicals in the Robin stories in this issue and the next issue.
Afterwards, Batman fights the Joker twice, first with Jimmy Olsen in Superman's
Pal, Jimmy Olsen #125, then with the Justice League in Justice League of
America #77. Then Batman captures Mark Peron in Action Comics #384.
Synopsis: An Indian race-car driver accuses Bruce Wayne, who backed
a competitor, of having his eye shot out by a sniper during his last race.
Thus, Batman gets on the case to prove Wayne innocent, and to find the
real culprits.
Detective Comics No. 395
January 1970
Cover: Batman facing Dolores Muerto, her hunting falcon, and her two
wolves //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Secret of the Waiting Graves” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #384; next
appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #88)
Intro: Pedro Valdes (only appearance)
Villains: Juan Muetro, Dolores Muerto (first appearance for both; both
die in this story) and their gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Wildcat to fight
Kurt Schimmerling in Brave and the Bold #88.
Synopsis: In Central Mexico, Batman faces off against a wealthy married
couple who may be criminally insane, may have survived for over 150 years
with the help of strange flowers, and who wish to spread the flowers and
insanity throughout the world.
Batman No. 219
February 1970
Cover: Batman being shoved out of plane above Washington, D.C. //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Death Casts the Deciding Vote” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #88;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #396)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#88 / 89)
Intro: Governor Putnam, Miss Hopkins, Sen. Lincoln Webster (only appearance
for all)
Villains: The Boss and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An airplane containing Bruce Wayne and a senator is hijacked
on the way to Washington, D. C., but the Batman intervenes to defeat the
criminals and get it back on track.
Story: “The Silent Night of the Batman” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #396)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#86 / 89)
Comments: This story takes place on December 24-25, 1969.
Synopsis: Despite Batman’s conviction that crime doesn’t take a night
off for Christmas, the Batman joins Commissioner Gordon and his men for
a night of Christmas Eve caroling...and, miraculously, not a single crime
is reported during the entire evening.
Detective Comics No. 396
February 1970
Cover: Rory Bell cycling away from unconscious Batman, leaving dollar
bills over him //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Brain-Pickers” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #219; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #191)
Intro: Rory Bell, Nan Owens (only appearance for both)
Villains: Sharf and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman for an
adventure on Krypton in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #191.
Synopsis: A gang of crooks attempts to force Wall Street whiz-kid Rory
Bell into masterminding moneymaking stock deals for them while out on his
motorcycle, but he tips off his partner by code, which leads Batman to
his rescue.
Batman No. 220
March 1970
Cover: Batman lured into exploding phone booth (three vignettes) //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “This Murder Has Been Pre-Recorded” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#191; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #78)
Supporting Characters: Miss Atkins (as a voice; between DETECTIVE COMICS
#394 / 403), Marla Manning (first appearance; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #416)
Intro: Tom Sloane (in flashback; dies in this story), Sandra Sloane
(only appearance)
Villain: Zachary Nova (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
the Vigilante fight the Doomsters in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #78-79.
Synopsis: The murder of a construction company owner leads Batman to
a plot by the killer to murder a lady journalist investigating the crime.
Detective Comics No. 397
March 1970
Cover: Orson Payne pushing Batman off roof to reach image of Caterina
Valance //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Paint a Picture of Peril” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#79; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #89)
Intro: Caterina Valance (only appearance)
Villains: Orson Payne and his gang (including Nick; first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with the Phantom
Stranger to fight Josiah Heller in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #89, then helps Superman
defend Lois Lane from a charge of murdering Lana Lang in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #99-100.
Synopsis: Batman encounters a wealthy man who hires a gang to steal
works of art he cannot buy which remind him of a lost love.
Detective Comics No. 398
April 1970
Cover: Poison Pen missing Batman and burying itself in book cover //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Poison Pen Puzzle” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #100; next appears in BATMAN #221)
Intro: Maxine Melanie (dies in this story), Tippi, Jill, Sidney and
other board members, Dorian Spence, Loren Melburn (only appearance for
all)
Villain: Rod Drake (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a trip to Hollywood to check out a movie studio on whose
board he now sits, Bruce Wayne must become Batman to solve the mystery
of a novelist slain by a literally poisoned pen.
Batman No. 221
May 1970
Cover: Batman hiding on gargoyle from bats loosed by Baron Willi Von
Ritter and his men //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “A Bat-Death For Batman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #398)
Intro: Ordwein, Baron Willi Von Ritter (only appearance for both)
Villains: Ilga Ritter, Otto Kramm (first appearance for both; both
die in this story)
Synopsis: In a German castle, Batman discovers a mastermind who has
perfected a formula to turn animals into raging killers.
Story: “Hot Time In Gotham Town Tonight” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#81)
Intro: Harry, Frank, Joey (only appearance for all)
Villains: Cleve and his friend (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
the Jest-Master in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #81.
Synopsis: The Batman must destroy a Vietnamese idol whose powers have
been causing fires in a Gotham neighborhood.
Detective Comics No. 399
May 1970
Cover: Khan with katana, Batman, and Commissioner Gordon’s hand //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Death Comes To a Small, Locked Room” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Irv Novick
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#81; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #192)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #89; next appears in BATMAN #222), Arthur Reeves (first appearance;
next appears in BATMAN #225)
Intro: Joe Brunner (only appearance)
Villains: Khan (first and only appearance), the Great Dilbert (first
appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman teams with Superman to battle
Col. Koslov in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #192-193.
Synopsis: After losing an exhibition match to Batman, martial artist
Khan vows to take revenge by killing Commissioner Gordon.
Batman No. 222
June 1970
Cover: Batman and Robin watching Oliver Twists return from gravesite
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Dead Till Proven Alive” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#193), Robin (between DETECTIVE COMICS #399 / 400)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #89; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #400), Commissioner Gordon
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #399 / 401)
Intro: Saul Cartwright and the two other members of the Phoenix Trio
(only appearance for all)
Villain: Chumley and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: The Oliver Twists are based on the Beatles, with the Saul
Cartwright mystery corresponding to the “Paul McCartney is dead” urban
legend of 1969-70.
Synopsis: Rock fans worldwide are finding clues buried in Oliver Twists
albums that lead singer Saul Cartwright is dead and has been replaced by
an impostor. Batman and Robin investigate the matter while the rockers
are guests at Wayne Manor and find criminal ties to one member.
Story: “Case of No Consequence” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #400)
Intro: A photographer (only appearance)
Villain: Bleeker Bill (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Though exhausted, Batman fulfills a mute photographer’s request
to retrieve his stolen camera from a thief.
Detective Comics No. 400
June 1970
Cover: Batman and Man-Bat overshadowing Gotham City //Neal Adams /
Dick Giordano
Story: “Challenge of the Man-Bat” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #222; next appears
in SUPERMAN #229)
Intro and origin: The Man-Bat (Kirk Langstrom; next appears in issue
#402)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#222)
Intro: Wilkins (next appears in issue #407)
Villains: The Blackout Gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman tries to help a Red Kryptonite-afflicted
Superman in SUPERMAN #229.
Synopsis: Kirk Langstrom, a museum employee and bat researcher, intends
to give himself super-hearing and sonar power through injection of a bat
extract. Instead, he transforms himself into the monstrous Man-Bat,
and, after helping Batman defeat a gang of crooks, runs away into the night.
Detective Comics No. 401
July 1970
Cover: Batman tripping crossbow booby-trap //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Target For Tonight” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #229; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #91)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#222; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #91), Alfred Pennyworth (next
appears in BATMAN #226)
Intro: Quiz Barton (only appearance)
Villain: The Stalker (Carleton Yager; first appearance; dies in this
story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Black Canary to
tackle the Collector in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #91.
Synopsis: A big-game hunter who dubs himself “the Stalker” deduces
Batman’s secret identity and announces his intention to hunt down and kill
the Caped Crusader.
Batman No. 224
August 1970
Cover: Moloch holding Batman over paddle-wheeler //Neal Adams / Dick
Giordano
Story: “Carnival of the Cursed” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #91;
next appears in THE FLASH #199)
Intro: Charles “Blind Buddy” Holden (dies before this story opens),
Rev. Maxwell Dill, Fredricks (only appearance for all)
Villains: Moloch (Rufus Macob), Harry Harnet, and their gang (first
and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place during Mardi Gras, 1970.
Shortly after this story Batman briefly appears with the Justice
League in THE FLASH #199.
Synopsis: Investigating the murder of a jazz musician in New Orleans,
Batman encounters the powerful Moloch and his gang, who are seeking the
victim’s trumpet for a hidden map to a gold mine.
Detective Comics No. 402
August 1970
Cover: Batman in swamp as Man-Bat swoops down //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Man Or Bat?” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in THE FLASH #199; next
chronological appearance in flashback in issue #407)
GS: Man-Bat (between issues #400 / 407)
Intro: Francine Lee (next appears in issue #407)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman appears in flashback with
Man-Bat in issue #407, then teams with Superman and Robin to fight the
Mafia in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #194-195.
Synopsis: Batman encounters the Man-Bat again and ends up battling
him when he inadvertently comes between the transformed scientist and his
attempts to find a cure for his condition.
Batman No. 225
September 1970
Cover: Batman targeted by police //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Wanted For Murder-One, the Batman” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#195)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #91; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #405), Arthur Reeves
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #399; next appears in issue #234)
Intro: Anderson P. Forsythe (only appearance)
Villains: Jonah Jory (first appearance; dies in this story), Sy Semple
and his pals, Squeaky Piper (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A talk-show host who insulted Commissioner Gordon and the
Batman on his show is found dead, and all clues seem to point to the Batman
as the culprit.
Story: “Shutdown On York Street” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Mike Esposito
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#82)
Supporting Character: Art Saddows (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #111; next appears in issue #295)
Intro: Vic (dies in this story), Chris Pike, Alex Saddows (only appearance
for both)
Villains: Jack Donaldson, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman helps the Justice League
and Justice Society fight Creator2 in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #82-83.
Synopsis: Alex Saddows, son of Mystery Analyst Art Saddows, accidentally
kills a drag-racing rival in what looks like a revenge strike, and
the Batman gets on the case to find Alex and discover the truth behind
the incident.
Detective Comics No. 403
September 1970
Cover: Batman holding Amy Paxton, Angie Randall and Van Paxton in horse-drawn
carriage //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “You Die By Mourning” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#83; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196)
Supporting Character: Miss Atkins (last appearance in BATMAN #220;
last appearance)
Intro: Audrey Paxton (dies in this story), Angie Randall, Laird Randall
(only appearance for both)
Villains: Van Paxton (first appearance; dies in this story), a gang
of thugs (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Robin and Superman
to fight K. C. Jones in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196, then teams with
the Bat-Squad to fight the Scarlet Strangler in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #92,
then helps the Justice League battle Viktor Willard in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #84.
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne’s V.I.P. office is visited by a mysterious woman
who claims before running out that her husband will be murdered by morning,
and Batman investigates.
Detective Comics No. 404
October 1970
Cover: Batman leaping from biplane towards Heinrich Franz //Neal Adams
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Ghost of the Killer Skies” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#84; next appears in BATMAN #226)
Cameo appearance: Hans Von Hammer (Enemy Ace; in a photo and, possibly,
as a ghost)
Intro: Anson, a pilot (both die in this story)
Villains: Heinrich Franz, Gavin (first appearance for both; both die
in this story), Martinez and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: From the tense used to refer to Hans Von Hammer in this story,
and the fact that he is not a consultant on this picture (which he would
certainly be if he were still alive), it must be concluded that Von Hammer,
the Enemy Ace, is dead at the time of this story. Whether Heinrich
Franz is his descendant, as he claims, or not cannot be determined.
Synopsis: When murder breaks out on a World War I movie set devoted
to the story of Rittmeister Hans Von Hammer, the Enemy Ace, Batman investigates
and finds a modern-day “Von Hammer” devoted to keeping the original’s memory
untarnished in his own eyes.
Batman No. 226
November 1970
Cover: Ten-Eyed Man vs. Batman //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Man With Ten Eyes” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #404 / 405)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #401)
Intro: Dr. Engstrom (only appearance)
Villains: The Ten-Eyed Man (Three-Eyes Reardon; first appearance; next
appears in issue #231), Li’l Jeff, Marty, and their gang (first and only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: A guard blinded by an explosion set off by crooks has his
optic nerves connected to the tips of his fingers, giving him ten “eyes”
to see with. Accordingly, the Ten-Eyed Man goes after revenge on
the man he blames for his blindness--Batman.
Detective Comics No. 405
November 1970
Cover: Batman hiding in tree, awaiting Tetja and League of Assassins
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The First of the Assassins” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #226; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #93)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#225; next appearance in Batgirl story in last issue), Sgt. Harvey Hainer
(last appearance in BATMAN #184; next appears in issue #444)
Intro: K. C. Agonistes, Bettina Smythe, Haimes (only appearance for
all)
Villains: Tetja (first and only appearance)
Comments: The League of Assassins is first mentioned in this story.
Shortly after this story Batman appears in the House of Mystery
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #93.
Synopsis: Batman is called upon to protect a shipping magnate, his
fiancee, and his employee from an assassin on a supposedly deserted island.
Batman No. 227
December 1970
Cover: Batman overlooking Gothos Mansion and Clifton Heathrow pursuing
Daphne Pennyworth //Neal Adams
Story: “The Demon of Gothos Mansion” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #93;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #86)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #199)
Other Character: Daphne Pennyworth (last appearance in issue #216;
last appearance)
Intro: A female ghost (only appearance)
Villains: Clifton Heathrow (first appearance; dies in this story),
Ballk (a demon), Ephraim and other members of a coven (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: In this story it is revealed that Daphne Pennyworth was born
on midnight, October 31st.
The cover of this issue is based on the cover of DETECTIVE COMICS
#31.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
Theo Zappa in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #86 and briefly appears in AQUAMAN
#55.
Synopsis: Batman goes in search of Alfred’s niece, Daphne Pennyworth,
who has been kidnapped by a coven and is about to be made a sacrifice to
raise the demon Ballk.
Detective Comics No. 406
December 1970
Cover: Batman locked in axe-deathtrap as statue of St. Diona weeps
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Your Servant of Death--Dr. Darrk” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in AQUAMAN #55; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #198)
Intro: Count Orsini, Mara Thursday, St. Diona (as a statue; only appearance
for all)
Villains: Dr. Ebenezer Darrk, the League of Assassins (first appearance
for all; next appear in issue #411)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman briefly appears during the
Superman / Flash race in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #198-199.
Synopsis: Batman is lured into a deathtrap in the home of a shipping
magnate marked for death by Dr. Darrk and the League of Assassins, but
may have a saint on his side.
Detective Comics No. 407
January 1971
Cover: Batman swinging after Man-Bat carrying Francine Lee through
church //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Marriage: Impossible” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#199; next appears in BATMAN #229; also appears in flashback, between issue
#402 / WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #194)
GS: Man-Bat (between issues #402 / ?)
Intro: She-Bat (Francine Lee; between issues #402 / ?)
Other Character: Wilkins (last appearance in issue #400; next appears
in MAN-BAT #1)
Synopsis: Batman tries to prevent the wedding of Kirk Langstrom to
Francine Lee by exposing him as Man-Bat at the altar, only to learn that
she has taken a bat-extract injection herself and become a She-Bat.
Batman No. 229
February 1971
Cover: Batman locked in manor, assailed by Futurians; Robin vignette
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Asylum of the Futurians” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Kanigher
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #407;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #87)
Intro: Stephen Grey, Laura Grey (only appearance for both)
Villains: Michelle and the Futurians (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Zatanna fight an alien robot in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #87.
Synopsis: Batman is called upon by a woman to save her husband from
a gathering of six “Futurians”, a cabal of ESPers who intend to rule the
Earth and who believe that Batman may be a potential seventh Futurian.
Detective Comics No. 408
February 1971
Cover: Batman watching Robin crumble into dust in his hands (five vignettes)
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The House That Haunted Batman” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Len Wein, Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#87; next appears in BATMAN #230), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #229;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #200)
Cameo appearances: Commissioner Gordon, Flash, Superman, Hawkman, Green
Lantern, Green Arrow (as illusions)
Villains: Dr. Tzin-Tzin (last appearance in issue #354; next appears
in ADVENTURE COMICS #418), the Deadly Dozen (including Fong Wu; first and
only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Dr. Tzin-Tzin, in cahoots with the League of Assassins, traps
Batman and Robin in a house of illusions which becomes a true deathtrap.
Batman No. 230
March 1971
Cover: Batman and the Brave Barons //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Take-Over of Paradise” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #408;
next appears in THE FLASH #204)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#199 / 202), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman story in DETECTIVE
COMICS #406; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #94)
Intro: The Brave Barons (Rap (dies in this story), Shade, Mouse, and
others; only appearance)
Villain: Kitten (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League deal
with the problem of Iris Allen’s identity-revealing impulses in THE FLASH
#204 and fight the people of Mu in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #88.
Synopsis: A gang Batman has tried to put on the right path protest
a new housing project by occupying it and setting explosives. Batman
is called in to negotiate. One of the gangleaders dies in a brawl,
and Batman must deduce who did it.
Detective Comics No. 409
March 1971
Cover: Batman facing Tracy Calhoun holding sword and mask //Neal Adams
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Man In the Eternal Mask” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#88; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #95)
Intro: Hiram Cronin, Mr. and Mrs. Rene LeClerq, Mrs. Trewsbury (only
appearance for all)
Villain: Tracy Calhoun (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman teams with Plastic Man to
deal with Ruby Ryder in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #95, then helps Superman fight
a gang of crooks in SUPERMAN #236.
Synopsis: Batman and an artist must discover the identity of a mysterious
mutilator of the artist’s portraits.
Detective Comics No. 410
April 1971
Cover: Batman, Goliath, and Flippy in bell tower //Neal Adams / Dick
Giordano
Story: “A Vow From the Grave” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #236; next appears
in BATMAN #231)
Intro: Charley Bones (dies in this story), Flippy, Maud (only appearance
for both)
Villains: Kano Wiggins, Goliath (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: On the trail of an escaped killer, Batman encounters four
circus freaks and later must determine who murdered one of them.
Batman No. 231
May 1971
Cover: Ten-Eyed Man seeing Batman’s image with his fingers //Neal Adams
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Blind Rage of the Ten-Eyed Man” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #410;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #89)
Intro: Mr. Corbin (only appearance)
Other Character: Richard M. Nixon (as a voice)
Villain: The Ten-Eyed Man (last appearance in issue #226; next appears
in MAN-BAT #?)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman briefly appears with the Justice
League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #89, then teams with the Teen Titans
to fight STOPP in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #94.
Synopsis: The Ten-Eyed Man hijacks an airplane and forces Batman into
a showdown battle in a trap-filled area of jungle.
Detective Comics No. 411
May 1971
Cover: Batman, League of Assassins, and Talia tied to stake //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Into the Den of the Death-Dealers” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #94)
Supporting Character: Talia (first appearance)
Villains: Dr. Ebenezer Darrk (last appearance in issue #406; dies in
this story), the League of Assassins (last appearance in issue #406; next
appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #94), an informer (first appearance;
dies in this story)
Comments: Ra’s Al Ghul is first mentioned in this story.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
King Malis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202.
Synopsis: Batman goes after Dr. Darrk and the League of Assassins in
the Middle East and encounters the lovely Talia, daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul.
Batman No. 232
June 1971
Cover: Ra’s Al Ghul, Batman, and Robin being shot by assassin’s gun
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Daughter of the Demon” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (origin retold in flashback; last appearance
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202; next appears in THE FLASH #207), Robin (origin
retold in flashback; between Robin stories in last issue / next issue)
Supporting Characters: Talia (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #411;
next appears in issue #235), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #202)
Cameo appearances: Deadman (on a mountain face), Thomas Wayne, Martha
Wayne, Joe Chill, John Grayson, Mary Grayson (all in flashbacks)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul (first appearance; next appears in issue #235),
Ubu (first appearance; next appears in issue #243), Brotherhood of the
Demon (first appearance; next appear in issue #235)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman briefly appears in THE FLASH
#207.
Synopsis: Both Robin and Talia have been kidnapped, and Ra’s Al Ghul
asks the aid of Batman to rescue them both from their captors in the Himalayas.
But Batman feels there is more to Ra’s’s purpose than meets the eye.
Detective Comics No. 412
June 1971
Cover: Asquith, in armor and with lance, charging trapped Batman on
horseback //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Legacy of Hate” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in THE FLASH #207)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (between BATMAN #232 / 235)
Intro: Lord Elwood Wayne, Wilhelmina Wayne, Rev. Emelyn Wayne, Jeremy
Wayne (only appearance for all)
Villains: Lord Harold Wayne (a ghost; first and only appearance), Asquith
(first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne is invited to the ancestral castle of the Waynes
in England, where he meets several distant relatives and encounters a ghostly
knight bent on centuries-old vengeance.
Detective Comics No. 413
July 1971
Cover: Batman, Shecky, Jamie, and Old Nell //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Freak-Out At Phantom Hollow” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in Batgirl story in this issue)
Intro: Old Nell (a ghost), Shecky, Jamie, Capt. Bill Wilcox, Claire
Antrim, Barney, Congreve (only appearance for all)
Villain: Big Lanny (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman briefly appears in the Batgirl
story in this issue as Bruce Wayne, then teams with Wildcat to fight Mr.
Big in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #97.
Synopsis: In Phantom Hollow, Batman tries to unravel the mystery of
a witch’s curse that may be destroying the entire town.
Batman No. 234
August 1971
Cover: Batman tied to sinking ship; Two-Face vignette //Neal Adams
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Half an Evil” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #97;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #414; also appears in flashback; see Comment
under issue #81 for chronology), Robin (in flashback; see Comment under
issue #81 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batgirl
story in DETECTIVE COMICS #413; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOL D #98),
Arthur Reeves (last appearance in issue #225; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #419)
Cameo appearances: Donald Duck, Superman (as balloons)
Intro: Billy the Tramp (only appearance)
Villains: Two-Face (of Earth-One; Harvey Dent; first actual appearance;
origin revealed in flashback; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #106)
and his gang (first and only appearance), Boss Moroni (in flashback; first
appearance; next appears in DC SUPER-STARS #?)
Synopsis: Batman discovers Two-Face is behind the theft, sinking, and
raising of an old two-masted ship belonging to Captain Bye, seeking a cache
of gold doubloons Bye had hidden in the vessel.
Detective Comics No. 414
August 1971
Cover: Batman set ablaze by lighthouse beam; General Ruizo vignette
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Legend of the Key Hook Lighthouse” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #234 / 235)
Intro: A lighthouse keeper’s ghost, Arnie, Loosy (only appearance for
all), the lighthouse keeper’s lover (in flashback; dies in this story)
Villains: General Ruizo and his men, various crooks (first and only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman tangles with a mob of gun-runners for a dictator and
receives help from two low-level crooks and a ghost.
Batman No. 235
September 1971
Cover: Batman (without cape and cowl) leaping towards Talia and assassin
looking at his cape and cowl in a swamp //Neal Adams? / Dick Giordano
Story: “Swamp Sinister” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #414 / 415)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #412)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul, Talia, Brotherhood of the Demon (all between
issues #232 / 240), Striss, Polard (first appearance for both; both die
in this story), Solomon T. London (first and only appearance)
Comment: The Lazarus Pit first appears in this story.
Synopsis: Ra’s Al Ghul asks for the help of Batman in tracking down
a former employee who has stolen a chemical which can become a deadly plague
carrier.
Detective Comics No. 415
September 1971
Cover: Batman hanging before Ben Ames //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Challenge of the Consumer Crusader” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #235; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #98)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between Batgirl stories in issues #413
/ 414)
Intro: Tom Carson (next appears in BATMAN #249)
Villains: Ben Ames, Jo-Jo Weems, Tag Callum, Joan Wilde and her gang
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Phantom Stranger
to fight a coven in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #98.
Synopsis: Batman helps save a consumer advocate from murder and discovers
the extortionist who is shielding herself behind his front.
Detective Comics No. 416
October 1971
Cover: Batman and Man-Bat //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Man-Bat Madness” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist: Frank Robbins
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #98;
next appears in BATMAN #236)
GS: Man-Bat (between issues #407 / 429; marries Francine Lee Langstrom
in this story)
Supporting Characters: Francine Langstrom (She-Bat; between issues
#407 / 429), Marla Manning (last appearance in BATMAN #220; next appears
in issue #421)
Intro: Howie (only appearance)
Synopsis: A series of chance occurrences leads Kirk Langstom to relapse
into his Man-Bat identity after marrying Francine Lee, and the Batman must
capture him and restore him to normalcy.
Batman No. 236
November 1971
Cover: Batman, Corinne Hellbane’s ghost, and Axel March wielding pick
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Wail of the Ghost-Bride” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #416 / 417)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #418)
Intro: Corinne Hellbane (a ghost), Miss Tuite, Mrs. Tyler-Tilford,
Martha, Mitch, Boynton (only appearance for all)
Villains: Axel March and his gang, Agatha Tyler-Tilford (first and
only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman seems to be aided by a ghost in his quest to solve
the murder mystery of a long-dead debutante.
Detective Comics No. 417
November 1971
Cover: Batman, Jan Paxton in Batman suit, and Trina Paxton //Neal Adams
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Batman For a Night” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #236; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #207)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #98; next appears in Batgirl story in last issue)
Intro: Trina Paxton (dies in this story), Jan Paxton (only appearance)
Villains: Stacy Brand, various crooks (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Dr. Light in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #207, then teams with the Flash to battle
Manuel in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #99.
Synopsis: A writer’s attempt to play Batman for a day becomes serious
when his sister is murdered by a bank robber.
Batman No. 237
December 1971
Cover: The Reaper vs. Batman and Robin //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Night of the Reaper” (25 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #99;
next appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #418), Robin (between TEEN TITANS #36
/ 37)
Intro: Tom Fagan (of Earth-One; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#103), Alan, Berni, Gerry (all next appear in Robin story in issue #239),
Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster (all of Earth-One)
Cameo appearances: Batgirl, Man-Bat, Phantom Stranger, Captain America,
Hawkman, Havok, Captain Marvel, Superman, Aquaman, Solomon Grundy, Thor,
Spider-Man, Cain, Abel (as costumes)
Villains: The Reaper (Dr. Gruener), Col. Kurt Schloss (first appearance
for both; both die in this story), Hans and other ex-Nazis (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Harlan Ellison and Berni Wrightson are credited with inspiring
this story.
Synopsis: Batman tracks an ex-Nazi war criminal to the annual Halloween
parade in Rutland, Vermont, to which Robin has also come, and where they
also find the Reaper, a Death-costumed figure with a scythe, bent on finding
the villain for reasons of his own.
Detective Comics No. 418
December 1971
Cover: Batman and the Creeper //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “And Be a Villain” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #237)
GS: The Creeper (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #70;
next appears in issue #445)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#236; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #100)
Villains: Dr. Ishmael Yatz, Harold, two spies (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: The Creeper is unable to transform back into his Jack Ryder
identity and is being driven insane by Dr. Yatz’s serum. But Yatz’s
son Ishmael has the Creeper steal for him, promising to cure him of his
condition, and Batman becomes involved with the case as a result.
Detective Comics No. 419
January 1972
Cover: Jacky Mutell’s body weighed down in water by Batman statuettes
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Secret of the Slaying Statues” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #100)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between Batgirl stories
in issue #417 / last issue), Arthur Reeves (between BATMAN #234 / 241)
Intro: Paddy McCourt, Mrs. McCourt (only appearance for both)
Villains: Jacky Mutell (dies in this story), Liam McCourt and his gang
(including Harry; one dies in this story; first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Robin, Green Lantern,
Green Arrow, and Black Canary to fight Belknap in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #100.
Synopsis: A corpse found weighted down in the bay by golden Batman
statues leads the Caped Crusader to a band of Irish drug-smugglers.
Batman No. 239
February 1972
Cover: Batman in Santa Claus beard with bag of toys, calling on Tim
and Betsy //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Silent Night, Deadly Night” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #100;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #420)
Intro: Betsy, Richard Lee Evans (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearance: Santa Claus
Villains: Tim (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story takes place on December 24, 1972.
Synopsis: Batman encounters a jobless man who robs street-corner Santas
of their collections, but helps the man, his daughter, and the man’s former
employer to new lives on Christmas Eve.
Detective Comics No. 420
February 1972
Cover: Nemesis as Batman unmasking behind Piet Van Doorn; vignettes
of Batman, Batgirl, Captain Compass, and Mysto //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Forecast For Tonight...Murder” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist, letterer: Frank Robbins
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #239 / 240)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #100; next appears in BATMAN #240)
Villains: Piet Van Doorn, Nemesis (Allan Trevor), a Nemesis lookalike,
a cigar smuggler (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman attempts to protect a wealthy Gothamite from a murder
threat by an old partner whom he once attempted to kill.
Batman No. 240
March 1972
Cover: Batman with Mason Sterling’s body and brain in receptacle //Neal
Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Vengeance For a Dead Man” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #420;
next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #101)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between Batman and
Batgirl stories in DETECTIVE COMICS #420), Alfred Pennyworth (between BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #100 / 101)
Intro: Mason Sterling (dies in this story)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul, Talia, Brotherhood of the Demon (all between
issues #235 / 243), Flinky Davenport, a crook, Keener, an assassin
(first and only appearance for all), Dr. Moon (first appearance; next appears
in WONDER WOMAN #200)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Metamorpho to fight
the Bounty Hunter in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #101.
Synopsis: Batman is suckered into helping Talia and Ra’s Al Ghul find
the murderers of a government scientist. But when he learns that Ra’s has
removed the scientist’s brain from his body and enabled it to communicate
in order to gain his secrets, Batman turns against them.
Detective Comics No. 422
April 1972
Story: “Highway To Nowhere” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #101;
next appears in BATMAN #241)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #101; next appears in last issue)
Intro: Buzz Riley, Harman, a trucker (only appearance for all)
Villains: A truck manufacturer (first appearance; dies in this story)
and his gang, Lori (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman investigates the mystery of truckers who lose their
rigs after seeing the highway before them burst into phantom flames.
Batman No. 241
May 1972
Cover: Batman //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “At Dawn Dies Mary MacGuffin” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #422 / 423)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #101), Arthur Reeves (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#419; next appears in issue #247)
Intro: Howard MacGuffin, Mary MacGuffin (only appearance for both)
Villains: Colonel Sulphur (first appearance; next appears in issue
#248) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman must find where spychief Colonel Sulphur is hiding
a government employee’s kidnapped wife before he can kill her in vengeance
for not being given important documents.
Detective Comics No. 423
May 1972
Cover: Batman sniping with high-powered rifle //Mike Kaluta
Story: “The Most Dangerous Twenty Miles In Gotham City” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #241; next appears
in issue #421)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#241; next appears in Batgirl story in last issue)
Intro: Riggs (only appearance)
Villains: Ivanescu, Captain Alpha, Trooper Omega (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Batman helps foolproof a way to transfer a Communist spy
to his masters in an exchange, to prevent a right-wing group from
assassinating the agent during the act.
Detective Comics No. 421
March 1972
Cover: Batman dangled by his cape off prison railing by convicts before
guards //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Blind Justice, Blind Fear” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist, letterer: Frank Robbins
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in issue #423; next appears
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #90)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batgirl
story in issue #423; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #102), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in next issue; next appears in issue #425), Marla Manning
(last appearance in issue #416; next appears in BATMAN #249), Warden Howe
(first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #246)
Intro: Carleton Quayle (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Barbara Gordon (on campaign posters)
Villains: Newley, convicts, militants, corrupt politicians (first and
only appearance for all)
Comments: The presence of Barbara Gordon’s face on campaign posters
in this story indicates that it happens out of sequence, since her campaign
for Congress begins in issue #423.
This story happens on the 7th of the month.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
the Saremians in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #90, helps the Justice League
and Justice Society fight Solomon Grundy in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #91-92,
helps the Justice League and Deadman battle Merlyn, the Sensei, and the
League of Assassins in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #94, and helps the Justice
League fight Johnny Dune in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #95 and Starbreaker
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #96-98, teams with Superman tofight
the Krush in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #211, teams with the Teen Titans to
fight Sonny Trask in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #102, and helps the Justice League
fight Bur Sed and Kur Sed in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99.
Synopsis: Batman must find a way of keeping a convict who has served
his time alive during a prison break so that he can divulge information
about corrupt politicians, despite a black militant con who wants to bargain
for freedom and a hired killer out to get the man Batman wants to protect.
Detective Comics No. 424
June 1972
Cover: Batman vs. Tim Curran on subway tracks //Mike Kaluta
Story: “Double-Cross-Fire” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#99)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #102; next appears in Batgirl story in this issue)
Intro: John Bryant (dies in this story)
Villains: Tim Curran, Joe and his gang, Mrs. Bryant, Burgess (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An innocent bystander during a bank robbery appears to be
killed by “accident” from a guard’s shot, but Batman learns that the killing
was no accident.
Detective Comics No. 425
July 1972
Cover: Batman vs. Ezra Jimson on horse and carriage //Berni Wrightson
(signed)
Story: “The Stage Is Set For Murder” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in issue #421;
next appears in issue #428)
Intro: Del Sartre, Claire Foster, Barry Johnstone, Tod Dunn (only appearance
for all)
Villain: Ezra Jimson (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: During a modern-dress production of Macbeth, Batman must
discover which cast member is a would-be murderer.
Detective Comics No. 426
August 1972
Cover: Batman holding gun to his head with suicide note before him
//Mike Kaluta (signed)
Story: “Killer’s Roulette” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist, letterer: Frank Robbins
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #103)
Intro: J. Arnheim, Allen Osborn, Malcolm Merle (all die before this
story opens), Gingie (only appearance)
Villains: Conway Treach, a crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Metal Men
to fight John Doe in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #103 and helps the Justice League
and Supergirl fight Gur in ADVENTURE COMICS #423.
Batman assumes the alias John T. Hazard in this story, after
Frank Robbins’s comic strip character Johnny Hazzard.
Synopsis: Batman sets out to uncover the secret behind the suicides
of three wealthy compulsive gamblers.
Detective Comics No. 427
September 1972
Cover: Batman fallen among toys //Mike Kaluta
Story: “A Small Case of Murder” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #423;
next appears in BATMAN #242)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batgirl
story in issue #424)
Intro: Randall Barnes (dies in this story), Gaynor (only appearance)
Villains: Adam Cornelius, Anton Gralnik (first appearance for both;
both die in this story), a crook, a killer doll (first and only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: Batman investigates the case of a toy manufacturer murdered
by a gun-wielding toy doll.
Batman No. 242
June 1972
Cover: Batman at Bruce Wayne’s gravesite //Mike Kaluta
Story: “Bruce Wayne--Rest In Peace” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #427)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Jason
Bard story in DETECTIVE COMICS #427; next appears in issue #245), Dr. Harris
Blaine (first appearance)
Cameo appearance: Ra’s Al Ghul
Villains: Matches Malone (first appearance; dies in this story), Lo
Ling (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Batman prepares to make war on Ra’s Al Ghul by staging Bruce
Wayne’s death and recruiting scientist Harris Blaine and one of Ra’s’s
assassins to his cause.
Batman No. 243
August 1972
Cover: Batman vs. Lo Ling //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Lazarus Pit” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman
GS: Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #41; next appears in Robin
story in issue #245)
Supporting Characters: Dr. Harris Blaine, Molly Post (first appearance)
Other Character: Lo Ling (no longer a villain as of this story)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul, Talia, Brotherhood of the Demon (last appearance
for all in issue #240), Ubu (last appearance in issue #232; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #438)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Batman adds skiier Molly Post to his group of allies and,
together with them, fights his way through a mob of assassins and Ubu into
Ra’s Al Ghul’s lair in Switzerland, only to find the master killer
dead. But Talia secretly activates the Lazarus Pit as Batman’s group
leaves, which lowers him into the restorative chemical bath and returns
him to life.
Batman No. 244
September 1972
Cover: Ra’s Al Ghul standing with Batman costume over fallen Batman
in desert //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Demon Lives Again” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Characters: Harris Blaine (next appears in issue #247),
Molly Post (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #451)
Other Character: Lo Ling (last appearance)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #445), Talia
(next appears in issue #257), Brotherhood of the Demon (next appears in
DETECTIVE COMICS #448)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: With two of his team injured, the Batman tracks down Ra’s
Al Ghul in the desert for a fight to the finish.
Batman No. 245
October 1972
Cover: Batman holding newspaper with headline of Bruce Wayne’s murder
//Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Bruce Wayne Murder Case” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#100)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue
#242; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #428)
Intro: Jeffers Harvey (only appearance)
Villains: Bilker, Richard, Osgood Peabody (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League,
Justice Society, and Seven Soldiers of Victory fight the Iron Hand in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #100-102.
Synopsis: Batman investigates a politician who is capitalizing on the
“murder” of Bruce Wayne for political gain, with a note in Bruce Wayne’s
own handwriting.
Detective Comics No. 428
October 1972
Cover: Batman facing Steve “Shotgun” Smith’s shotgun //Ernie Chua
Story: “The Toughest Cop In Gotham” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#102; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #214)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#245; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #104), Alfred Pennyworth (last
appearance in issue #425)
Intro: Steve “Shotgun” Smith (next appears in issue #436), Maryann
Smith (only appearance)
Villains: The Wheel and his gang (first appearance for all; all die
in this story), various pushers and addicts (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman briefly appears during Superman’s
and the Vigilante’s battle with a werewolf in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #214,
then teams with Deadman to fight Lilly Lang in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #104.
Synopsis: Steve “Shotgun” Smith enforces a tough line on Gotham pushers,
but Batman suspects that he may be taking kickbacks.
Detective Comics No. 429
November 1972
Cover: Batman, She-Bat, and Debbie //Nick Cardy
Story: “Man-Bat Over Vegas” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist, letterer: Frank Robbins
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #104;
next appears in BATMAN #246)
GS: Kirk Langstrom (Man-Bat; last appearance in issue #416; next appears
in BATMAN #254), She-Bat (Francine Langstrom; last appearance in issue
#416; next appears in MAN-BAT #1)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #105)
Intro: Jim (dies in this story), Debbie, Thelma, Sam, Quint, Chet,
Tammy (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman and Kirk Langstrom learn that Francine Langstrom has
become a vampire She-Bat after being bitten by an irradiated vampire bat.
Batman No. 246
December 1972
Cover: Batman seeing hanging Robin dummy //Dick Giordano
Story: “How Many Ways Can a Robin Die?” (1 page)
Chapter 1: “How To Shaft a Robin” (5 pages)
Chapter 2: “How To Carve a Robin” (6 pages)
Chapter 3: “How To Bury a Robin--Deep” (2 pages)
Chapter 4: “How To Twist a Robin’s Neck” (3 pages)
Chapter 5: “How To Chop Up a Robin” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Pencillers: Irv Novick (pgs. 1-17), Dick Dillin (pgs. 18-23)
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #429;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #128), Robin (between
TEEN TITANS #42 / 43)
Supporting Characters: Mrs. Higgins (between Robin stories in DETECTIVE
COMICS #394 / 490), Warden Howe (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #421;
last appearance)
Cameo appearances: John Dillinger, Jack the Ripper (on posters), Salome,
John the Baptist (as mannequins)
Villain: Emil Ravek (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League attend
the mock wedding of Superman and Lois Lane in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #128 and induct the Phantom Stranger and fight Felix Faust in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103, and Robin helps the Teen Titans fight the Moonlings
in TEEN TITANS #43.
Synopsis: Batman must learn who is “killing” Robin mannequins and leaving
them as bait for him before the killer can murder the real Robin.
Detective Comics No. 430
December 1972
Cover: Two crooks unmasking Batman //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Clue of the False Faces” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Nick Cardy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearnce in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#103; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #105)
Intro: Jim (only appearance)
Villains: Aldo Maxim, Gort, Rack, Pete Tanno and his gang (first and
only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Diana Prince to
fight the Montoyas in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #105.Synopsis: After receiving
a blow to the head, Batman awakens to find that the unfamiliar face beneath
his mask belongs to a criminal.
Detective Comics No. 431
January 1973
Cover: Batman and Mickey Ryan’s body //Mike Kaluta (signed)
Story: “This Murder Has Been Censored” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #105;
next appears in BATMAN #247)
Intro: Mickey Ryan, Dorrie Pitkin (both die in this story), Ehrlich,
Sheriff Carr, Dr. Ballard (only appearance for all)
Villain: Bernie Wilson (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: At a resort, Batman investigates the murder of a man with
a “Censored” stamp on his forehead.
Batman No. 247
February 1973
Cover: Batman bound to New Year’s ball and Wilson Ennett riding it
down with him //Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Merry Christmas” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #431)
Intro: Martha, her husband and her son, an astronomer (only appearance
for all)
Villain: Chimp Manners (first appearance)
Comments: This story continues in the next story.
This story takes place on December 24, 1972.
Synopsis: Batman and four captive people seem doomed to be killed by
a gun-wielding gangster until a Christmas star distracts the hood enough
for Batman to defeat him.
Story: “And a Deadly New Year” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Artist: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#104), Robin (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #43; next appears in Robin
story in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #105; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #432), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #105), Arthur Reeves (last
appearance in issue #241; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #463), Dr. Harris
Blaine (last appearance in issue #244)
Intro: Sandour Grogan, Marsden Van Dyne III (only appearance for both)
Villains: Chimp Manners (dies in this story), Freddy, Harry, Wilson
Ennet and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place from Dec. 25, 1972-Jan. 1, 1973.
Shortly after this story, Batman helps the Justice League fight
Shaggy Man in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #104.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin must learn the location of a canister of
nerve gas set to destroy the population of Gotham on New Year’s Eve, and
find the perpetrator of the crime.
Detective Comics No. 432
February 1973
Cover: Batman examining piles of money torn in half, female crook behind
him with gun //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Great Rip-Off Mystery” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #241; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #106)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#241; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #106)
Villains: Andrew Willis, an unnamed woman, Merrill (first appearance
for all; all die in this story), Mitch, Wingie, Cranston (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps Green Arrow fight Two-Face
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #106.
Synopsis: Batman sets out to crack the case of a murdered courier carrying
a briefcase full of torn halves of paper currency.
Detective Comics No. 433
March 1973
Cover: Batman being strangled by the Smog Killer //Dick Giordano
Story: “Killer In the Smog” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #106;
next appears in BATMAN #248)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #106; next appears in Jason Bard story in this issue)
Intro: Walter Holt, Ben Megrim, Squeeze Chapin, a mental patient (all
die in this story)
Villains: James Corwin, Rick Manton, Clyde Wilson, a gang of crooks
(first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman and Commissioner Gordon try to uncover the mystery
of a strangler who strikes during smoggy days, and throttles his victims
with a yellow ascot.
Batman No. 248
April 1973
Cover: Batman trying to save Benton Friss from phantom airplane //Ernie
Chua
Story: “Death-Knell For a Traitor” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #433;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #217)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth
Villains: Colonel Sulphur (last appearance in issue #241; next appears
in ?) and his gang (first and only appearance), Benton Friss (first appearance;
dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman and Metamorpho
to fight Rastinyak in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #217, then teams with Black
Canary to fight Monk Devlin and Willie Kresh in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #107.
Synopsis: Batman battles Colonel Sulphur and an ex-Navy man who turned
traitor during World War II to gain a fabulous diamond from the Japanese,
which he now seeks to recover.
Batman No. 249
June 1973
Cover: Batman facing gangsters’ guns //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Citadel of Crime” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #107;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #434)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #434), Marla Manning (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #421)
Intro: Mrs. Blythe (only appearance)
Villain: Stanford and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne pretends to be a heartless snob in order to lure
a wealthy man with gang ties into the Batman’s grasp.
Detective Comics No. 434
April 1973
Cover: The Spook walking through wall towards Batman //Irv Novick
Story: “The Spook Who Stalked Batman” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #249)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #107), Alfred Pennyworth (between BATMAN #249 / 250)
Villains: The Spook (Val Kaliban; first appearance), Big Turk Ramis
(first appearance), Snort and his partner (first and only appearance for
both)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Batman matches wits with the Spook, a criminal Houdini who
springs convicts from within Gotham Prison, or even from within the Batmobile.
Detective Comics No. 435
July 1973
Cover: Batman vs. The Spook //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Spook Strikes Again” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BATMAN #250)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #218)
Intro: Jim Baines (only appearance)
Villains: The Spook (next appears in BATMAN #252), Big Turk Ramis (last
appearance)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Batman learns the secrets of the Spook’s escapes and captures
him, only to find he has the fingerprints of a man who was executed for
murder ten years ago.
Batman No. 250
July 1973
Cover: Batman swinging into wax museum display of Anne Boleyn’s execution
with real executioner waiting for him //Irv Novick / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Deadly Numbers Game” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #435)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #434; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #218)
Intro: Amos Raven, William and his wife, Timmy, Sims (only appearance
for all)
Cameo appearances: George Washington, Eng and Chang Bunker, Henry VIII,
Richard III, Four Horsemen of Notre Dame, Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie Antoinette,
Sir William Herschel (as statues)
Villain: Gil Adams (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman looks into a weird series of thefts based upon number-associated
objects that end up in the hands of wax dummies in a museum.
Story: “The Batman Nobody Knows” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Artist: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#105)
Intro: Ronnie, Ziggy, Mickey (only appearance for all)
Villain: Willie the Horse (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League initiate
the Elongated Man and the Red Tornado and fight T. O. Morrow in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #105-106, then teams with Superman to battle Capricorn
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #218.
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne takes three children out on a camping trip and
learns from them three different images they have of the Batman.
Detective Comics No. 436
September 1973
Cover: Batman and imaginary demons //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Night Has a Thousand Fears” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Bob Brown
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#218; next appears in BATMAN #251)
Other Character: Steve “Shotgun” Smith (last appearance in issue #428;
last appearance)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #218; next appears in BATMAN #252)
Intro: Lorna, Irma, Jim
Villains: Rick, Cragg, Sandy
Synopsis: Batman develops a fear of the dark when he accidentally sniffs
a packet of drugs a smuggler has planted in Bruce Wayne’s luggage.
Batman No. 251
September 1973
Cover: Joker holding Ace of Spades with Batman attached //Neal Adams
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #436;
next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #109)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #218; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #109)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #77;
next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #111), Philly Jack Barton, Packy White,
Alby, Bigger Melvin (first appearance for all; all die in this story),
Bing Hooley (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Demon to fight
Jack Dobbs in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #109.
Synopsis: The Batman must attempt to save the five members of the Joker’s
old gang before the Clown Prince of Crime can murder them all for betraying
him.
Batman No. 252
October 1973
Cover: The Spook’s “ghost” rising from his coffin to menace Batman
//Nick Cardy
Story: “The Spook’s Master Stroke” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #109;
next appears in SUPERMAN #268)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #109; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #437), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #436), Jason Bard (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #435; next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #15)
Villains: The Spook (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #435; next
appears in issue #276), various crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman and Batgirl
to fight MAZE in SUPERMAN #268.
Synopsis: As expected, the Spook breaks out of prison. Then he
attempts to take revenge on Batman by strapping him into an electric chair
and throwing the switch.
Detective Comics No. 437
October-November 1973
Cover: Matuchima vs. Batman //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Deathmask” (12 pages)
Editor, writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #268; next appears
in BATMAN #253)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#252)
Intro: Marcus Wingate, Judd Thaxton (both die in this story)
Villains: Austin Spires (first appearance; dies in this story), a gang
of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An ancient mask of a South American god of death is worn
by a succession of men driven by it to kill, and Batman must discover the
reason why.
Batman No. 253
November 1973
Cover: The Shadow and Batman //Mike Kaluta (signed)
Story: “Who Knows What Evil?” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #437;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #107)
GS: The Shadow (last chronological appearance in THE PRIVATE FILES
OF THE SHADOW #1; next appears in issue #258)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #438)
Villains: Al Gromm and his gang, Sammy Stone and his gang, the Nomads
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League,
Justice Society, and Freedom Fighters fight the Nazis of Earth-X in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #107-108, helps the Justice League fight Oxymaxias in
ACTION COMICS #429, and helps the Justice League and Supergirl fight Medusa
in SUPERGIRL #8, then teams with Superman to meet El Monstro in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #219-220, then teams with Wildcat to fight Ravek in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #110.
Synopsis: Batman trails a gang of counterfeiters to a desert resort,
where he meets the Shadow.
Detective Comics No. 438
December 1973 / January 1974
Cover: Batman vs. Ubu; vignettes of Green Lantern, Atom, Manhunter,
Robin, and Hawkman //Mike Grell
Story: “A Monster Walks Wayne Manor” (12 pages)
Editor, writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #110;
next appears in BATMAN #254)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#253; next appears in issue #440), Commissioner Gordon (next appears in
BATMAN #254)
Villains: Dr. Varnov, Patch (first and only appearance for both), Kolb,
Liverpool (first appearance for all; all die in this story), Ubu (last
appearance in BATMAN #243; dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman fights the Joker in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #111.
Synopsis: Batman tries to learn the identity of a monster which is
stalking the old Wayne mansion, and who has injured Alfred.
Batman No. 254
January-February 1974
Cover: Batman and Man-Bat; four Batman vignettes //Nick Cardy
Story: “King of the Gotham Jungle” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #438;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #109)
GS: Man-Bat (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #429; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #119)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #438; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #111)
Villains: Roy Reynolds (the Getaway Genius; last appearance in issue
#201; last appearance) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League of
America fight Eclipso in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #109.
Synopsis: Batman gets a hand in capturing Roy Reynolds and his gang
from Man-Bat, who has returned to crime-fighting.
Detective Comics No. 439
February-March 1974
Cover: Batman and gangsters; vignettes of Atom, Hawkman, Manhunter,
Dr. Fate, and Kid Eternity //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Night of the Stalker” (14 pages)
Editor: Archie Goodwin
Plotters: Vin Amendola, Sal Amendola
Scripter: Steve Englehart
Penciller: Sal Amendola
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #111;
next appears in BATMAN #255; origin retold in flashback)
Intro: Ted and his wife (both die in this story), their son (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Joe Chill (in flashback)
Villains: Cannon, Rick, the Kid, and their partner (first and only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Batman tracks down and captures a gang of bank robbers
who murder a man and wife in the sight of their child, causing him to flashback
to the similar incident that inspired Bruce Wayne to become the Batman.
Batman No. 255
March-April 1974
Cover: Anthony Lupus (a werewolf) leaping at chained Batman; four Batman
vignettes //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano (main vignette); Nick Cardy (small
vignettes)
Story: “Moon of the Wolf” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Neal Adams
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #439;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#111 / 112)
Intro: Janet Bonner, Amos (only appearance for both)
Villains: Professor Milo (last appearance in issue #112; next appears
in ?), Anthony Lupus (a werewolf; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #505)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
the Key in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110, then teams with Mr. Miracle
to encounter Atun in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #112.
Synopsis: Professor Milo, an old enemy of Batman’s, helps turn Anthony
Lupus into a werewolf and promises him the antidote if he will kill the
Caped Crusader.
Detective Comics No. 440
April-May 1974
Cover: Bear, Batman, and Sarah Beth Tull; vignettes of Robin, Hawkman,
Manhunter, Doll Man, and Earth-2 Green Lantern //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Ghost Mountain Midnight” (12 pages)
Editor, writer: Archie Goodwin
Penciller: Sal Amendola
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #112;
next appears in BATMAN #256)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in issue #438;
next appears in BATMAN #256)
Intro: Sarah Beth Tull, Kitten
Villains: Aaron Tull, Cletus Tull, Granny Tull, Emmett Doppler (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Bruce Wayne sees a waitress kidnapped to serve as sacrifice
to a beast on Ghost Mountain, the Batman goes to her rescue.
Batman No. 256
May-June 1974
Cover: Catwoman with bound Batman and white tiger leaping at Robin;
three Batman vignettes //Nick Cardy
Story: “Catwoman’s Circus Caper” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #440;
next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #113), Robin (last appearance in issue
#254; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #441)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #440; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #113)
Intro: Bobo
Cameo appearances: John and Mary Grayson (in flashback), Talia
Villains: Catwoman (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #202; next appears
in issue #266) and her gang, Bernie Byrd (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Metal Men to
fight One Arm in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #113.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin attempt to stop the Catwoman from stealing
priceless white tigers and to learn who murdered a performer at the circus
with which she is working.
Detective Comics No. 441
June-July 1974
Cover: Judge dumping boiling oil on Batman and Robin; vignettes of
Ibis, the Spider, Manhunter, Eclipso, and Plastic Man //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Judgment Day” (12 pages)
Editor, writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: Howard Chaykin
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #113;
next appears in BATMAN #257), Robin (between BATMAN #256 / 257)
Supporting Characters: Lt. Harvey Bullock (first appearance; next appears
in BATMAN #361), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#113; next appears in BATMAN #260)
Intro: Melissa Clay (dies in this story)
Villains: The Judge (Clay), Cutler, Snow (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: This story takes place in March.
Synopsis: A costumed villain called the Judge seeks to gain vengeance
on Batman for possibly causing his daughter’s accidental blinding, and
kidnaps Robin to lure him into a deathtrap.
Batman No. 257
July-August 1974
Cover: Batman, Penguin, and Talia; two Batman vignettes; vignettes
of the Joker, Alfred, and Ally Babble //Nick Cardy
Story: “Hail Emperor Penguin” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #441;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111), Robin (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #441)
Supporting Character: Talia (last appearance in issue #244; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #444)
Cameo appearances: Ra’s Al Ghul, Catwoman
Villains: The Penguin (last appearance in issue #201; next appears
in ?) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
the Injustice Gang in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111 and Amazo in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #112, then teams with Aquaman to fight Joe Angel
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #114.
Synopsis: The Penguin captures King Peeble IV of Swawak, a 12-year-old
boy, to gain power over his kingdom, but is opposed by Batman, Robin, and
Talia.
Detective Comics No. 442
August-September 1974
Cover: Batman and Eve Dancer fired on by biplane; vignettes of Robin,
Hawkman, Manhunter, Dr. Fate, and the Guardian //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Death Flies the Haunted Sky” (11 pages)
Editor, writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist, letterer: Alex Toth
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #114;
next appears in BATMAN #258)
Intro: Ben Dancer, Mason Terrell (both die in this story), Rick Halstrom,
Eve Dancer, Benjy Dancer
Villain: Doug Garth (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Batman tries to save two pilots from a vengeance-seeking
killer in a biplane.
Batman No. 258
September-October 1974
Cover: Batman, Robin, and giant Two-Face coin; two Batman vignettes
//Nick Cardy
Story: “Threat of the Two-Headed Coin” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #442;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #225), Robin (next appears in issue
#260)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#114 / 115)
Intro: Harry Higby (only appearance)
Villains: Two-Face (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #106; next
appears in issue #260), the Joker (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #111; next appears in issue #260), General John Harris (first appearance;
dies in this story) and his gang, Hotsy Totter, Samuel Smith-Smythe, various
crooks (first and only appearance of all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Justice Society subdue a transformed Sandy in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#113, then Batman teams with Superman to fight bird-spirits in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #225, then teams with the Atom to fight Buggsy Cathcart in
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #115, then teams with Manhunter to fight the Council
in DETECTIVE COMICS #443.
Synopsis: Two-Face is sprung from jail by a renegade general whose
plan to hold Washington, D.C. for ransom with an atomic bomb is hijacked
by the Duke of Doubles. Batman and Robin set out to deactivate the
bomb and defeat Two-Face.
Batman No. 259
November-December 1974
Cover: The Shadow, Willy Hank Stamper and his confederate, a hostage,
young Bruce Wayne; four Batman vignettes and one Robin vignette //Nick
Cardy
Story: “The Night of the Shadow” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #443;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114; also appears in flashback;
see Comment under issue #81 for chronology)
GS: The Shadow (last appearance in issue #253; last chronological appearance)
Supporting Characters: Dr. Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne (both in flashback;
see Comment under issue #81 for chronology), Commissioner Gordon (last
appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #443; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#116)
Intro: Thornton Swofford (dies in this story), Mildred Miller
Villains: Willy Hank Stamper and his gang (including Tooker and Chaz;
first and only appearance for all), Joe Chill (in flashback)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
Anakronus in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114, then teams with Superman and
Metamorpho to fight El Jefe in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #226, then teams with
the Spectre to fight the Dirty Dozers in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #116.
This story is dedicated to Bill Finger.
Synopsis: Years ago, Bruce Wayne, as a child, his father, and two others
were saved from robber Willy Hank Stamper by the Shadow. Now, Stamper
has been released from jail and is bent on revenge against the survivors
of that incident, but the Shadow helps Batman nail Stamper again.
Batman No. 260
January-February 1975
Cover: The Joker with deck of Batman cards; vignettes of Batman, Robin,
Riddler, Alfred, and Catwoman //Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: “This One’ll Kill You, Batman” (1 page)
Chapter 1: “And If I Laugh” (9 pages)
Chapter 2: “‘Tis That I May Not Weep” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #116),
Dick Grayson (Robin; last appearance in issue #258; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #445)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #442; next
appears in SUPERMAN #283), Oliver Queen (Green Arrow; between ACTION COMICS
#441 / 443)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #441)
Intro: Dr. Hamish (dies in this story), Dr. Rockwell, Mrs. Hamish and
her children, Al, Pete (only appearance for all)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in issue #258; next appears in
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #118), Two-Face (last appearance in issue #258; next
appears in THE JOKER #1), Marcus, the Joker’s gang (first and only appearance
for all), Arkham Asylum inmates (first appearance; next appear in THE JOKER
#1)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
Korge in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115.
Synopsis: The Joker doses Batman with a drug that causes him to laugh
uncontrollably at times of horror, thus incapacitating him in battle, and
will kill him in 72 hours, and charges the Caped Crusader to keep him from
murdering the one doctor who can save his life.
Batman No. 261
February-March 1975
Cover: Batman hanging from balloon before crooks’ rifles; Batman, Robin,
and Blockbuster’s shadow; Batman, Santa Claus, and Robin vignettes //Nick
Cardy (signed)
Story: “The Mystery That Never Was” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#115; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #118)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in issue #263)
Intro: Hal Hemingway (dies in this story)
Villains: Tom Wilson, Eddy, Mooch, various crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Wildcat to fight
the Joker in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #118.
Synopsis: When the plans for a new reactor are stolen, Batman assumes
the identity of a criminal and is discovered by the gang, who have deadly
plans for him.
Batman No. 262
April 1975
Cover: Batman and Scarecrow on roller coaster; Batman penning will
//Ernie Chua (signed)
Story: “The Scarecrow’s Trail of Fear” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #118;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #116)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #118; next appears in THE JOKER #1)
Cameo appearances: The Joker, Robin
Villains: The Scarecrow (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #111; next appears in FIRST ISSUE SPECIAL #7; origin retold in
flashback) and his gang, Robert Toomey (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Golden Eagle fight Matter Master, then reinduct Hawkman and fight the Equalizer
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #116-117)
Synopsis: Batman trails the Scarecrow to an amusement park and must
face his new fear-broadcasting gimmick to bring him in.
Batman No. 263
May 1975
Cover: Batman facing Riddler’s array of crossbows //Dick Giordano
Story: “Riddler On the Move” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#117; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #119)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in issue #261)
Villains: The Riddler (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #377; next
appears in issue #279), Blair Brambel and his gang (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Man-Bat to fight
Killer Krag in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #119.
Synopsis: The Riddler begins taking over another crooks’ employment
agency for criminals, and traps Batman within an array of loaded crossbows.
Batman No. 264
June 1975
Cover: Batman and Devil Dayre on motorcycles //Ernie Chua / Dick Giordano
Story: “Death of a Daredevil” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inkers: Dick Giordano and others
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #119;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #118)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #445)
Cameo appearance: Johnny Carson (of Earth-One)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League fight
the Adaptoids in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #118-119.
Villains: Al “Devil” Dayre, Mason Brazil, Charles, various crooks (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman goes to free a kidnapped daredevil, but the “kidnapping”
may not be all that it seems.
Detective Comics No. 444
December 1974 / January 1975
Cover: Commissioner Gordon and police watching Batman shoot Talia;
vignettes of Star Hawkins, Elongated Man, Robin, Kid Eternity, and Roy
Raymond //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Bat-Murderer” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#119)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #119), Sgt. Harvey Hainer (last appearance in issue
#405; next appears in BATMAN #265)
Intro: Specs, Roger Barton (only appearance for both)
Other Character: Elizabeth Baylor (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#369; last appearance)
Villains: Talia (last appearance in BATMAN #257; next appears in issue
#448), Scrag Donovan, Huey, other crooks (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: This is part one of the “Bat-Murderer” serial.
Synopsis: Batman becomes wanted for murder when Commissioner Gordon
and other witnesses see him apparently gun down Ra’s Al Ghul’s daughter
Talia in cold blood.
Detective Comics No. 445
February-March 1975
Cover: Batman cornered by Commissioner Gordon and police; vignettes
of Roy Raymond, Elongated Man, Robin, Dr. Mid-Nite, and Star Hawkins //Jim
Aparo
Story: “Break-In At the Big House” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Characters: Batman, Dick Grayson (Robin; chronologically between
Robin stories in issues #447 / 450)
GS: Jack Ryder (the Creeper; between issues #418 / 447)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth (last
appearance in BATMAN #264)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul (last appearance in BATMAN #244; next appears
in issue #448), Brick Milligan (first and only appearance)
Comment: This is part two of the “Bat-Murderer” serial.
Synopsis: Batman breaks into Gotham Prison to question Ra’s Al Ghul
about the killing of Talia. Ra’s admits that he is responsible for
the incident, then turns a gun on himself, and throws the gun towards Batman
before he falls. Guards assume Batman is responsible for another
murder, and the Caped Crusader must fight his way out past guards and convicts.
Detective Comics No. 446
April 1975
Cover: Batman watching shattered Batman statue exposing skeleton //Jim
Aparo
Story: “Slaughter In Silver” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Artist, letterer: Jim Aparo
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (next
appears in issue #448)
Intro: Frank, Kelly, Harris (only appearance for all), Louis Silversmith
(as a skeleton; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, the Shadow
Villains: Sterling Silversmith (first appearance; next appears in issue
#495) and his gang (including Duffy; one dies in this story)
Comment: This is part three of the “Bat-Murderer” serial.
Synopsis: Batman investigates the case of a skeleton found within a
silver Batman statue, and crosses swords with master criminal Sterling
Silversmith.
Detective Comics No. 447
May 1975
Cover: Creeper vs. Batman over lion cage //Dick Giordano
Story: “Enter: The Creeper” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Ernie Chan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman
GS: The Creeper (last appearance in issue #445)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in issue #449)
Cameo appearance: Ra’s Al Ghul
Intro: Morris Middleman, Shirley Middleman, Sinkovec, Tiefenbacher
(only appearance for all)
Villain: A crook (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: This is part four of the “Bat-Murderer” serial.
Synopsis: The Creeper goes after Batman to determine whether or not
his old friend is a murderer, and both of them are menaced by freed lions
at the city zoo.
Detective Comics No. 448
June 1975
Cover: Batman shooting Talia before Commissioner Gordon and police;
Commissioner Gordon shooting Batman before police //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Bedlam Beneath the Big Top” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #120)
GS: The Creeper (next appears in THE JOKER #3)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue
#446; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #120)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul (last appearance in issue #445; next appears
in BATMAN #291), Talia (last appearance in issue #444; next appears in
DC SPECIAL SERIES #15), Brotherhood of the Demon (last appearance in BATMAN
#244; next appear in DC SPECIAL SERIES #15), Gaston St. Lucifer, Slapleather
Smith, Shondu, Swordini, Bernard, other crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Comments: This is part five of the “Bat-Murderer” serial.
Shortly after this story, Batman teams with Kamandi to fight
Gorgo in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #120.
Synopsis: Batman invades a carnival to learn the ultimate secrets behind
the “murders” of Talia and Ra’s Al Ghul.
Batman No. 265
July 1975
Cover: Brutus and Robert Trenton vs. Batman //Ernie Chua / Dick Giordano?
Story: “Batman’s Greatest Failure” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Penciller: Rich Buckler
Inker: Berni Wrightson
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #120;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #449)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #120; next appears in THE JOKER #2), Sgt. Harvey Hainer
(as a voice; between DETECTIVE COMICS #444 / 466)
Intro: Hugh Larabee, Mitzi, Doug, Mitzi, Dr. Samson (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Robert Trenton (first appearance; dies in this story), Brutus
(first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman appears to fail to stop three murders plotted by a
disfigured actor on a TV program shoot, and Commissioner Gordon takes him
off the case.
Detective Comics No. 449
July 1975
Cover: Batman on horseback amidst cattle stampede //Ernie Chua (signed)
Story: “Midnight Rustler of Gotham City” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #265 / 266)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in THE JOKER
#2; next appears in BATMAN #266), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in
issue #447; next appears in BATMAN #266)
Villains: Tad Wolfe (next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #4), Zach Wolfe,
and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman cracks down on a cattle-rustling ring in Gotham apparently
run by a rich man’s ne’er-do-well brother, only to discover that the rich
man himself is the real mastermind.
Batman No. 266
August 1975
Cover: Gypsy with crystal ball which shows Catwoman and Batman //Dick
Giordano
Story: “The Curious Case of the Catwoman’s Coincidences” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #449;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #120)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth (both
between DETECTIVE COMICS #449 / 450)
Intro: A gypsy, Al (only appearance for all)
Villains: Catwoman (last appearance in issue #256; next appears in
THE JOKER #9), Crusher Baines, Rudy Stern, Jimson, Weasel, various crooks
(first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Catwoman returns to her long-skirted costume in this story)
Shortly after this story, Batman helps the Justice League and
Adam Strange fight Kanjar Ro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #120-121.
Synopsis: The Catwoman escapes from a prison train and begins a new
series of cat-based crimes, causing the Batman to get on her trail.
Detective Comics No. 450
August 1975
Cover: Batman amidst wax statues, being covered by wax //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Cape and Cowl Deathtrap” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Artist: Walt Simonson
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#121; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #121)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (both
between BATMAN #266 / 267)
Intro: Miss Barton (only appearance)
Villain: Jeremy Wormwood (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and the Metal Men fight Professor
Wing in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #121.
Synopsis: A high-priced hitman gets a new assignment: bring back the
cape and cowl of Batman.
Batman No. 267
September 1975
Cover: Death hurtling card at Batman //Dick Giordano
Story: “Invitation To a Murder” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: David V. Reed
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #121;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #451)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#450 / 451), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #450)
Intro: Miss Loomis, Ted (only appearance for both), a pilot (dies in
this story)
Villains: Django, Waxey Kruger, Big Jim Cody, various crooks (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman fights an assassin known as Django, who issues invitations
to his upcoming crimes, including one to the proposed murder of Batman
himself.
Detective Comics No. 451
September 1975
Cover: Batman pouncing towards people //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Batman’s Burden” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Artist: Ernie Chua
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #267; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #232)
Supporting Characters: Molly Post (last appearance in BATMAN #244;
last appearance), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN #267;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #232)
Intro: Baldy Amber (only appearance)
Villain: Cumming Streeter (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Chang-Shi in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #232, then teams with Swamp Thing to
deal with B. B. Riggs in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #122.
Synopsis: Batman thinks he is after an assassin poised to strike at
a backgammon tournament. Instead, he must thwart a killer out to
claim the life of his old friend Molly Post, who has turned against the
Batman due to what she sees as his love of violence.
Batman No. 268
October 1975
Cover: The Sheikh vs. Batman //Ernie Chan (signed)
Story: “Murder Masquerade” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #122),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #451)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in issue #270)
Intro: Leo Lunt (dies in this story)
Villains: The Sheikh (Fredrick Goforth), the Shiekh II (Oliver Hopkins),
and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman and Robin team up to fight the Sheikh, a murderer
who apparently kills three partners in an oil company.
Batman No. 269
November 1975
Cover: Batman defending Terry Tremayne from assassins with weapons
//Ernie Chan (signed)
Story: “The Daily Death of Terry Tremayne” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: David V. Reed
Artist: Ernie Chua
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#123)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #232; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #452)
Intro: Terry Tremayne II, III, and IV, George Nibley (all die in this
story)
Villains: Terry Tremayne, Paris, Amos Janghurst, Carlos Hakes, various
crooks (first and only appearance for all), their partner (in flashback;
first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League,
the Justice Society, and Elliot S! Maggin defeat the Injustice Society
and Cary Bates in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #123-124.
Synopsis: Batman must safeguard Terry Tremayne from her late fiancé’s
partners, who want to get a priceless Florentine box from her, and will
kill one man named Terry Tremayne per day for a week until they do.
Detective Comics No. 452
October 1975
Cover: Batman reaching for gun before the Crime Exchange and its President
on monitor screen //Ernie Chua
Story: “Crackdown On the Crime Exchange” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: David V. Reed
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Mike Royer
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#124)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#269)
Villains: The Crime Exchange, the Veep, the President (Walter Grimes;
first appearance for all), the Yak (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Batman learns of the existence of the Crime Exchange, a setup
to provide criminal specialists to crooks in need of special talent, and
infiltrates them. But he is exposed and captured, and forced to fire
a gun at the floor or die.
Detective Comics No. 453
November 1975
Cover: Family watching Crime Exchange President shoot Batman //Ernie
Chua
Story: “The Deadly Web of the Crime Exchange” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: David V. Reed
Penciller: Ernie Chua
Inker: Mike Royer
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #123)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #123)
Intro: Flanagan (only appearance)
Villains: The Crime Exchange, the President, and the Veep (last appearance
for all)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Plastic Man and Metamorpho
to fight Ruby Ryder in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #123.
Synopsis: Batman escapes from the Crime Exchange and puts into motion
a grand plan to bring the enitre operation down.