THE UNTOLD LEGEND OF THE BATMAN #3
September 1980
Cover Credits
Artists: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Dick Giordano
Letterer:
STORY
"The Man Behind the Mask" (22 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Len Wein
Artist and letterer: Jim Aparo
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Feature Characters
Batman (next appears in Justice League of America #182)
Robin (next appears in Detective Comics #494)
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in Detective Comics #494)
Shamrock (last seen in Batman #322; next appears in Batgirl story in
Detective Comics #516)
Slugger, Poet, and Good Queen Bess (all last seen in Batman #307; all
next appear in Batgirl story in Detective Comics #516)
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in Batman #326; next appears in Detective
Comics #494; also appears in flashback, chronologically between flashbacks
in Brave and the Bold #139 and Detective Comics #234)
Lucius Fox (last seen in Batman #326; next appears in Batman #328;
also appears in flashback, his earliest chronological appearance; next
chronological appearance in Batman #307)
Villain
Caroline Crown (last seen in Batman #326; next appears in Batman #330)
An unnamed mugger (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Jack Edison (first appearance; next appears in Blue Devil #21)
A movie crew (first and only appearance for all to date)
Collins (a policeman; in flashback; first and only appearance to date)
Cameo appearances
Several unnamed crooks (in flashback; first and only appearance to
date for all)
The Joker, Batgirl, Killer Moth and his Moth-Men, and Thomas and Martha
Wayne (all in flashbacks)
Origins and flashbacks
Batman resuces Jack Edison (page 4, panel 2; in flashback to an indeterminate
time "a few years back")
Batman encounters Commissioner Gordon (page 8, panel 3 to page 12,
panel 2; in flashback to Detective Comics #234)
The origin of Batgirl (page 13, panel 1 to page 14, panel 3; in flashback
to Detective Comics #359)
Bruce Wayne meets Lucius Fox (page 16, panels 1 and 2; in flashback
to between World's Finest Comics #254 and Batman #307)
Bruce Wayne plays "doctor" with Thomas Wayne (page 17, panels 1-3;
in flashback to between flashbacks in World's Finest Comics #146 and Detective
Comics #235)
Bruce Wayne sees his father in the "Bat-Man" costume (page 18, panel
2; in flashback to Detective Comics #235)
Alfred with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson (page 18, panel 3; in flashback
to second story of Batman #110)
Comments
The chronological placement of the various flashbacks in this issue
can be found in the Batman's Earth-One chronology in Volume Two of this
index.
Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League to fight Felix
Faust in Justice League of America #182.
Synopsis
Batman tells Robin he will find his mysterious
tormentor alone, and strides out of the Batcave. Robin calls up Jack
Edison, top stunt-driver and car-designer, and informs him they need a
new Batmobile, which Jack hand-designs himself. Robin then tells
Alfred he intends to help Batman whether he likes it or not.
Batman checks with Shamrock and other street
people for clues, but can find none. Commissioner Gordon tells Batman
he may subconsciously be overlooking clues, knowing unconsciously the culprit
is someone close to him he does not wish to hurt. Robin turns up
soon afterward to ask about his mentor.
Bruce Wayne, trying to get through a business
day, suddenly realizes who his tormentor must be. As Batman, he returns
to the original Batcave below Wayne Manor that night, but finds the walls
of the cave closing in on him. He also seems to see the shade of
Bruce Wayne accusing him of usurping both their existences. Abruptly,
a figure clad in the Bat-Man costume of Thomas Wayne appears to help Batman
hold back the closing walls, and tells him that the warehouse explosion
affected his mind, giving him paranoid schizophrenia. Encouraged,
Batman thrusts himself and his friend to safety, and unmasks his ally as
Robin. Robin admits that he rigged the closing walls and donned the
Bat-Man costume to bring Batman back to his senses. Thanking Robin,
Batman goes off to be by himself, viewing the streets of Gotham City from
on high.
FEATURETTE
"Secrets of the Batman" (3 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: ?
Artist: Joe Staton
Letterer: Typographical
Comment
This is a three-page feature detailing Batman's equipment and paraphenalia.
Detective Comics No. 494
September 1980
Cover: Crime Doctor and Bruce Wayne; vignettes of Black Lightning,
Batman, Robin, and Batgirl //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Crime Doctor Calls At Midnight” (16 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#182)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between Batgirl stories
in this issue and next issue), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in UNTOLD
LEGEND OF THE BATMAN #3; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #168), Dr.
Douglas Dundee (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #165; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #283)
Villains: The Crime Doctor (of Earth-One; Dr. Bradford Thorne; first
appearance), Fred and other crooks (first and only appearance for all),
Sterling Silversmith’s gang (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Batman contends with the Crime Doctor, a physician who
leads a double life as a planner of crimes for gangsters, and who learns
Batman’s secret identity when he sees a wound dressing he put on Bruce
Wayne.
Detective Comics No. 495
October 1980
Cover: Batman, Sterling Silversmith, and the Crime Doctor; vignettes
of Robin, Batgirl, and Black Lightning //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Murder In Quicksilver” (17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #265)
Supporting Character:
Intro: Elmo Kraft (dies in this story)
Villains: Sterling Silversmith (last appearance in issue #446; last
appearance) and his gang (including Frenchy; two die in this story; last
appearance for all), the Crime Doctor (next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #9)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
The Crime Doctor’s mind is somehow restored by his next (and
last) appearance, in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman and Robin
to fight Simon Magus in World's Finest Comics #265, and teams with Green
Arrow to battle the Great Rinehart in Brave and the Bold #168.
Synopsis: Batman seeks to prevent the Crime Doctor from revealing his
secret identity, just as Sterling Silversmith attempts to force the plundering
physician to disclose it to him.
BATMAN #328
October 1980
Cover Credits
Artist: Joe Kubert (signed)
Letterer:
FIRST STORY
"Double Jeopardy" (17 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character
Batman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #168)
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth and Commissioner Gordon (both last seen in Brave
and the Bold #168)
Lucius Fox (last seen in Untold Legend of the Batman #3; next appears
in issue #330)
Villains
Two-Face (last seen in issue #314; disguised as Carl Ternion in this
story)
"Boss" Moroni (as "Anton Karoselle"; last seen in DC Super-Stars #14;
in flashback; dies in this story)
Vinnie Allen (first appearance; dies in this story)
Vinnie Allen's gang (first and only appearance for all to date)
Other Characters
Gilda Gold Dent Stevens (last seen in flashback in Teen Titans #?;
maiden name and new married name revealed in this story)
Mary Ann Warner (first appearance; last name revealed in first story
of next issue, her next appearance)
Lester Greene (first and only appearance to date)
Dr. Albert Ekhart of Earth-One (first appearance; last chronological
appearance in first story of next issue; dies in this story)
David Stevens (no actual appearance; name only mentioned; not to be
confused with the Dave Stevens of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane; first
appearance; dies before this story opens)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
This story continues in the second story of next issue.
The character Dave Stevens, like the Dave Stevens who appears in the
Lois Lane stories, was probably named for Rocketeer artist Dave Stevens.
Synopsis
Batman gets a home-movie starring Carl Ternion,
who has been cleared of wilfully murdering gang boss Anton Karoselle.
In the film, Ternion taunts Batman with the knowledge that he deliberately
killed Karoselle and cannot be tried twice for the same crime. Realizing
a trap has been set for him, Batman reviews the facts of the case with
Alfred. Ternion had managed to enter Karoselle's mansion, accusing
him of killing Dave Stevens. Karoselle had allegedly blasted away
at Ternion with a rifle, but Ternion grabbed the gun and pointed it upward.
A stray blast brought a chandelier down on Karoselle, killing him just
as police, already on guard, burst in. Ternion was acquitted of a
murder charge.
Batman alerts Mary Ann Warner, a Gotham street
person, to be on the lookout for information, but she is beaten up shortly
after by two punks. He rushes her to the hospital, where she gasps,
"Ekk...out" before collapsing. Batman captures the punks, letting
one of them, Vinnie Allen, free so he may trail him to his boss, who proves
to be Ternion. Ternion, guessing Batman's scheme, shoots Vinnie dead
atop Gotham Dam and almost kills Batman by sending him into the dammed
waters and opening the spillway.
Later, Bruce Wayne refuses Lucius Fox's offer
to resign due to personal problems, but gives him a leave of abscence to
work things out. And Ternion, who has been romancing Gilda Stevens,
formerly the wife of Two-Face and later of Dave Stevens, consults later
with plastic surgeon Albert Ekhart, who says that his work will soon fade
and Ternion will be as he was before. Ternion shoots Ekhart.
Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and the police observe Ekhart's body recovered
from Gotham Bay the next morning, and Batman realizes that Mary Ann was
trying to gasp out "Ekhart". He leaves to find Ternion, who is presently
comforting Gilda Stevens and silently resolving to marry her after he kills
Batman.
SECOND STORY
"A Tale of Time Past" (8 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Kim DeMulder
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character
Batman
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth
Commissioner Gordon (next appears in Detective Comics #496; also appears
in flashback, his earliest chronological appearance; next chronological
appearance in flashback in Batman Special #1)
Villains
Daryl Richmond (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story)
Richmond (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Hank Weber (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story)
Sarah (first and only appearance to date)
Comments
This story continues in part in the first story of next issue.
Synopsis
When James W. Gordon was starting out as a beat
cop, his friend Hank Weber was shot and killed by Daryl Richmond, a thief
who stole Weber's jewels. Gordon chased Richmond down, getting shot
in the leg while doing so, and captured him in the subway. Richmond
refused to reveal where he had hidden the jewels, and eventually went mad
and died in prison.
Now, many years later, Gordon is held prisoner by
Richmond's son in the same subway, seeking revenge for his father's death.
But the subway adjoins a cavern of the Batcave, and Batman, checking out
strange noises in the rock walls, bursts through with the Batmobile and
rescues Gordon, though young Richmond shoots the commissioner in the leg.
Cornered, young Richmond goes mad when he is asked where the jewels are
hidden.
Still later, Batman digs out an abandoned
section of subway tunnel and unearths the Weber jewels, which Daryl Richmond
had hidden with explosives. He sends them on to Gordon at police
headquarters. Gordon tells his desk-photo of Hank Weber that he hopes
he's done him good at last.
BATMAN #329
November 1980
Cover Credits
Artist: Jim Aparo (signed)
Letterer:
FIRST STORY
"Twice Dies the Batman" (17 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character
Batman
Supporting Character
Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in Brave and the Bold #169)
Villains
Two-Face (next appears in World's Finest Comics #276)
"Boss" Moroni (in flashback; chronologically between DC Super-Stars
#14 and flashback in first story of last issue)
An unnamed crook (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Gilda Stevens (last appearance to date)
Mary Ann Warner (last seen in first story of last issue)
Dr. McHenry (first and only appearance to date)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Cameo appearances
Dr. Albert Ekhart (in flashback; first chronological appearance; next
chronological appearance in first story of last issue)
Comment
This story continues in part in the second story of this issue.
Synopsis
Batman's attempts to track down more clues
to the murder of Anton Karoselle at the file room of Dr. Ekhart and at
the Gotham Morgue are foiled by bombs. But he does manage to ascertain
that Anton Karoselle was a patient of Ekhart's, and that he did not even
exist as "Karoselle" until a year ago. Batman tells Alfred he is
certain of the murderer's identity, and intends to bring him in.
Carl Ternion breaks off a dinner date with
Gilda Stevens when his plastic surgery finally fails and he reverts to
the countenance of his former identity--Two-Face. Batman, finding
clippings referring to Two-Face's origin, Harvey Dent's marriage to Gilda
Gold, and the apparent death of "Boss" Moroni in Karoselle's files, enlists
the help of a sorrowing Gilda in a plot to capture Two-Face. He goes
to the Batcave to prepare a special film.
Later, Two-Face sees a man who appears to
be "Boss" Moroni "kidnap" Gilda Stevens and drive away with her.
Following them in another car, Two-Face snarls that he killed Maroni twice
already, and remembers how Maroni devised his "Anton Karoselle" identity
with Ekhart's plastic surgery, after being paralyzed from the waist down
in an encounter with Two-Face. Karoselle killed Gilda's second husband,
Dave Stevens, to spite Two-Face; Two-Face, who forced Ekhart to perform
the surgery that enabled him to become "Carl Ternion," killed Karoselle
in retribution. Two-Face follows "Moroni" and Gilda into a courthouse,
unmasks his foe as Batman, and clouts him unconscious. But Alfred,
already stationed there, shows them a film of Two-Face's origin, throwing
the double-visaged villain off balance. Batman, reviving, contends
that Two-Face has not killed his good side or his love for Gilda.
Gilda appears and convinces him of her love, inducing him to return to
Arkham for rehabilitation--for once, without flipping his coin.
SECOND STORY
"The Case of the Hijacked Heart" (8 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Rich Buckler
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters
Batman (next appears in Detective Comics #496)
Robin (last seen in World's Finest Comics #265)
Villains
Pamela Reynolds and her gang (first and only appearance to date for
all)
"Duds" Cardona (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Mary Ann Warner (last appearance to date)
Dr. Phillips and Dr. Borelli (first and only appearance to date for
both)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
This story takes place two weeks after the first story in last issue.
Synopsis
Gotham ganglord "Razor" Reynolds has checked into
Gotham Hospital for a heart transplant, and Batman and Robin have to fight
off rival crooks out to kill him. Batman swings off, and Robin checks
on Mary Ann Warner, the bag lady beaten by Two-Face's hoods. Her
doctor wonders why Batman has not checked on her in the two weeks since
her beating.
The heart to be transplanted into Reynolds's body
arrives later at Gotham airport. Batman and Robin have to fight off
another gang of thugs out to steal or destroy the heart. One of the
crooks tells who hired them. Robin goes to the hospital, hands the
canister with the heart to the doctors, and has Reynolds's daughter Pamela
arrested. Pamela confesses that she wanted revenge for her mother,
to whom Reynolds gave everything but love. The doctor and Robin are
drawn away to Mary Ann's room by a nurse who tells them an alarm is going
off there. They are just in time to see Batman swinging off, having
deposited two boxes of candy and a large supply of flowers in the room.
Detective Comics No. 496
November 1980
Cover: Batman vs. Clayface I on mast of ship //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Murder On the Mystery Ship” (16 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #329; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #169)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #328 / 330)
Intro: Nurse Jacobs, a trucker (both die in this story), Rita Morgansen,
Myrna Gentry (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Godzilla, the Mummy, the Fly, the Creature from
the Black Lagoon, Alfred Hitchcock, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price
Villains: Clayface I (last appearance in BATMAN #208; dies in this
story), John Carlinger (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Zatanna to
battle "Steel" Springer in Brave and the Bold #169.
Synopsis: Batman encounters the original Clayface aboard a shipful
of horror-movie fans, but the ex-actor may not be the only murderer on
board.
BATMAN #330
December 1980
Cover Credits
Artists: Ross Andru and Dick Giordano (signed)
Letterer:
STORY
"Target" (25 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #169; next appears in Justice
League of America #183)
Robin (next appears in New Teen Titans story in DC Comics Presents
#26)
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth (last seen in Brave and the Bold #169; next appears
in Detective Comics #497)
Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #496; next
appears in Brave and the Bold #170)
Lucius Fox (last seen in first story of issue #328)
Timothy Fox (last seen in issue #323; next appears in second story
in issue #333)
Villains
Arch Skyler (first appearance; dies shortly after this storyA)
The Cowboy and Annie (first and only appearance for both to date)
Caroline Crown (last seen in Untold Legend of the Batman #3)
Talia (last seen in Detective Comics #490)
Ronald Watkins (first appearance)
Ronald Watkins's gang (first appearance; next appear in second story
in issue #233)
Gregorian Falstaff (last seen in issue #322)
Karlyle Krugerrand (first name misspelled "Carlyle" in this story;
last seen in issue #322; next appears in issue #332)
Big Mike Frawley and his partner, and Blackjack (first appearance for
all; all die in this story)
Blackjack's gang, and Charlie and Maxie (first and only appearance
to date for all)
Assorted assassins (some of whom die in this story; first and only
appearance for all to date)
Other Characters
Arch Skyler's lawyer (first and only appearance to date)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
Robin announces in this story that he has dropped out of college.
Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League, the Justice
Society, and the New Gods to fight Darkseid and his minions in Justice
League of America #183-185. Then Robin helps battle terrorists and
dreams of the New Teen Titans in DC Comics Presents #26, after which he
joins the New Teen Titans to battle the Gordanians, Deathstroke the Terminator,
the Ravager, and the H.I.V.E. in New Teen Titans (first series) #1 and
2. Bruce Wayne also appears in NEW TEEN TITANS #1.
Synopsis
Lucius Fox is attacked and beaten by the gang of
street punks his son is a member of, led by Ronald Watkins. Bruce,
seeing him in the hospital, is asked to "help Timmy." Meanwhile,
Caroline Crown has stolen some of Bruce Wayne's business papers for Gregorian
Falstaff, and Arch Skyler, a murderer sentenced to death in the electic
chair at dawn, spreads the word through his lawyer that his $10,000,000
in gold will go to the man who kills Batman before Skyler walks the last
mile.
Batman and Robin, the latter of whom has recently
dropped out of Hudson University, are attacked repeatedly by assassins
out for the $10 million. At one point, Talia appears to save Batman
from one of the killers and leaves with him, Robin going solo. Robin
defies Batman's orders to stay put by trailing Tim Fox and preventing him
and Ronald Watkins from blowing up the Wayne Foundation Building, ostensibly
because Bruce Wayne owns some of the worst slum property in Gotham.
Batman challenges his would-be killers to a stand at Grosvenor's Island
and defeats them all, returning to help Robin capture Fox and Watkins.
Robin, knowing a rift has begun to grow between him and Batman, informs
his former mentor that they have to have a long talk. And Arch Stryker
faces the electric chair at dawn.
Detective Comics No. 497
December 1980
Cover: Guard, Robin, Batman, and Commissioner Gordon watching Batgirl
in jail cell //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Bad Night In Baja” (15 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (1st
series) #1; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #266)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#330; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #171)
Intro: Sloan and two other agents, David, Marie Schneider, Ernie Edwards,
Halston, Waldo Pepper (only appearance for all)
Villains: The Squid (Lawrence Loman, aka Clement Carp; first appearance;
next appears in BATMAN #357) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman joins Superman to fight Lady
Lunar in World's Finest Comics #266, teams with Nemesis to battle the Council
in Brave and the Bold #170, helps the Justice League battle Shaggy
Man in Justice League of America #186 and teams with Scalphunter to encounter
Martha Jennings in Brave and the Bold #171.
This story is dedicated to Will Eisner, creator of the Spirit,
whose first major nemesis was a villain named the Squid.
Synopsis: Batman recovers a satchel full of important documents stolen
by a criminal mastermind called the Squid. But he is wounded in the
process, and the Squid is on his trail to recover the documents and finish
the job on him.
Detective Comics No. 498
January 1981
Cover: Batman and police on waterfront pier grasped by Blockbuster’s
hand; Batgirl vignette //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Night of the Savage” (17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #171;
also appears, in flashback, between BATMAN #309 / BRAVE AND THE BOLD #149)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #170; next appears in Batgirl story in last issue; also appears
in flashback, between BATMAN #309 / BRAVE AND THE BOLD #149), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #171; next appears in issue #500)
Intro: Willie Macon, Mrs. Macon
Villains: Blockbuster (last appearance in BATMAN #309), Ajax, Lou,
Ernie (first and only appearance for all), Boss Dooley and his thugs (first
appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Blockbuster is washed up by the tide near Bleak Rock, West
Virginia, where he is taken in by local miners trying to break a tyrannical
union president’s hold. Batman sees Blockbuster in a news photo and
goes after him, but both are victimized by Boss Dooley.
Detective Comics No. 499
February 1981
Cover: Batman and Blockbuster saving miners from collapsing timbers;
Batgirl vignette //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Allies In the Shadows” (17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #267)
GS: Blockbuster (not a villain in this story; next appears in WONDER
WOMAN #294)
Other Characters: Willie Macon, Mrs. Macon (last appearance for both)
Intro: Carrie Macon (only appearance)
Villains: Boss Dooley and his hoods (including Mickey and Ed; last
appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Batman teams with Superman and the
Challengers of the Unknown to fight the Gravity-Masters in World's Finest
Comics #267, teams with Firestorm to combat a sentient nuclear reactor
in Brave and the Bold #172, joins the Justice League to combat a killer
satellite in Justice League of America #188, and Robin teams with Superman
to fight a criminal mastermind in DC COMICS PRESENTS #31.
Synopsis: Batman and Blockbuster find themselves allied in saving miners
from a cavein and in fighting Boss Dooley, who engineered the disaster.
Detective Comics No. 500
March 1981
Cover: Batman, Robin (both twice), Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Elongated Man,
Deadman, Jason Bard, Pow-Wow Smith, Roy Raymond, Commissioner Gordon, Slam
Bradley, Captain Compass, Mysto, the Human Target //Joe Kubert, Dick
Giordano, Jim Aparo, Bob Smith, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, Walt Simonson,
Tom Yeates (signed)
Story: “To Kill a Legend” (19 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Alan Brennert
Artist: Dick Giordano
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #172;
origin retold in this story), Robin (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#31)
GS: The Phantom Stranger (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #25;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200)
Intro: Bruce Wayne, Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, James W. Gordon, Barbara
Kean (all of a parallel Earth; only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Joe Chill, Batman of
Earth-Two (all in flashback)
Villains: Joe Chill of a parallel Earth (first appearance; dies in
this story), Lew Moxon of a parallel Earth, Charlie and various crooks
(first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Phantom Stranger transports Batman and Robin to a parallel
Earth where they must attempt to stop that world’s Joe Chill from killing
Thomas and Martha Wayne and forcing another Bruce Wayne to become the Batman.
Story: “Once Upon a Time” (2 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Walt Simonson
Feature Character: Batman
Villains: A gang of costumed crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: The words from this story are taken from the “novels” of Snoopy
in Charles Schulz’s comic strip, Peanuts.
Synopsis: The Batman breaks up a heist committed by three costumed
crooks.
Story: “The Batman Encounters Gray Face” (8 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Walter Gibson
Artist: Tom Yeates
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in issue
#498), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batgirl story in last issue),
Lucius Fox (between BATMAN #331 / 332)
Intro: Herbert Garland, Ling Kwong (only appearance for both)
Villains: Gray Face (Blair Gownset; first appearance; dies in this
story), Klon, Haja (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This is an illustrated text story.
Synopsis: Batman encounters Gray Face, a mysterious Chinatown villain
dealing in extortion and murder.
Story: “What Happens When a Batman Dies?” (22 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268),
Robin (next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (1st series) #3), Deadman (last
appearance in DC Comics Presents #24; next appears in Swamp Thing
Annual #2)
Supporting Characters
Commissioner Gordon, Alfred (both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#268)
Thomas and Martha Wayne (as ghosts; last seen in Brave and the Bold
#99; last appearance)
Caroline Crown (between BATMAN #330 / 331)
Villains
Stryker (first appearance; dies in this story)
Two muggers (first and only appearance for both)
Other Characters
Henry and other members of the Wayne Foundation
Several ghosts
Doctors and staff at a hospital
Ruth Keating, Mitchell Yanoff (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Robin joins the New Teen Titans
to fight Dr. Light, the Fearsome Five, and Trigon in New Teen Titans (first
series) #3-7.
Synopsis
Batman is lured into a trap by Stryker, a hitman who uses attack
dogs armed with poisoned fangs. After Batman has received a poisoned
bite, he lies near death in a Gotham hospital. However, he manages
to send a mental message to Deadman, who attempts to aid him in his battle
for life. Batman, who has become depressed by his unending battle
against crime, clinically dies and meets his parents' spirits in the afterworld,
as well as a host of other people the Batman has aided. But the Waynes
tell their son that he is more needed in the mortal world, and send his
spirit back to his body. With the help of Deadman, Batman manages
to rise from his hospital bed, track down Stryker--who is accidentally
killed by his own attack dogs--and find an antidote to the poison.
Best of DC No. 10
March 1981
Story: “The Origin of the Penguin” (10 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Penciller: Romeo Tanghal
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #500;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268)
Intro: Mrs. Cobblepot (in flashback; the Penguin’s mother; dies in
this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman
to fight Dr. Zodiac in World's Finest Comics #268, then teams with Green
Lantern and the Guardians of the Universe to battle Sinestro in Brave and
the Bold #173 and 174, joins the Justice League to fight Starro in Justice
League of America #189 and 190 and to clash with the New Teen Titans in
New Teen Titans (first series) #4.
Villains: The Penguin (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD #166 / 185; also
appears in flashback, his first chronological appearance, preceding his
introduction in BATMAN #99) and his gang (first and only appearance for
all), Angie (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story), Frankie
and other crooks (in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After losing his mother to a long illness and losing his
parents’ pet shop to creditors, Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, who had
been teased in childhood for his girth and walk and called a “penguin”,
turned against the law and fashioned the criminal identity of the Penguin.
Now he confronts Batman once again during a bird-themed theft.
Detective Comics No. 501
April 1981
Cover: Batman with photos of Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox //Jim
Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie” (17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (1st
series) #4)
GA: Mademoiselle Marie (last appearance in ?; in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #173), Lucius Fox, Caroline Crown (next appears in BATMAN
#331), Julia Remarque (first appearance)
Intro: Andre, Victor
Villain: Roget (aka Dupre; first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Batman trails Alfred and Lucius Fox to France, where he learns
that both of them were involved in the French Underground against the Nazis
in World War II, and that Alfred is accused of the murder of famed resistance
fighter Mademoiselle Marie by Julia Remarque, who claims to be Marie’s
daughter.
Detective Comics No. 502
May 1981
Cover: Batman leaving the site of Alfred Pennyworth’s and Lucius Fox’s
execution //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Who Shot Mlle. Marie?” (17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #175)
GS: Mlle. Marie (in flashback; last chronological appearance)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (origin details revealed;
next appears in BATMAN #331), Lucius Fox, Julia Remarque (next appears
in BATMAN #364)
Intro: Paulette Revel (in flashback; dead before this story begins),
Giselle Revel, Paulette’s granddaughter, Jacques (only appearance for all)
Villain: Roget (last appearance)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Lois Lane to fight
Metallo in Brave and the Bold #175.
Synopsis: Batman escapes from Julia Remarque’s kangaroo court, but
gets a stay of execution for Alfred by promising to bring in the man who
shot Mademoiselle Marie within 12 hours.
BATMAN #331
January 1981
Cover Credits
Artist: Jim Aparo (signed)
Letterer:
FIRST STORY
"Closed Circuit" (17 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Scripter: Michael Fleisher
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters
Batman (last seen in Brave and the Bold #175)
Robin (last seen in New Teen Titans (first series) #7)
Supporting Characters
Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #502; next appears
in issue #335), Commissioner Gordon, Lucius Fox (all last seen in DETECTIVE
COMICS #502)
Villains
The Electrocutioner (first appearance; next appears in Vigilante #8)
Spike Rafferty and Mike Caine (first appearance for both; both die
in this story)
Dane Whitney and Samson (first and only appearance for both to date)
Talia (next appears in first story of next issue)
Caroline Crown (last appearance in Detective Comics #501)
Gregorian Falstaff (behind the scenes; next appears in first story
of next issue)
Ronald Watkins (next appears in second story of issue #333)
Other Characters
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Synopsis
The Electrocutioner, a self-appointed executioner
of criminals who slip through the hands of the law, begins a series of
crook-killings in Gotham City with his electrically-charged suit.
A touch from one of his hands delivers a severe shock, but when both his
hands touch a victim the circuit is completed and the victim dies.
Batman has three encounters with the Electrocutioner. In the first,
killer Mike Caine dies; in the second, Batman rescues Dane Whitney; in
the third, the Electrocutioner falls through a window, grips a metal railing,
and shocks himself, so that he lets go and plunges off a cliff into the
river below.
Despite the growing rift between him and Batman
due to his decision to drop out of college, Robin traces Ronald Watkins
to Gregorian Falstaff's headquarters. He also ledarns that six months
back, Wayne Enterprises acquired a dozen of the seediest tenements in Gotham,
and the fact has made the headlines of the Daily Star. Bruce, noting
the paper is published by Falstaff, says that he will have to have it out
with his corpulent competitor.
Later, Talia arrives at the Batcave, seeking
sanctuary in the wake of Ra's Al Ghul's apparent death. Robin is
vehemently opposed to the idea, but Batman agrees to it, saying Robin needs
to learn more about "people, and about relationships!" Robin snaps
that Batman is the one who has a lot to learn, and stomps out.
SECOND STORY
"Wolf in the Fold" (8 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character
Batman
Supporting Character
Commissioner Gordon
Villain
Hank Samuels (first and only appearance to date)
Other Characters
Al Nelson, Frank Trask, and a janitor (first and only appearance to
date for all)
Police of Gotham City
Synopsis
Tipped off that special police investigator Mark
Rearden has vanished, Batman disguises himself as policeman Al Nelson with
Nelson's consent and goes undercover to find the "inside man" in the department
responsible for his disappearance. Neither of his teammates, Hank
Samuels or Frank Trask, admit knowing where Rearden is. Batman investigates
and finds the files on the investigation team have been stolen, with a
greasy substance left behind on the folder. Commissioner Gordon finds
a bomb in his file boxes, and gets Batman to help him disarm it.
Afterwards, they corner Hank Samuels, who left the grease stains on the
file after practicing on the target range with a freshly-oiled gun.
Batman disarms Samuels and forces him to reveal where Rearden is captive,
after which they rescue Rearden.
BATMAN #332
February 1981
Cover Credits
Artist: Jim Aparo (signed)
Letterer:
FIRST STORY
"Fallout!" (Chapter One: 17 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv wolfman
Pecniller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters
Batman, Robin
Supporting Characters
Caroline Crown (no longer a villainess as of this story)
Lucius Fox
Guest Star
Catwoman (last seen in issue #326)
Villains
Ra's Al Ghul (as a voice only; last seen in Detective Comics #490)
Talia
Saltzer (first appearance; next appears in first story of issue #334)
Mutates (first appearance for all; next appear in issue #334)
Gregorian Falstaff (dies in this story)
Karlyle Krugerrand (last seen in issue #330)
A gang of muggers (first and only appearance for all to date)
Other Characters
Miss Gilroy and Elizabeth Crown (first and only appearance to date)
Archer Templeton (first appearance; dies in this story)
Citizens and police of Gotham City
Comments
This is part one of "The Lazarus Affair."
This story continues in the next story in this issue.
This story contains several elements from the classic TV series, The
Prisoner, including the title, the "retrievers", and the island prison
and raft-escape.
Synopsis
Robin leaves Batman and Talia at the Batcave,
refusing to tolerate Talia's presence any more. Batman tackles the
Gregorian Falstaff problem and discovers that his foe is being bankrolled
by an outside interest from a Swiss bank account. He deduces that
Caroline Crown has been feeding Falstaff Wayne Enterprises information
and, going to see her, finds Ms. Crown with a mutate, who threatens to
harm "Elizabeth" unless she keeps up the information supply. Batman
is unable to best the mutate in battle and is knocked unconscious, while
Caroline Crown flees.
Much later, Caroline Crown confesses to Bruce
Wayne that her daughter Elizabeth is being held prisoner by Gregorian Falstaff
in an upstate hospital. When Wayne confronts Falstaff in the latter's
office, he discovers that Falstaff has bought up the mortgages on Wayne's
Asian oil properties, making most of Wayne's assets virtually worthless.
Bruce angrily refuses Falstaff's offer to work with him as his lackey.
Robin goes to Catwoman for help with the Falstaff
affair. Talia drugs Batman and goes to Falstaff's office herself.
Batman revives in time to trail her, fighting off Karlyle Krugerrand and
an army of mutates. Holding Elizabeth Crown hostage, Falstaff sends
an energy-globe at Batman and Talia from a strange weapon, but Talia kicks
him into the globe and he disintegrates. Talia says that Falstaff
once worked for Ra's Al Ghul, who gave him the globe-shooter. She
then embraces and kisses Batman, just as Catwoman and Robin open the door.
The latter two leave in different directions.
On the high seas, Archer Templeton thinks
he has made an escape from Infinity Island, a twin-peaked volcanic isle
in the middle of the ocean, by raft. But a red energy-globe from
one of the island's peaks engulfs him and destroys him. In his raft,
a small radio transmitter beeps on.
SECOND STORY
"Cat's Paw" (8 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character
Catwoman
Villains
Karlyle Krugerrand (dies in this story)
Joseph Walters (first appearance; dies in this story)
Jack Klannon, Tommy, and Vince (first and only appearance for all to
date)
A group of mutates (first appearance for all; all die in this story)
Talia
Comment
This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis
Catwoman tracks down a gang of crooks pulling
a chemical warehouse robbery. She apprehends all by one, Joseph Walters,
whom she traces to Karlyle Krugerrand. Krugerrand tells Walters
that he and Falstaff were indeed working for another master. He then
tries to use the chemicals and the electricity from a Gotham power station
to transform several subjects into mutates. Catwoman battles Krugerrand
and knocks him backwards as the equipment, powered beyond its limits, explodes.
Krugerrand, Walters and the mutates are destroyed. Catwoman trudges
off, not certain now that Krugerrand's and Falstaff's employer was Talia,
who, unknown to her, is watching her leave the power station.
BATMAN #333
March 1981
Cover Credits
Artist: Jim Aparo (signed)
Letterer:
FIRST STORY
"The China Syndrome" (Chapter Two; 17 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character
Batman
Guest Appearance
King Faraday (last seen in THE FLASH #?)
Villains
Ra's Al Ghul (behind the scenes)
Talia
Gustav and his men and Captain Torrents (first and only appearance
for all to date)
Two assassins (first appearance for both; both die in this story)
Comments
This is part two of "The Lazarus Affair." The title of this story
is taken from the 1977 movie starring Jane Fonda.
This story continues in the second story of this issue.
Synopsis
In Katmandu, Nepal, King Faraday receives
the radio signal from Archer Templeton's transmitter, for which he has
been waiting ten years.
Batman, disguised as Karlyle Krugerrand, is
allowed inside the Criminal Bank in Montfaucon, Switzerland, which handles
cash for virtually all criminal organizations in the world. He learns
that Falstaff did business with the bank, but his disguise is penetrated
and he is wounded while escaping. Talia heals him with her special
salve. Batman confides to her that Falstaff was hired to ruin Bruce
Wayne, but he does not know why.
Bruce and Talia face another assassination
attempt, and decide that the best way to meet their next contact, one Captain
Torrents, in Hong Kong is to cross the heavily-guarded Red Chinese border.
They manage to do so, despite several perils. Bruce leaves Talia
behind as he boards Torrents's junk, The Phoenix. But once on board,
Bruce is locked into a room which is filled with sleep gas, and he falls
victim to the fumes instantly.
SECOND STORY
"Shanghaied" (8 pages)
Credits
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: John Celardo
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters
Robin (last seen in first story of last issue)
Catwoman (last seen in second story of last issue)
Guest Star
King Faraday
Supporting Characters
Lucius Fox (last seen in first story of last issue; next appears in
issue #336)
Commissioner Gordon (last seen in issue #330; next appears in second
story of next issue)
Timothy Fox (last seen in issue #330; last appearance to date)
Villains
Ronald Watkins (last seen in issue #331; last appearance to date)
Ronald Watkins's gang (last seen in issue #330; last appearance for
all to date)
Chin Ho, his minions, and an assassin (first and only appearance to
date for all)
Other Characters
Quo-Quing (first appearance; dies in this story)
Police of Gotham City
Citizens of Shanghai, China
Comments
This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis
Robin and Catwoman are present when Ronald
Watkins is released from jail for spilling information about Gregorian
Falstaff. Timothy Fox, who also goes free, is astonished to hear
that Falstaff paid Watkins to raid the Wayne Foundation building and to
beat Lucius Fox, and intended to have him kill Timothy later. Tim
and Lucius have a heartfelt reunion.
Commissioner Gordon tells Robin and Catwoman
that King Faraday has summoned them via radio to a Shanghai, China rezendevous
to hear information about the Batman. Once there, Faraday tells the
two that his old partner, Archer Templeton, recently sent a radio signal
as agreed upon ten years ago. But all that arrived with the transmitter
was an empty raft with the word "Batman" scrawled on it. Since Batman
could not be contacted, Faraday opted to try for Robin and Catwoman.
They go to meet an informant, who is killed by an assassin that escapes.
Catwoman takes Robin and Faraday, dressed
in civilian clothes, to meet Chin Ho, a fence and dope smuggler knowledgeable
about all Far Eastern crime. While in his shop, the three are drugged
unconscious and awaken to find themselves strapped to slabs. Chin
Ho informs them that he will now have revenge on Catwoman for her past
interference with his smuggling operations. He orders his aides to
inject them with "enough cocaine that even the Lord Himself would be helpless
to quiet their pain!"
Batman No. 334
April 1981
Cover: Batman, Catwoman, King Faraday, and Robin in chains, Talia and
Ra’s Al Ghul //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Infinity Island” (Chapter Three; 17 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin
GS: Catwoman, King Faraday
Supporting Character: Talia
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul, Chin Ho and his gang (last appearance for all),
Saltzer, mutates (some of whom die in this story)
Comment: This is the third chapter of “The Lazarus Affair”.
Synopsis: Batman, Robin, Catwoman, and King Faraday are captured by
Ra’s Al Ghul on his private island, where Talia finally allies herself
with her father to have her youth restored, and the heroes are given a
choice of immortality or instant death.
Story: “Whodunit?” (1 page)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: ?
Artist: ?
Feature Character: Commissioner Gordon
Supporting Character: Jerry (first appearance; next appears in issue
#336)
Intro: Lola Stang, Dave Greber (only appearance for both), Bob Van
Thon (dies before this story opens)
Villain: Betty Van Thon (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Commissioner Gordon solves the murder of a Gotham businessman.
Batman No. 335
May 1981
Cover: Batman vs. Ra’s Al Ghul as Talia, King Faraday, Catwoman, and
Robin look on //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Ashes To Ashes” (Chapter Four; 25 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS
#503)
GS: Catwoman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #176), King Faraday
(next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #483)
Supporting Characters: Talia (next appears in ?), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in issue #331)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul (next appears in BATMAN ANNUAL #?), Saltzer
(dies in this story), mutates (last appearance)
Comment: This is the fourth and concluding chapter of “The Lazarus
Affair”.
The story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Batman and Ra’s Al Ghul have a duel to the death over the
Lazarus Pit, with the fate of the Caped Crusader and all his friends at
stake.
Batman No. 336
June 1981
Cover: King of Crime with newspaper bearing Batman photo //Jim Aparo
(signed)
Story: “While the Bat’s Away” (25 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Plotter: Bob Rozakis
Scripter: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #503)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #503), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue #334; next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #503), Jerry (last appearance in issue #334;
last appearance), Lucius Fox (last appearance in issue #333; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #503)
Intro: Officer Krupke, Patrick, Fred, Eddie, Bill, Sam, Tom (only appearance
for all)
Villains: The Monarch of Menace (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#350; last appearance), the Bouncer (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#347; last appearance), the Cluemaster (last appearance in issue #294;
next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9), the Spellbinder (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #358; last appearance), various crooks (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Batman reveals in this story that The Shadow has retired.
The scene of Alfred being surprised at Batman’s return is inaccurate,
since he helped nurse Bruce Wayne back to health in the last issue.
Synopsis: Batman’s abscence from Gotham City has caused the Monarch
of Menace to come out of retirement, claim he has captured the Batman,
and charge Gotham’s crooks 10% of their heists to keep him imprisoned.
The real Batman, now recovered from his fight with Ra’s Al Ghul, returns
to help clear up matters.
Detective Comics No. 503
June 1981
Cover: Robin, Batgirl, and Batman scarecrow //Jim Starlin (signed)
Story: “Six Days of the Scarecrow” (25 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #336; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #335;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269)
GS: Batgirl (between Batgirl stories in last issue and next issue)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#336; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #176), Lucius Fox (between BATMAN
#336 / 339), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN #336; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269), Arthur Reeves (last appearance
in BATMAN #315), Hamilton Hill (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN
#339)
Intro: Harry, Sharon (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Scarecrow (between issues #486 (Robin story) / 526),
Big Fredo and his gang, Betty Lunden, assorted crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman and Robin team with Superman
to fight Ed Wiley in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269. Then Batman teams
with Swamp Thing to fight Cal Traller in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #176.
Synopsis: The Scarecrow shoots Batman with a drug-tipped dart whose
chemicals cause Batman to radiate an aura that causes anyone within his
vicinity to experience deathly fear. Robin and Batgirl come to his
aid to try and find an antidote.
Batman No. 337
July 1981
Cover: Batman vs. the Snowman //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Where Walks a Snowman” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Plotter: Roy Thomas
Scripter: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #176;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #504)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #269; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #504), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #176; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #504)
Intro: Katrina Kristin (in flashback; dies in this story), the Snowman’s
father (in flashback; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #522), Cissy (only
appearance)
Villains: The Snowman (Klaus Kristin; first appearance; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #522), an unnamed crook (first and only appearance),
Jackie (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Batman encounters an ice-powered criminal named the Snowman
in Gotham, who proves to be the son of a human woman and a Yeti.
Detective Comics No. 504
July 1981
Cover: Joker menacing Batman with Joker Jack-in-the-Box //Jim Starlin
(signed)
Story: “The Joker’s Rumpus Room Revenge” (16 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #337; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #177)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#337; next appears in Tale of Gotham City in this issue), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in BATMAN #337; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#177), Arthur Reeves, Olivia Ortega (first appearance; next appears in
issue #506)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in BATMAN #321; next appears in
DC COMICS PRESENTS #41), Papetto (first appearance; dies in this story),
Mickey, Donald (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Elongated Man
to fight the Hangman in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #177.
Synopsis: The Joker escapes Arkham Asylum and confronts Batman with
a “rumpus room” full of deadly toys.
Batman No. 338
August 1981
Cover: Batman vs. The Sportsman //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “This Sporting Death” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Co-plotter: Roy Thomas
Co-plotter, scripter: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #177;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #192)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #177), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #177; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #505)
Intro: Hank Klugmuun, Billy Robins, Bruce Spits, John Claude Hilly,
Pierre Foote (all die in this story), Marvin Mantle, Sr., Louisa Mantle
(in flashback; only appearance for both)
Villain: The Sportsman (Marvin Mantle, Jr.; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman teams with the Justice League
to fight T. O. Morrow in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #192-193.
Synopsis: Batman fights the Sportsman, an athletically-costumed murderer
who is out to kill famous sports figures as revenge against being made
part of his sports star father’s genetic experiments.
Detective Comics No. 505
August 1981
Cover: Batman vs. Anthony Lupus; Batgirl vignette //Rich Buckler /
Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Werewolf Moon” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#193; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #270)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#338; next appears in Batgirl story in this issue), Arthur Reeves
Intro: Angela Lupus, Mrs. Lupus, Clayton (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Mr. Lupus (first and only appearance; in a photo)
Villain: Anthony Lupus (last appearance in BATMAN #255; last appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Metallo
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #270, then teams with the Creeper to fight the
Origami Man in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #178.
Synopsis: Batman must capture his old enemy, werewolf Anthony Lupus,
so that Lupus may give is dying sister a much-needed bone marrow transplant.
Batman No. 339
September 1981
Cover: Batman over Wayne Enterprises building; Poison Ivy kissing Bruce
Wayne; Poison Ivy, Bruce Wayne, and other executives at meeting //Rich
Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “A Sweet Kiss of Poison” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD #178 / 182)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #503; next appears in issue #341), Hamilton Hill (between
DETECTIVE COMICS #503 / 506)
Intro: George Corey, Larry Irvine, Ted Layne, Frank Endicott, James
Grimes, John Forbes, Fred Johnson, Ben Wilson, Gardner, Collins, and an
unnamed board member (all next appear in issue #343)
Villains: Poison Ivy (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#158; next appears in issue #343), Evan (also known as Igor; first appearance;
next appears in issue #343), Barney, Murph (first and only appearance for
both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Robin and Batwoman
of Earth-Two and Starman to fight Hugo Strange in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #182,
then teams with Superman and the Superman and Robin of Earth-Two to fight
Atoman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #271, then teams with the Legion of Super-Heroes
to fight Universo in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #179.
Synopsis: Poison Ivy kisses Bruce Wayne and the other major stockholders
of Wayne Enterprises while wearing a drugged lipstick that puts the men
under her mental domination, forcing them to sign over their stock and
assets to her.
Batman No. 340
October 1981
Cover: Batman and the Mole’s hand breaking through street //Jim Aparo
(signed)
Story: “A Man Called Mole” (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Plotter: Gerry Conway
Scripter: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Adrian Gonzales
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #179;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #506)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#505 / 507), Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #506)
Cameo appearances: Superman, Robin (in flashback)
Intro: William Elder, Dr. Andrew Kurtzmann (both die in this story),
Konigsberg, Warden Rothstein, Sandra Clark (only appearance for all)
Villains: The Mole (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80; last
appearance)
Comments: This story happens before Nov. 3, 1981, which is election
day in Gotham.
In this story, we learn that Dick Grayson is not yet 21, and
that he is returning to Gotham.
The characters of Elder and Kurtzmann are based on artist Will
Elder and writer / artist Harvey Kurtzman, who created the “Mole!” story
for MAD #?, upon which this story is loosely based. Konigsberg is
based on Woody Allen, whose real name is Allen Konigsberg.
Synopsis: Batman encounters an old foe of his and Superman’s, the Mole,
who has been mutated into a real mole-creature and who has gone after revenge
on the three members of the board who denied him parole.
Detective Comics No. 506
September 1981
Cover: Manikin vs. Batman //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Who Dies For the Manikin?” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #340)
GS: Selina Kyle (Catwoman; last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #176;
next appears in issue #508)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#340), Olivia Ortega (beteween issues #504 / 510), Hamilton Hill (last
appearance in BATMAN #339; next appears in issue #510), Arthur Reeves (next
appears in issue #508)
Intro: Kevin Clane, Will Glass (both die in this story), Fire Marshal
Halsey (only appearance)
Villains: The Manikin (Miranda), Victor, Hoston (first appearance for
all)
Comment: This story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Batman rescues a woman from a fire, but the burns disfigure
her face. She dons a suit of powered armor and, as the Manikin, begins
killing fashion designers in Gotham City.
Detective Comics No. 507
October 1981
Cover: Batman vs. Manikin //Rich Buckler? / Dick Giordano?
Story: “Dressed To Die” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Adrienne Roy
Colorist: Ben Oda
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in BATMAN #341)
Intro: Attorney General of Gotham State, director of Arkham Asylum,
Bud Raleigh, Margie Thorndyke (only appearance for all)
Villains: Manikin, Victor, Hoston (last appearance for all), Rupert
Thorne (between BATMAN #311 / 341)
Comment: Story continues from next issue.
Synopsis: Batman discovers the identity of the Manikin and strives
to stop her from murdering fashion designer Hoston.
Story: “Diamonds Aren’t Forever” (4 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #180)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #340 / 341)
Intro: Ben Berner, Bill Paxton, Charles Herman (only appearance for
all)
Villain: Samantha Leigh (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Spectre to
battle Shahn-Zi in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #180 and teams with the Hawk and
the Dove to battle Thomas Kurland in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #181.
Synopsis: Batman solves the mystery of a disappearing diamond.
Batman No. 341
November 1981
Cover: Batman in Wayne Manor //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Ghost of Wayne Manor” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in second story in this
issue)
GS: Man-Bat (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #35), Dr. Terry
Thirteen (last appearance in GHOSTS #103)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in second
story in this issue), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#507)
Intro: Stymie (only appearance), Miss Crum
Cameo appearance: Poison Ivy
Villains: Rupert Thorne (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #507),
Marko (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #475), Peter Pauling (first
appearance; next appears in issue #343), Tobacconist’s Club (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #475; next appears in issue #358), Archie Parker (in
flashback; first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue and takes place 2 weeks
after last issue.
Synopsis: Batman (together with Dr. Thirteen) investigates the mystery
of an intruder in Wayne Manor, and discovers that the interloper is Man-Bat.
Story: “Murder Will Out” (2 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Robin Snyder
Artist: Adrian Gonzales
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #181;
next appears in first story of this issue)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #507; next appears in first story of this issue)
Intro: Lucille Sawyer (dies before this story opens), Ted Reston, Peter
Sawyer, Bentley (only appearance for all)
Villain: Ronald Sawyer (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman solves the murder of a wealthy woman on her birthday.
Batman No. 342
December 1981
Cover: Man-Bat vs. Batman //Denys Cowan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Requiem For a Hero” (19 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#195)
GS: Man-Bat (next appears in issue #348; origin retold in this story),
Dr. Terence Thirteen (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #509)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #509), Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #508),
Lucius Fox (last appearance in issue #339; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS
#510), Rebecca Langstrom, Jennifer Langstrom (last appearance for both
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #35)
Cameo appearances: Hugo Strange, Hamilton Hill
Villain: Rupert Thorne
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Justice Society fight the Secret Society of Super-Villains in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #195-197.
Synopsis: Batman learns Man-Bat has gone insane due to an altered version
of his bat-serum, and struggles to bring him under control.
Detective Comics No. 508
November 1981
Cover: Batman, Selina Kyle, wolves, and Khafre at a Sphinx //Jim Aparo
(signed)
Story: “Secret of the Sphinx Sinister” (19 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#197)
GS: Selina Kyle (Catwoman; last appearance in issue #506)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#341), Arthur Reeves (between issues #506 / 510)
Intro: Donaldson (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Queen Kara (as a statue; first and only appearance)
Villain: Khafre (Griffin; first and only appearance; possibly dies
in this story)
Comment: Story continues in part in next issue.
Synopsis: Batman goes to Giza, Egypt, in search of a man who believes
himself the latest incarnation of an ancient Pharaoh and Selina Kyle, whom
he has kidnapped, as the reincarnation of Egypt’s Queen Kara.
Detective Comics No. 509
December 1981
Cover: Cat-Man leaving Batman staked out on beach before tide //Jim
Aparo (signed)
Story: “Nine Lives Has the Cat” (19 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #272)
GS: Selina Kyle (Catwoman; next appears in BATMAN #345), Dr. Thirteen
(last appearance in BATMAN #342; next appears in issue #520)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#342; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #183), Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki
Vale (last appearance in BATMAN FAMILY #11; next appears in BATMAN #344)
Villain: The Cat-Man (last appearance in BATMAN #324; next appears
in issue #526)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps Superman fight the Weapon-Master
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #272-274.
Synopsis: The Cat-Man has survived his fall into a volcano due to the
magical properties of the orange parts of his suit, but, because Catwoman
ripped away part of his cape, his face became scarred. Thus, he goes
for revenge upon Batman and Catwoman.
Batman No. 343
January 1983
Cover: Batman pinned to wall by daggers //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “A Dagger So Deadly” (19 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #274 / 275)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #509; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #275)
Intro: Jansen (only appearance)
Other Characters: George Corey, Larry Irvine, Ted Layne, Frank Endicott,
James Grimes, John Forbes, Fred Johnson, Ben Wilson, Collins, Gardner,
unnamed board member (last appearance for all in issue #339)
Cameo appearance: Man-Bat (in flashback)
Villains: Poison Ivy (as Pamela Isley), Igor (last appearance for both
in issue #339), Dagger (David Rennington; first appearance; next appears
in issue #400), Rupert Thorne (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #511),
Peter Pauling (last appearance in issue #341; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #511)
Comments: Shortly after this story, Batman teams with Superman to fight
Mr. Freeze in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #275, teams with the Riddler to battle
H. Rutherford Creighton in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #183, and impersonates Clark
Kent in SUPERMAN #367.
Dagger, as David Rennington, resembles comics scripter Len Wein.
Synopsis: Batman goes against Dagger, a knife-throwing criminal, while
trying to stop Poison Ivy from cleaning out the Wayne Foundation’s assets.
Detective Comics No. 510
January 1982
Cover: Batman subjected to brainwashing device by the Mad Hatter //Gene
Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Head-Hunt By a Mad Hatter” (19 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Klaus Janson
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #367; next appears
in BATMAN #344)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #347 (flashback)
/ 344), Olivia Ortega (last appearance in issue #506), Hamilton Hill (last
appearance in issue #506), Arthur Reeves (last appearance in issue #508),
Lucius Fox (last appearance in BATMAN #342)
Intro: Tod (only appearance)
Villains: The Mad Thinker I (of Earth-One; first appearance; next appears
in issue #526) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comments: This story continues in part in BATMAN #344.
The Mad Hatter of this story is the counterpart of the original,
Earth-Two Mad Hatter who first appeared in BATMAN #49. He is revealed
to have killed the second Mad Hatter, Jervis Tetch, in this story.
Synopsis: While Hamilton Hill and Arthur Reeves duke it out in their
mayoral race, Batman attempts to save Lucius Fox, who has been kidnapped
by the original Mad Hatter.
Batman No. 344
February 1982
Cover: Batman vs. Ivor //Joe Kubert (signed)
Story: “Monster, My Sweet” (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #511 / 512), Robin
(next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #512)
Suporting Characters: Vicki Vale (between DETECTIVE COMICS #509 / 511),
Commissioner Gordon, Olivia Ortega, Lucius Fox, Alfred Pennyworth, Hamilton
Hill, Arthur Reeves (all between DETECTIVE COMICS #510 / 511)
Other characters: Jansen (last appearance), George Corey, Larry Irvine,
Ted Layne, Frank Endicott, James Grimes, John Forbes, Fred Johnson, Ben
Wilson, Collins, Gardner, unnamed board member (all next appear in DETECTIVE
COMICS #511)
Villains: Poison Ivy (next appears in issue #367), Ivor (becomes a
plant-being in this story; last appearance), Big Jack Johnson and his bodyguard
(first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #510 / 511.
Synopsis: Arthur Reeves claims to have knowledge of the Batman’s secret
identity, while Poison Ivy finds that, at every place in which she attempts
to spend the Wayne Foundation’s money, she is confronted by a silent, staring
Batman.
Detective Comics No. 511
February 1982
Cover: Batman vs. Mirage //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The ‘I’ of the Beholder” (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #344; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #41), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #344; next
appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #8)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Hamilton Hill (both between BATMAN
#344 / 345), Arthur Reeves (between BATMAN #344 / 353), Lucius Fox
(last appearance in BATMAN #344), Olivia Ortega (last appearance in BATMAN
#344; next appears in issue #513), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance
in BATMAN #344; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #184), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in BATMAN #344; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#276)
Intro: Dave Burnside, Harry Blake (only appearance for both)
Villains: Mirage (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #400) and
his gang (first and only appearance), Dala (Dala DuBois of Earth-One; first
appearance; last name revealed in issue #517), Peter Pauling, Rupert Thorne
(last appearance for both in BATMAN #343)
Comments: This story continues from BATMAN #344.
Robin returns to college in this story.
Dala is the Earth-One counterpart of an Earth-Two villainess
who appeared in issues #31-32.
Shortly after this story, Batman briefly appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #41 during Superman’s battle with the Joker, then teams with Superman
to fight Dr. X and Double X in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #276 and with the
Huntress to battle Spurs Sanders in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #184, then helps
the Justice League fight the Appelaxians in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200.
Meanwhile, Robin helps the New Teen Titans fight the Puppeteer
in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #8-9, a gang of drug smugglers
in BEST OF DC DIGEST #18, Deathstroke the Terminator in NEW TEEN TITANS
(first series) #10, the Titans of myth in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#11, Madame Rouge, General Zahl, and the Brotherhood of Evil in NEW TEEN
TITANS (first series) #13-15, the HIVE in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#16, and Francis Kane in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #17, all
after this story.
Synopsis: Hamilton Hill defeats Arthur Reeves in the mayoral election
when Reeves’s “Batman identity” photos turn out to be a fraud. Meanwhile,
Batman and Robin encounter Mirage, a villain who can broadcast incredibly
realistic illusions, under cover of which he commits thefts.
Batman No. 343
March 1982
Cover: Batman, Robin, and head of Dr. Death //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Calling Doctor Death” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#200; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #512), Robin (last appearance in
NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #17; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #512)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #184), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #184; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #512), Vicki Vale, Hamilton
Hill (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #511 / 512)
Intro: Cindy (only appearance)
Villans: Dr. Death (of Earth-One; Dr. Karl Hellfern) and his gang (including
Togo and Floyd; first appearance for all; all next appear in DETECTIVE
COMICS #512), Dala (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #512), Archie Keswick
(first appearance; dies in this story), a stool pigeon (first and only
appearance)
Comments: Since the mayoral election of Hamilton Hill took place “last
month”, and the Christmas story in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #184 took place between
his election and this story, this story takes place in early January of
1982.
This story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #512.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin try to stop a new villain named Dr. Death
from threatening Gotham City with his “dust of death”, but are themselves
captured by Death and his gang.
Detective Comics No. 512
March 1982
Cover: Batman vs. Dr. Death and Togo on helicopter //Gene Colan / Klaus
Janson
Story: “The Fatal Prescription of Dr. Death” (16 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: John Costanza
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277),
Robin (next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #18)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Hamilton Hill (both between BATMAN
#345 / 346), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN #345; next
appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #186)
Cameo appearance: Dala (in a photograph)
Villains: Dr. Death and his gang (including Togo; last appearance for
all)
Comments: This story continues from BATMAN #345.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
a criminal mastermind in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277, teams with Green Arrow
to fight the Penguin in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #185, and teams with Hawkman
to fight the Fadeaway Man in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #186, while Robin helps
the New Teen Titans fight Starfire I in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#18.
Synopsis: Batman struggles to free himself and Robin from a deathtrap,
and then to find the antidote to save Gotham City from Dr. Death’s dust
of death.
Batman No. 346
April 1982
Cover: Batman vs. Two-Face and hoods //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Half a Hero--” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #186;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #513), Dick Grayson (does not appear as
Robin in this story; last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#18; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #513)
Guest Star: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between second and first stories
in DETECTIVE COMICS #513)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #513), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#186; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #513), Lucius Fox (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #511; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #286),
Vicki Vale (between DETECTIVE COMICS #512 / 513)
Intro: Warden Clark (first and only appearance)
Villains: Two-Face (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #276;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #513) and his gang (including Margo, Bruno,
and Reginald; first appearance for all; all next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS
#513), Rupert Thorne, Peter Pauling (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #511
/ 513), Hamilton Hill (between DETECTIVE COMICS #512 / 513), Dala (next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #515), the Monk (of Earth-One; Louis DuBois;
first appearance; last chronological appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #517
flashback; named in issue #349; real name revealed in DETECTIVE COMICS
#517; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #515)
Comment: This story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #513.
Synopsis: While Vicki Vale becomes certain that Bruce Wayne is Batman
and James Gordon resigns as police commissioner of Gotham, Batman becomes
trapped in a halfway house taken over by Two-Face.
Detective Comics No. 513
April 1982
Cover: Batman with half-Two-Face mask confronting Robin //Rich Buckler
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “--Is Better Than None” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #346; next appears
in PHANTOM ZONE #2), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #346; next appears
in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #19)
GS: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in BATMAN #346;
next appears in Batgirl story in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#346), Vicki Vale (between BATMAN #346 / 348), Olivia Ortega (last
appearance in issue #511; next appears in BATMAN #349)
Villains: Two-Face (last appearance in BATMAN #346; next appears in
issue #526) and his gang (last appearance in BATMAN #346; last appearance),
Dr. Hugo Strange (between issues #476 / 516), Rupert Thorne (last appearance
in BATMAN #346; next appears in ?), Peter Pauling, Hamilton Hill (both
between BATMAN #346 / 349)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #346.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League and
Supergirl fight the Phantom Zone criminals in PHANTOM ZONE #2-4, while
Robin helps the New Teen Titans and Hawkman to battle Dr. Light in NEW
TEEN TITANS (first series) #19. Then Batman teams with Superman,
Hawkman, and Hawkwoman to fight Hyanthis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277-278.
Synopsis: Batman has been kept prisoner by Two-Face for a week, and
Robin goes in search of him.
Batman No. 347
May 1982
Cover: Batman rescuing blind man from building fire //Rich Buckler
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Shadow of the Batman” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Roger Slifer
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (appears only in flashbacks; see Comment
below for chronology)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (in flashback; last chronological
appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #183; next chronological appearance in
DETECTIVE COMICS #510)
Intro: Henry (dies in this story), Martha (both in flashback), Barry,
Jeff (only appearance for all)
Villains: Jake, Weasel, Wilson, Murphy, and other prisoners (first
and only appearance for all; some die in this story; all in flashback),
Jeremiah, Foundation for Economic Equality and Liberty (in flashback; first
and only appearance)
Comment: Batman appears in this story only in flashbacks, which are
chronologized as follows:
Batman captures escapees from Gotham Prison (pg. 2, panel 2-pg.
5, panel 7): between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #272 / BRAVE AND THE BOLD #180.
Batman fights Jeremiah and FEEL (pg. 7, panel 2-pg. 17, panel
6): between BRAVE AND THE BOLD #183 / DETECTIVE COMICS #510.
This story takes place while Batman is on a mission with the
Justice League, possibly in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #202.
Synopsis: A small-time crook named Jeff tries to cajole his friend
Barry into coming with him on a planned bank robbery. But after Barry
relates two stories of Batman’s crime-fighting career, Jeff decides to
chuck the robbery plans and look for a regular job.
Story: “The Impossible Murder” (2 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Robin Snyder
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#278)
Intro: Ralph Johnson (dies in this story), Hensel (only appearance)
Villain: Richard Busse (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman and a retired police detective turned security guard
solve the mystery of a detective’s murder.
Story: “Artifact” (2 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Robin Snyder
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Bruce Wayne (does not appear as Batman in this story;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #202)
Intro: Petra Christianson, Ronald Lowery (only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman joins the Justice League for
an adventure aboard a hospital starship in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #202,
then captures the Riddler behind the scenes in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#19.
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne proves that an “ancient” artifact is a forgery.
Detective Comics No. 514
May 1982
Cover: Batman emerging from snowbank, confronting four gangsters’ guns
//Dick Giordano?
Story: “Haven” (17 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance behind the scenes in NEW
TEEN TITANS (first series) #19; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #187),
Dick Grayson (Robin; last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#19; next appears in BATMAN #348)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#347; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #187)
Intro: Haven (dies in this story)
Villains: Maxie Zeus (last appearance in BATMAN #327; next appears
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14), Morris, Eddie (first and only appearance
for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Metal Men to
fight the Platinum Man in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #187.
Synopsis: On the trail of an escaped Maxie Zeus in a snowstorm, Batman
gets help from a mountaineer named Haven.
Batman No. 348
June 1982
Cover: Man-Bat, Batman, Robin, and Alfred in Batcave //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Shadow Play” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #187;
next appears in WONDER WOMAN #291), Dick Grayson (Robin; last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #514; next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#20)
GS: Man-Bat (restored to normalcy in this story; last appearance in
issue #342; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #527)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #187; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #279), Commissioner
Gordon (between DETECTIVE COMICS #513 / 516), Vicki Vale (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #513 / 516), Francine Langstrom, Rebecca Langstrom (both between
issues #342 / 361)
Villains: Morton Monroe (first appearance; mistakenly called “Morton
Deal” in this story; correct last name is revealed in DETECTIVE COMICS
#516, his next appearance), Rupert Thorne (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#513 / 516)
Comments: The giant penny in the Batcave on page 3, panel 1 is mistakenly
shown to have a Lincoln Memorial on the back. Being dated 1945, it
should show wheat heads.
Shortly after this story, Robin teams with the New Teen Titans
to battle the Disruptor in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #20. Then
Batman attends a Justice League meeting in WONDER WOMAN #291, teams with
Superman to fight the Army of Crime in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #279-281,
teams with the Thorn to fight a group of neo-Nazis in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#188-189, helps the Justice League fight the Royal Flush Gang in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #205, teams with Superman to encounter the Eldrian in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #282, teams with Adam Strange to capture Ryla in
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #190, helps the Justice League fight Abnegazar, Rath,
and Ghast in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #206 and congratulate Air Wave in
ACTION COMICS #593, teams with the Joker to capture the Penguin in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #191, and consults with Superman in DC COMICS PRESENTS #50.
Synopsis: Man-Bat captures Rebecca Langstrom and takes her into caverns
adjoining the Batcave. Batman must locate them, save Rebecca,
and administer an antidote that will either turn Man-Bat back into Kirk
Langstrom, or kill him.
Batman Annual No. 8
1982
Cover: Batman //Trevor Von Eeden / Lynn Varley (signed)
Story: “The Messiah of the Crimson Sun” (42 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Trevor Von Eeden
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Lynn Varley
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #50;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #515), Robin (last appearance in NEW TEEN
TITANS (first series) #20; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #515)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #191; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #515)
Intro: Hube Hemus, Molly Hemus, their two sons (all die in this story),
Seth, Gen. Carter, Rawlins (only appearance for all)
Villains: Ra’s Al Ghul (between BATMAN #335 / 400), Grind (first and
only appearance; the New Earth Grind first appears in BATMAN: SON OF THE
DEMON), Talia (last appearance in BATMAN #335; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #526), Prof. Markewitch (last appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES #15;
last appearance), Children of Adam, Willy, Captain Reems (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Ra’s Al Ghul explains in BATMAN #400 that it was not his ashes
which were dumped from the spacecraft in this story, but that he did have
a difficult time resuscitating himself.
Synopsis: A small town is destroyed at sunrise by a strange plague
which disintegrates flesh from bone. Later, a masked demagogue warns
Gotham that he will purge it of sinners within 24 hours, and Batman and
Robin set out to stop him.
Detective Comics No. 515
June 1982
Cover: Dala vs. Robin; Vicki Vale’s fingers with pictures of Batman
and Bruce Wayne; Matches Malone; Headmaster; crook with flamethrower burning
Batman impostor; Batgirl (seven vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Academy of Crime”
Part 1: “College For Killers” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in BATMAN
ANNUAL #8; both next appear in BATMAN #349)
GA: Christopher Chance (the Human Target; last appearance in issue
#500; next appears in BATMAN #349)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
ANNUAL #8; next appears in BATMAN #349), Vicki Vale (between BATMAN #348
/ 349)
Intro: Bruno (dies in this story)
Cameo appearance: Mirage (in a photograph)
Villains: The Headmaster, the Academy of Crime (first appearance for
all), Jocko, Ragbag, Rawson, Lamelle (first and only appearance for all),
Dala, the Monk (both between BATMAN #346 / 349)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #349.
Synopsis: Vicki Vale presents Alfred with photographic evidence which
she claims proves that the Batman is Bruce Wayne, prompting Alfred to hire
Christopher Chance, the Human Target. Meanwhile Robin trails Dala
and is knocked unconscious, and Batman goes undercover as Matches Malone
to infiltrate a school for criminals.
Batman No. 349
July 1982
Cover: Batman and Robin vs. Monk and vampire bats //Ross Andru / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “Blood Sport” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #515 / 516), Robin
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #515)
GS: Christopher Chance (the Human Target; last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #515; next appears in issue #351), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between
DETECTIVE COMICS #517 / 518)
Suppporting Characters: Jason Bard (last appearance in issue #334;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #516), Commissioner Gordon (next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #516), Alfred Pennyworth (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#515 / 516), Olivia Ortega (between DETECTIVE COMICS #513 / 517)
Intro: Father Green, Luigi
Villains: The Monk, Dala (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE COMICS
#515), Hamilton Hill, Peter Pauling (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #513
/ 518)
Comment: This story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #515 / 516.
Synopsis: While Batman is investigating the Academy of Crime, Robin
is attacked by Dala and her brother the Monk, who prove to be vampires.
Meanwhile, Mayor Hill appoints Peter Pauling police commissioner, and James
Gordon joins Jason Bard’s detective agency to look into city politics.
Detective Comics No. 516
July 1982
Cover: Batman’s fist hitting one of two crooks in the jaw //Ross Andru
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Academy of Crime”
Part 2: “Final Exams” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writers: Gerry Conway, Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #349 / 350)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Jason Bard (last appearance
for both in BATMAN #349), Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (both between BATMAN
#349 / 350)
Intro: Jake (only appearance)
Villains: The Headmaster, the Academy of Crime (last appearance for
all in BATMAN #349; last appearance for all), Moses, Dancer (first and
only appearance for both), Rupert Thorne (last appearance in BATMAN #348),
Morton Monroe (between BATMAN #348 / 350), Hugo Strange (between issues
#513 / 518)
Comment: Story continues between BATMAN #349 / 350.
Synopsis: In Hollywood, Batman continues to try to get the goods on
the Academy of Crime, while in Gotham Rupert Thorne forces editor Morton
Monroe to pressure Vicki Vale for her photographic evidence of Batman’s
identity.
Batman No. 350
August 1982
Cover: Batman vs. The Monk //Gene Colan / Frank McLaughlin (signed)
Story: “Nightmare In Crimson” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Plotter: Gerry Conway
Scripter: Paul Levitz
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #516 / 517), Robin
(next appears, as Dick Grayson, in DETECTIVE COMICS #517)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #516 / 517)
Intro: Shiek Ahmed (only appearance)
Other Character: Father Green (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #517)
Villains: The Monk, Dala (both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #517),
Morton Monroe (between DETECTIVE COMICS #516 / 517)
Comment: Story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #516 / 517.
Synopsis: Batman attempts to capture the Monk, but is himself knocked
unconscious by Robin, who is under Dala’s spell.
Detective Comics No. 517
August 1982
Cover: Robin, Batman, and Alfred //Gene Colan / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “The Monster In the Mirror” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writers: Gerry Conway, Paul Levitz
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Annette Kawecki
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Dick Grayson (Robin; both between BATMAN
#350 / 351)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (both between
BATMAN #350 / 351), Olivia Ortega (between BATMAN #349 / 351), Commissioner
Gordon, Jason Bard, Vicki Vale (last appearance in BATMAN #350)
Other Characters: Father Green
Villains: Rupert Thorne (next appears in BATMAN #351), Morton Monroe,
the Monk (origin revealed in flashback, his earliest chronological appearance),
Dala (origin revealed in flashback, her earliest chronological appearance;
all between BATMAN #350 / 351), the Obeah Woman (in flashback; first and
only appearance), Marley (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #351.
Synopsis: Batman is turned into a vampiri by the Monk, and must find
a way to return himself to normal.
Batman No. 351
September 1982
Cover: Batman as a vampiri //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “What Stalks the Gotham Night?” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman, Dick Grayson (Robin; both between DETECTIVE
COMICS #517 / 518)
GS: Christopher Chance (the Human Target; last seen in issue #349;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #518)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon, Vicki
Vale, Jason Bard (all between DETECTIVE COMICS #517 / 518)
Other character: Father Green (between DETECTIVE COMICS #517 / 518)
Intro: Squeeze (only appearance)
Villains: The Monk, Dala, Rupert Thorne (all between DETECTIVE COMICS
#517 / 518), Deadshot (between DETECTIVE COMICS #474 / 518)
Comment: This story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #517 / 518.
Synopsis: Informed by Father Green that their vampiric curse may be
lifted by a total blood transfusion or a serum from the Monk’s own blood,
Batman goes with the priest to battle the Monk and Dala. Meanwhile,
Rupert Thorne is convinced by Vicki Vale’s photos tbat Bruce Wayne is Batman,
and hires Deadshot to kill him.
Detective Comics No. 518
September 1982
Cover: Batman, Deadshot, and Christopher Chance (as Bruce Wayne) in
gunsight //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Millionaire Contract” (18 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writers: Gerry Conway, Paul Levitz
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Bruce Patterson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between BATMAN #351 / 352)
GS: Christopher Chance (the Human Target; between BATMAN #351 / 352)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon, Jason
Bard, Vicki Vale (all between BATMAN #351 / 352)
Other Character: Father Green (last appearance in BATMAN #351; last
appearance)
Villains: Deadshot (last appearance in BATMAN #351; next appears in
issue #520), Rupert Thorne (between BATMAN #351 / 352), Peter Pauling (between
BATMAN #349 / 351), Hamilton Hill (between BATMAN #349 / 354), Hugo Strange
(last appearance in issue #516; next appears in issue #520), McCloskey
(first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #352), Augustino Coppola,
Frank, another cop (first and only appearance for all three), the Monk,
Dala (last appearance for both)
Comment: This story continues between BATMAN #351 / 352.
Synopsis: Batman is restored to normalcy by the Monk’s blood, but has
to stop Deadshot from murdering Christopher Chance while the latter is
disguised as Bruce Wayne.
Batman No. 352
October 1982
Cover: Batman falling from dirigible //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “The Killer Sky” (23 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Plotter: Gerry Conway
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: John Calahan
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #518
/ 519)
GS: Christopher Chance (the Human Target; last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #518; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #11), Barbara Gordon
(Batgirl; last appearance in issue #349; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS
#518)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#518 / 519), Jason Bard (between DETECTIVE COMICS #518 / 520), Vicki Vale
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #518), Commissioner Gordon (between
Batman and Batgirl stories in DETECTIVE COMICS #518), Olivia Ortega (last
appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #517)
Villains: Colonel Blimp and his gang (Simpson and Jake named in this
story; first appearance for all; all next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #519),
Rupert Thorne (between DETECTIVE COMICS #518 / 520), Peter Pauling (last
appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #518; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#194), Morton Monroe (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #517; dies in
this story), McCloskey (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #518; next
appears in issue #354)
Comments: Story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #518 / 519.
Colonel Blimp is named after a cartoon character created by David
Low.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin tackle Colonel Blimp, a villain who uses
a
zeppelin to capture a Navy battleship.
Detective Comics No. 519
October 1982
Cover: Batman vs. Colonel Blimp //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Like a Dreadnought In the Sky” (17 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Plotter: Gerry Conway
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: John Calnan
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #352; next appears
in BRAVE AND TE BOLD #192), Robin (between BATMAN #352 / 353)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (between BATMAN #352 / 353)
Intro: Scottie (only appearance)
Villains: Colonel Blimp (last appearance in BATMAN #352; next appears
in ?) and his gang (Williams named in this story; last appearance)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #352.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superboy to battle
I.Q. in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #192.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin track down the dirigible with which Colonel
Blimp has kidnapped a sub.
Batman No. 353
November 1982
Cover: Joker about to blow up Batman, tied to stone Joker-face bust
//Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (signed)
Story: “Last Laugh” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #192),
Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #519)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #519), Vicki Vale (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #520), Commissioner
Gordon (between DETECTIVE COMICS #519 (Batgirl story) / 520), Olivia Ortega
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #517 / 520), Arthur Reeves (last appearance in
DETECTIVE COMICS #511; last appearance)
Cameo appearance: Morton Monroe, Rupert Thorne (in flashbacks)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #191; next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #526) and his gang (including Leo; first and
only appearance for all), Craps (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: After getting Arthur Reeves to confess that Rupert Thorne
gave him doctored photos of the Batman’s “secret identity”, Batman goes
after the Joker, is captured, and finds himself tied to a giant Joker-bust
that the Clown Prince of Crime is about to explode.
Story: “The Sting--Batman Style” (8 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #193),
Robin
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #194)
Villains: Bronco Burns, Sinclair (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Nemesis to fight
the People’s Liberation Army in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #193, then teams with
the Flash to fight Dr. X and the Rainbow Raider in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #194.
Synopsis: Robin is conned by two bunko artists into endorsing a phony
fund drive for the Gotham Boy’s League. But after the crooks rob
the money from the Boy’s League headquarters, Robin decides to bring them
in on his own, and Batman lends a hand.
Detective Comics No. 520
November 1982
Cover: Batman as “Hugo Strange” confronting Dr. Thirteen //Jim Aparo
(signed)
Story: “The Haunting of ‘Boss’ Thorne” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #194;
next appears in BATMAN #354)
GS: Dr. Terence Thirteen (last appearance in issue #509; next appears
in BATMAN #354)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #353 / 355),Vicki
Vale, Olivia Ortega (both between BATMAN #353 / 354), Jason Bard (between
BATMAN #352 / 355), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #194; next appears in BATMAN #354)
Villains: Dr. Hugo Strange (last appearance in issue #518; next appears
in BATMAN #354), Rupert Thorne (between BATMAN #352 / 354), Deadshot (last
appearance in issue #518; next appears in BATMAN #354), Peter Pauling (last
appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #194; next appears in BATMAN #354)
Comment: This story continues in BATMAN #354.
Synopsis: Rupert Thorne hires Dr. Terence Thirteen to break the “ghost”
of Hugo Strange, while the Batman pretends to spring Deadshot to gain information
from him on Rupert Thorne.
Batman No. 354
December 1982
Cover: Batman, Rupert Thorne, and faces of Hugo Strange //Keith Giffen
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Showdown” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #520;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #209), Robin (next appears in
NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #21)
GS: Dr. Terence Thirteen (last seen in DETECTIVE COMICS #520; last
appearance), Selina Kyle (Catwoman; between DETECTIVE COMICS #520 / 521)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #520 / 521), Olivia Ortega (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #520; next appears in issue #357)
Villains: Rupert Thorne (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #520),
Peter Pauling (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #520; dies in this story),
McClosky (last appearance in issue #352; last appearance), Hamilton Hill
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #518), Deadshot (last appearance in
DETECTIVE COMICS #520; next appears in issue #369), Hugo Strange (last
appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #520; next appears in issue #356)
Comments: This story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #520.
Shortly after this story Batman attends a get-together of the
Justice League and Justice Society in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #209, while
Robin teams with the New Teen Titans to fight Brother Blood in NEW TEEN
TITANS (first series) #21-22, to fight Blackfire and the Gordanians in
NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #23-25, ACTION COMICS #536, and NEW TEEN
TITANS (first series) ANNUAL #1, and to help a band of runaways in NEW
TEEN TITANS (first series) #26-27.
Synopsis: Dr. Thirteen exposes the secret of the “ghost” of Hugo Strange,
Thorne has a falling-out with his underlings, and Batman and Robin prepare
to bring the entire corrupt cabal down.
Detective Comics No. 521
December 1982
Story: “Cat-Tale” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Sal Trapani
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#209; next appears in BATMAN #355)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #354 / 355)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (both between
BATMAN #354 / 355)
Villains: Maisy and the Lords (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Catwoman, learning Bruce Wayne has come to love Vicki Vale
in her abscence, goes out for vengeance on her rival.
Batman No. 355
January 1983
Cover: Batman vs. Catwoman //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Never Scratch a Cat” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Dick Grayson (Robin; both between DETECTIVE
COMICS #521 / 522)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #521 / 526), Barbara Gordon
(Batgirl; between DETECTIVE COMICS #519 / 524)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (becomes police commissioner
of Gotham City again in this story; last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#520; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #195), Jason Bard (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #520 / 524), Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (both between DETECTIVE
COMICS #521 / 522)
Intro: Diablo (a panther)
Villain: Hamilton Hill (next appears in issue #357)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #521.
Synopsis: Catwoman attacks Vicki Vale in a fit of jealous rage, and
also goes after the Batman for seemingly betraying her love.
Detective Comics No. 522
January 1983
Cover: Batman and the Snowman //Jim Aparo (signed)
Story: “Snow Blind” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #355; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #195), Robin (between BATMAN #355 / 356)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Alfred Pennyworth (both between
BATMAN #355 / 356)
Intro: Chi (only appearance)
Villains: The Snowman and his father (last appearance for both in BATMAN
#337; last appearance for both; Snowman possibly dies shortly after this
story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman helps Andrew Bennett fight
the Blood Red Moon in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #195.
Synopsis: Batman learns that Klaus Kristin, the Snowman, has been sighted
in Tibet, and goes there to capture him.
Batman No. 356
February 1983
Cover: Batman vs. Batman android, reflected in lenses of Dr. Hugo Strange’s
glasses //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Double Life of Hugo Strange” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #193;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #523), Robin (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#522 / 523)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#522 / 523), Vicki Vale (between DETECTIVE COMICS #522 / 525)
Villains: Hugo Strange (last appearance in issue #354; next appears
in BATMAN ANNUAL #10), Batman, Robin, and Alfred Pennyworth “mandroids”
(first appearance for all; all destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Batman and Robin are attacked by Hugo Strange, who lures
them to a fake “Wayne Manor” and uses android duplicates of themselves
and Alfred against them.
Detective Comics No. 523
February 1983
Cover: Batman vs. Solomon Grundy in burning building //Ed Hannigan
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Inferno” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #356; next appears
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #196), Dick Grayson (Robin; last appearance in BATMAN
#356; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #286)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#195 / 198), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN #356; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #284), Waldo Flynn (between BATMAN #341 / 357),
Magnificent Melanie (last appearance in BATMAN #341)
Intro: Carstairs (only appearance)
Villains: Solomon Grundy (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #8;
last appearance ?), Croc (Waylon Jones; aka Killer Croc; first appearance;
last chronological appearance in flashback in BATMAN #359; next appears
in BATMAN #357), Doc Heller and his gang (first appearance for all; all
die in this story)
Comments: Shortly after this story Batman teams with the Ragman to
fight the Dynamiters For Democracy in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #196, then
teams with Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes to fight the new Composite
Superman / Amalgamax in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #283-284, then helps the
Justice League and Robin fight Madame Zodiac and Dr. Zodiac in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #285-288, then helps Superman fight the Kryll in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #289, then teams with Karate Kid to battle Pulsar in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #198, while Robin helps the New Teen Titans aid Terra in NEW
TEEN TITANS (first series) #28.
Synopsis: Batman learns that Solomon Grundy is haunting the sewers
of Gotham City with a gang of criminals.
Batman No. 357
March 1983
Cover: Squid watching Batman attacked by a squid //Ed Hannigan / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “Squid” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #198;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #524), Dick Grayson (Robin; last
appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #28)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #198; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #524), Waldo Flynn
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #523 / 524), Olivia Ortega (between issues #354
/ 362), Jason Todd (first appearance; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS
#524), Joseph Todd, Mary Todd (Jason’s parents; first appearance for both;
both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #524)
Intro: Murph, Cunningham, Stanley (only appearance for all),
Sloan (next appears in issue #364)
Cameo: Tony Falco (in a photograph; first and only appearance)
Villains: The Squid (between DETECTIVE COMICS #497 / 524) and his gang
(including Otto; first appearance; next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #524),
Croc (between DETECTIVE COMICS #523 / 524), Hamilton Hill (between issues
#355 / 360), Slick (first appearance; next appears in issue #359), Lester,
Bubba and his brother, Joey “Numbers” Taylor, Dome and his gang, Ronson
(first and only appearance for all), Eddie “the Nose-Biter” Colson (first
appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #524.
Synopsis: The Squid comes to Gotham City to launch a takeover of its
underworld, and to trap the Batman.
Detective Comics No. 524
March 1983
Cover: Squid standing with gun over fallen Batman //Ed Hannigan / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “Deathgrip” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Dick Grayson (Robin; both between BATMAN
#357 / 358)
GS: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in BATMAN #355; next appears
in issue #526)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd, Joseph Todd (last appearance for
both in BATMAN #357), Waldo Flynn (between BATMAN #357 / 359), Trina Todd,
Commissioner Gordon (both between BATMAN #357 / 358), Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #289; next appears in BATMAN
#358), Jason Bard (last appearance in BATMAN #355; next appears in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #16)
Villains: The Squid (last appearance in BATMAN #357; dies in this story)
and his gang (last appearance in BATMAN #357), Croc (between BATMAN #357
/ 358)
Comment: Story continues between BATMAN #357 / 358.
Synopsis: Batman escapes the Squid’s giant-squid deathtrap, but the
Squid himself is assassinated by Croc.
Batman No. 358
April 1983
Cover: Croc firing at the Bat-Signal //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Don’t Mess With Killer Croc” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Rodin Rodriguez
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #524
/ 525)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Trina Todd (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #524 / 525), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #525)
Villains: Croc (between DETECTIVE COMICS #524 / 525), Tobacconists’
Club (last appearance in issue #341; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #526),
Specs, Bruno, Gunner, the Knights (first and only appearance for all),
unnamed crook (dies in this story), Filbert Hughes (first appearance),
the Squid (as a corpse; last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #524; last
appearance)
Comment: Story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #524 / 525.
Synopsis: Batman gets on the trail of Croc, even as he discovers that
Trina Todd has learned his secret identity.
Detective Comics No. 525
April 1983
Cover: Batman and Croc in sewer //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Confrontation” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between BATMAN #358 / 359)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Trina Todd (both between
BATMAN #358 / 359), Vicki Vale (between BATMAN #356 / 359),
Joseph Todd, Jason Todd (both next appear in BATMAN #359)
Villain: Croc (between BATMAN #358 / 359)
Comment: Story continues between BATMAN #358 / 359.
Synopsis: Batman has another encounter with Killer Croc.
Batman No. 359
May 1983
Cover: Croc, Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, Cavalier, and crooks
//Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Hunt” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #325
/ 326)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Vicki Vale, Trina Todd,
Joseph Todd, Jason Todd (all between DETECTIVE COMICS #525 / 526), Waldo
Flynn (between DETECTIVE COMICS #524 / 526), Alfred Pennyworth
Villains: Croc (between DETECTIVE COMICS #525 / 526; also appears in
flashback, his earliest chronological appearance, preceding DETECTIVE COMICS
#523), Filbert Hughes (last appearance), Slick (last appearance in issue
#357), Tony Falco (first actual appearance; dies in this story), various
crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #525 / 526.
Synopsis: While Batman prepares to track down Croc, Joseph and Trina
Todd discover Croc’s hidden lair...and are found by him.
Detective Comics No. 526
May 1983
Cover: Robin, Batman, and Batgirl; vignettes of Cat-Man, the Spook,
Clayface II, the Cavalier, Tweedledum, Tweedledee, the Gentleman Ghost,
the Mad Hatter, Croc, Mr. Freeze, Signalman, Commissioner Gordon, the Joker,
the Scarecrow, Captain Stingaree, Talia, the Penguin, Roy Reynolds, Two-Face,
Black Spider, the Riddler, Catwoman, ? //Don Newton / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “All My Enemies Against Me” (56 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #359; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #290), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #359;
next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #31), Robin II (Jason Todd;
first costumed appearance; between BATMAN #359 / 360)
GS: Batgirl (between issues #524 / 531; reveals she still knows Batman’s
and Robin’s secret identities in this story), Catwoman (last appearance
in BATMAN #355; next appears in issue #548), Talia (last appearance in
BATMAN ANNUAL #8; next appears in BATMAN #400)
Supporting Characters: Waldo Flynn (last appearance in BATMAN #359;
next appears in issue #528), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#359; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #290), Vicki Vale (last appearance
in BATMAN #359), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN #359;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #391), Trina Todd, Joseph Todd (as
corpses; both die between BATMAN #359, their last appearance, and this
issue; last appearance for both)
Intro: Lance, Clancy (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: John Grayson, Mary Grayson, Jack Haly (all in flashback)
Villains: Croc (between BATMAN #359 / 400), the Penguin (last appearance
in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #191; next appears in BATMAN #374), the Gentleman
Ghost (last appearance in BATMAN #319; last appearance), Two-Face (last
appearance in issue #513; next appears in issue #563), Captain Stingaree
(last appearance in BATMAN #294; next appears in BATMAN #400), Mad Hatter
(last appearance in issue #510; next appears in BATMAN #378), Killer Moth
(last appearance in issue #486; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS
#9), Mr. Freeze (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #275; next appears
in BATMAN #375), Clayface II (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#264; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10), Tweedledum (Dumfrey
Tweed), Tweedledee (Deever Tweed; both of Earth-One; first and only appearance
for both), the Riddler (last appearance behind the scenes in NEW TEEN TITANS
(first series) #19; next appears in BATMAN #362), the Scarecrow (last appearance
in issue #503; next appears in BATMAN #373), Black Spider (last appearance
in BATMAN #306; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9), the Spook
(last appearance in issue #488; last appearance), Cat-Man (last appearance
in issue #509; next appears in BATMAN #371), the Cavalier (last appearance
in BATMAN FAMILY #15; next appears in BATMAN #400), the Joker (between
BATMAN #353 / 365), the Signalman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #195), Roy Reynolds (the Getaway Genius; last appearance in BATMAN
#294; last appearance), Robinson, Walter, Winchell (first and only appearance
for all), various crooks (some of whom die in this story; first and only
appearance for all), the Tobacconist’s Club (last appearance in BATMAN
#358; last appearance)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #359.
This is a 64-page giant.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Stalagron in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #290-291, then teams with the Spectre
to fight Kalindra and Stephos in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #199, while Robin helps
the New Teen Titans fight the Brotherhood of Evil in NEW TEEN TITANS (first
series) #31, Thunder and Lightning in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #32,
Trident in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #33, Deathstroke the Terminator
in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #34, the Monitor’s minions in NEW TEEN
TITANS ANNUAL (first series) #2, and the HIVE in NEW TEEN TITANS (first
series) #36.
Synopsis: Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia must stand off
an army of the Batman’s old villains, while Jason Todd learns that Croc
has murdered his parents.
Batman No. 360
June 1983
Cover: Batman vs. three skeletons //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “When Slays the Savage Skull” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inkers: Pablo Marcos, Ron Randall
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #199;
next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #213)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd (Robin II; between DETECTIVE COMICS
#526 / 527), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#291; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #200), Commissioner Gordon (last
appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #290; next appears in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #200)
Intro: Higgins, Lew Stevens, Vito (only appearance for all), Frankie
(dies in this story)
Villains: The Savage Skull (Jack Crane; first appearance; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #528), Hamilton Hill (last appearance in issue #357;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #527)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League of
America in their Microcosmos adventure in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #213-216,
then fights Brimstone in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #200.
Synopsis: Batman faces the Savage Skull, an ex-cop whose burned face
drives him to murder the policemen who threw him off the force.
Detective Comics No. 527
June 1983
Cover: Batman on gargoyle //Gene Day (signed)
Story: “Avatars of Vengeance” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Day
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #200;
next appears in BATMAN #261)
GS: Man-Bat (between BATMAN #348 / 361)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd (between BATMAN #360 / 361), Alfred
Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (last appearance for both in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #200; both next appear in BATMAN #361), Vicki Vale (next appears
in BATMAN #361)
Intro: Genevra (only appearance)
Cameo: Shang-Chi
Villains: Man-Bat, Hamilton Hill (last appearance in BATMAN #360)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #361.
Synopsis: Kirk Langstrom transforms into a berserk Man-Bat again and
kidnaps Jason Todd to repay Batman for supposedly destroying his daughter
Rebecca.
Batman No. 361
July 1983
Cover: Man-Bat vs. Batman and Jason Todd //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “The Most Successful Species” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #527 / 528)
GS: Man-Bat (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #527; next appears
in BLUE DEVIL ANNUAL #1)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd, Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth
(all between DETECTIVE COMICS #527 / 528), Rebecca Langstrom, Francine
Langstrom (last appearance for both in issue #348; last appearance for
both), Harvey Bullock (between DETECTIVE COMICS #441 / 528), Vicki Vale
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #527 / 529)
Villains: Man-Bat, Harvey Bullock
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #527.
Synopsis: Batman strives to recover Jason Todd before Man-Bat can change
him into a boy-bat.
Detective Comics No. 528
July 1983
Cover: Batman pinned by knives against piling, Savage Skull’s hand
holding dagger //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Requiem For Skulls” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #361; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #293)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (both between
BATMAN #361 / 362), Jason Todd, Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance for
both in BATMAN #361), Waldo Flynn (last appearance in issue #526)
Intro: Freddie Czezik (dies in this story)
Villains: The Savage Skull (last appearance in BATMAN #360; last appearance),
Hamilton Hill (next appears in BATMAN #362), Harvey Bullock
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Null and Void in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #293.
Synopsis: Batman has a return engagement with the Savage Skull, while
Harvey Bullock makes trouble for Commissioner Gordon.
Batman No. 362
August 1983
Cover: Riddler among plundered treasure, Batman with two gangsters
//Ed Hannigan? / Dick Giordano?
Story: “When Riddled By the Riddler” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#293; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #529)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #528; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #295), Harvey Bullock
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #528), Olivia Ortega (last appearance
in issue #357; next appears in ?)
Intro: Signor Petrelli, Joe, Sue (only appearance for all)
Villain: The Riddler (origin retold in this story; last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #526; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5),
Hamilton Hill (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #528; next appears in
issue #366), Harvey Bullock
Synopsis: Inspired by “riddling” wine in a winery, the Riddler goes
on a crime-spree again, leaving more clues for the Batman. Meanwhile,
Commissioner Gordon is brought up on charges of interference by Harvey
Bullock.
Detective Comics No. 529
August 1983
Cover: Batman and Thief of Night in Gotham City //?
Story: “The Thief of Night” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #362; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #294)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd (next appears in BATMAN #363), Waldo
Flynn (next appears in BATMAN #364), Lucius Fox (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #286; next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1), Alfred
Pennyworth (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #294), Vicki Vale (between
BATMAN #361 / 363)
Villains: The Thief of Night (Anton Knight; first appearance; next
appears in BATMAN #363), Nocturna (Natasha Knight; first appearance; next
appears in BATMAN #363)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps Superman fight Toniatuh
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #294 and Lex Luthor in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9, then
leaves the Justice League and organizes the Outsiders to battle Baron Bedlam
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1-2, then helps them fight Agent Orange in
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #3, then teams with Superman to fight the Moondancers
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #295, then helps the Outsiders defeat Miklos in
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #200 and Meltdown in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #4.
Synopsis: The Batman encounters the black-clad Thief of Night, who
steals precious gems to bring to his lover Nocturna. At the same
time, Jason Todd considers going back to the circus, since Batman will
not take him on as his new partner.
Batman No. 363
September 1983
Cover: Batman vs. Nocturna in observatory //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Elegant Night Crimes” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#4; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #530)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Jason Todd (both between DETECTIVE
COMICS #529 / 530), Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE
BOLD #200 (Batman and the Outsiders story)), Harvey Bullock, Alfred Pennyworth
(last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #3), Lucius Fox (last appearance
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #2; next appears in issue #367)
Villains: Nocturna, the Thief of Night (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#529 / 530), Charles Knight (first appearance; in flashback; dies in this
story)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #530.
Synopsis: Batman learns the origin of Nocturna and the Thief of Night
as Jason Todd prepares to run away from home.
Detective Comics No. 530
September 1983
Cover: Batman vs. Nocturna in hot-air balloon //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Passion Nocturnale” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #363 / 364)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd, Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (all
between BATMAN #363 / 364), publisher of Picture News (next appears in
BATMAN #364)
Villains: Nocturna (between BATMAN #363 / 376), the Thief of Night
(last appearance in BATMAN #363; next appears in issue #543)
Comment: Story continues between BATMAN #363 / 364.
Synopsis: Jason Todd runs away from home, while Batman testifies at
the Night-Thief’s trial and attempts to capture Nocturna.
Batman No. 364
October 1983
Cover; Batman and vignettes of Chimera and other people //Ed Hannigan
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Man of a Thousand Menaces” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #530 / 531)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd, Vicki Vale (both between DETECTIVE
COMICS #530 / 531), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#530), Sloan (last appearance in issue #357; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #531), Waldo Flynn (between DETECTIVE COMICS #527 / 531), publisher
of Picture News (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #530), Julia Remarque
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #502 / 531), Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon
(next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #531)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. George R. Brewster and their son and daughter (only
appearance for all)
Villains: Chimera (first appearance), Harvey Bullock
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #531.
Synopsis: Batman joins the circus incognito to help Jason Todd track
down a disguised thief called Chimera.
Detective Comics No. 531
October 1983
Cover: Batman facing three Chimera clowns //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Face of the Chimera” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #364 / 365)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in issue #526; next appears
in BATMAN #365)
Suppporting Characters: Jason Todd, Vicki Vale, Commissioner Gordon
(all between BATMAN #364 / 365), Waldo Flynn (last appearance in BATMAN
#354), Sloan (last appearance in BATMAN #364; last appearance)
Intro: Hank (only appearance)
Villain: The Chimera (last appearance in BATMAN #354; last appearance)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #365.
Synopsis: Batman and Jason Todd try to discover which circus performer
is being impersonated by the Chimera, only to learn he has multiple identities.
Batman No. 365
November 1983
Cover: Batman and Vicki Vale vs. South American Indians //Walt Simonson?
Story: “Ruins” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #531 / 532)
GS: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between DETECTIVE COMICS #531 / 532)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Commissioner Gordon (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #531 / 532), Jason Todd (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #531), Harvey Bullock (no longer a villain as of this story; next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #532)
Villains: The Joker (between DETECTIVE COMICS #526 / 532) and his gang
of rebels (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #532.
Synopsis: Vicki Vale is captured by rebels in Guatemala, and, when
the Batman goes there to rescue her, both of them learn that the rebels
are commanded by the Joker.
Detective Comics No. 532
November 1983
Cover: Batman tied to railroad tracks while Joker approaches on Joker-train
//Gene Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Laugh, Killer, Laugh” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #365 / 366)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between BATMAN #365 / 366)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon
(all between BATMAN #365 / 366), Julia Remarque, Alfred Pennyworth (both
between BATMAN #364 / 366)
Villains: The Joker and his gang (all between BATMAN #365 / 366)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #366.
Synopsis: Batman and Vicki Vale strive to escape the Joker, who is
out to conquer an area of Guatemala and turn it into a Joker theme park.
Batman No. 366
December 1983
Cover: Batman vs. Joker //Walt Simonson (signed)
Story: “The JokerIs Wild” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #532 / 533), Robin
II (Jason Todd; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #533; first official appearance
in Robin costume)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; between DETECTIVE COMICS #532 / 533)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#532), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #532; next
appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #37), Julia Remarque (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #532; next appears in issue #368), Harvey Bullock,
Commissioner Gordon (between DETECTIVE COMICS #532 / 533)
Intro: Tloani, Gen. Diaz (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Joker (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #532; next
appears in issue #373) and his gang (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#532; last appearance), Hamilton Hill (last appearance in issue #362; next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #540)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #533.
Synopsis: As rebels and government forces clash in Guatemala, Batman
battles the Joker and learns he has a new ally when Jason Todd adopts the
identity of Robin.
Detective Comics No. 533
December 1983
Cover: Batman and thugs in Commissioner Gordon’s hospital room //Gene
Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Look To the Mountaintop” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #366; next appears
in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #37)
GS: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in BATMAN #366; next appears
in issue #546; also appears in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Jason Todd (last appearance in BATMAN #366;
next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #37), Commissioner Gordon
(between BATMAN #366 / 367); also appears in flashback), Harvey Bullock
(first name misspelled “Harry” in this story; next appears in BATMAN #367)
Villains: Berford “Mr. Bang” Bannon, Zeke “Cobra” Kowalski, Johnny
“Hitman” Hinton, Ray “Slinker” Dawson (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #366.
Shortly after this story, Batman helps the Outsiders and the
New Teen Titans fight the Fearsome Five in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#37 and BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5, after which Robin I, Cyborg, and Wonder
Girl encounter the new Vigilante in VIGILANTE #3 and Robin uncovers Donna
Troy’s past in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #38. Then Robin I abandons
his costumed identity in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #39.
Synopsis: Batman returns to Gotham City just in time to help Barbara
Gordon rescue her hospitalized father from a team of four vengeful ex-cons.
Batman No. 367
January 1984
Cover: Batman enmeshed in branches and leaves //Ed Hannigan / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Green Ghosts of Gotham” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (last appearance for both in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #5; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #534)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #5), Lucius Fox (mistakenly colored white in this story;
last appearance in issue #363; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #534),
Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #533
/ 534), Vicki Vale
Intro: Thelma (only appearance), Al and other executives (first appearance
for all)
Villains: Poison Ivy (last appearance in issue #344; next appears in
DETECTIVE COMICS #534), Lignier (first appearance), plant-men (first appearance;
die in this story)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #533.
Synopsis: Poison Ivy returns to take control of business execs by means
of special plants, to create sentient “plant-men” slaves, and to oppose
Batman and his new partner.
Detective Comics No. 534
January 1984
Cover: Batman vs. Poison Ivy and plant-men //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Brambles” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #367 / 368)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (last appearance
for both in BATMAN #367), Lucius Fox (last appearance in BATMAN #367; next
appears in issue #542)
Other Characters: Al and other executives (last appearance in BATMAN
#367; last appearance for all)
Villains: Poison Ivy (last appearance in BATMAN #367; next appears
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5), Lignier (last appearance in BATMAN #367;
last appearance), plant-men (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in part in BATMAN #368.
Synopsis: Batman and his new partner uncover Poison Ivy’s new master
plan, to choke Gotham City with mutated plant roots and loot it with her
plant-men.
Batman No. 368
February 1984
Cover: Batman and Robin II //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “A Revenge of Rainbows” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#534 / 535; Robin officially named in this story and takes over traditional
Robin costume)
GS: Dick Grayson (Robin I; between NEW TEEN TITANS #39 / TALES OF THE
TEEN TITANS #40)
Supporting Characters: Julia Remarque (last appearance in issue #366;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #535), Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (next
appears in issue #371), Bill Modell (first appearance; next appears in
issue #374)
Intro: Letrope (dies in this story)
Cameo appearances: Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Killer Moth, Penguin
Villains: Crazy-Quilt (last appearance in issue #316; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #535) and his gang (first appearance; next appear in
DETECTIVE COMICS #535), Kinski (first appearance; dies in this story),
Mike McCormick, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #535.
Synopsis: Dick Grayson passes along the mantle of Robin to Jason Todd,
who accompanies Batman on a “shakedown cruise” around Gotham. But
neither suspect that Crazy-Quilt, the first Robin’s mortal enemy, is stalking
the new Robin.
Detective Comics No. 535
February 1984
Cover: Batman and Robin vs. Crazy-Quilt and his gang //Gene Colan /
Dick Giordano
Story: “One Hole In a Quilt of Madness” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between BATMAN #368 / 369), Robin II (between
BATMAN #368 / 370)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Remarque (both between
BATMAN #368 / 369), Commissioner Gordon (next appears in issue #537), Harvey
Bullock (next appears in BATMAN #369)
Cameo appearances: Joe Chill, Martha Wayne, Thomas Wayne (in flashback)
Villains: Crazy-Quilt (between BATMAN #368 / 400) and his gang (last
appearance in BATMAN #368; last appearance)
Comments: Story continues in part in BATMAN #369.
Synopsis: Beaten by Crazy-Quilt, Robin II nonetheless goes to a showdown
fight against his new nemesis--after knocking Batman unconscious.
Batman No. 369
March 1984
Cover: Batman and Deadshot’s hand //?
Story: “Target Practice” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #535 / 536)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Remarque (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #535 / 536), Harvey Bullock
Cameo: Mademoiselle Marie
Villains: Deadshot (last appearance in issue #354; next appears in
DETECTIVE COMICS #536), Tony, Armand (first and only appearance for both),
Jacques Remarque (in flashback; first appearance), a bartender (first appearance;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #536)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #536.
Synopsis: Batman goes to Canada to save Alfred and Julia from Deadshot,
who they learn has been hired by Julia’s adoptive father to kill her.
Detective Comics No. 536
March 1984
Cover: Batman and Julia Remarque vs. Deadshot in sewers //Paris Cullins
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Facing the Dark, Blindly” (17 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #369 / 370)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Remarque (both between
BATMAN #369 / 370)
Intro: Inspector LeBeque (only appearance)
Villains: Deadshot (last appearance in BATMAN #369; next appears in
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10), the bartender (last appearance in BATMAN
#369; last appearance), Doctor Fang, Woad (first appearance for both),
Jacques Remarque (?; last appearance in BATMAN #369; last appearance),
a gang of terrorists (first and only appearance)
Comments: Story continues in part in BATMAN #370.
Synopsis: Batman, Julia, and Alfred seek out a cache of stolen art
sought also by terrorists as Deadshot breaks free of captivity and tries
to fulfill his contract on Julia’s life.
Batman No. 370
April 1984
Cover: Batman and Robin II vs. mob //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Up Above the Sin So High” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #536 / 537), Robin
II (between DETECTIVE COMICS #535 / 537)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Remarque (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #536 / 537), Harvey Bullock
Villains: Dr. Fang (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #536), Woad
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #536; next appears in issue #372),
Dr. Fang’s gang (including Manny, Turk, and Eddie; first appearance; next
appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #537)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #537.
Synopsis: Lt. Harvey Bullock plays double agent by pretending to be
in Dr. Fang’s employ, but puts Batman and Robin on the crimelord’s trail...and
unwittingly leads them into a trap.
Detective Comics No. 537
April 1984
Cover: Batman watching Sixto Morales emerging from sewer //Gene colan
/ Dick Giordano?
Story: “Down Below” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #370; next appears
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #6), Robin II (between BATMAN #370 / 371)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue
#535; next appears in BATMAN SPECIAL #1), Harvey Bullock (last appearance
in BATMAN #370), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN #370; next
appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #6), Julia Remarque (between BATMAN
#370 / 371)
Intro: Sixto Morales (only appearance), Gelesco (as a corpse; only
appearance), Mrs. Morales (in flashback; dies in this story)
Villain: Dr. Fang’s gang (last appearance in BATMAN #370; next appearance
in issue #539)
Comment: Story continues in part from BATMAN #370.
Shortly after this story, Batman helps the Outsiders fight the
Cryonic Man in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #6-7.
Synopsis: On the trail of Dr. Fang’s men, Batman comes upon a sewer
dweller with a most unusual hobby.
Batman Special No. 1
1984
Cover: Batman, Wrath, Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon, Gayle
Hudson //Michael Golden
Story: “The Player On the Other Side” (40 pages)
Editors: Dick Giordano, Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Michael Golden
Inker: Mike DeCarlo
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #7 / 8;
origin retold in this story)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #537; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #296; also appears
in flashback to indeterminate time; origin details revealed), Alfred
Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #6; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #296), Leslie Thompkins (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #483; last appearance)
Cameo appearance: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Joe Chill (in flashback)
Villains: The Wrath (first appearance; dies in this story), the Wrath’s
parents (first appearance for both; both die in this story), Gayle Hudson,
various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story is misdated, with the date of Thomas and Martha
Wayne’s demise given as July 26th. SUPERBOY #182 reveals that they
were killed on November 25th. The November 25th date places this
story before BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #8, which takes place on December
25th and gives Batman a month in which to recuperate from his knife wound
in this story.
Bruce Wayne is revealed as being 8 years old at the time of his
parents’ deaths.
A month after this story, Batman helps the Outsiders and the
Phantom Stranger fight Tannarak in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #8, then helps
the Justice League and the Outsiders fight the Pantheon in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #296-300, 302, then teams with Superman to battle Siphon in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #301, then helps the Outsiders fight the Masters of Disaster
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #9-10.
Synopsis: Batman is faced by the Wrath, a costumed villain whose criminal
parents were killed by patrolman James Gordon on the same night that Thomas
and Martha Wayne were gunned down by Joe Chill. Now, the Wrath wants
to kill Gordon himself, and only Batman stands in his way.
Batman No. 371
May 1984
Cover: Cat-Man and silhouettes of Batman and Robin II in his eyes //Ed
Hannigan / Dick Giordano
Story: “Nine Cradles of Death” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#10; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #538), Robin II (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #537 / 538)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #296; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #538), Commissioner
Gordon (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #296 / 303), Julia Remarque (between
DETECTIVE COMICS #537 / 538), Vicki Vale (last appearance in issue #368;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #538)
Intro: Dr. Simmons (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Michael Greene (in a photo; first appearance; first
actual appearance in next issue)
Villains: Cat-Man (between DETECTIVE COMICS #526 / 538), Collins (first
appearance), Dr. Fang, three gamblers (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #538.
Synopsis: The Cat-Man escapes jail again with the intention of stealing
a statue of the Egyptian cat goddess Bast, and challenging Batman and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 538
May 1984
Cover: Batman vs. Cat-Man //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Clothes Make the Cat(Man)” (17 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #371; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303), Robin II (between BATMAN #371 / 372)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock (next appears in BATMAN #373),
Vicki Vale (between BATMAN #371 / 373), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance
in BATMAN #371; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303), Julia Remarque
(between BATMAN #371 / 372)
Villains: Collins (as Cat-Man II; last appearance in BATMAN #371; last
appearance), Cat-Man (last appearance in BATMAN #371; next appears in CRISIS
ON INFINITE EARTHS #9)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #371.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
the Alchemist in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303.
Synopsis: The Cat-Man’s cellmate breaks jail and steals the Cat-Man’s
costume to give him more “lives” to risk, but Batman follows him to learn
the hiding place of his stolen money.
Batman No. 372
June 1984
Cover: Dr. Fang, Death, and Batman in boxing ring //Ed Hannigan / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “What Price, the Prize?” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker, letterer: Alfredo Alcala
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#303; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #539), Robin II (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #538 / 539)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #303; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #539), Julia Remarque
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #539 / 540)
Other Characters: Michael Greene (first actual appearance; dies in
this story), Howard Cosell (of Earth-One)
Intro: Tommy Dunfey, Jimmy Greene, Sam Eskin, Rudy Quinn (all next
appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #539), Lou, Harold, Jake DeMansky (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Dr. Fang (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #539), Woad (last
appearance in issue #370; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #539), George
Straite (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #539.
Synopsis: Boxer Tommy Dunfey gets a title shot at world champion Michael
Greene, not knowing that someone will try to kill Greene during the bout.
Detective Comics No. 539
June 1984
Cover: Batman vs. Dr. Fang //Ed Hannigan? / Dick Giordano?
Story: “Boxing” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #372 / 373)
Supporting Characters: Julia Remarque (between BATMAN #372 / 373),
Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303), Harvey
Bullock, Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN #372)
Intro: Mrs. Michael Greene, Miss Greene (her daughter; only appearance
for both)
Other Characters: Tommy Dunfey, Sam Eskin, Rudy Quinn, Jimmy Greene
and his brother (last appearance for all in BATMAN #372; last appearance
for all)
Villains: Dr. Fang (last appearance in BATMAN #372; next appears in
issue #542), Woad (last appearance in BATMAN #372; last appearance),
Dr. Fang’s gang (last appearance in issue #537; next appear in BATMAN #384)
Comment: Story continues in part in BATMAN #373.
Synopsis: Batman and Tommy Dunfey go in search of Dr. Fang to avenge
Michael Greene’s murder.
Batman No. 373
July 1984
Cover: The Scarecrow, Batman, and Robin II in graveyard //Ed Hannigan
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Frequency of Fear” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #539
/ 540)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #540), Julia Remarque (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #539),
Vicki Vale (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #538), Harvey Bullock (between
DETECTIVE COMICS #538 / 540), Commissioner Gordon, Amanda Groscz (first
appearance)
Intro: Dr. Andrews
Cameo appearances: Joseph Todd, Trina Todd, the Penguin, the Riddler,
the Cavalier, Two-Face
Villains: The Scarecrow (between DETECTIVE COMICS #526 / 540), the
Joker (last appearance in issue #366; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#?)
Comment: Story continues between DETECTIVE COMICS #539 / 540.
Synopsis: The Scarecrow discovers a method of broadcasting waves of
fear, and turns them against Batman and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 540
July 1984
Cover: Scarecrow vs. Batman above alligator pit //Gene Colan / Dick
Giordano ?
Story: “Something Scary” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #373; next appears
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #11), Robin II (last appearance in BATMAN #373;
next appears in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #3)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in BATMAN AND
THE OUTSIDERS #13), Harvey Bullock (next appears in BATMAN #374)
Villains: The Scarecrow (next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS
#9), Hamilton Hill (between BATMAN #366 / 374)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #373.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Outsiders battle Takeo
Yamashiro in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #11-12 and Morgan Jones in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #13, attends the funeral of Terra with Robin II and the
Outsiders in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #3, then appears briefly with
Jason Todd during the Outsiders’ battle with the Force of July in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #1, then Batman teams with Superman to fight Null,
Void, Barracuda, and Swordfish in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #304-307 and Hector
Alvarez in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin separately deal with the Scarecrow’s fear
traps, then unite to bring him down.
Batman No. 374
August 1984
Cover: Batman vs. Penguin and crook //Don Newton / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Pieces of Penguin” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (last appearance for both in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #308; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #541)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #308; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #541), Amanda Groscz,
Commissioner Gordon, Vicki Vale (all next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #541),
Harvey Bullock (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #540), Bill Modell
(last appearance in issue #368; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #541),
Julia Remarque
Villains: The Penguin (between DETECTIVE COMICS #526 / 541) and his
gang (first appearance; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #541), Hamilton
Hill (between DETECTIVE COMICS #540 / 543), Lou and another crook (first
appearance for both)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #541.
Synopsis: The Penguin is on the loose again, and out to steal a plan
for the Pentagon’s “early bird” warning system.
Detective Comics No. 541
August 1984
Cover: Batman parachuting from exploding Batplane //Gene Colan / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “C-C-Cold” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Jason Todd (does not appear as Robin II;
both between BATMAN #374 / 375)
Supporting Characters: Bill Modell (between BATMAN #374 / 379), Vicki
Vale, Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, Amanda Groscz (all between
BATMAN #374 / 375)
Villains: The Penguin (last appearance in BATMAN #374; next appears
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5) and his gang (last appearance in BATMAN
#374; last appearance), the Russians
Comment: Story continues in part in BATMAN #375.
Synopsis: Batman trails the Penguin to Antarctica to try and stop him
from selling the defense code to the Russians.
Batman No. 375
September 1984
Cover: Batman, Mr. Freeze, Vicki Vale, Julia Remarque, Robin II //Ed
Hannigan / Klaus Janson (signed)
Story: “The Glacier Under Gotham” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (between DETECTIVE COMICS #541
/ 542)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, Amanda
Groscz (all between DETECTIVE COMICS #541 / 542), Harvey Bullock,
Julia Remarque (both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #542), Vicki Vale
(last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #541)
Villains: Mr. Freeze (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #526; next
appears in issue #400; origin retold in flashback) and his gang (including
Lou and Sammy; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in part in DETECTIVE COMICS #541.
Synopsis: Mr. Freeze returns with a giant ice-cannon which he intends
to use to freeze and loot Gotham.
Detective Comics No. 542
September 1984
Cover: Batman, Robin, Bruce Wayne, and Jason Todd //Paris Cullens /
Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Between Two Nights” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #375; next appears
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14), Robin II (between BATMAN #375 / 376)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock, Amanda Groscz, Julia Remarque
(all between BATMAN #375 / 376), Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in
BATMAN #375; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #309), Commissioner
Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN #375), Lucius Fox (last appearance
in issue #534)
Villains: Dr. Fang (last appearance in issue #539; next appears in
BATMAN #380), Slade (first appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Outsiders battle
Maxie Zeus in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14-15, then helps Superman fight
Quantum in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #309 and Assassins, Inc. in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #310.
Synopsis: While Bruce Wayne loses custody of Jason Todd to the state,
Harvey Bullock is stalked by an assassin.
Batman No. 376
October 1984
Cover: Batman and Robin beset by nightmare creatures //Ed Hannigan
/ Klaus Janson (signed)
Story: “Nightmares, Inc.” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#310; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #543), Jason Todd (Robin II; between
DETECTIVE COMICS #542 / 543)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #309), Amanda Groscz, Harvey Bullock, Vicki Vale (next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #543), Julia Remarque
Intro: Simon Platz, Gina, Samuels, Miss Wray
Cameo: Waldo Flynn (in a photo)
Villains: Sturges Hellstrom, Schreck, Lee (Nightmares, Inc.; first
appearance for all; all next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #543), Nocturna
(between DETECTIVE COMICS #530 / 543)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #543.
Synopsis: Batman tries to crack a scare-for-hire party service which
he suspects is targeting its clients for burglaries.
Detective Comics No. 543
October 1984
Cover: Batman and Nocturna fighting over Robin’s costume //Gene Colan
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Shadows of Vengeance”
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Jason Todd (Robin II; both between BATMAN
#376 / 377)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale (between BATMAN #376 / 379), Julia
Remarque, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Lucius Fox
Intro: Jack Harker, Zelda (only appearance for both)
Villains: Nocturna (between BATMAN #376 / 377), Sturges Hellstrom (last
appearance in BATMAN #376; dies in this story), Streck, Lee (Nightmares,
Inc.; last appearance for both in BATMAN #376; last appearance for both),
Thief of Night (last appearance in issue #530; next appears in BATMAN #377),
Slade, Hamilton Hill (last appearance in BATMAN #374) and his thug (first
appearance)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #377.
Synopsis: Batman stalks the members of Nightmares, Inc. while (as Bruce
Wayne) trying to fight off Nocturna’s attempt to adopt Jason Todd.
Batman No. 377
November 1984
Cover: Nocturna, Batman (with wings), and Jason Todd riding bed in
nightmare //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Slayer of Night” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterers: Ben Oda, Alfredo Alcala
Feature Characters: Batman, Jason Todd (Robin II; both between DETECTIVE
COMICS #543 / 544)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Remarque, Amanda Groscz
(next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #544), Lucius Fox
Intro: Frankie (only appearance)
Villains: Nocturna, the Thief of Night (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#543 / 544)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #544.
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne continues his war against Nocturna’s adoption
attempt in the courts while, as Batman, he must deal with his growing attraction
for her--and fight the recently-escaped Thief of Night.
Detective Comics No. 544
November 1984
Cover: Thief of Night and Batman’s shadow //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Deceit In Dark Shadows” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #377 / 378)
Supporting Characters: Amanda Groscz (between BATMAN #377 / 378), Alfred
Pennyworth, Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon (next appears in issue
#546)
Villains: Nocturna (between BATMAN #377 / 378), Thief of Night (last
appearance in BATMAN #377; becomes Night-Slayer as of this story), Hamilton
Hill (next appears in BATMAN #378), Slade (last appearance)
Comment: Nocturna is revealed to know Batman’s and Robin’s secret identities
in this story.
Story continues in BATMAN #378.
Synopsis: Batman finds himself attracted to Nocturna as he learns Lt.
Bullock’s would-be assassin was hired by Hamilton Hill.
Batman No. 378
December 1984
Cover: Mad Hatter using Nocturna to form video image of Batman unmasking
//Don Newton / Dick Giordano
Story: “One Hat Madder” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #544 / 545), Robin
II (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #544)
Supporting Characters: Amanda Groscz (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #544; next appears in issue #381), Lucius Fox, Alfred Pennyworth,
Julia Remarque
Cameo appearances: Sturges Hellstrom, Night-Slayer
Villains: Nocturna, Hamilton Hill (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #544), Mad Hatter (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #526)
Comments: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #545.
Synopsis: Jason Todd is adopted by Nocturna, who becomes the Mad Hatter’s
mind-controlled pawn against Batman.
Detective Comics No. 545
December 1984
Cover: Tina, Cerberus, and Night-Slayer on beach; Batman photo on newspaper
//Gene Colan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “By Darkness Masked” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #378 / 379)
Supporting Characters: Lucius Fox
Cameo appearance: Nocturna
Intro: Tina, Cerberus (her dog)
Villain: The Night-Slayer
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #379.
Synopsis: The wounded Night-Slayer is found by a blind girl, who believes
him to be the Batman.
Batman No. 379
January 1985
Cover: Batman vs. thugs; Mad Hatter vignette //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Bedtime Stories” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Don Newton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#545 / 546)
Supporting Characters: Julia Remarque, Olivia Ortega (last appearance),
Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (between DETECTIVE COMICS #543 / 547), Lucius
Fox (next appears in issue #383), Bill Modell (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #541 / 547)
Other Characters: Tina, Cerberus (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #545
/ 546)
Villains: Mad Hatter (next appears in issue #400) and his gang (including
Louie; first appearance for all), Nocturna, Night-Slayer (both between
DETECTIVE COMICS #545 / 546)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #546.
Synopsis: The Mad Hatter attacks Gotham again using a gang of hoods
who are turned into his zombies by their hats.
Detective Comics No. 546
January 1985
Cover: Batman facing guns, in front of his wanted poster //Dick Giordano?
Story: “Hill’s Descent” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Jason Todd (Robin II; both between BATMAN
#379 / 380)
GA: Barbara Gordon (Batgirl; last appearance in issue #533; next appears
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #4 / DC COMICS PRESENTS #86)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in issue
#544), Harvey Bullock, Alfred Pennyworth
Other Characters: Tina, Cerebrus (both between BATMAN #379 / 380)
Villains: Hamilton Hill (next appears in BATMAN #380), Blevins (first
appearance; next appears in BATMAN #380), Nocturna, Night-Slayer (both
between BATMAN #379 / 380)
Synopsis: Mayor Hamilton Hill accuses the Batman falsely of a crime,
and, when Harvey Bullock comes in for a confrontation, shoots Bullock.
Batman No. 380
February 1985
Cover: Batman, Robin, Nocturna, and the Night-Slayer //Rick Hoberg
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “End of the Bat” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Rick Hoberg
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (between DETECTIVE COMICS #546
/ 547)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon
Other Characters: Tina, Cerberus (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #546
/ 547)
Cameo appearances: Joe Chill, Thomas and Martha Wayne, Robin, Catwoman,
Lex Luthor, Mad Hatter, Killer Moth, Scarecrow, Penguin, Spook, Clayface
II, Riddler, Croc, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze
Villains: Dr. Fang (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #542; dies
in this story; next appears, as a corpse, in DETECTIVE COMICS #547), Hamilton
Hill, Blevins (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE COMICS #546), Night-Slayer,
Nocturna (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #546 / 547)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #547.
Synopsis: Night-Slayer captures Nocturna and Jason Todd, forcing Batman
to confront him, with Dr. Fang appearing on the scene.
Detective Comics No. 547
February 1985
Cover: Night-Slayer (in Batman costume) unmasking before Harvey Bullock,
Nocturna, Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, and Robin II //Pat Broderick
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Cast of Characters, Sequence of Events” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #380 / 381)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in BATMAN #380),
Julia Remarque, Vicki Vale, Bill Modell (between BATMAN #379 / 384), Harvey
Bullock, Commissioner Gordon
Intro: Herman Blevins (next appears in BATMAN #381)
Other Characters: Tina, Cerberus (both between BATMAN #380 / 381)
Villains: Night-Slayer, Nocturna, Hamilton Hill, Blevins (all between
BATMAN #380 / 381), Dr. Fang (as a corpse; last appearance in BATMAN #380;
last appearance)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #380.
Synopsis: Robin and Nocturna fight the Night-Slayer, who wears Batman’s
costume, and Batman, in the Night-Slayer’s costume, struggles to regain
his memory.
Batman No. 381
March 1985
Cover: Batman vs. Night-Slayer (in Batman costume) //Rick Hoberg /
Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Darkly Moved the Pawns” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Rick Hoberg
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #547;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #311), Robin II (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #547 / 548)
Supporting Characters: Amanda Groscz (between issues #378 / 383), Alfred
Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #547; next appears in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #16), Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (both next
appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #548)
Intro: Raymond Gawronski, Lou, Bettina, Mac (only appearance)
Other Characters: Tina, Cerberus, Herman Blevins (last appearance for
all in DETECTIVE COMICS #547; last appearance for all)
Villains: Night-Slayer, Nocturna (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #547; both next appear in issue #389), Hamilton Hill, Blevins (last
appearance for both in DETECTIVE COMICS #547; last appearance for both)
Comments: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #547.
Nocturna relinquishes Jason Todd to Bruce Wayne in this story.
Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to deal with
menaces in the Fortress of Solitude in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #311, then
encounters the Ambush Bug in ACTION COMICS #565, then helps the Outsiders
rescue Metamorpho in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #16-18 and helps the Outsiders
and Superman capture Prof. Raeburn in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #19 and
battle the Outsider in DC COMICS PRESENTS #83,
Synopsis: Batman, his memory regained, has a final encounter with Night-Slayer
and Hamilton Hill, with Robin and Nocturna in his corner.
Detective Comics No. 548
March 1985
Cover: Batman vs. Darkwolf //Pat Broderick / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Beasts A-Prowl” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in), Robin II (between
BATMAN #381 / 382)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in issue #526)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (between BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#19 / 20), Julia Remarque, Vicki Vale, Commissioner Gordon (all next appear
in BATMAN #382), Harvey Bullock
Villains: Darkwolf (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #382),
the Skull Smashers (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #382.
Synopsis: Batman battles a terrorist called Darkwolf, while Catwoman
makes a comeback in Gotham.
Batman No. 382
April 1985
Cover: Batman towering over crooks //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “The Vengeance Spiral” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Rick Hoberg
Inker: Rudy Nebres
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #548;
next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #20), Robin II (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #548)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #548; next appears
in issue #389)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale, Julia Remarque (last appearance
for both in DETECTIVE COMICS #548), Commissioner Gordon (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #548 / 549)
Villain: Darkwolf (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #548; last appearance)
Comments: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMCS #548.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Outsiders fight Syonide
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #20.
Synopsis: Batman and Catwoman attempt to save a planeful of hostages
from Darkwolf.
Detective Comics No. 549
April 1985
Cover: Batman and Harvey Bullock vignettes //Pat Broderick (signed)
Story: “Dr. Harvey and Mr. Bullock” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#20; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #312)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock (next appears in BATMAN #384),
Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #382 / 383)
Intro: Charlie, Fred, Johnny, Murphy (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Clara Bow, Charlie Chaplin, Jimmy Cagney, Veronica
Lake, Humphrey Bogart, IngridBergman, Douglas Fairbanks, Rudolph Valentino,
Villains: The Skull Smashers (including Frankie; first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
the Network in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #312-313, the Executrix in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #314, and Cathode in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #315.
Synopsis: When Harvey Bullock is outnumbered by a street gang, one
of whose members has trashed his collection of movie posters, Batman
appears to even the odds.
Batman No. 383
May 1985
Cover: Crooks and victims in Gotham City; Batman vignette //Paris Cullens
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Just As Night Follows Day” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterers: Ben Oda, Albert de Guzman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#315; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #550), Robin II
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #315), Lucius Fox (last appearance in issue #379), Commissioner
Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #549), Amanda Groscz (between
issues #381 / 389), Julia Remarque, Vicki Vale
Intro: Frank (only appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Batman badly needs sleep, but is forced to cope with
routine problems during the day as Bruce Wayne and criminals plaguing Gotham
City at night in his caped identity.
Detective Comics No. 550
May 1985
Cover: Batman vs. Joey Redwine in spiderweb //Pat Broderick (signed)
Story: “The Spider’s Ninth Leg” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (between BATMAN #383 / 384)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. John Redwine, Mrs. Joey Redwine, Redwine (their
baby; all in flashback; only appearance for all), Gloria (in flashback;
dies in this story)
Villains: Joey Redwine (first appearance; dies in this story), a pusher
(in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman catches up to junkie and criminal Joey Redwine on
the latter’s last night alive.
Batman No. 384
June 1985
Cover: Calendar Man vs. Batman and Robin II //Rick Hoberg
Story: “Broken Dates” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Rick Hoberg
Inker: Rudy Nebres
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #550 / 551), Robin
II (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #551)
GA: Monitor, Lyla (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#315; both next appear in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #58)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #549), Commissioner Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #551), Julia Remarque, Bill Modell (as a voice;
last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #547)
Cameo appearances: Selina Kyle, Darkwolf (in flashback), Nocturna
Villains: The Calendar Man (last appearance in issue #312; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #551), Dr. Fang’s gang (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #539)
Comment: Story takes place from Mar. 13-26, 1985.
Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #551.
Synopsis: The Calendar Man is hired by Dr. Fang’s old gang to kill
the Batman, which he agrees to do, provided he bests the Batman on six
encounters. He also informs the Batman that he intends to murder
Robin.
Detective Comics No. 551
June 1985
Cover: Calendar Man vs. Batman and Robin //Pat Broderick (signed)
Story: “The First Day of Spring” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Doug Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #384 / 385)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Remarque, Vicki Vale
(between BATMAN #384/ 385), Mayor George P. Skowcroft (first appearance;
next appears in issue #553)
Villains: The Calendar Man, Dr. Fang’s gang (including Rico Gervais
and Broz; all between BATMAN #384 / 385)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #385.
Synopsis: Batman forbids Robin to participate in nabbing the Calendar
Man, but the Boy Wonder takes off on his own.
Batman No. 385
July 1985
Cover: Batman stalking in rain //Paris Cullens / Bob Smith (signed)
Story: “Day of Doom” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Pencillers: Rick Hoberg, Chuck Patton
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #551;
next appears in BATMAN ANNUAL #9), Robin II (between DETECTIVE COMICS #551
/ 552)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #551; next appears in BATMAN ANNUAL #9), Commissioner Gordon (next
appears in BATMAN ANNUAL #9), Harvey Bullock, Vicki Vale (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #551; next appears in issue #387), Bill Modell (next
appears in issue #387)
Villains: The Calendar Man (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #551;
next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10), Dr. Fang’s gang (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #551; last appearance)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #551.
Synopsis: Batman, wounded by one of Dr. Fang’s gang, must face the
final deathtrap of the Calendar Man.
Batman Annual No. 9
1985
Cover: Batman (five vignettes) //Steve Bissette (painting)
Story: “Childhood’s End” (11 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Jerry Ordway
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #385; also appears
in flashback to his origin)
Supporting Characters: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne (in flashback)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Brinks (both die in this story), Donald Brinks,
Mr. Winterhaven, Mary Johnson, Father McIntyre (only appearance for all)
Villains: Jim, Carl (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Batman helps find the crook who caused a married couple’s
deaths so that their son will not be inspired to vengeance.
Story: “Innocent Blood” (10 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Alex Nino
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#385)
Intro: Jane, Bob, Fred, Rawlins, Clarisse (only appearance for
all), Lena Carlisle (dies in this story)
Villains: Black Heart Army impersonators, the General, the Black Heart
Army (including Jenna; first appearance for all; all die in this
story)
Synopsis: When a bank teller dies during a robbery conducted by phony
terrorists, the Batman goes out for vengeance.
Story: “Death By Double Fault” (10 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon (last
appearance in BATMAN #385)
Intro: Philip Vernon, Jr. (dies in this story), Philip Vernon, Sr.,
Jane Clareborn (only appearance for both)
Villain: Larry O. Vernon (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman solves the murder of a crippled former tennis pro.
Story: “Perspective” (10 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Paul Smith
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#22)
Supporting Character: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #552)
Intro: Ralphie, Dr. Matterly (only appearance for both)
Villain: Briggs (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Outsiders learn
the origin of Halo and fight the Aurikles in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #22-23.
Synopsis: Batman saves children from a burning building and captures
the arsonist.
Detective Comics No. 552
July 1985
Cover: Batman vs. crooks in graveyard //Pat Broderick (signed)
Story: “A Stump Grows In Gotham” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#23; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #316), Robin II (last appearance
in BATMAN #385)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
ANNUAL #9), Julia Remarque
Villains: Cutter, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman teams with Superman to fight
Cheapjack in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #316-317, then helps Superman and Sonik
fight Mr. Penumbra in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #318.
Synopsis: Batman fakes his death at an assassin’s hands to bring the
killer’s employers out of hiding.
Batman No. 386
August 1985
Cover: Masks of Batman and Black Mask among other masks //Tom Mandrake
(signed)
Story: “Black Mask: Losing Face” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#318; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #553; also appears in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne (both in flashback),
Commissioner Gordon (also in flashback), Harvey Bullock, Lucius Fox (all
next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #553)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sionis (in flashback; both die in this
story), Circe
Villains: Black Mask (Roman Sionis), the False Face Society of Gotham
(including Thespis and Tupeng; first appearance for all; all next appear
in DETECTIVE COMICS #553)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #553.
Synopsis: Roman Sionis, a cosmetics king, loses control of his company
and becomes the criminal Black Mask to take revenge.
Detective Comics No. 553
August 1985
Cover: Black Mask watching Batman grapple with mask //Klaus Janson
(signed)
Story: “The False Face Society of Gotham” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Klaus Janson
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between BATMAN #386 / 387), Robin II (next
appears in BATMAN #387)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (last appearance
for all in BATMAN #386), Lucius Fox (last appearance for in BATMAN #386;
next appears in issue #559), George Skowcroft (last appearance in issue
#551), Julia Pennyworth (formerly Julia Remarque)
Other Character: Circe (last appearance in BATMAN #386)
Villains: Black Mask, False Face Society of Gotham (between BATMAN
#386 / 387)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #387.
Synopsis: Black Mask takes revenge on his former mistress Circe, as
Batman and Robin get on his trail.
Batman No. 387
September 1985
Cover: Batman unmasking Black Mask //Tom Mandrake (signed)
Story: “Ebon Masquery” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#553 / 554)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (between issues
#385 / 387), Bill Modell (last appearance in issue #385; last appearance),
Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock
Intro: Stevens, Marconi (only appearance for both)
Other Character: Circe (between DETECTIVE COMICS #553 / 563)
Villains: Black Mask (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #553; next
appears in issue #400), False Face Society of Gotham (last appearance in
DETECTIVE COMICS #553)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #554.
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne lures the Black Mask to a masquerade ball for
a showdown.
Detective Comics No. 554
September 1985
Cover: Black Canary leaping thru hoop held by Batman and Green Arrow
//Klaus Janson (signed)
Story: “Port Passed” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Klaus Janson
Letterer: Todd Klein
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #387 / 388)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Harvey Bullock, Commissioner
Gordon
Villains: A gang of smugglers (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman, Robin, and Harvey Bullock take on a gang of smugglers
in Gotham Harbor.
Batman No. 388
October 1985
Cover: Boomerang shattering mirror with reflections of Mirror Master
and Captain Boomerang //Tom Mandrake (signed)
Story: “The Round-Trip Looking Glass” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#554 / 555)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Julia Pennyworth, Harvey
Bullock, Commissioner Gordon
Cameo appearance: W. W. Wiggins, Flash (in flashback)
Villains: Mirror Master, Captain Boomerang (last appearance for both
in FLASH #350; both next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #555), False Face
Society of Gotham
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #555.
Synopsis: Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master both hit Gotham at the
same time, end up competing with each other, and both run afoul of the
Batman.
Detective Comics No. 555
October 1985
Cover: Batman, Captain Boomerang, and Mirror Mater //Dick Giordano?
Story: “Returning Reflections” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #388; next appears
in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11), Robin II (last appearance in BATMAN #388; next
appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Alfred
Pennyworth (next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #26)
Villains: Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master (last appearance for both
in BATMAN #388; both next appear in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5)
Comments: Story continues from BATMAN #388.
Shortly after this story, Batman and Robin team with Superman
and Wonder Woman to fight Mongul in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11, then Batman teams
with Superman to fight Chronos and the Power Broker in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#319-321, then helps the Outsiders fight Kobra in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#24-27, Maxwell Tremaine and the Masters of Disaster in BATMAN AND
THE OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #2, and (with Superman) the Outsider (Alfred Pennyworth)
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #83, then rejoins Superman to capture Lou Marino
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #322.
Synopsis: Harvey Bullock becomes bait in Batman’s trap for Captain
Boomerang and Mirror Master.
Batman No. 389
November 1985
Cover: Batman and Night-Slayer on rooftops; vignettes of Catwoman and
Nocturna //Tom Mandrake (signed)
Story: “Red Skies” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#322; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #556), Robin II (last appearance
in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #556)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in issue #382; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #556)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale (last appearance in issue #387),
Julia Pennyworth, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Amanda Groscz (last
appearance in issue #383; next appears in BATMAN ANNUAL #10)
Intro: Julian Marsh, Jillian Marsh (both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS
#558)
Cameo appearances: Joseph Todd, Trina Todd
Villains: Nocturna, Night-Slayer (last appearance for both in issue
#381; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #556), False Face Society (some
of whom die in this story; next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #556)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #556.
Synopsis: With the Crisis on Infinite Earths turning the skies red,
Batman re-encounters Catwoman and Nocturna, and the Night-Slayer goes on
a killing rampage against the False Face Society.
Detective Comics No. 556
May 1985
Cover: Batman kissing Nocturna //Gene Colan / Bob Smith
Story: “The Bleeding Night” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #389 / 390)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #389 / 390)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock (between BATMAN #389 / 390),
Commissioner Gordon
Villains: Nocturna, Night-Slayer, False Face Society (some of whom
die in this story; all between BATMAN #389 / 390)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #390.
Synopsis: Batman has an encounter with Night-Slayer and finds romance
with Nocturna while the skies turn red during the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Batman No. 390
Cover: Batman holding unconscious Catwoman //Tom Mandrake
Story: “Women Dark and Dangerous” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#556 / 557)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #556 / 557)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale (next appears in issue #396), Harvey
Bullock, Jim Traynor (first appearance), Julia Pennyworth (next appears
in issue #394), Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS
#5)
Villains: Nocturna, Night-Slayer, False Face Society (some of whom
die in this story; all between DETECTIVE COMICS #556 / 557)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #557.
Synopsis: Searching for Night-Slayer, Catwoman comes across Batman,
Nocturna, and Robin, fights them all, and is accidentally struck by lightning.
Detective Comics No. 557
December 1985
Cover: Robin, Night-Slayer, and False Face Society member //Gene Colan
/ Bob Smith
Story: “Still Beating” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #390 / 391)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #390 / 391)
GA: J’onn J’onzz, Zatanna, Elongated Man
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock
Villains: Nocturna, Night-Slayer (both between BATMAN #390 / 391),
False Face Society (all of whom die in this story; last appearance in BATMAN
#390)
Synopsis: While Batman convinces himself and the ailing Catwoman that
he is in love with her, Night-Slayer kills the rest of the False Face Society.
Batman No. 391
January 1988
Cover: Death, Night-Slayer, Robin, Nocturna, Catwoman, Batman //Tom
Mandrake (signed)
Story: “Death Comes As the End” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#557 / 558)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #557 / 558)
Villains: Nocturna (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #557; last
appearance), Night-Slayer (between DETECTIVE COMICS #557 / 558)
Comment: Story title taken from cover.
Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #558.
Synopsis: The Night-Slayer has a final encounter with Batman, Robin,
Catwoman, and Nocturna, the last of whom he has marked for death.
Detective Comics No. 558
January 1986
Cover: Batman and Robin trying to save Julian Marsh atop skyscraper
//Gene Colan / Bob Smith
Story: “Strange Lives” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #391; next appears
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #2), Robin II (last appearance in BATMAN #391;
next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in BATMAN #391; next appears in CRISIS
ON INFINITE EARTHS #5)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (next appears
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #11), George Skowcroft (next appears in SWAMP
THING (second series) #53), Jillian Marsh (between BATMAN #389 / 396)
Other Characters: Julian Marsh (last appearance in BATMAN #389; dies
in this story),
Villain: Night-Slayer (between BATMAN #391 / 400)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman helps the heroes of five
Earths fight the Anti-Monitor in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #2-4, NEW TEEN
TITANS (second series) #13, SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #44, and CRISIS ON
INFINITE EARTHS #5-8, with Robin joining him for issue #5. Then Batman
helps the Justice League fight the Red Tornado in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
ANNUAL #3, while Robin helps Kid Devil fight Red-Eye in BLUE DEVIL #19.
Finally, Batman and Robin rejoin the heroes of the five Earths to finish
the battle with the Anti-Monitor in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9-12, then
helps Superman fight Nightwolf in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #323.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin attempt to stop Julian Marsh from committing
suicide when he learns Nocturna is gone.
Batman No. 392
February 1986
Cover: Three hoods crashing through window under Batman’s shadow //Tom
Mandrake (signed)
Story: “A Town On the Night” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Tom Mandrake
Inker: Jan Duursema
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#323; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #559)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5; next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #559)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (last appearance
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #11)
Intro: Tony (only appearance)
Villains: Franco, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Batman and Catwoman spend a night on the town together, which
inevitably leads to crime-fighting.
Detective Comics No. 559
February 1986
Cover: Batman, Catwoman, Black Canary, and Green Arrow //Brian Bolland
(signed)
Story: “It Takes Two Wings To Fly” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #392; next appears
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #28), Green Arrow
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in BATMAN #392), Black Canary
Intro: Mr. Sample (flashback; dies in this story), Curtis Sample (only
appearance)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (between BATMAN #392 / 393),
Lucius Fox (last appearance in issue #553; next appears in BATMAN #397),
Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #323)
Villains: Mr. Kemson, The Kemson Corporation, a hired assassin (first
and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Batman helps the Outsiders initiate
Looker and ? in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #28-31.
Synopsis: Batman and Catwoman team with Green Arrow and Black Canary
to bring down a crooked corporation which has caused the savage beating
of a man out to expose their dangerous practices.
Detective Comics No. 560
March 1986
Cover: Unmasked Batman within “spiderweb” in Batcave //Gene Colan /
Bob Smith
Story: “The Batman Nobody Knows” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#31; next appears in BATMAN #393; origin retold), Robin II (last appearance
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #12; next appears in BATMAN #394)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #392 / 395)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Harvey Bullock (next appears
in BATMAN #394)
Cameo appearances: Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Joe Chill (all in flashback)
Villains: The Savage Skulls (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Batman allows Robin to undertake a case with Catwoman, in
the hopes that both will bond together.
Batman No. 393
March 1986
Cover: Batman menaced by flying knives //Paul Gulacy (signed)
Story: “The Dark Rider” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Paul Gulacy
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #560)
Supporting Character: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #559)
Intro: Voorloper, a CIA agent (both die in this story), Katia
Villain: The Dark Rider (first appearance) and his agents (one of whom
dies in this story; first appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Batman becomes involved in CIA / KGB affairs to help
a Russian agent trap the Dark Rider, a terrorist who plans a plutonium
deathtrap for America.
Batman No. 394
April 1986
Cover: Batman and Robin vs. Dark Rider on horseback //Paul Gulacy (signed)
Story: “At the Heart of Stone” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Paul Gulacy
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#32), Robin II (between DETECTIVE COMICS #560 / 561)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #560), Alfred Pennyworth (between DETECTIVE COMICS
#560 / 563), Julia Pennyworth (last appearance in issue #390)
Other Character: Katia (last appearance)
Villains: Dark Rider (dies shortly after this story) and his agents
(last appearance)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Batman helps the Outsiders and then
quits the group in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #32.
Synopsis: Batman, Robin, and Katia team up to attempt to stop the Dark
Rider from polluting the Gotham Reservoir with plutonium with which he
has coated his entire body.
Detective Comics No. 561
April 1986
Cover: Batman and Robin in front of Bat-Signal //Alan Davis?
Story: “Flying Hi” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inkers: Bob Smith, Jose Villagran
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#33; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #250), Robin II (between
BATMAN #394 / 395)
Supporting Character: Rena (first appearance; next appears in
issue #563)
Villains: Shane Rivers and his two friends, the Candyman (first appearance
for all; all next appear in issue #563)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman rejoins the Justice League
to help them fight Adam in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #250.
Synopsis: Jason Todd becomes attracted to a girl in school who is considering
doing drugs.
Batman No. 395
May 1986
Cover: Film Freak’s hand holding gun to Batman’s head //Tom Mandrake
(signed)
Story: “Fury of the Film Freak” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterers: John Costanza, John Workman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#250; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #562), Robin II (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #561 / 562)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #560 / 562)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon, Alfred
Pennyworth, Julia Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (last appearance in issue #390;
next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #562), Jillian Marsh (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #558; next appears in issue #397)
Intro: Jenny I, Jenny II, Frank (only appearance for all), India Blue,
Al Jacobs (both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #562)
Cameo appearance: Joseph and Trina Todd, Rita Hayworth
Villain: The Film Freak (Burt Weston; first appearance; next appears
in DETECTIVE COMICS #562)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #562.
Synopsis: Batman, Catwoman, Robin, and Harvey Bullock team up to track
down the Film Freak, a crook who patterns his crimes with motifs from famous
movies.
Detective Comics No. 562
June 1986
Cover: Batman and Catwoman dodging Film Freak’s machine-gun bullets
//Gene Colan / Bob Smith
Story: “Reeling” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #395 / 396)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #395 / 396)
Supporting Characters: Vicki Vale (last appearance in BATMAN #395;
next appears in BATMAN ANNUAL #10), Julia Pennyworth, Harvey Bullock, Commissioner
Gordon (all between BATMAN #395 / 396)
Intro: Paul Vasseria (next appears in BATMAN #396)
Other Characters: Al Jacobs (between BATMAN #395 / 396), India Blue
(last appearance in BATMAN #395; last appearance)
Villain: The Film Freak (between BATMAN #395 / 396)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #396.
Synopsis: Batman, Catwoman, Robin, and Harvey Bullock continue their
pursuit of the Film Freak, who is out to destroy the people who failed
to advance his film career.
Batman No. 396
June 1986
Cover: Batman vs. Film Freak (multiple vignettes) //Tom Mandrake (signed)
Story: “Box-Office Smash” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #562;
next appears in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER #1), Robin II (between DETECTIVE
COMICS #562 / 563)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #562 / 563)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock, Commissioner Gordon, Julia Pennyworth
(last appearance for all in DETECTIVE COMICS #562)
Other Characters: Al Jacobs (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #562;
dies in this story), Paul Vasseria (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS
#562; last appearance)
Villain: The Film Freak (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #562;
last appearance)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #562.
Shortly after this story, Batman and Superman fight Lex Luthor
and the Master in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER #1.
Synopsis: The Batman and his allies try to puzzle out the Film Freak’s
next move before he can cause a disaster.
Detective Comics No. 563
June 1986
Cover: Two-Face’s hands defacing Batman busts with mallet and chisel
//Gene colan / Bob Smith
Story: “Free Faces” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER
#1), Robin II (between BATMAN #396 / 397)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #396 / 397)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#394), Rena (last appearance in issue #561)
Other Character: Circe (between BATMAN #387 / 397)
Cameo appearance: Boss Moroni (in flashback)
Villains: Two-Face (origin retold in this story; last appearance in
issue #526; next appears in BATMAN #397) and his gang (first appearance;
next appear in BATMAN #397), Shane Rivers and his two friends (last appearance
for all in issue #561; last appearance for all), the Candyman (last appearance
in issue #561; next appears in BATMAN #397)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #397.
Synopsis: Two-Face breaks jail with the help of a mesmerized lawyer,
and Robin learns of his escape.
Batman No. 397
July 1986
Cover: Two-Face flipping coin with Batman’s likeness //Tom Mandrake
(signed)
Story: “Binary Brains” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#563 / 564)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #563 / 564)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Jillian
Marsh (last appearance in issue #395), Lucius Fox (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #559)
Other Character: Circe (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #563)
Intro: A computer inventor (only appearance)
Villains: Two-Face and his gang (including Freddie; all between DETECTIVE
COMICS #563 / 564), the Candyman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #563;
last appearance), Rico (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in DETECTIVE COMICS #564.
Synopsis: Two-Face steals a bicameral computer system while Batman
and Robin get on his trail, and Catwoman learns the whereabouts of Circe.
Detective Comics No. 564
July 1986
Cover: Batman falling into brewery as Two-Face fires towards him //Gene
Colan / Bob Smith
Story: “Double Crosses” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between BATMAN #397 / 398)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #397 / 398)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox, Commissioner
Gordon, Rena
Other Character: Circe (between BATMAN #397 / 398)
Villains: Two-Face and his gang (including Grimes; all between BATMAN
#397 / 398)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #398.
Synopsis: Circe pretends to use Two-Face to gain revenge on Black Mask,
but is trying to set him up for a Batman-engineered operation to reactivate
his good side.
Batman No. 398
August 1986
Cover: Batman, Two-Face, and Catwoman //Tom Mandrake (signed)
Story: “About Faces” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (both between DETECTIVE COMICS
#564 / 565)
GS: Catwoman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #564 / 565)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Rena
Other Character: Circe (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #564; last
appearance)
Villains: Two-Face (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #564; next
appears in SWAMP THING (second series) #52) and his gang (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #564; last appearance)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #564.
Synopsis: Two-Face walks into Batman’s trap, but springs it himself
upon Circe.
Detective Comics No. 565
August 1986
Cover: Roy Spivey menacing Batman with axe //Gene Colan / Bob Smith
Story: “The Love Killing” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Jason Todd (does not appear as Robin II
in this story; both between BATMAN #398 / 399)
GS: Catwoman (between BATMAN #398 / 399)
Supporting Characters: Harvey Bullock, Rena
Intro: Mona Lamont (dies in this story), Nancy Campbell, Jim Zwaitek,
George Michaels (all three next appear in BATMAN #299)
Villains: Roy Spivey (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN #399),
Tony (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #299.
Synopsis: Batman and Catwoman seek a way to prove the guilt of a suspected
axe murderer.
Batman No. 399
September 1986
Cover: Bat-Signal in sky, axe, and shrunken head of Mona Lamont //Tom
Mandrake (signed)
Story: “Strike Two” (23 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman, Robin II (last appearance for both in DETECTIVE
COMICS #565; both next appear in BATMAN ANNUAL #10)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #565)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Lucius
Fox (all next appear in BATMAN ANNUAL #10), Rena (last appearance)
Other Characters: Jim Zwaitek, George Michaels, Nancy Campbell (last
appearance for all in DETECTIVE COMICS #565; last appearance for all)
Intro: Myron (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Mona Lamont (in flashback)
Villain: Roy Spivey (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #565; last
appearance)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #565.
Synopsis: Batman and Catwoman continue to try to get the goods on Roy
Spivey, who has shrunken the head of his decapitated victim.
Batman Annual No. 10
1988
Cover: Batman and Hugo Strange //Denys Cowan / Alfredo Alcala
Story: “Down To the Bone” (38 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Denys Cowan
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #399; next appears
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #251), Robin II (last appearance in BATMAN
#399; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #566)
Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in BATMAN
#399; next appears in SWAMP THING (second series) #52), Lucius Fox (last
appearance in BATMAN #399), Alfred Pennyworth, Harvey Bullock (last appearance
in BATMAN #399; next appears in SWAMP THING #51), Vicki Vale (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #562; next appears in BATMAN #400), Julia Pennyworth
(next appears in BATMAN #400), Amanda Groscz (last appearance in BATMAN
#389; last appearance)
Intro: Warren Carstairs, Eric Hammond, Franklin Hersh (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Hugo Strange (last appearance in BATMAN #356; last appearance),
mandroids (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Batman helps the Justice League battle
Despero in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #251-254, then encounters Swamp Thing
in SWAMP THING (second series) #52-54, during which time Wayne Manor is
probably rebuilt.
Synopsis: Dr. Hugo Strange terrorizes three major Wayne Foundation
stockholders into selling him their stock, and takes control of Wayne Enterprises
and Wayne Manor, evicting Batman and Robin.
Detective Comics No. 566
September 1986
Cover: Batman amidst portraits of Joker, Penguin, Killer Moth, Poison
Ivy, Ra’s Al Ghul, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Two-Face //Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Know Your Foes” (16 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (last appearance in SWAMP THING (second
series) #54; next appears in BATMAN #400), Robin II (last appearance in
BATMAN ANNUAL #10; next appears in BATMAN #400)
Cameo appearances: Joker, Penguin, Killer Moth, Black Mask, Circe,
False Face Society, Two-Face, Mad Hatter, Deadshot, Ra’s Al Ghul, Talia,
Nocturna, Night-Slayer, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Croc, Cat-Man, Black Spider,
Crazy-Quilt, Mr. Freeze, Clayface III, Cavalier, Tweedledum, Tweedledee
Comment: Story continues in BATMAN #400.
Synopsis: After receiving a note instructing them to “Know your foes”,
Batman and Robin review their rogues’ gallery.
Batman No. 400
October 1986
Cover: Batman, Robin, bat, Joker, Catwoman, Ra’s Al Ghul, Talia //Bill
Sienkiewicz (painting)
Story: “Resurrection Night” (1 page)
Chapter 1: “Trading Darkness” (6 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Master Below” (4 pages)
Chapter 3: “First Steps” (3 pages)
Chapter 4: “The Tempting” (7 pages)
Chapter 5: “Pinocchio and Jonah’s, Too” (8 pages)
Chapter 6: “Barred” (6 pages)
Chapter 7: “A Small Itch Scratched” (3 pages)
Chapter 8: “The Big Sticking” (4 pages)
Chapter 9: “Branches Like Bones” (3 pages)
Chapter 10: “The Dark Trade” (6 pages)
Chapter 11: “Under the Wind” (7 pages)
Epilogue: “Fated Fete” (2 pages)
Edtior: Len Wein
Writer: Doug Moench
Pencillers: Steve Lightle (pgs. 1-7), George Perez (pgs. 8-11), Paris
Cullens (pgs. 12-14), Bill Sienkiewicz (pgs. 15-21), Arthur Adams (pgs.
22-29), Tom Sutton (pgs. 30-35), Steve Leialoha (pgs. 36-38), Joe
Kubert (pgs. 39-42), Ken Steacy (pgs. 43-45), Rick Leonardi (pgs. 46-51),
Brian Bolland (pgs. 52-60)
Inkers: Bruce D. Patterson (pgs. 1-7), George Perez (pgs. 8-11), Larry
Mahlstedt (pgs. 12-14), Bill Sienkiewicz (pgs. 15-21), Terry Austin (pgs.
22-29), Ricardo Villagran (pgs. 30-35), Steve Leialoha (pgs. 36-38), Joe
Kubert (pgs. 39-42), Ken Steacy (pgs. 43-45), Karl Kesel (pgs. 46-51),
Brian Bolland (pgs. 52-60)
Letterers: John Costanza (pgs. 1-35, 43-60), Tom Orzechowski (pgs.
36-38), Andy Kubert (pgs. 39-42)
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #566 / 567), Robin
II (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #566; last appearance)
GS: Catwoman (last appearance)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #567), Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock (last appearance for
both in SWAMP THING (second series) #54; last appearance for both), Julia
Pennyworth, Vicki Vale (last appearance for both in BATMAN ANNUAL #10;
last appearance for both), Talia (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #526;
last appearance)
Cameo appearance: Mirror-Man
Villains: The Joker, Two-Face, Clayface III (last appearance
for all in SWAMP THING (second series) #52; last appearance for all), Black
Mask (last appearance in issue #387; last appearance), Mad Hatter (last
appearance in issue #379; last appearance), Croc, the Cavalier, Captain
Stingaree, Tweedledum, Tweedledee (last appearance for all in DETECTIVE
COMICS #526; last appearance for all), the Riddler, the Penguin, Poison
Ivy, Cat-Man, Black Spider, Killer Moth, Cluemaster, Dr. Phosphorus,
the Scarecrow (last appearance for all in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9;
last appearance for all), Calendar Man, Deadshot, Dr. X, Dr. Double X
(last appearance for all in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10; last appearance
for all), Crazy-Quilt (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #535), Dagger
(last appearance in issue #343; last appearance), Mr. Freeze (last appearance
in issue #375; last appearance), Signalman (last appearance in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #197; last appearance), Mirage (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #511; last appearance), Night-Slayer (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #558; last appearance), Ra’s Al Ghul (last appearance
in BATMAN ANNUAL #8; last appearance; possibly dies in this story), Stick
Chuvalo and his gang (first and only appearance for all), the League of
Assassins (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #490; last appearance)
Comment: Story continues from DETECTIVE COMICS #566.
Synopsis: Ra’s Al Ghul frees all the Batman’s old foes from Arkham
Asylum and Gotham Prison, then has them kidnap the Caped Crusader’s friends
and allies in order to try to maneuver him into an alliance.
Detective Comics No. 567
October 1986
Cover: Batman on Gotham skyline //Klaus Janson (signed)
Story: “The Night of Thanks, But No Thanks” (15 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Harlan Ellison
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #400; last appearance)
Supporting Characters: Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in BATMAN
#400; last appearance)
Intro: Schwartz, Rick, Charlene, Bernie and his wife (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The New Earth Batman probably first appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #255.
It is revealed in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #166 that Batman did
marry and sire a line of future Batmen, sometime after this story.
Synopsis: Batman attempts to go into action on a night when he really
should have stayed in bed.