Batman: The Golden Age #1

([October] 2016)

[Title Page] (Table of Contents: 1)

Batman / credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Michael Cho

Inks

Michael Cho

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]

Indexer Notes

Title page with illustration from cover.

[Creator Credits] (Table of Contents: 2)

credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Indexer Notes

Includes the notation: Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

[2nd title Page] (Table of Contents: 3)

Batman / credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Michael Cho

Inks

Michael Cho

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]

Indexer Notes

Title page with illustration from cover. Identical to previous Title page.

[Indicia and Publisher information] (Table of Contents: 4)

credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Indexer Notes

Indicia listing publisher credits

[Table of Contents] (Table of Contents: 5)

table of contents / 2 pages (report information)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

[Detective Comics #27] (Table of Contents: 6)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #27 (May 1939)

Keywords

bat rope; revolvers

The Case of the Chemical Syndicate (Table of Contents: 7)

The Bat-Man / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed as Rob't Kane)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed as Rob't Kane)

Colors

?

Letters

Bob Kane

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne] (introduction); Commissioner James Gordon (introduction); Mr. Lambert (introduction, death); Lambert (introduction, Mr. Lambert's son); un-named Police Sergeant (introduction); Steven Crane (introduction, death); Crane's butler (introduction); Paul Rogers (introduction); Alfred Stryker (villain, introduction, death); Jennings (villain, introduction, Stryker's assistant)

Synopsis

In his first case, the Bat-Man investigates the murder of a chemical tycoon, discovering that one of his partners murdered him to steal the secret contracts that would leave him as the sole owner of the Apex Chemical Corporation.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #27 (May 1939)

Keywords

Apex Chemical Corporation

Indexer Notes

Named "Bat-Man" in the story.

This is an exact reprint of the story as originally published, rather than the redrawn and censored version which appears in some prior reprint editions. The murder victim on page 2, panel 2 does have the knife jutting from his back.

[Detective Comics #28] (Table of Contents: 8)

cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Fred Guardineer (signed)

Inks

Fred Guardineer (signed)

Colors

?

Genre

crime

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #28 (June 1939)

Keywords

bank robberies; Grand National Bank; policemen; revolvers

[Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang] (Table of Contents: 9)

The Bat-Man / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed as Rob't Kane)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed as Rob't Kane)

Colors

?

Letters

Bob Kane

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Gimpy (Police stool pigeon); Kelly (Policeman); Frenchy Blake (villain); Blake's gang [Slick; others un-named] (villains); jewel thieves (villains)

Synopsis

Using information obtained from a Police stool pigeon, the Bat-Man sets aim on one Frenchy Blake, leader of a notorious jewel theft ring.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #28 (June 1939)

Keywords

silken rope; The Tribune

[Detective Comics #29] (Table of Contents: 10)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Dr. Death

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #29 (July 1939)

Keywords

knives; mad scientists; retorts; skeletons; test tubes; turbans

The Batman Meets Doctor Death (Table of Contents: 11)

The Bat-Man / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Gardner Fox

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Bob Kane

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; John P. van Smith; Doctor Death (villain, introduction); Jabah (villain, Death's assistant, introduction, death); Dr. Death's gang (villains, introduction for all)

Synopsis

Dr. Death plans to use his new invention of a poisonous pollen extract on any wealthy person who refuses to pay him tribute.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #29 (July 1939)

Keywords

gas capsules; suction gloves and knee pads; Utility belt

[Detective Comics #30] (Table of Contents: 12)

cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Fred Guardineer (signed as Guardineer)

Inks

Fred Guardineer (signed as Guardineer)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

crime

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #30 (August 1939)

Keywords

gas welding; knives

[The Return of Doctor Death] (Table of Contents: 13)

The Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Gardner Fox

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Mrs. Jones; Mrs. Jone's maid; Doctor Death [as Ivan Herd] (villain); Mikhail (villain, Dr. Death's assistant, death)

Synopsis

Thought dead in a fire in his home, Dr. Death has survived but is in need of funds to re-establish himself, so he sets his sights on diamonds owned by a Mrs. Jones.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #30 (August 1939)

Keywords

gas capsules; utility belt

Indexer Notes

The original script for this story has survived, confirming Fox's authorship. The original title of the story was "The Batman and the Diamonds of Death".

[Detective Comics #31] (Table of Contents: 14)

Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Julie Madison; The Monk

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #31 (September 1939)

Keywords

bats; castles

[Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 1] (Table of Contents: 15)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Gardner Fox

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Julie Madison (Bruce's fiancée, introduction); Dr. Trent; the Monk (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

When Batman discovers Julie in a trance, he is advised by a doctor to take her to Hungary, where he faces a living vampire, who wishes to kill the Caped Crusader and feed Julie to his werewolves.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #31 (September 1939)

Keywords

Baterang; Batgyro; Hungary; Lunar Lines

Indexer Notes

Batman uses two new weapons in this story: the Batgyro and the Baterang.

This is the first appearance of Julie Madison, introduced as Bruce's fiancée. She would show up in a few additional issues until she breaks off her engagement to Bruce in Detective Comics #49.

[Detective Comics #32] (Table of Contents: 16)

cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Fred Guardineer (signed as Guardineer)

Inks

Fred Guardineer (signed as Guardineer)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

crime

Characters

The Batman [Bruce Wayne] (inset)

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #32 (October 1939)

Keywords

policemen; Thompson submachine gun

[Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 2] (Table of Contents: 17)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Gardner Fox

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Julie Madison; the Monk (villain, death); Dala (villain, vampire, introduction, death)

Synopsis

Reaching Hungary with Julie, the Batman runs into another vampire, who wants to make a deal with him: if she shows him the Monk's hideout, will he kill him?

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #32 (October 1939)

Keywords

baterang; Batgyro; gas capsule; Hungary; utility belt; vampires; werewolves

Indexer Notes

Batman shoots and kills all the vampires in the Monk's hideout.

[Detective Comics #33] (Table of Contents: 18)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #33 (November 1939)

Keywords

automobiles

Indexer Notes

Batman is wearing a gun.

The Batman Wars against the Dirigible of Doom (Table of Contents: 19)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger (pp. 1-2); Gardner Fox (pp. 3-12)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin); Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father, death); Martha Wayne (Bruce's mother, death); Joe Chill (villain, un-named); Professor/Dr. Carl Kruger (villain, death); The Scarlet Horde (villains, all scientists, all die); Mr. Bixley (villain, death); Napoleon Bonaparte (villain, image only)

Synopsis

After an account of how the Batman came into being as a crime fighter, Batman becomes alarmed at the sudden appearance of deadly dirigibles whose occupants wish to rule the world.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #33 (November 1939)

Keywords

Baterang; Batplane; Death-Ray machine; gas capsule; Manhattan; silk rope; smoke capsule

Indexer Notes

Contains a 2 page origin sequence, the 'original' origin.

The Batman carries and uses a gun in this story.

[Detective Comics #34] (Table of Contents: 20)

The Crimson Avenger / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Creig Flessel (signed as Flessel)

Inks

Creig Flessel (signed as Flessel)

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Crimson Avenger [Lee Travis]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #34 (December 1939)

Keywords

life preservers; ocean liners

[Peril in Paris] (Table of Contents: 21)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Gardner Fox

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Charles Maire (Karel's brother); Karel Maire; Duc D'orterre (villain, master of the Apaches, introduction, death); some Apaches (villains)

Synopsis

After Bruce Wayne runs into a man with no face, he learns, as Batman, of a sinister man responsible for it who wants the man's money and his sister.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #34 (December 1939)

Keywords

Batplane; silk rope

Indexer Notes

This story directly follows the story line from "Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 2".

[Detective Comics #35] (Table of Contents: 22)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Bob Kane

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Duc D'orterre

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #35 (January 1940)

Keywords

bondage; hypodermic syringes; mad scientists

Indexer Notes

Since the Duc D'orterre appears on this cover, it is believed this cover was supposed to go with #34's story (note by Craig Delich).

[The Case of the Ruby Idol] (Table of Contents: 23)

The Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Weldon (curio collector); Joe; Mike; Wong; Sin Fang [Sheldon Lenox] (villain, explorer, introduction, death); followers of Kila (villains)

Synopsis

The existence of a large ruby in the shape of a hideous figure leads to the death of one man and threatens the life of another, so the Batman enters the fray to battle a weird Hindu cult over it.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #35 (January 1940)

Keywords

gas pellet; Kila (God of Destruction)

Indexer Notes

Batman is shown with a gun on the splash page.

[Detective Comics #36] (Table of Contents: 24)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #36 (February 1940)

Keywords

stereotyping of Chinese; swords

[Professor Hugo Strange] (Table of Contents: 25)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; John Davis (G-Man, death); Henry Jenkins (electrical engineer); Clancy (Policeman); Professor Hugo Strange (villain, introduction); Strange's gang (villains)

Synopsis

After he witnesses the death of a G-Man and has obtained a clue as to the identity of the perpetrator, the Batman has to battle a deadly fog created by Hugo Strange that he uses to commit crimes.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #36 (February 1940)

Keywords

Daily Globe; gas pellet; Sterling Silver Company; Wolf Brothers Fur Company

Indexer Notes

Batman fires a gun in the story.

[Detective Comics #37] (Table of Contents: 26)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson ?

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #37 (March 1940)

Keywords

knives

[The Spies] (Table of Contents: 27)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joey (death); Al (villain, grocery store owner); Elias Turg [aka "The Head"] [also as Count Grutt] (villain, death); Carl (villain)

Synopsis

When passing by an old house, the Batman hears screams and rushes in to save a man whom he soon discovers is a crook that has been double crossing his boss. The crook was being tortured by the boss's thugs whom the boss has killed to eliminate witnesses. Later, the Caped Crusader learns from the dying Joey that his boss is a big time smuggler, and he takes immediate steps to capture him.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #37 (March 1940)

Keywords

infra-red goggles

Indexer Notes

In the table of contents for this collection, this story is titled "The Spies". It has been indexed elsewhere with the title "The Screaming House". In Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Volume 1, the story has the same title as this collection.

The last, illustrated panel, displays a promo for Batman's next adventure against huge, terrifying, man-monsters.....a story which appeared in Batman #1 when Robin was introduced in the next issue of Detective.

[Detective Comics #38] (Table of Contents: 28)

Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #38 (April 1940)

[Introducing Robin, the Boy Wonder] (Table of Contents: 29)

The Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson] (introduction, origin); John Grayson (introduction, Dick's father, death); Mary Grayson (introduction, Dick's mother, death); Mr. Haly (Haly Circus owner); Boss Zucco [Anthony Zucco] (villain, introduction); Blade (villain, death)

Synopsis

Dick Grayson watches his parents die and overhears the killers confess. He decides to tip off the police. But when the Batman intervenes to save the boy's life, Dick agrees to become the Batman's partner, Robin the Boy Wonder. Then, the duo head out to gather evidence needed to put the criminals behind bars.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #38 (April 1940)

Keywords

Haly Circus; slingshot

Indexer Notes

In the table of contents for this collection, this story is titled "Introducing Robin, the Boy Wonder". It has been indexed elsewhere with the title "Robin the Boy Wonder". In Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Volume 1, the story has the same title as this collection.

The splash page replicates the cover.

[Batman #1] (Table of Contents: 30)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson (logo design); typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 [Cover Number with Period] (Spring 1940)

Indexer Notes

The background inker credit was verified by Robinson. Logo design credit from Robinson via Todd Klein. According to Klein, Robinson was also probably responsible for the revisions to the logo over the next several issues.

The Legend of the Batman--Who He Is and How He Came to Be! (Table of Contents: 31)

The Batman / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin); Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father, death, flashback); Martha Wayne (Bruce's mother, death, flashback); Joe Chill (villain, un-named)

Synopsis

Bruce Wayne's parents are murdered by a cheap crook, and young Bruce vows to avenge their deaths by warring on all criminals.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)
which is reprinted
• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #33 (November 1939) [first two pages only], #34 (December 1939) [splash panel]

Indexer Notes

The background inker and letterer credits were verified by Moldoff.

[The Joker] (Table of Contents: 32)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (see notes)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Henry (radio listener); Henry Claridge (millionaire, death); Mrs. Claridge (Henry's wife); un-named Police Chief; Jay Wilde (death); Judge Drake (death); Otto Drexel (mention only); The Joker (villain, introduction); Brute Nelson (villain, death)

Synopsis

Batman faces a new criminal who succeeds in killing famous men and stealing their prized possessions, leaving them all with "a smile" on their face!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)

Keywords

Claridge Diamond; Cleopatra Necklace; Daily Star; infra-red lamp; Ronkers Ruby

Indexer Notes

Robinson verified with Gary Watson in July 2009 that he did some penciling (including the Joker's card on the splash page specifically), in addition to the background inks and lettering he already confirmed.

[Professor Hugo Strange and the Monsters] (Table of Contents: 33)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Professor Hugo Strange (villain); un-named monsters (villains, all die)

Synopsis

The Batman faces an arch criminal who has invented a serum to create a race of giant monsters, and nearly becomes one of them himself!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)

Keywords

The Batplane; utility belt

Indexer Notes

In the table of contents for this collection, this story is titled "Professor Hugo Strange and the Monsters". It has been indexed elsewhere with the title "The Giants of Hugo Strange". In Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Volume 1, the story has the same title as this collection.

This story was originally prepared for Detective Comics #38, but with the introduction of Robin in that issue, the story (sans Robin) was published here.

Oddity: Machine guns are mounted on the Batplane, which are used to kill.

[The Cat] (Table of Contents: 34)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; John Travers; Martha Travers; Dr. Wallace; un-named ship steward; un-named Captain (of "The Dolphin"); The Cat [Selina Kyle] [as Miss Peggs] (villain, introduction); Denny (villain)

Synopsis

Batman and Robin take a trip aboard an exclusive yacht in order to prevent the theft of the Travers necklace at the hands of the Cat!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)

Keywords

Traver's Necklace

Indexer Notes

The Cat was later renamed Cat-Woman or Catwoman in next issue.

The background inker and letterer credits were verified by Robinson.

The Joker Returns (Table of Contents: 35)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Chief of Police Chalmers (death); Edgar Martin (a political reformer, death); The Joker (villain)

Synopsis

The Joker escapes from prison to continue his rampage of death and to steal the famed Cleopatra necklace and Fire Ruby.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)

Keywords

Cleopatra Necklace; Fire Ruby

Indexer Notes

As recounted in various sources, the Joker was supposed to die of his stab wound at the end of the story, but the editors decided this villain was too good to kill off, so the last panels were re-drawn to show him surviving.

The last panel of the story, titled "Golden Rules for Robin's Regulars", introduces readers to "Robin's Code" of conduct. The code (ROBIN): Readiness, Obedience, Brotherhood, Industriousness, Nationalism.

The background inker and letterer credits were verified by Robinson.

[Batman and Robin pin-up] (Table of Contents: 36)

Batman and Robin / illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1 (Spring 1940)

Indexer Notes

Pin-up of Batman and Robin, originally found on the back cover of Batman #1.

[Detective Comics #39] (Table of Contents: 37)

The Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #39 (May 1940)

Keywords

automatic pistols; construction crane hook and ball; pipe wrenches

The Horde of the Green Dragon! (Table of Contents: 38)

The Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Julie Madison (cameo); Henry Crandall (millionaire); John Cobb (millionaire); Cobb's chauffeur (death); Wong (unofficial Mayor of Chinatown, death); The Green Dragon (villains)

Synopsis

The kidnapping of two millionaires and the murder (with a hatchet) of a chauffeur leads the Batman into Chinatown to battle the Green Dragon and their dealings in opium.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #39 (May 1940)

Keywords

Chinatown; Heralde; slingshot

Indexer Notes

Strip titled in this issue as "The Sensation Adventures of the Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder."

The last panel (illustrated) at the end of the story touts the next villain for the Batman: Clayface!

[Detective Comics #40] (Table of Contents: 39)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Clayface [Basil Karlo]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #40 (June 1940)

Keywords

flag poles; hatchets

[Beware of Clayface] (Table of Contents: 40)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Julie Madison; Kenneth Todd [as "The Terror"] (movie star); Mr. Bentley (movie director); Ned Norton (former movie actor); Lorna Dane (movie star, death); Fred Walker (Lorna's old sweetheart, death); Clayface [Basil Karlo] (villain, introduction); Roxy Brenner (villain)

Synopsis

Learning that Julie has become a movie actress, Bruce and Dick head over to the studio to meet with her. However, a series of events leads Bruce to believe something bad is going to happen, which it does, and the Batman must lend a hand to stop a killer known as Clayface.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #40 (June 1940)

Keywords

Argus Motion Picture Company

Indexer Notes

In the table of contents for this collection, this story is titled "Beware of Clayface". It has been indexed elsewhere as "The Murders of Clayface". In Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Volume 1, the story has the same title as this collection.

[Detective Comics #41] (Table of Contents: 41)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #41 (July 1940)

Keywords

knives

[A Master Murderer] (Table of Contents: 42)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Ted Spencer (student at a boy's school); Principal Blake (Principal of a boy's school, death); Mr. Greer (former school teacher); Mr. Hodges (History teacher); escaped maniac (villain); Mr. Graves [aka The Masked Man] (villain, Art teacher)

Synopsis

The kidnapping of a youngster from a fashionable school for boys and the murder of its superintendent leads the Batman to use Dick Grayson as a "new student" to get a lead in the case.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #41 (July 1940)

Keywords

belt radio; Blakes School For Boys; Gotham City; New York World

Indexer Notes

In the table of contents for this collection, this story is titled "A Master Murderer". It has been indexed elsewhere with the title "The Masked Menace of the Boys' School". In Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Volume 1, the story has the same title as this collection.

[Batman #2] (Table of Contents: 43)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #2 (Summer 1940)

Indexer Notes

Inker credit verified by Robinson.

[Joker Meets the Cat-Woman] (Table of Contents: 44)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Feature Logo

Batman with Robin - The Boy Wonder [30's face]

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; E. S. Arthur (wealthy gem collector, death); Johnny (newsboy); Catwoman [Selina Kyle] (villain); the Crime Syndicate, Inc. [The Joker; Weasel; Mugface; Circus Charlie (poses as Batman, death); others unnamed] (villains, introduction for all)

Synopsis

Learning the Joker is hospitalized with wounds, the members of the Crime Syndicate make plans to rescue him to lead their mob again. But the Joker has planned a double-cross and the appearance of the Cat-Woman complicates matters.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #2 (Summer 1940)

Keywords

Bat-Plane; Gotham City; Pharaoh Gems; The Herald; Vesalius Hospital

Indexer Notes

Inker credits verified by Robinson and Roussos, letterer credit confirmed by Roussos.

[Wolf, the Crime Master] (Table of Contents: 45)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Cyrus Craig (museum owner); Adam Lamb [aka Wolf] (villain, Craig's museum custodian, introduction, death); the Wolf's gang (villains, introduction for all)

Synopsis

By an unfortunate accident, Adam Lamb becomes a psychological Jekyll and Hyde at midnight each evening, only to revert to his mild-mannered self during the day.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #2 (Summer 1940)

Keywords

smoke pellet; utility belt

Indexer Notes

Background inker and letterer credits verified by Robinson.

The Case of the Clubfoot Murders (Table of Contents: 46)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson (pp. 3-13); ? (pp. 1-2)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Harley Storme (millionaire, death); Portia (Harley Storme's niece); Abel Storme (Harley's brother, death); Carl Storme (Harley's brother); Roger Storme (Harley's son, death); Clubfoot (introduction); Ward [as Clubfoot] (villain, the Storme family lawyer); Varrick (villain, gambler, introduction); Tommy (villain, Varrick's partner)

Synopsis

The contents of a strange will leave each of the heirs with inscribed strange tokens. The heirs do not realize that if the tokens are all united, they will reveal the location of a gold mine.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #2 (Summer 1940)

Indexer Notes

Background inker and letterer credits verified by Robinson.

The Case of the Missing Link (Table of Contents: 47)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Professor Drake (death); Goliath (prehistoric man, death); pygmies (villains, some die); Hackett (villain, circus owner, introduction); Snead (villain, circus owner, introduction); Grimes (villain, introduction, death)

Synopsis

Professor Drake brings back from Africa a "missing link" whom he intends to civilize for the benefit of all civilization. But he learns, as do the Caped Crusaders, that sometimes men act more like beasts than someone like Goliath!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #2 (Summer 1940)

Keywords

Daily Star; Hackett and Snead Circus

Indexer Notes

Inker credits verified by Robinson and Roussos, letterer credit verified by Roussos.

[New York World's Fair Comics #[2] 1940] (Table of Contents: 48)

Batman; Robin; Superman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Jack Burnley

Inks

Jack Burnley

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Superman [Clark Kent]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from New York World's Fair Comics (DC, 1939 series) #[2] ([July] 1940)

Indexer Notes

First published picture of Batman, Robin and Superman together.

Credits verified by Burnley.

Batman and Robin Visit the 1940 New York World's Fair (Table of Contents: 49)

Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Mr. Travers (President of Travers Engineers); Ann (Vreekill's niece); Dr. Hugo Vreekill (villain, introduction, death); Joey (villain); Limpy (villain)

Synopsis

The destruction of the Great West River Bridge and the blackmail demand made to the Travers Engineering Corporation spur the Dynamic Duo to investigate the matter, and they uncover a terrifying plot masterminded by the evil Dr. Vreekill.

Reprints

• from New York World's Fair Comics (DC, 1939 series) #[2] ([July] 1940)

Keywords

Batplane; Daily Herald; gas capsules; New York City; Perisphere; slingshot; Trylon

[Detective Comics #42] (Table of Contents: 50)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #42 (August 1940)

Keywords

automatic pistols

The Case of the Prophetic Pictures (Table of Contents: 51)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Jim; Antal Ryder (an artist); Mikoff (an artist); Mr. Drake (socialite); Carmen Largo (opera singer, death); Mr. Vangild (death); Mr. Warren (death); Mr. Tavers; Mr. Bleek (Wiley's agent and manager); Mr. Wiley (villain, painting collector)

Synopsis

A business man, heavily in debt, buys up pictures by an artist at cheap prices, then tries to increase their value by murdering those pictured in the portraits.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #42 (August 1940)

Keywords

slingshot

[Detective Comics #43] (Table of Contents: 52)

Batman / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #43 (September 1940)

Keywords

revolvers; speedboats

The Case of the City of Terror (Table of Contents: 53)

Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (also backgrounds); George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Ryder; Carter; Mayor Harliss Greer (villain, former City Council President); "Bugs" Norton (villain); Norton's gang [Blackie; others un-named] (villains)

Synopsis

Bruce and Dick head out on a cross-country vacation to get away from crime, but when they arrive in a small town, they discover that a new mayor has ties to organized crime and has established gambling dens and other rackets in town, all protected by police officer's on the take.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #43 (September 1940)

Keywords

The Tiny Press

Indexer Notes

Kane fails to draw the bat symbol on Batman's chest in some panels.

[Detective Comics #44] (Table of Contents: 54)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #44 (October 1940)

Keywords

automatic pistols

Indexer Notes

Inker credits verified by Robinson and Roussos.

The Land behind the Light! (Table of Contents: 55)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Dr. Marko (inventor); Gorl (villain, official hunter to the King); un-named King (villain)

Synopsis

Batman and Robin follow Dr. Marco into his invention, a machine that hurls them into the 4th Dimension. There they find a world inhabited by a race of giants and a race of midgets. They discover, upon their capture, that the king of the giants intends to invade Earth.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #44 (October 1940)

Keywords

4th Dimension; Batarang; Land of the Small Ones

[Batman #3] (Table of Contents: 56)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #3 (Fall 1940)

Indexer Notes

Inker credit verified by Robinson.

The Strange Case of the Diabolical Puppet Master (Table of Contents: 57)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos (verified by Roussos)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Dr. Craig (scientist); The Puppet Master [Dmitri] (villain, introduction); Dmitri's assistants (villains, introduction for all)

Synopsis

The Caped Crusaders must stop the Puppet Master, who has set his sights on stealing the Voss Rifle, the Army's newly developed secret gun. But to do it Batman must overcome the effects of the hypnotic influence of his foe.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #3 (Fall 1940)

Keywords

Batplane; Voss Rifle

Indexer Notes

Inker credit verified by Robinson, background inker credit verified by Roussos.

The Ugliest Man in the World (Table of Contents: 58)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos (verified by Roussos)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Detective McGonigle; Harvey Dodge (Wayne's friend, victim of ugly condition); Carter (victim of ugly condition); Dr. Ekhart; John Tyler; Mrs. Tyler; Carlson [as Larry Larrimore] (villain, leader of the Ugly Horde, introduction, death); the Ugly Horde (villains, introduction for all)

Synopsis

Batman confronts the ugliest man in the world -- a man shunned by the "normal" people he meets everyday. But now the man decides to inflict upon those people some of the ugliness he has had to endure.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #3 (Fall 1940)

Keywords

Daily Herald; Daily World; Globe; Trotter

Indexer Notes

Jerry Robinson's last name is on the window pane shown on page 5, panel 5.

The cover scene for this issue is found, for the most part, on page 7, panel 6 of this story.

Inker credit verified by Robinson, background inker credit verified by Roussos.

The Crime School for Boys!! (Table of Contents: 59)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos (verified by Roussos)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Tommy (reformed villain); Eddie (reformed villain); Big Boy Daniels (villain, introduction); Daniel's mob (villains, introduction for all); "Pockets" (villain, crime school instructor, introduction, death)

Synopsis

Batman has to deal with the threat of a crime school that is designed to teach boys the ways of crime.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #3 (Fall 1940)

Indexer Notes

Inker credit verified by Robinson, background inker credit verified by Roussos.

The Batman Vs. the Cat-Woman! (Table of Contents: 60)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos (verified by Roussos)

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Detective McGonigle; Jerry; The Diamond Syndicate [D. Calvert (Syndicate Secretary, death); Mr. Darr; Mr. Blake; Mr. Hoffer; Mr. Darrel]; The Cat-Woman [aka The Cat] [Selina Kyle] (villain); Hoffer (villain); Blake (villain); Mr. Darrel (villain)

Synopsis

The Cat returns to plague members of the Diamond Syndicate in order to achieve a beautiful "diamond prize!"

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #3 (Fall 1940)

Keywords

Authenticated News; Daily Star; Edith's Cafe; Morning Sun; Zita's Cafe

Indexer Notes

The name Catwoman is consistently hypenated as "The Cat-Woman" in this story. She is also referred to in this story as the Cat.

Inker credit verified by Robinson, background inker credit verified by Roussos.

The Batman Says (Table of Contents: 61)

Batman; Robin / public service announcement / 1 page (report information)

Script

Whitney Ellsworth

Pencils

Jack Burnley

Inks

Jack Burnley

Colors

?

Letters

Betty Bentley ?

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Synopsis

Public service announcement in which Batman and Robin try to convince readers that they hate all crime and criminals, and that they hope their adventures will help convince them to follow the straight and honest path in their own lives.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #3 (Fall 1940)

Indexer Notes

Script, art and letterer credits by Jack Burnley.

Art taken from the cover of New York World's Fair Comics 1940.

[Detective Comics #45] (Table of Contents: 62)

Batman; Robin / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson; George Roussos

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Bruce Wayne]

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #45 (November 1940)

Keywords

bondage

Indexer Notes

Early Golden Age bondage cover for this particular series.

The Case of the Laughing Death! (Table of Contents: 63)

Batman With Robin the Boy Wonder / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (also backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; museum caretaker; District Attorney Carter (death); The Joker [also as A. Rekoj] (villain); Joker's gang (villains)

Synopsis

The Joker returns to polish off his enemies, starting with the D.A., then sets his sights on a $500,000 green jade Buddha.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #45 (November 1940)

Keywords

Batplane

Indexer Notes

Added background inker credit verified by George Roussos.

Biographies (Table of Contents: 64)

text article / 5 pages (report information)

Script

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

biography

Indexer Notes

Biographies of Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, Sheldon Moldoff, Jerry Robinson, and George Roussos.

[Back Cover] (Table of Contents: 65)

Batman and Robin / illustration / 1 page (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]

Indexer Notes

Back cover illustrations with text on the contents of this issue. Illustrations taken from the covers of Detective Comics #27 and Batman #1.