Batman #78

(August-September 1953)

The Manhunter From Mars! (Table of Contents)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script:

Edmond Hamilton

Pencils:

Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only); Lew Sayre Schwartz

Inks:

Charles Paris

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Rob Kar (introduction, a Martian lawman); The Stranger [Quork] (villain, a Martian, introduction)

Synopsis:

The Batman learns that the new criminal called The Stranger is really a Martian, and, with the help of a lawman from Mars, tracks him down.

Reprints:

• in Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter (DC, 2007 series) #1 ([July] 2007)

Keywords:

Batplane; Batsignal; Martians

Indexer Notes

Writer credit by Martin O'Hearn, penciler credits verified by Schwartz, and inker credit verified by Paris.

"These prisoners certainly put in a day's work" (Table of Contents)

Casey the Cop / comic story / 0.5 page (report information)

Script:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Pencils:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Inks:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Colors:

?

Letters:

Henry Boltinoff

Genre:

humor

Characters:

Casey the Cop

Reprints:

• in Super Adventure Comic (K. G. Murray, 1950 series) #44 ([January 1954] ?)
• in Gang Busters (DC, 1947 series) #64 (June-July 1958)

The Sinister Stamps! (Table of Contents)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 9.66 pages (report information)

Script:

Bill Finger ?

Pencils:

Dick Sprang

Inks:

Charles Paris

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Captain Barton (villain, introduction)

Indexer Notes

Penciler credit verified by Sprang and inker credit verified by Paris.

[Which river is longer] (Table of Contents)

Quick Quiz / activity / 0.5 page (report information)

Script:

H. T. Elmo (signed)

Pencils:

H. T. Elmo (signed)

Inks:

H. T. Elmo (signed)

Colors:

?

Letters:

H. T. Elmo

Genre:

non-fiction

Indexer Notes

Letterer credit by Craig Delich.

I Confess! (Table of Contents)

text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script:

Jack Miller [as John Marston] (credited)

Pencils:

Raymond Perry

Inks:

Raymond Perry

Colors:

Raymond Perry ?

Letters:

typeset

Genre:

detective-mystery

Indexer Notes

Colorist credit by Craig Delich.

["I hear you're the new coach for the girls baseball team"] (Table of Contents)

Jerry the Jitterbug / comic story / 1 page (report information)

Script:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Pencils:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Inks:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Colors:

?

Letters:

Henry Boltinoff

Genre:

humor; teen

Characters:

Jerry the Jitterbug

Reprints:

• in Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #239 (April 1958)

How to Spend a Summer Week! (Table of Contents)

Binky / public service announcement / 1 page (report information)

Script:

Jack Schiff

Pencils:

Win Mortimer

Inks:

Win Mortimer

Colors:

?

Letters:

Ira Schnapp

Genre:

teen

Characters:

Binky Biggs

Batman of the Mounties! (Table of Contents)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 9.75 pages (report information)

Script:

David Vern

Pencils:

Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only) (signed); Lew Sayre Schwartz

Inks:

Stan Kaye

Colors:

?

Letters:

Ira Schnapp

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Bob Jason (of the RCMP, introduction); un-named Commandant of the RCMP (introduction); Remy LeClerc (villain, introduction); Pierre LeClerc (villain, introduction)

Synopsis:

Batman and Robin are the guests for National Law Enforcement Week in Canada, but soon become involved in a manhunt with a Royal Canadian Mountie.

Reprints:

• in Batman (DC, 1940 series) #223 (July-August 1970)

Keywords:

Bat-Plane; Batarang; utility belt

Indexer Notes

Batman and Robin wear their all-white "snow" costumes in this story.

Oddity: On page 9, a criminal removes the Dynamic Duo's utility belts. Yet, on the next page, they are shown wearing the belts.

Writer credit by Martin O'Hearn, penciler credits verified by Schwartz, and letterer credit by Martin O'Hearn and Joe Desris.

["Professor, I represent the mayor"] (Table of Contents)

Professor Eureka / comic story / 1 page (report information)

Script:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Pencils:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Inks:

Henry Boltinoff (signed)

Colors:

?

Letters:

Henry Boltinoff

Genre:

humor

Characters:

Professor Eureka

Reprints:

• in Superboy (DC, 1949 series) #64 (April 1958)
• in Super Adventure Comic (K. G. Murray, 1950 series) #103 ([January 1959] ?)

Indexer Notes

Title, first line and reprint data from Arthur Lortie, added August 2006.