The Batman Chronicles #1 [First Printing]
([May] 2005)

DC, 2005 Series
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Volume
1
Price
14.99 USD; 19.99 CAD
Pages
196
On-sale Date
2005-03-30
Indicia / Colophon Publisher
DC Comics
Brand
DC [bullet]
ISBN
1-4012-0445-7 Search at WorldCat
Barcode
761941245874 00111
Editing
Dale Crain (senior editor collected editions)

Issue Notes

Reprints the Batman stories from Detective Comics #27-38 and Batman #1.

Sixth printing available August 8, 2012 and seventh printing available February 6, 2013 (per comiclist.com).
This issue has variants:

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents)

Batman / cover / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
?
Inks
?
Colors
?
Letters
?

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]

[Blank Page] (Table of Contents: 1)

blank page(s) / 1 page (report information)


Indexer Notes

Inside front cover.

Batman Chronicles Volume One (Table of Contents: 2)

credits, title page / 2 pages (report information)

Script
?
Letters
typeset

Synopsis
Credits for the stories reprinted in this volume.

[Detective Comics #27] (Table of Contents: 3)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]
Reprints

The Case of the Chemical Syndicate (Table of Contents: 4)

Batman / 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); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Bob Kane

Genre
superhero
Characters
The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne] (introduction); Commissioner James Gordon (introduction); Lambert; Steven Crane (death); Paul Rogers; Alfred Stryker (villain); Jennings (villain)
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

Indexer Notes

This is not a reprint of this story as originally published. Instead, it is a redrawn (traced), re-lettered, and censored copy which was originally published in Detective Comics 387. A notable change is that the murder victim on page 2, panel 2 does not have a knife jutting out of his back, as he did in the originally-published version of this story.

[Detective Comics #28] (Table of Contents: 5)

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

Pencils
Fred Guardineer
Inks
Fred Guardineer; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Fred Guardineer

Genre
crime
Reprints

[Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang] (Table of Contents: 6)

Batman / 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); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Bob Kane

Genre
superhero
Characters
The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Gimpy; Frenchie Blake (villain)
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

[Detective Comics #29] (Table of Contents: 7)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Dr. Death (villain)
Reprints

The Batman Meets Doctor Death (Table of Contents: 8)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script
Gardner Fox
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Bob Kane

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; John P. van Smith; Doctor Death (villain; Intro); Jabah (villain; Intro; Death)
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

[Detective Comics #30] (Table of Contents: 9)

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

Pencils
Fred Guardineer
Inks
Fred Guardineer; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Fred Guardineer; typeset

Genre
crime
Reprints

[The Return of Doctor Death] (Table of Contents: 10)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script
Gardner Fox
Pencils
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff

Genre
superhero
Characters
The Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Mrs. Jones; Doctor Death (villain, as Ivan Herd); Mikhail (villain, 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

[Detective Comics #31] (Table of Contents: 11)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; the Monk (villain)
Reprints

[Batman vs. the Vampire Part 1] (Table of Contents: 12)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script
Gardner Fox
Pencils
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Julie Madison (Bruce's girlfriend); 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

[Detective Comics #32] (Table of Contents: 13)

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

Pencils
Fred Guardineer
Inks
Fred Guardineer; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
crime
Reprints

[Batman vs. the Vampire Part 2] (Table of Contents: 14)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script
Gardner Fox
Pencils
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Julie Madison; the Monk (villain, death); Dala (villain, 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

[Detective Comics #33] (Table of Contents: 15)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]
Reprints

The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom (Table of Contents: 16)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger (pages 1,2); Gardner Fox (pages 3-12)
Pencils
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin); Martha Wayne (death); Thomas Wayne (death); Joe Chill (unnamed); Dr. Carl Kruger (villain, death); The Scarlet Horde (villains, all death)
Synopsis
After learning how the Batman came into being as a crime fighter, he ceomes alarmed at the sudden appearance of deadly dirigibles whose occupants wish to rule the world.
Reprints

[Detective Comics #34] (Table of Contents: 17)

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

Pencils
Creig Flessel
Inks
Creig Flessel; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Creig Flessel

Genre
superhero
Characters
The Crimson Avenger
Reprints

[Peril in Paris] (Table of Contents: 18)

Batman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script
Gardner Fox
Pencils
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Charles Maire; Karel Maire; Duc D'orterre (villain, introduction, death)
Synopsis
After Bruce Wayne runs into a man with no face, as the Batman he learns of a sinister man responsible for it, who wants the man's money and his sister.
Reprints

[Detective Comics #35] (Table of Contents: 19)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Duc D'orterre (villain)
Reprints

[The Case of the Ruby Idol] (Table of Contents: 20)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Weldon; Wong; Sin Fang [Sheldon Lenox] (villain; Intro; Death)
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

[Detective Comics #36] (Table of Contents: 21)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]
Reprints

[Professor Hugo Strange] (Table of Contents: 22)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Professor Hugo Strange (villain, introduction); Henry Jenkins; Officer Clancy
Synopsis
After he witnesses the death of a G-Man and obtaining a clue as to the perpetrator, Hugo Strange, the Batman has to battle a deadly fog created by Strange that he uses to commit crimes.
Reprints

[Detective Comics #37] (Table of Contents: 23)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson ?; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]
Reprints

[The Screaming House] (Table of Contents: 24)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)
Inks
Bob Kane; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Joey (death); Turg (villain); Count Grutt (villain, death)
Synopsis
While passing by an old house, the Batman hears screams and rushes in to save a man, who he soon discovers is a crook that has been double crossing his boss and who kills the thugs torturing him so there will be no witnesses. Later, the Caped Crusader learns from the dying Joey that his boss is a big time smuggler, and he takes immediate steps to solve that problem.
Reprints

[Detective Comics #38] (Table of Contents: 25)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Jerry Robinson; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
?

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]
Reprints

[Robin the Boy Wonder] (Table of Contents: 26)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Jerry Robinson; Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; John Grayson (death) (introduction); Mary Grayson (death) (introduction); Mr. Haly; Robin [Dick Grayson] (origin) (introduction); Boss Zucco (villain, introduction); Blade (villain, death)
Synopsis
Dick Grayson watches his parents die and overhears the killers confessing the point, and he decides to tip off the Police. However, the Batman intervenes to save the boy's life, and trains him to become his partner, Robin the Boy Wonder. Then the duo head out to gather evidence needed to put the criminals behind bars.
Reprints

[Batman #1] (Table of Contents: 27)

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

Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (sourced) (backgrounds); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]
Reprints

The Legend of Batman--Who He Is and How He Came To Be (Table of Contents: 28)

Batman / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds, verified by Moldoff); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff (verified by Moldoff)

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin)
Synopsis
Bruce Wayne's parent are murdered by a cheap crook, and young Bruce vows to avenge their deaths by warring on all criminals.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Splash panel reprinted from DETECTIVE COMICS #34; rest of story reprinted from DETECTIVE COMICS #33.

[The Joker] (Table of Contents: 29)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds, verified by Robinson); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson (sourced)

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Henry Claridge (death); Jay Wilde (death); Judge Drake (death); The Joker (villain, introduction); Brute Nelson (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

[The Giants of Hugo Strange] (Table of Contents: 30)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds, verified by Robinson); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson (verified by Robinson)

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Professor Hugo Strange (villain); un-named monsters (villain, death)
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

[The Cat] (Table of Contents: 31)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds, verified by Robinson); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson (verified by Robinson)

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; John Travers; Martha Travers; The Cat [Selina Kyle; as Miss Peggs in story] (villain); Denny
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

The Joker Returns (Table of Contents: 32)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane
Inks
Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson (backgrounds, verified by Robinson); Greg Theakston (black and white reconstruction)
Colors
Bob LeRose (color reconstruction); Daniel Vozzo (color reconstruction); ? (original colors)
Letters
Jerry Robinson (verified by Robinson)

Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; James Gordon; Chief of Police Chalmers (Death); Edgar Martin (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

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.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 33) (Expand) /

promo (ad from the publisher) / 2 pages (report information)

[Blank Page] (Table of Contents: 34)

blank page(s) / 1 page (report information)


Indexer Notes

Inside back cover

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 35)

Batman / text article / 1 page (report information)

Script
?
Pencils
?
Inks
?
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Genre
superhero

Indexer Notes

Back Cover

Editing
Related Scans
Series Information
Table of Contents
  1. 0. [no title indexed]
    Batman
  2. 1. [Blank Page]
  3. 2. Batman Chronicles Volume One
  4. 3. [Detective Comics #27]
    Batman
  5. 4. The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
    Batman
  6. 5. [Detective Comics #28]
  7. 6. [Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang]
    Batman
  8. 7. [Detective Comics #29]
    Batman
  9. 8. The Batman Meets Doctor Death
    Batman
  10. 9. [Detective Comics #30]
  11. 10. [The Return of Doctor Death]
    Batman
  12. 11. [Detective Comics #31]
    Batman
  13. 12. [Batman vs. the Vampire Part 1]
    Batman
  14. 13. [Detective Comics #32]
  15. 14. [Batman vs. the Vampire Part 2]
    Batman
  16. 15. [Detective Comics #33]
    Batman
  17. 16. The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom
    Batman
  18. 17. [Detective Comics #34]
    The Crimson Avenger
  19. 18. [Peril in Paris]
    Batman
  20. 19. [Detective Comics #35]
    Batman
  21. 20. [The Case of the Ruby Idol]
    Batman
  22. 21. [Detective Comics #36]
    Batman
  23. 22. [Professor Hugo Strange]
    Batman
  24. 23. [Detective Comics #37]
    Batman
  25. 24. [The Screaming House]
    Batman
  26. 25. [Detective Comics #38]
    Batman
  27. 26. [Robin the Boy Wonder]
    Batman
  28. 27. [Batman #1]
    Batman
  29. 28. The Legend of Batman--Who He Is and How He Came To Be
    Batman
  30. 29. [The Joker]
    Batman
  31. 30. [The Giants of Hugo Strange]
    Batman
  32. 31. [The Cat]
    Batman
  33. 32. The Joker Returns
    Batman
  34. 33. [no title indexed]
  35. 34. [Blank Page]
  36. 35. [no title indexed]
    Batman
This issue was modified by, among others
  • Katie
  • Jason Czeskleba
  • Jochen G.
  • John Monagle
  • Mike Nielsen
  • Ramon Schenk
  • Andrew Shor
  • Jim Van Dore
  • Bjorn Wallin