Batman in the Forties

([May] 2004)

Batman in the Forties (Table of Contents: 1)

Batman / illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Jerry Robinson

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman; Robin

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #12 (August-September 1942) [partial cover image]

Indexer Notes

Title page with image from cover of Batman (DC, 1940 series) #12.

Table of Contents (Table of Contents: 2)

Batman / table of contents / 3 pages (report information)

Pencils

? (border art)

Inks

? (border art)

Colors

? (border art)

Letters

typeset

Indexer Notes

Credits, table of contents and indicia information pages.

Introduction (Table of Contents: 3)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 3 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Schelly

Pencils

?

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Characters

Batman; Robin

Indexer Notes

Introductory text with reprinted panel from ?

Milestones (Table of Contents: 4)

Cover Gallery / text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Bob Kane (Batman #1, Detective Comics #27, #38); Fred Ray (World's Best Comics #1)

Inks

Bob Kane (Batman #1, Detective Comics #27); Jerry Robinson (Batman #1 backgrounds, Detective Comics #38); Fred Ray (World's Best Comics #1)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman; Robin; Superman

Indexer Notes

Text article with quarter page cover images of Batman (DC, 1940 series) #1, World's Best Finest (DC, 1941 series) #1, Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #27 and #38.

The Case of the Chemical Syndicate (Table of Contents: 5)

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

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Bob Kane

Colors

?

Letters

Bob Kane

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Bat-Man [Batman; 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

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

Indexer Notes

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.

The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom (Table of Contents: 6)

Batman / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Bob Kane; Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

Sheldon Moldoff

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne] (Origin); Thomas Wayne (Death); Martha Wayne (Death); Joe Chill (unnamed)

Synopsis

After learning how the Batman came into being as a crime fighter, he 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) [first two pages]

Indexer Notes

Titled "Origin" in the table of contents.

[Robin the Boy Wonder] (Table of Contents: 7)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

Jerry Robinson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson] (introduction, origin); John Grayson (introduction, death); Mary Grayson (introduction, death); Mr. Haly; Boss Zucco [Anthony 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

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

The People vs. the Batman (Table of Contents: 8)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Horatio Delmar (villain, introduction, death); Weasel Venner (villain, introduction, death); Freddie Hill

Synopsis

Weasel Venner wants to make sure that a fellow criminal doesn't make public the fact that he is the head racketeer in Gotham City, so he arranges for someone to be set up for the murder of Horatio Delmar: that someone being Bruce Wayne!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #7 (October-November 1941)

The Origin of the Batman! (Table of Contents: 9)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

?

Letters

Ira Schnapp

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin retold in detail); Robin [Dick Grayson]; Commissioner James Gordon; Thomas Wayne (flashback, death); Martha Wayne (flashback, death); Joe Chill (villain, name revealed in this story, Thomas and Martha Wayne's murderer, death); Feets Borgam (killer, death); Monty Julep (illegal gambler, death)

Synopsis

While investigating criminal activity at a transport company, Batman recognizes the owner, Joe Chill, as the man who killed Thomas and Martha Wayne years before. Batman tries to find evidence of Chill's illegal operations, but when he fails, he decides to reveal his identity to Chill and tells him that will be watching him and will catch him eventually. In a panic, Chill flees to his gang, but when they find out Chill is responsible for Batman's existence they shoot him, and only after do they realize that they should have asked Chill for Batman's real name.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #47 (June-July 1948)

Props (Table of Contents: 10)

Cover Gallery / text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Bob Kane (Detective Comics #61); Charles Paris (Detective Comics #127); Win Mortimer (Batman #48); Fred Ray (Batman #10); Jerry Robinson (Batman #10)

Inks

Jerry Robinson (Detective Comics #61, Batman #10); George Roussos (Detective Comics #61 backgrounds); Charles Paris (Detective Comics #127); Win Mortimer (Batman #48)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman; Robin

Indexer Notes

Text article with quarter page cover images of Batman (DC, 1940 series) #10 & #48 and Detective Comics #61 & 127.

The Joker Follows Suit! (Table of Contents: 11)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Jerry Robinson

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman; Robin; Joker

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #37 (October-November 1946)

The Penny Plunderers! (Table of Contents: 12)

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

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Ray Burnley

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; J. J. Withers (first appearance); Joe Coyne (villain, introduction); Skinny (villain, introduction, death); Mike (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

Throughout his life, Joe Coyne felt threatened, done in by pennies and coppers, so he decides to use the "copper penny" as a trademark of his crimes.

Reprints

• from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #30 (September-October 1947)

The 1,000 Secrets of the Batcave! (Table of Contents: 13)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Jim Mooney

Inks

Jim Mooney

Colors

?

Letters

Ira Schnapp

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Wolf Brando (villain, introduction, death); Commissioner James Gordon; Reilly (police officer); Two-Face [Harvey Dent] (image); The Joker (image)

Synopsis

An escaped convict on the run accidentally discovers the entrance to the Batcave and learns the secret identities of Batman and Robin, and attacks the dynamic duo using their own weapons and trophies against them.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #48 (August-September 1948)

Keywords

Bat Signal; Batcave; Batmobile; Batplane

Indexer Notes

Story includes a diagram of the Batcave.

The Batman Family (Table of Contents: 14)

Cover Gallery / text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Fred Ray (World's Finest Comics #3); Dick Sprang (Batman #22); Bob Kane (Detective Comics #42); Jerry Robinson (Batman #26)

Inks

Fred Ray (World's Finest Comics #3); Dick Sprang (Batman #22); Bob Kane (Detective Comics #42); Jerry Robinson (Detective Comics #42, Batman #26)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Characters

Baman; Robin; Superman

Indexer Notes

Text article with quarter page cover images of World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #3, Batman (DC, 1940 series) #22 & 26 and Detective Comics #42.

Alfred, Armchair Detective! (Table of Contents: 15)

The Adventures of Alfred / comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron ?

Pencils

Jerry Robinson

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

Ira Schnapp

Genre

detective-mystery

Characters

Bruce Wayne; Dick Grayson; Stubby Stubbs (villain, introduction)

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #31 (October-November 1945)

Bruce Wayne Loses the Guardianship of Dick Grayson! (Table of Contents: 16)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Jerry Robinson

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Alfred Beagle; George Grayson (Dick Grayson's uncle, villain, introduction); Clara Grayson (Dick Grayson's aunt, villain, introduction); Fatso Foley (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

One day a couple show up at the Wayne mansion claiming to be the Aunt & Uncle of Dick Grayson, and they successfully get custody of the boy. But Batman smells a rat when the couple call up Bruce Wayne and offer him the opportunity to "buy" Dick back!

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #20 (December 1943-January 1944)

Clocks of Doom! (Table of Contents: 17)

Robin / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron ?

Pencils

Winslow Mortimer

Inks

Winslow Mortimer

Colors

?

Letters

Ira Schnapp

Genre

superhero

Characters

Robin [Dick Grayson]; Bruce Wayne; Commissioner James Gordon; The Clock (villain)

Synopsis

While helping to film a scene from a soon to be released movie at the abandoned Shark Tower lighthouse, Robin confronts a sinister new villain intent on stopping the production---for criminal purposes, of course!

Reprints

• from Star Spangled Comics (DC, 1941 series) #70 (July 1947)

The Villains (Table of Contents: 18)

Cover Gallery / text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Dick Sprang (Detective Comics #89); Bob Kane (Detective Comics #73); Winslow Mortimer (Detective Comics #140); Bob Kane (Detective Comics #29)

Inks

Dick Sprang (Detective Comics #89); Jerry Robinson (Detective Comics #73); George Roussos (Detective Comics #73 backgrounds); Winslow Mortimer (Detective Comics #140); Bob Kane (Detective Comics #29)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman; Robin; Scarecrow; Riddler

Indexer Notes

Text article with quarter page cover images of Detective Comics (DC, 1940 series) #29, 73, 89 and 140.

Your Face Is Your Fortune! (Table of Contents: 19)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Jack Schiff

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; The Catwoman [Selina Kyle; a.k.a. Elva Barr] (villain); Deadshot Mike (villain)

Synopsis

Selina Kyle wins a beauty contest under an assumed name and falls in love with Bruce Wayne, who was one of the judges. Although she is planning capers involving her job in a beauty salon, Selina confesses to Batman that she'd give up her criminal behavior if she knew for certain that she'd have a chance with Wayne.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #15 (February-March 1943)

The Scoop of the Century! (Table of Contents: 20)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane (figures); Lew Schwartz (backgrounds)

Inks

Charles Paris

Colors

?

Letters

Ira Schnapp

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Vicki Vale (introduction); The Mad Hatter (villain, introduction); Commissioner James Gordon

Synopsis

While Batman and Robin track the Mad Hatter, they must also contend with photographer Vicki Vale who is out to prove that Batman is Bruce Wayne.

Reprints

• from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #49 (October-November 1948)

Indexer Notes

This trade paperback credits inks to Lew Schwartz. Charles Paris ink credit from original issue's index.

Clayface Walks Again! (Table of Contents: 21)

Batman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Julie Madison; Gabby; Mr. Bentley; Clayface [Basil Karlo] (villain)

Synopsis

Julie breaks off her engagement to Bruce, and leaves, as Portia Storme, for a career in movies. However, the escape of Basil Karlo, and his revenge against Argus Pictures & Portia Storme brings the Batman into the picture.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #49 (March 1941)

The End of Two-Face! (Table of Contents: 22)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Bob Kane

Inks

Jerry Robinson; George Roussos (backgrounds)

Colors

?

Letters

George Roussos

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Gilda; Two-Face [Harvey Kent] (villain)

Synopsis

While awaiting trial, Two-Face breaks out of jail, resuming his evil career, but, in the process, nearly killing Gilda by accident. He turns himself in and recovers his looks through plastic surgery.

Reprints

• from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #80 (October 1943)

Half-Man Half-Monster (Table of Contents: 23)

Batman / comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Jack Burnley

Inks

Win Mortimer

Colors

?

Letters

Ira Schnapp

Genre

superhero

Characters

Batman; Robin

Reprints

• from Batman daily (McClure Syndicate) 1946.06.23 - 1946.08.18

Contributors (Table of Contents: 24)

text article / 3 pages (report information)

Script

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

biography

Indexer Notes

Short biographical paragraphs on the creators in this issue.

The True Story of Batman and Robin! How a Big-Time Comic Is Born! (Table of Contents: 25)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 5 pages (report information)

Script

Jack Schiff; Mort Weisinger; Bernie Breslauer

Pencils

Win Mortimer

Inks

Win Mortimer

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Bob Kane; Batman; Robin

Synopsis

Totally fictional "true" story of how Bob Kane created Batman and Robin.

Reprints

• from Real Fact Comics (DC, 1946 series) #5 (November-December 1946)

In the Forties... (Table of Contents: 26) (Expand) /

Batman and Robin / promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)