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| Publisher |
DC |
| Series |
Batman |
| Published | June 1948 |
| Artist |
Bob Kane |
| Writer |
Bill Finger |
FASHIONS IN CRIME! Catwoman breaks out of jail in a spectacular way and as soon as she is free again, she realizes that she could use the fashion trends as her new crime theme. Posing as the manager of an important fashion magazine, Catwoman is granted access to the houses of many wealthy people and later she steals from them. Batman and Robin investigate the case and they deduce that Catwoman has been posing as the magazine manager. The Dynamic Duo learn about a fashion exhibition and they decide to go to the place, as it seems to be the most likely target for Catwoman's crime. Their hunch proves right and they soon confront the princess of plunder at the exhibition. Catwoman is defeated and captured before she returns to prison. THE CHAIN GANG CRIMES! In pursuit of bank robbers, Batman and Robin chase them to a side street where they suddenly disappear. The sheriff informs the Dynamic Duo that down that road is a county jail, a place where criminals would never escape to. Suspicious, Batman decides to disguise himself as a convict being transferred so he can investigate. While in prison, Bruce learns that there's a gang running the place and are using the convicts to work for them. Batman is discovered and he has to call for Robin's help. Together, they capture the criminals and inform the local sheriff about the situation. Before leaving the prison, Batman informs the convicts that they are no longer going to be used for criminal labors and instead, they will be given a rightful chance to redeem themselves. THE ORIGIN OF THE BATMAN! On their way back to Wayne Manor, Batman and Robin find a truck that crashed over the side of a ridge. They find the driver killed on impact, but as they move around the back of the truck a secret door opens, and a man steps out. Surprised at Batman's and Robin's presence, he knocks out Robin with his pistol and takes aim at Batman, but is shot by officers just in time. The officers tell Batman that he was a criminal trying to secretly cross state lines. Upon investigating the trucking company, Batman finds that it was recently purchased by Joe Chill, the man responsible for the death of his parents. Batman remembers Chill shooting his father, his mother dying of shock, and the promise he made at their grave to fight crime. He decides to take the case, alone. His first attempt to get at Chill is to pose as a driver looking for work, but Chill refuses to hire him. Batman decides to set a trap for Chill. He boards a gambling showboat and points it into state waters so police can make legal arrests. The boat owner makes a quick getaway as soon as police show up, and goes to Chill in order to get smuggled out of the state. As a precaution, Chill checks a secret camera in his office and sees Batman has followed the boat owner. He shoots the boat owner for letting Batman follow, and when Batman enters the room, lies about shooting in self-defense. Without any evidence to the contrary, Batman reveals his identity to Chill and promises him that he will always be watching, waiting for Chill to make a mistake. Terrified, Chill runs into a room with some of his men and explains that Batman is after him for killing his father. Chill's men are angry that Chill "created" the Batman, and shoot him before he can tell them Batman's identity. Batman hurries into the room and dispatches the men, and watches as Chill succumbs to the bullet wounds. The case of Thomas Wayne's murder is closed.