Released August 1941

Detective Comics #56

Synopsis

THE STONE IDOL Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are travelling across the country until they reach Ghost Gulch City and they decide to stay there for a while. That night, a stone statue falls from the top of the mountain to a nearby mine and the locals are afraid that the stone giant has awaken from his slumber. The next day, the stone giant attacks Ghost Gulch with help from some of his servants and they are stopped by Batman and Robin. However, during the fight a blinding flash of light appears and a few seconds later, the giant and his servants are gone and the stone statue returns to its original form. Afraid of the monster and guided by a mad old man called Mack, the villagers decide to sacrifice the Mayor of the city to appease the giant. As the townsfolk push the Mayor off a cliff next to the statue, Batman saves the man and he starts fighting some of the villagers. The stone giant appears again and grabs Robin before disappearing just like before. Batman and the Major push the stone statue and they discover a secret entrance underneath. Batman goes inside and enters the mine, which was supposed to be abandoned. In the mine, Batman confronts several thugs and rescues Robin before confronting the human stone giant. The fight causes the mine to collapse and the dynamic duo manage to get out in time. Outside, a dying Mad Mack explains that the whole stone giant was a charade he and a circus gang played on the village to eliminate the Mayor and get control over the valuable mine. After Mack's death, Batman and Robin inform the truth to the village and the people are grateful to the masked vigilantes. JULES VORTEZ MUSCLES MORAN LARRY STEELE, PRIVATE DETECTIVE THE DEATH FROM THE HONEYBEE ANOTHER CASE WHO KILLED SERGE KAMROFF THE PRACTICAL JOKER