Batman #211

Batman #211 (On Sale: March 6, 1969) has a nice, dramatic cover by Irv Novick.

"Batman's Big Blow-Off" is by Frank Robbins, Irv Novick and Joe Giella. An underground newspaper prints the faces of four men beside Batman's face, and asserts one of them is Batman and that they will reveal his true identity in the next issue. Scribe, the writer of the article, assures his chief that even though he does not know who Batman really is, Batman will have to unmask to save the rest (including underworld kingpin Spooks Manson) from becoming gangland targets.

Batman messes up the plan by going on television and unmasking, revealing himself as reclusive billionaire Howard Hayes. He does so with Hayes's permission, and the newspaper goes out of business.

Spooks Manson orders his men not to fight Batman until he can figure out what angle the Caped Crusader has planned, resulting in a lot of thugs surrendering to Batman without a fight. Billionaire Hayes, watching Batman on TV, realizes that Batman has the one thing he always wanted, public acclaim, by posing as Hayes himself. For this reason, he vows to eliminate Batman quietly and take his place.

After brushing up on martial arts and Samurai swordsmanship, Hayes summons Batman to meet him in battle. Batman initially gets the upper hand, but is so stunned to find Hayes beneath his foe's hood-mask that Hayes is able to turn the tables, trap him, and make his way to an awards dinner as Batman. Robin and Alfred save Batman from a deathtrap, and Batman arrives at the dinner in time to stop Hayes, reveal the masquerade, and receive the award himself.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.