We begin with Batman and Wildcat in "The Smile of Choclotan" by Bob Haney, Bob Brown, and Nick Cardy. While Bruce Wayne is vacationing in South America, as Batman, he saves a young boy named Luis Mercado from a sniper's bullet. Following the boy into town, he learns that his old friend Wildcat is also in the area, resuming his career as a boxer. Observing Wildcat's match and spotting somebody putting a chemical in his drinking water, Batman strikes and helps Wildcat and Luis escape.
He learns that Wildcat has amnesia and that Luis is being targeted by a crime boss named El Grande. He explains that Ted was friends with his father, and both were looking for the Choclotan, a priceless archeological find if it exists. Ted had learned its location and since an attack left him amnesiac, he and Luis have been a target ever since.
Working with Batman, Wildcat's memory is restored, they defeat El Grande and his men, and find the Choclotan idol for Luis, which they agree to turn over to a Mexican museum. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: The Brave and the Bold Batman Team-Ups Vol. 2 TPB (2008), Batman in the Brave and the Bold: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2017), Batman/Wildcat TPB (2017), and Batman in the Brave and the Bold: The Bronze Age Vol. 2 TPB (2019).
The backup is a classic, "Who Has Been Lying in My Grave?" by Arnold Drake, Carmine Infantino, and George Roussos, reprinted from Strange Adventures #205 (1967) and featuring the origin of Deadman. Boston Brand, a trapeze artist and minority owner of a circus, walks the circus grounds before his nightly performance as the aerialist Deadman. He discovers a local constable poking around the grounds and chases him away. He then discovers that Leary the barker is stealing from the box office. He also catches Heldrich the animal trainer getting drunk. He fires Heldrich, then heads to the big top.
After reaching the top of the trapeze, Boston is shot by a sniper with a hook for a right hand. He falls to his death. Then his astral form is met by Rama Kushna, a Hindu spirit goddess. Rama allows Boston to walk the Earth as a spirit until his killer is caught.
Boston, now truly a Deadman, begins the search for his killer by checking up on the circus performers. He discovers that he is invisible, but can temporarily take control of human bodies. While inhabiting the body of Tiny the strongman, Deadman discovers Heldrich and Ramsey, the constable, making a drug deal. Deadman stops the crooks, then resumes the search for the killer, Hook. This story was also reprinted in DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #5 (1980), Deadman #1 (1985), Deadman Collection HC (2002), DC Comics Presents: Brightest Day #1 (2010), and Deadman Vol. 1 TPB (2011).
Edited by Murray Boltinoff.
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