World's Finest Comics #206

World's Finest Comics #206 (On Sale: August 5, 1971), has a Superman/Batman cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Secret of the Captive Caveman" by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #138 (1963). Batman and Robin attempt to capture an alien being spotted in Gotham City. When the alien realizes his Z-Beam weapon doesn't affect humans he rushes to the Gotham Library to learn why. There Batman and Robin overhear the alien tell its superiors that their weapons cannot affect modern man. Before the two heroes can capture the alien he swallows a pill and dies and his comrades in a ship outside breach the time barrier to escape. 

Seeing a history book opened to the time of pre-historic man, Batman and Robin deduce that the aliens have traveled back in time to try and conquer the human race in the past. Calling Clark Kent at the Daily Planet to tell them of this plot, Clark tells them that he will meet them in the past. Batman and Robin then use Carter Nichols' time machine to travel to the stone age in the hopes of thwarting the alien invasion of the past.

They all arrive in the past before the aliens do and after saving a tribe of cavemen from a sabretooth tiger, Batman, Robin and Superman disguise themselves as cavemen and wait for the aliens to arrive. When the aliens arrive their Z-Rays work at making the early humans their slaves. The three heroes pretend to be enslaved as well so that they can learn of the alien plot. They have the cavemen mine for a rare metal called Drakkium, an ore that -- unrefined -- is harmful to the aliens. The aliens intend to use the unrefined ore to take over the leadership of their race and then refine the ore, which ironically is deadly to humans, and use it to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth and take over the planet.

Batman, Robin, and Superman then free the cavemen and stage a revolt against the alien would-be dictatorship by incapacitating them with chunks of unrefined Drakkium The alien force unconscious, Superman, Batman and Robin then turn the insurgent force over to the alien authorities and launch the remaining unrefined Drakkium ore into space with an alien ship. With the threat over, Batman, Robin, and Superman return to the present.

Next up is "The Creature That Was Exchanged for Superman" by Jerry Coleman, Dick Sprang, and Sheldon Moldoff and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #118 (1961). While on a charity drive for the Heart Fund, Batman, Robin and Superman spot a strange energy beam outside the city and decide to go and investigate. Superman is teleported away and replaced by some strange creature. Concerned about this creature's sudden arrival, Batman and Robin attempt to rope it up, but it breaks free and begins to tunnel into the ground. Batman, spotting a boulder at the top of the hill it's boring into, comes up with an idea of how to attack the creature.

Meanwhile, Superman finds himself transported to the planet Xeron by an alien named Vathgar. Vathgar explains that he transported the creature to Earth, but one drawback to the device was that the transported creature has to swap places with something at its destination. Not wanting Superman, the aliens attack him but he is impervious to their weapons. However, when he uses his heat vision he finds that it freezes things instead of melting them, and his flying powers are wonky and Vathgar manages to get away. 

Flying to a nearby city, Superman sees a runaway vehicle and attempts to stop it by using his super-breath only to find that he has flame breath instead. When the people of Xeron attack him, Superman convinces them to stop to compare notes. He learns that Vathgar is a criminal on this world and that he had captured two Skrans, and the inter-temporal transport device for some unknown purpose. Superman agrees to track down Vathgar to learn his purpose.

While back on Earth, the Skran sent there comes out of its tunnel and no matter what Batman and Robin attempt to do to stop it, some impenetrable force keeps them from stopping the creature. While back on Xeron, Superman tracks down Vathgar and learns that he sent the Skran to Earth because there is an element there that is rare on Xeron that makes the Skran invincible and he intended to use the creatures to overthrow the government and take over his world. Superman is forced to battle the Skran that Vathgar has and realizes that extreme cold renders the creature harmless when he uses his freeze vision on the creature.

Back on Earth, the military fires all their artillery at the Skarn there causing it to split in two. One of the creatures passes through the returning teleportation beam, returning Superman to Earth as well. Superman flies off and comes back with a large chunk of ice to drop on the Skarn to render it harmless. With the beast quelled, the heroes bring it off to the Gotham Zoo to resume the remainder of its docile life.

That brings us to "Riddle of the Four Planets" by Jerry Coleman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #130 (1962). An alien starfish creature lands near Wayne Manor and Batman and Robin go to investigate the creature. An alien ship lands and the aliens explain that the creature is a Zelaphod which they accidentally unleashed. They also explain that the creature grows in strength and size and gains the ability to fire explosive bursts of energy by sapping minerals deep below the surface of a planet and is seemingly indestructible. When Superman arrives, they find that the creature proves impervious to Superman's strength and x-ray vision. The alien tells them of an old poem that itemizes ingredients to a chemical compound that can help them defeat the monster.

Telling them the title of the poem -- Sauk -- contains the first letters in the names of different planets that supposedly have the key ingredients. With this information, they alert Commissioner Gordon of the creature and fly off to the various worlds to collect the ingredients they need.

Superman travels to the planet Sinzar to find "sand from the beach of a waterless sea", and upon freeing a trapped archeologist finds exactly what the poem is talking about: a dried-out beach in front of an ancient city buried underground. On Antella, Superman seeks out "moss from a barking tree", which he finds on that worlds "forbidden forest" region after destroying hallucination inducing plants and finding that the poem verse is not quite literal: He finds the moss in a tree that is defended by a small dog-like creature.

While elsewhere in the universe Batman and Robin arrive with the traveling band of aliens to the planet Unxor. There they agree to put on an acrobatics show when the alien cast comes down with space measles. After putting on the show, the aliens gladly tell them where to find "Ears that hear the music of the morning knell" which turn out to be ear-shaped plants that are around giant singing boulders. When traveling to the planet Karos to collect a "tuft of hair from the mystic Krell" they have to battle a giant reptilian creature - a Krell. Although they are overpowered Superman arrives and lends them a helping hand by taking a tuft of hair from the creature. In the aftermath of the battle, Batman notes that a strange gem is shining energy on a hole in the ground shaped like the Zelaphod creature and deduces that it is the source that makes the creatures a threat to the universe.

Destroying the gem to prevent any more Zelaphod threats in the future, Batman, Robin, and Superman return to Earth with the mixture of items and use it to destroy the Zelaphod that is threatening Gotham City.

We end with "The Mirror Batman" by Jerry Coleman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #121 (1961). While attempting to stop some crooks from robbing a warehouse, Batman accidentally falls into a mirror which transports him to another dimension. Robin is unable to bring Batman back, so he contacts Superman for help. Batman emerges from the mirror, altered by it and given bizarre powers.

While Superman and Robin try to corral Batman, the thieves return to steal the mirror, locking in their hide-out safe. Batman is brought down by Superman, but can only be returned to normal by returning to the mirror’s dimension. Finding the mirror missing, Superman and Robin track down the thieves and recover the mirror.

The trio then enters the mirror and meets a strange being responsible for Batman’s transformation. Superman agrees to defeat Xanu, the being's enemy in return for returning the Caped Crusader to normal. Once the task is done, the trio return home, and Superman smashes the mirror.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Superman #242

Superman #242 (On Sale: July 13, 1971), has yet another beautiful cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with "The Ultimate Battle" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Jimmy Olsen finds Superman's weakened and injured body in a junkyard, where a paper-created monster inhabited by a spirit from the Quarrm dimension dragged him. Jimmy has the doctors operate on Superman's head injury while two criminals try to take advantage of the monster's abilities before they become its victims. The monster is drawing itself toward where Superman is in order to finish him but finds himself contending with the sand-created Superman figure whose power is partially restored, wondering why he even cares to act on behalf of anyone. 

Superman and the sand-created duplicate work together to bring the spirit inhabiting the monster back to the Quarrm dimension, but now the duplicate wants to take over Superman's role as protector of the planet. Superman fears that he would have to battle this duplicate whose very touch can trigger off a powerful explosion, when I-Ching mysteriously causes such effects to be canceled, which results in a knock-down-drag-out fight between the two Superman which results in the world's destruction. However, this fight turns out to be nothing more than a dream that I-Ching cast both Superman and his duplicate into, to make them realize the futility of such a fight. The duplicate decides to return to the Quarrm dimension, and Superman is left with a third less of his powers than before. Reprinted in Best of DC #32 (1983) and Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Next, we have "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman" by Bill Finger, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #96 (1955). Alice Norton is a young girl who wins a contest and is awarded a sight-seeing trip from Superman. However, Alice is blind and does not believe Superman is real. Superman uses his powers to try and convince the girl that he is real, but she thinks he is using tricks.

Superman then examines the girl's eyes and sees a sliver of glass which is responsible for her blindness. Doctors can't see the glass, so Superman volunteers to do the operation himself. Superman reads every medical book at super speed, then he performs the surgery.

Alice's sight returns. Superman takes her on her sightseeing trip, convincing her that he is real. Alice's father also returns from a self-imposed exile, because he blamed himself for Alice's injury. Mr. Norton learns he wasn't responsible, and the family is reunited.

We end this issue with "The World's Mightiest Weakling" by Otto Binder, Carmine Infantino, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Strange Adventures #54 (1955).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Superman #241

Superman #241 (On Sale: June 15, 1971), has a cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in "The Shape of Fear" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. The sand creature saga continues as I-Ching helps Superman supernaturally regain his full powers from the sand-created duplicate, causing him to weaken and to open a portal into another dimension. The now-reinvigorated Superman goes back into action once more but becomes more of a nuisance than a help when he builds a prison at super-speed in the middle of rush hour traffic to stop a fleeing burglar, among other things.

 I-Ching tells Superman that the head injury he sustained when he was without his full powers is now made permanent with his powers restored, but Superman doesn't believe him. I-Ching and Diana Prince now go off to find the sand-created duplicate and they discover that he came from the spirit dimension of Quarrm and that he opened a portal to return to that dimension when he let loose another spirit from that realm. That spirit ends up inhabiting a paper-created monster creature from a Chinese parade, and Superman comes to the rescue of a boy being attacked by the monster when he ends up losing his full powers all over again. Reprinted in Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Our first backup is "Superman's Neighbors" by Bill Finger, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #112 (1957). Superman secretly (and sometimes overtly) takes care of his neighbors' pressing problems at Clark Kent's apartment building but learns that one neighbor, Alexander Ross, is convinced that Kent is a crook posing as a reporter.

Our last backup is "Superman's Day of Truth" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and George Klein and reprinted from Superman #176 (1965). Superman and Supergirl astound their friends by speaking only the blunt truth for a day. Superman appears in court and a shady lawyer tries to force the Man of Steel to reveal secret information. Using tricks, Superman answers each question honestly, but without revealing anything critical. Lois and Lana try to get him to reveal which one of them he really loves, but he tricks them as well.

Later, Superman and Supergirl visit Kandor where a ceremony is being held. Their "Day of Truth" was in honor of a Kryptonian hero Val-Lor who inspired his people to overthrow invaders called the Vrangs. His willingness to tell the truth, despite the fact that he was killed for it, is honored by Kryptonians. When the ceremony is over, Superman and Supergirl return home to explain their behavior to their friends.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Batman #233

Batman #233,  Giant #G-85 (On Sale: May 11, 1971), has a nice cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin the reprints with "The Death-Cheaters of Gotham City" by  David V Reed and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Batman #72 (1952). In Gotham City, there is a strange "Death Cheaters Club." A wanted criminal, who fits the qualifications for membership, is denied the same and vows vengeance against all the members. As some of the members start dying, the prime suspect is the criminal, but after Batman starts investigating the mystery, the real killer is found and it is revealed as one of the prime members of the club.

Next, is "The Other Bruce Wayne" by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris and reprinted from Batman #111 (1957). Commissioner Gordon calls Wayne Manor to summon Bruce Wayne, not Batman, to the GCPD Headquarters. There Bruce finds an unexpected newcomer: his father's cousin and his own namesake, Bruce N. Wayne. Bruce N. is a detective from "out on the coast," and is one of the top private investigators in the country. He and Bruce have never met before, but a case has brought him to Gotham City. 

Besides meeting Bruce, he wishes to consult Batman for help. Bruce N. is dismayed that Bruce appears to be a social butterfly, with no profession and seemingly no ambition. He resolves to "make a man" of Bruce by training him to be a detective. Reluctantly, Bruce comes along with Bruce N. as they set upon the track of Varrel, a "scientific thief" who specializes in stealing new inventions.

Batman and Bruce N. encounter Varrel, but the thief escapes. Later, when Commissioner Gordon calls Bruce N. and lets drop that he has not yet told Batman of the Varrel case, the detective begins to suspect his relative of being Batman. In a final encounter with Varrel, Batman kayos the thief, makes him up as Bruce Wayne, and then lets Bruce N. see the both of them together, throwing him off track. After Varrel is jailed, Bruce N. says his goodbyes to Bruce, despairing of ever teaching him to be a detective, and wondering how he could ever have suspected him of being Batman.

Our next tale is "The Murder of Bruce Wayne" by David V Reed, Lew Sayre Schwartz, and Charles Paris and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #58 (1952). A member of the International Chemical Company's Board of Trustees is severely injured after an unfortunate accident and is unable ever to walk again. The man decides to get revenge on the other members of the board, including Bruce Wayne, with plans to kill them all in such a way that he could see the moment from his bed. 

Batman is unable to stop the murders as the trustees die one by one until only Bruce Wayne is left. As Batman, Bruce Wayne tricks the killers in their attempt on his life and locates the secret hideout of the crippled man, thus capturing him and ending his murderous spree. Afterward, Batman reveals that each trustee's death was actually carefully staged, so their killers would believe them dead and make it easier for Batman to capture the killer.

That is followed by "Bruce Wayne's Aunt Agatha" by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Batman #89 (1955). Bruce and Dick receive the unexpected visit of Aunt Agatha, who intends a long stay. Her presence complicates their activities as Batman and Robin, but they gladly accept her in their home.

The old woman's belief that Bruce is a meek and fragile young boy threatens to compromise his and Dick's secret identities. When they go out as the Dynamic Duo, Agatha thinks they're heading towards a masquerade party and they play along to keep their secret. When Batman and Robin encounter some criminals and confront them, they are accidentally captured by the criminals, who are about to eliminate them until the intrusion of the Joker. When the thugs are distracted, Batman and Robin take the chance to break free and capture the criminals, and later the "Joker" removes his mask, revealing Aunt Agatha in disguise. She removes Bruce's cowl and tells the criminals that they have been captured by a fragile young boy who was heading to a masquerade party, which she was attending as well.

After their successful feat, the trio return home, and soon enough, Aunt Agatha returns to her home, leaving the Dynamic Duo free to roam the streets of Gotham once again identities safe from prying eyes.

We end with  "The Crime of Bruce Wayne" by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris and reprinted from Detective Comics #249 (1957). Bruce Wayne agrees to impersonate the Collector and go to jail as part of Commissioner Gordon's plot to discover how an imprisoned man intends to escape. But Wayne is framed for the convict's death during his escape attempt, and Batwoman and Robin must clear his name before he can be executed.

The Dynamic Duo of Batwoman and Robin confront the Collector and his gang on several occasions, and each time the criminal manages to escape. The heroes decide to trail the criminal as he gets away his most prized loot from the Gotham Museum, and they are led to the Collector's hideout, where they capture the criminal during a final confrontation.

Batwoman and Robin arrive in time to stop the execution of Bruce Wayne, bringing with them the real Collector. When Bruce is released, he shows his gratitude for Batwoman and her excellent detective work.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Strange Adventures #230

Strange Adventures #230 (On Sale: March 25, 1971), has a cover by Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "Secret of the Moon Sphinx!" by Otto Binder, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Mystery in Space #36 (1957).

Next is the Atomic Knights in "Threat of the Witch-Woman" by John Broome and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Strange Adventures #156 (1963). The Atomic Knights help Fred Dromer and his mother from the nearby town of Harrow. The people of Harrow have chosen to live without technology and have now branded Fred's mother a witch. Henrietta Dromer is really suffering from a hallucination sickness that spawns two-dimensional energy creatures. 

The Knights stop the creatures and protect Henrietta from them and the townspeople. With the help of the New Orleans medical school, Henrietta is cured. The people of Harrow decide to give up their hatred and fear of science.

That is followed by "Search for a Lost World!" by Edmond Hamilton, Sid Greene, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Strange Adventures #67 (1956).

Next, we have "The Life Battery!" by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Strange Adventures #78 (1957).

Next up is "Prisoner of Two Worlds!" by Bill Finger and Sy Barry and reprinted from Strange Adventures #58 (1955).

That is followed by "Riddle of the Runaway Earth!" by Otto Binder, Sid Greene, and John Giunta and reprinted from Mystery in Space #40 (1957).

We end with Adam Strange in "Vengeance of the Dust Devil!" by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Mystery in Space #70 (1961). Adam Strange returns to Rann, unknowingly carrying Jakarta, the last surviving Dust Devil. It found a way to avoid being turned into glass like the rest of his race and, seeking revenge, he attacks Ranangar. 

When the pair return to Earth near Melbourne, Australia, Adam accidentally discovers that static electricity can freeze Jakarta, traps him with a Wimshurst Machine (a machine that discharges electricity), and then turns the Dust Devil over to Australian authorities where he is immobilized and kept in a prison laboratory.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

DC Special #12

DC Special #12 (On Sale: March 2, 1971), has a Viking Prince cover by Joe Kubert.

We begin with Viking Prince in "Battle for the Dragon Ship" by  Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #1 (1955). This reprints the first appearance of the Viking Prince. In the year 964 AD, Norwegian fisherman Captain Olaf comes upon a young lad floating on a log at sea. He brings him aboard his vessel, but the youth has no memory of his true name or identity. Olaf and his men bring the youth to shore, where a man named Sardluk the spy watches them from afar. 

Sardluk recognizes the blond-haired lad and reports back to his master Baron Thorvald. Thorvald is animated when he hears the news and orders his men to kill the boy. Sardluk's soldiers raid Captain Olaf's home, but the man fights back, ensnaring the soldiers with Olaf's fishing nets. He then picks up a stray sword and injures Sardluk. The boy has no idea why he is so proficient with a blade. Sardluk and his men run away, but promise to return to finish the job. 

Captain Olaf's daughter Gunnda is so impressed with the boy's bravery that she names him Jon the Viking Prince, after a famed Viking hero. A few days later, Baron Thorvald learns that Olaf's men have put to sea, and orders his dragon ship to give chase. As the dragon ship overtakes Olaf's fishing vessel, Jon has the Captain load him onto a spring-loaded harpoon and fire him across to the other ship. Once onboard, Jon swings across the mast then tears through one of the sails with his sword. He fights valiantly against the Viking warriors, forcing Baron Thorvald to flee by diving off his own ship. Jon is concerned that the Baron had information concerning his true identity and fears that he will never learn the truth about his own mysterious past.

Next is another Viking Prince tale, "The Ice Dragon" by Bill Finger and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #5 (1956). With winter setting in, the men of Olaf's tribe are forced to fish day and night to ensure there will be enough food to last. When a sea serpent attacks their fishing boats, the men are too scared to return to the water. Olaf's daughter Gunnda goes out by herself to show the men bravery.

Jon follows her and encounters the serpent. When he gets close, he discovers that the serpent is really a disguised iceberg, moved by one of Thorvald's boats. Jon and Gunnda are captured by Thorvald, but he escapes. When Thorvald's men pursue him, he harpoons a whale. The whale becomes enraged and overturns Thorvald's boats, allowing Jon and Gunnda to get away safely.

Our final Viking Prince story is "The Viking and the Mermaid" by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #16 (1958). Jon, the Viking Prince, attempts to claim his throne by completing Thor's twelve tasks. Torgunn, the Claw, who sits on the throne as regent, seeks to thwart Jon. After the Viking Prince defeats Sven the Giant in combat to complete the first task, Torgunn's wife drugs Jon and causes him to temporarily lose his memory.

Accompanied only by a mute bard, Jon is sent to retrieve an ice demon's helm full of fire. The heat of a lava field clears Jon's head and restores his memory. He then battles the ice demons, saves a maiden, and fills one of the demon's helmet with fire.

Jon attempts to take the maiden, Ylla, back to her father, King Harold of Skane. Torgunn then attacks Jon at sea. The maiden falls into the ocean. Jon dives to the bottom of the sea to save her. However, the dive causes Jon to lose his memory yet again. Ylla is returned to her father, while Jon and the bard sail away with the Viking Prince once again seeking his true past.

Next is the origin of the Silent Knight in "Duel in Forest Perilous" by Robert Kanigher and Irv Novick and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #1 (1955). In the 6th century England, a jousting tournament was taking place between two rulers, Sir Oswald Bane and Sir Edwin Kent. When Kent's Lance strikes against Bane's armor, the lance shatters as if made of rotted wood. When he and Bane then duel with swords, Kent's weapon becomes slack, and he is dealt a fatal blow.

Brian Kent, Edwin's son, rushes to his father's side. With his dying breath, Edwin tells him that he will soon come of age that he can rule alongside Sir Oswald, as a just and merciful ruler. Oswald offers his sympathy to young Brian, lamenting that such an accident had to happen. Brian is not sure it was an accident, however. 

He soon becomes apprenticed to the knights and is trained by his father's friend, Sir Grot. Though Brian seems to be excelling in his training, Grot, strangely, keeps informing Bane that he is talent-less and a waste of time. One day, while Grot starts Brian on Hawkery training, Sir Bane's favorite hawk, Slasher, escapes out of the exit, and Brian gives chase. Slasher leads Brian into the Perilous Forest, so named because of the dangers that await within. When he catches up to Slasher, Brian finds him perched on a branch where a marvelous shining suit of armor, sword, and shield hung as if waiting for him. 

Suited in the armor, Brian follows the path back where he sees a young woman and her father being harassed by Oswald's men. Staying silent, so as not to give his identity away, Brian comes to the travelers' aide, fighting off the other knights' attacks, with Slasher assisting with his talons. His refusal to speak earns him the title of Silent Knight by Bane's men. Soon, Brian has warded off all the others and they retreat into the woods. He escorts the girl and her father back to the castle where they will be safe, then Brian returns to the forest, hiding his armor where he found it until he needs it again.

Back at the training camp, Sir Grot complains that while Brian was out cavorting with hawks, the word arrived of a mysterious Silent Knight that has been seen around the kingdom. Brian just shrugs and returns to his duties.

Following that tale is the origin of the  Golden Gladiator, "The Thunder of the Chariots" by France Herron and Russ Heath and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #1 (1955). In ancient Rome, a shepherd named Marcus stares into a fountain. From behind him, a centurion named Cinna ambushes Marcus and brings him before the Praetor Clodius Crassus. He accuses Marcus of trying to assassinate Crassus, even though it was actually Cinna and his men who tried to murder him. Marcus however, proves to be an apt patsy to cover up for Cinna's crimes. 

Praetor Clodius orders Marcus thrown into the slave galley. Aboard the galley, a Nubian lion escapes from his cage and begins attacking the crew. Marcus wrenches his slave chains from their moorings and uses them as a weapon against the lion. The ship's overseer is so impressed with Marcus' fighting prowess that he recommends him for gladiatorial combat. 

Marcus is brought back to Rome where he is forced to fight in the arena. His opponent Caius ensnares Marcus with a net then charges at him with his trident. Marcus is injured but manages to catch the spear and turn it back upon his foe. The Praetor rules to spare Caius' life so that he can "burn with rage" against Marcus. Cinna makes Marcus fight a second time – this time against a charging bull. Cinna deliberately arms him with a faulty spear, hoping that the bull will kill him. The bull indeed breaks Marcus' spear, but the former shepherd still succeeds in conquering the beast. Marcus' next challenge is a chariot race. He races against a fellow gladiator named Cotta and manages to unseat him with a hearty toss from his shield. Marcus manages to win the race and is granted his freedom.

Lastly, we have Robin Hood in "Three Arrows Against Doom" by Bob Haney and Russ Heath and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #9 (1956). Robin Hood, disguised as an old trader, tells the story of three different arrows that saved him from trouble.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Strange Adventures #228

Strange Adventures #228 (On Sale: November 12, 1970), has another cool cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with our cover story, "The Day the Earth Split in Two" by John Broome, Sid Greene, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Mystery in Space #31 (1956).

Next, we have Adam Strange in "The Fadeaway Doom"  by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Mystery in Space #68 (1961). One day on the planet Rann, high above the city of Ranagar, a message ordering the people of the city to surrender within one day appears. Alanna's father Sardath asks the military's second in command Kaskor to summon all the fighting men to Ranagar. Their unknown threatener, seeing that an army has been mobilized somehow makes all the fighting men disappear. Alanna then goes to the location where Adam Strange will appear via the Zeta-Beam. When he arrives Alannais about to inform Adam of what is going on when they are attacked by a wild Tigrabar, but before it can attack the two find themselves transported to a baron world. There they find the missing soldiers and Alanna has time to tell Adam what happened.

Soon they are attacked by Dust Devils, which tips Alanna to the fact that they have been transported to the planet Rhynthar, which is home to a species of sentient dust clouds. When the creatures attack, Adam learns that they are composed of a form of Sodium that is super-heated, and exposure to sand would turn them into glass. With this in mind, Adam and the soldiers begin to fight off the Dust Devils.

After defeating the Dust Devil's, they are contacted by a pre-established television monitor and soon find that the mastermind behind their defeat was their own second in command, Kaskor, who developed a device based on the Zeta-Beam to transport his enemies onto Rhynthar. He explains when the Zeta-Charge from his weapon wears out they will not be returned to their place of origin, but instead fade into oblivion. Shortly, the original Zeta-Beam that brought Adam to Rann wears off and Adam is returned to Earth.

There, Adam has a duplicate of Kaskor's uniform made in a costume shop and then travels back to Rann on the next Zeta-Beam. Once back in Ranagar, Adam disguised as Kaskor is able to sneak to the palace and confront the real Kaskor. Telling the shocked Kaskor that he is his conscious, the rebel shoots Adam with the Zeta-Ray once more. When nothing happens, Adam grabs the device and uses it to send both him and Kaskor to Rhynthar.

There, in a panic of his own impending doom, Kaskor explains that it's a half-charged blast from the Zeta-Gun that is lethal and that a full charged blast would reverse its effects. With a solution to their predicament in hand, Adam reverses the effects of the Zeta-Gun to return all the Ranagarian's back home. Before returning himself and Kaskor back to Rann, Adam explains he made Kaskor's first shot ineffectual by using a radio transmitter as a jamming device. He then returns Kaskor and himself to Rann. There, Kaskor is sent to prison, and Sardath destroys the Zeta-Ray. With his mission accomplished the Zeta-Beam wears off and Adam is returned home once more.

This is followed by "Dream-Journey Through Space" by John Broome, Gil Kane, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Strange Adventures #58 (1955).

Next up is "The Hothouse World" by Gardner Fox, Mort Drucker, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Mystery in Space #13 (1953).

That is followed up by "The Last Television Broadcast on Earth" by Bill Finger, Sid Greene, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Mystery in Space #28 (1955).

Next is "Detour in Time" by Gardner Fox, Jerry Grandenetti, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Strange Adventures #89 (1958).

We end with Atomic Knights in "The Plant That Hated Humans" by John Broome and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Strange Adventures #150 (1963). A botanist in a nearby town has developed a new strain of plant life capable of growing in the post-war environment. The new plants have telepathic abilities and can walk. 

The Atomic Knights discover that the plants plan to attack human settlements. However, they can't fight the plants directly because they are outnumbered. Instead, the Knights strike at a nearby dam, cutting off the water supply to the plant creatures. Without water, the plants die almost instantly. The plant army is defeated, but the Knights continue their vigilance in case they strike again.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Batman #228

Batman #228 (On Sale: November 5, 1970), has a cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "Outlaw Town, U.S.A." by David V. Reed, Dick Sprang, and Charles Paris and reprinted from Batman #75. A town named Silver Vein is currently run by criminals and serves as the perfect hideout from any law enforcers across the country. When some criminals from Gotham City decide to relocate to Silver Vein, they are immediately followed by Batman and Robin, who capture them and bring them back to Gotham. After their intervention, Silver Vein is reclaimed by the authorities and the rest of the criminals are captured.

Next is "The Living Bat-Plane!" by Edmond Hamilton, Dick Sprang, and Charles Paris and reprinted from Batman #91 (1955). Batman and Robin test new remote controls on the Batplane and Batmobile with help from Dr. Philip Winters. However, Winter's laboratory is found by some criminals, who take the controls of the Bat-vehicles and turn them against the Dynamic Duo. Batman finds a way to stop the Batmobile, but the crooks manage to take the Batplane away from the Batcave and use it in their crimes.

Batman and Robin try their best to put an end to the reign of terror caused by their own plane, but they are always outsmarted by the crooks. During one last attempt, the Dynamic Duo are apparently killed in a fall from the Batplane, but when the vehicle returns to the crooks' lair, they realize that the figures that dropped to their deaths were dummies and the heroes are hidden inside the plane. The criminals are arrested and the Dynamic Duo remove the remote controls from their vehicles.

This is followed by "The Duplicate Batman!" by David V. Reed, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris and is reprinted from Batman #83 (1954). Batman crashes in the Batplane in a remote mountainous area and some crooks learn of the accident. A few days later, Batman is nowhere to be found and the thugs decide to capitalize on his absence by hiring an ex-con and Bruce Wayne look-alike to pose as Batman while they loot Gotham City. 

Their plan goes awry when the fake Batman is knocked unconscious and loses his memory. He is soon found by Robin, who takes him back to Wayne Manor and tries to bring all the memories back. The thug believes that he is in fact Bruce Wayne and soon he starts acting as Bruce and Batman. 

Meanwhile, the real Batman has learned of the impostor in Gotham and he decides to return, using all the strength left in his body. As he returns to Gotham, the fake Batman recovers his memory after another hit in the head and using his identity as Batman, he saves the real Batman from being killed by some criminals, but the feat costs his life.

Next is "The Gotham City Safari!" by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris and reprinted from Batman #111 (1957). Batman and Robin have been made members of the Safari Club, a group of Gotham big-game hunters. Their host, Alec Judson, takes them on a tour of his palatial country estate, subdivided into different areas to simulate such locales as Africa, Mexico, and Malay, and each stocked with appropriate wild animals. Then they begin their annual contest, to see which of the hunters can be the first to bag one of Judson's animals, with a silver pith helmet-trophy the prize. However, the first victim turns out to be a man--Ed Yancey. When a horseshoe watch fob is recovered near the body, Jones identifies it as belonging to Yancey, the English former member of their club.

Judson relates how, on a safari in Africa, an elephant stampede had begun and all of them were able to run for safety except Markham, who had twisted his ankle. They later had Markham doctored and returned to health, but, says Judson, Markham swore revenge upon them for not helping him to safety. Batman and Robin begin their search on the grounds for the killer. The dynamic duo must contend with a charging rhino, a crocodile, and a lion net that eventually traps Batman. A figure who appears to be Markham, after stepping out of the way of a black panther to avoid bad luck, kayos Robin and carries him off. After escaping with the help of a lion, Batman tracks "Markham" to a Mayan temple in "Mexico." There he finds Robin and Markham bound and gagged. When released, Markham explains that they had seen Judson impersonating him and that he has been trussed up ever since coming to America to ask Judson for a loan.

Judson reappears and threatens to kill them all, but Batman bluffs him, saying that he gave away his imposture when he avoided a black panther because Englishmen consider it good luck to cross the path of a black cat. Also claiming to have loaded Judson's gun with blanks, Batman tackles the startled thief. Judson confesses that he killed Yancey because he had discovered Judson was operating an international crime-cartel, using his hunting trips to meet contacts. When Yancey blackmailed him, Judson hit upon the idea of impersonating Markham and placing the blame on him for Yancey's murder. Later, after Judson is jailed, Batman receives the Safari Club trophy for bringing in his quarry--a human killer.

This is followed by "Prisoners of the Bat-Cave!" drawn by Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris and reprinted from Batman #108 (1957). John Roddy, convicted of killing a man named Winters and scheduled for execution, pleads his innocence to Batman, who believes him. Batman goes to the Governor and gets a slight delay, only until midnight of that night. At the district attorney's office, Batman and Robin pick up two packages, one of evidence in the Roddy case and the other a special package addressed to Batman and Robin. By an electrical mishap both are trapped in the Batcave, and the second, special package, actually a booby-trap, bursts into flame and melts their radio transmitter and telephone. Batman puts it out by lowering a hollow, glass bust of Two-Face onto it. Determining that the crime was committed by a man with a much longer thumb than Roddy, the dynamic duo proceed to deduce exactly who the killer was, and discover him to be Len Paul. Batman uses an insulated diving suit to help him survive touching a powerful electric charge to the Bat-Cave's lock mechanism, freeing them. Then they race to apprehend Len Paul and save Roddy's life with only minutes to spare.

We end with "The Doors That Hid Disaster" by Dave Wood, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris reprinted from Detective Comics #238 (1956). A criminal known as Checkmate is dying from radiation poisoning after escaping the Dynamic Duo. To follow through with his life's goal of "checkmating Batman" before dying, Checkmate leaves an elaborate deathtrap to his men for use against Batman and Robin, but the heroes find a way out of trouble.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Superman #232

Superman #232 (On Sale: October 13, 1970), AKA Giant #G-78, has an all Krypton cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson, or as we used to call them, Swanderson. This is a strange issue of Superman in that half the stories are of Superboy.

We begin with Superman in "Superman's Return to Krypton" by Jerry Siegel, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye and is reprinted from Superman #141 (1960).While out on patrol, Superman is stopped by Professor Galsworthy at the Metropolis Observatory, who has made an astonishing discovery. Showing Superman his telescope, they find a strange planet out in space, Superman goes to investigate and learns that it's actually a living creature. 

Upon his approach, the living creature flees, Superman chases after it but goes too fast and ends up flying through the time barrier and into the past. Finding himself in a sector of space before Krypton exploded, he begins to lose his powers due to proximity to the system's red sun. Trapped on Krypton, Superman frets over the fact that now that he is stuck on Krypton, he will be as doomed as everyone else when the planet explodes. He is mistaken for an extra in a movie production which earns him a job and later meets Jor-El and Lara who are just getting married. He befriends the newlyweds and becomes Jor-El’s assistant.

Superman then falls in love with Lyla Lerror, a movie starlet. He is cautious of getting involved with her since Krypton is doomed. Jor-El reaches that conclusion as well and decides to build a ship to reach Earth. Superman sees Jonathan and Martha Kent before they were married and even assists in catching a crook.

Jor-El’s space ark is built in the city of Kandor. However, the city and the ark are stolen by the space villain, Brainiac. Without the ark, Superman realizes he will stay on Krypton until its destruction. He agrees to wed Lyla after the completion of her latest film. As an extra on the film set, Superman is on board a prop rocket when a flame-beast breaks loose and powers the rocket’s engines. Superman is launched to Earth again where he regains his powers. He travels back to the present with only the memory of his home planet.

Next is Superboy in "Father's Day on Planet Krypton" by Leo Dorfman and George Papp and reprinted from Adventure Comics #313 (1963). Superboy celebrates father’s day with his foster parents by giving Jonathan Kent a new pipe created from a meteor. Wanting to honor his Kryptonian father too, Superboy uses his mind prober ray to discover the Kryptonian father’s day rituals. He learns that Kryptonian’s honor their ancestors inside a crypt containing statues of their family.

Weeks later, Superboy discovers the statues belonging to his family floating in space. He covers them with lead to protect himself, since they have been transformed into Kryptonite. Then he places objects within a chest in the hands of the statues. By doing so, Superboy is able to learn about his family history.

We return to a Superman story with "The Fugitive from the Phantom Zone" by  Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and George Klein and reprinted from Superman #164 (1963).  When Superman is called to stop the accidental detonation of a nuclear missile, he diverts it into space where the detonation opees a rift in the Phantom Zone, allowing villain Ras-Krom to escape. Ras-Krom set out to cause a larger nuclear war to blast free the rest of the Phantom Zone criminals; but is deterred by Superman. When Ras draws a Kryptonian demon for luck, Superman not only knows that he is dealing with an escaped Phantom Zone inmate -- but he is a superstitious one.

As Ras-Krom continues to try to free his brothers from the Zone, Superman uses Kryptonian superstition against him. An artificial comet drives Ras-Krom into a magnetic cave that disables his belts' safety aura, and Jimmy Olsen sends him back in the Zone with a plastic Phantom Zone Projector.

We end with Superboy in "The Wizard City" by Bill Finger, Curt Swan and George Klein and reprinted from Adventure Comics #216 (1955). Superboy investigates the disappearance of missing museum curator Professor Mark Olsen, who has gone in search of a fallen meteor in Africa. Superboy discovers the professor in the dense jungle held captive by some knights. He learns that a Wizard City exists nearby, and the professor's guide, Vedders, has gone there.

Superboy locates the city, which was brought to Earth in the meteor. It is a Kryptonian city which has fallen to Earth after the planet's destruction. The Kryptonite prevents Superboy from approaching, so the professor dresses as Superman to stop Vedders from using the weapons of the city.

After defeating Vedders, Superboy and the professor return to civilization. The professor's young son Jimmy is grateful for his father's return. Jimmy idolizes Superboy and eventually grows up to be Jimmy Olsen, Superman's pal.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

G.I. Combat #144

G.I. Combat #144 (On Sale: August 11, 1970) has an uneven cover by Joe Kubert. The logo is just too damn big, no pun intended, and the small pics on the left do nothing to make me want to purchase it. Also, the whole thing is just too dark making for an unusually unappealing effort from Kubert.

Also, the "Two Magazines in One!" blurb is really misleading. Yeah, there are two magazines for sure. One is a skimped on 19-page book of new material and the other is a 36-page reprint book. OK, by today's standards 18 pages of new material for 25 cents is a pretty good deal, particularly when 14 of those pages are by Russ Heath, but at the time, it seemed like a rip-off.

We begin with the Haunted Tank tale "Every Man a Fort" by
Robert Kanigher and Russ Heath. This accounts for 14 of the pages of new material.

Now we gt into the reprints starting with "Straw Pilot" a ten-pager by Hank Chapman and Joe Kubert. Originally produced for Our Army at War #147.

Next is "Something for the Sarge." This eight-pager from Our Army at War #85 is by Bob Haney and Russ Heath.

That is followed by "The Soldier on Four Wheels" a six-pager by the great Bill Finger and Mort Drucker from Star Spangled War Stories #59. A Mort Drucker war story is always a welcome treat.

The next story is "Shooting Gallery," a 12-page story by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, reprinted from Our Army at War #73.

The book ends with the other original story, "Liegnitz and the Mongol Tide," a four page tale drawn by Ric Estrada.

Edited by Joe Kubert.

Batman #223

Batman #223 (On Sale: May 12, 1970) has a cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson on Batman and Robin Face Danger Around the World!

We begin our reprint fest with "City Without Guns" by Bill Finger (or William Woolfolk, you decide), Dick Sprang and Charles Paris a reprinted from Detective Comics #196. Gang boss Frank Lumardi flees Gotham City and heads for London. A month later Bruce and Dick visit London and go to Scotland Yard to learn about British detection methods, where they are shocked to see an empty frame that once held a picture of Batman and Robin. The inspector showing them around only says that it will never hang there again. Before he can say more, the Inspector leaves to an alarm sounds in Leicester Square.

As Batman and Robin, Bruce and Dick hitch a ride with the Inspector to the scene of a stolen briefcase. They find the crimes are being committed by Lumardi and his gang. With the help of Scotland Yard and one of their more zealous British fans, Chester Gleek, Batman and Robin track down the fugitive and capture him on the Oxford campus.

Before leaving London Batman and Robin discover that it was Chester who took the picture from the wall in Scotland Yard's headquarters, because he believed that the British police were not displaying the photo in a proper place of honor.

Next is "Batman of the Mounties" by David V. Reed, Lew Sayre Schwartz and Stan Kaye and is reprinted from Batman #78. Batman and Robin are the guests of the Canadian Mounted Police for National Law-Enforcement Week.. However, during the celebration, the news that the Leclerc Brothers have escape jail arrives. After a demonstration of their unique crime-fighting techniques, Batman and Robin leave and the Mounties have to stop the event and start the hunt for the fugitives. While flying back to Gotham, Batman and Robin spot a body in the snow and land to find a wounded Mountie. While Robin takes the wounded Mountie to a hospital, Batman track the Leclerc's on foot. Robin returns to the Mounties and heads out to reconnect with Batman. Together, Batman and Robin are able to locate the criminals and bring them back to justice.

This next one is interesting in that  "The Mardi Gras Mystery" by Bill Finger, Jack Burnley and Charles Paris is reprinted from the Batman Sunday Strip #40-46, 8/6/1944-9/17/1944  Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson arrive at the New Orleans home of Mr. Bagley who invited them down for Mardi Gras. Since they are from Gotham, Bagley provides them with Batman and Robin costumes for the parade. They choose to wear their actual costumes and during the parade, Miss Lacey, another guest of Bagley's, gives Batman a secret envelope, saying he must guard it with his life. This causes some thugs to attack the dynamic duo, but the heroes manage to overcome the odds.

Afterwards, Batman learns that the envelope contains the secret location of a missing treasure and that Bagley was responsible for the attack on them. Batman manages to locate  Miss Lacey and she informs Batman about the lost treasure. Batman, Robin and  Miss Lacey go to the marked place, unaware that Bagley and his thugs are following them.

When they finally reach the lost boat in which the treasure is located, Bagley manages to place the heroes in a deadly trap. Batman breaks free and helps Robin and the lady to get out of the trap. Then, they work together to stop Bagley and his henchmen. During the struggle, a fire starts and the boat is consumed by the flames. Batman and Robin are more concerned on capturing the thugs and saving the girl, causing the ship to burn and sink and the treasure is lost once again. With the criminals behind bars, Batman and Robin are free to enjoy the rest of the Mardi Gras festival. This story was reprinted in Batman: The Sunday Classics, 1943-1946 TPB and Batman: The Sunday Classics, 1943-1946 HC.

This is followed by "Journey to the Top of the World" by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris which is reprinted from Batman #93. Batman and Robin join a mountain climbing expedition in search of a lost container of stolen microfiche. The party begins the ascent of K-4, and soon runs into trouble as one of the ropes is cut causing Sidney Smythe to fall to his apparent death.

Batman suspects the other climbers are responsible. He investigates and is attacked by an masked climber. Batman eventually reaches the top of the mountain and retrieves the container. The killer turns out to be Smythe who staged the fall. He struggles with Batman, then falls to his death. When Batman returns from the mountain he learns that the real Smythe was never on the expedition. The dead man was an imposter.

We end with "Around the World in 8 Days" also by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris and reprinted from Detective Comics #248. When the Gotham City Hospital is robbed of platinum, radium, and a rare serum, the dynamic duo are called in. The serum is needed to save the life of a patient who will die in eight days without it. Batman and Robin track down the thieves, but find the loot was divided up and smuggled out of the country.  Batman and Robin then race around the globe searching for the stolen serum before the patient dies. They finally locate it in Mexico with the final group of smugglers and return in time for the serum to successful restore the patient to health.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Strange Adventures #224

Strange Adventures #224 (On Sale: March 12, 1970) has an Adam Strange cover by Murphy Anderson.

This issue begins with Adam Strange in "The Weapon That Swallowed Men" by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Mystery In Space #63. Rann is invaded by alien conquerors using a device called the vacuumizer which changes the Ranagarans into a gas vapor. Adam Strange is altered by the weapon, but returns to Earth intact when the Zeta Beam wears off. When he returns Adam finds that the people have been restored but the aliens have uses the weapons to steal the city of Ranagar itself.

Adam believes that the vacuumizer can only transmute one substance at a time, so he devises a plan to stop the aliens. As Adam and several Ranagaran soldiers approach the invaders, the vacuumizer is used against them, but they have coated themselves with different liquid metals. The vacuumizer must be adjusted to deal with each layer of metal. The delay gives the defenders enough time to catch the aliens and defeat them hand-to-hand. With the vacuumizers in the hands of the Ranagarans, Ranagar is restored, and the aliens leave Rann.

Next is "The Planet That Advanced Backward" from Mystery In Space #41 by Bill Finger, Sid Greene and Bernard Sachs.

We end the issue with the Atomic Knights in "Attack of the Giant Dogs" by John Broome and Murphy Anderson from Strange Adventures #138. After finding two giant dalmatians that survived the war inside a test rocket, the Atomic Knights return to Durvale. The town is attacked by Khagan and the Atlantides. Gardner and the other Knights chase them off, but not before Hollis and Douglas are injured.

Gardner decides to mount a counterattack against the Atlantides. He uses the dogs to track them down, then he and Wayne use them as mounts to defeat the enemy soldiers. The Atlantide menace is finally ended. The town welcomes the dogs for their part in the victory. The dogs soon have puppies, that may eventually grow into giants too.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Batman #218

Batman #218 (On Sale: November 11, 1969) has a cover by Murphy Anderson. This is the last issue to feature this long-running Batman logo.

We begin with "Batman and Robin's Greatest Mystery" which is reprinted from Detective Comics #234 and created by Ed Hamilton, Sheldon Moldoff and Stan Kaye. Batman and Robin track down a crook, Jay Caird, who has stolen a sonic weapon. When the weapon is turned on the Dynamic Duo, they are knocked out and begin suffering from amnesia. Commissioner Gordon allows them to search the police files for clues to their secret identities in hopes that it will restore their lost memories.

Batman finds several clues while reading the files. He learns that he is wealthy, is a pilot, and a polo player. With the possibilities narrowed, Batman is able to guess that he is Bruce Wayne. He drives to Wayne Manor where his memories begin to return. With his recovery, he remembers where Caird was headed, and together with Robin, Batman captured the crook.

Next is "The Hand from Nowhere" reprinted from Batman #130 and created by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris. A giant hand appears above a factory. The hand is controlled by two alien creatures. Batman confronts the aliens who are making the hand steal metal ore. Batman is unable to capture the aliens because the giant hand protects them.

Batman follows the trail of the aliens as they steal several other metals. The aliens make a raid on some valuable platinum, and Batman is able to uncover their scheme. The whole setup has been a hoax. The aliens are really disguised crooks. Batman locates the hideout and finds that Superman’s frequent foe, Lex Luthor is behind it. Batman takes control of the hand, which Luthor invented, capturing Luthor and his gang.

That is followed by "The Man Who Couldn't Be Tried Twice" reprinted from Batman #118 and created by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Ray Burnley. Batman testifies in a murder case to help free the defendant, James Lee, who is accused of killing his former trapeze artist partner. Lee is acquitted, then brags that he did kill his partner, Wyler. Batman’s name is ruined, but he uncovers evidence proving that the circus owner, David Dial, is the real killer. Dial bribed Lee to brag so that no one would find him. Batman then brings both men to justice.

That brings us to "The Body in the Bat-Cave" reprinted from Batman #121 and created by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris. Batman and Robin discover the body of electronics genius turned criminal Alec Wyre in the Bat-Cave. They believe wire and an associate discovered the cave, then the associate murdered him. Batman then tracks down three suspects, despite the fact that one must know his secret identity. All three suspects prove to be false leads. Batman then deduces that Wyre found the Bat-Cave on his own and was knocked dead when he hit his head on a stalactite. The location of the Bat-Cave and Batman's secret identity therefore remains a secret.

Next is "Four Hours to Live" which originally appeared in the Sunday Batman newspaper strip from June 11 to July 30th, 1944.

We end with "The League Against Batman" from Detective Comics #197 and created by David V. Reed, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris. A new hooded criminal known as the Wrecker strikes against Batman by destroying objects dedicated to the crime fighter. He destroys Batman toys, signs, and sculptures, claiming to seek revenge for his three brothers who were executed after Batman captured them.

Dwight Forrow, a man who wrote a book about Batman, receives a death threat and is assigned two police bodyguards. The Wrecker still succeeds in carrying out the threat, apparently killing Forrow.

Batman and the police believe that the Wrecker is Skip Denton, who had three criminal brothers. However Batman finds a clue that proves the real identity of the Wrecker. Police apprehend Denton, but Batman clears him by finding Forrow alive. Forrow and his brother were running an insurance scam and set Denton up. A sunburn on Forrow's hand gave the crook away and allowed Batman to apprehend him.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

World's Finest Comics #188

World's Finest Comics #188 (On Sale: August 7, 1969) has a cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

We begin with Superman and Batman in "The Super-Rivals" by Ed Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #85. Princess Varina visits the United States and meets her heroes Superman and Batman. The heroes begin competing for Varina’s affection because if she elopes with Stefan, her royal guard, a commoner, she must abdicate. Abdication would lead to civil war in Balkania.

The heroes continue their pursuit of Varina, but when Pete Kaney’s gang try to steal the royal jewels, the heroes make Stefan appear to be a hero. Stefan’s notoriety allows him to safely marry the princess without risk of war pleasing not only the princess but Lois Lane and Vicki Vale as well.

Next is Superman and Batman in "The Super-Newspaper of Gotham City" also by Ed Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #80. Lois Lane and Clark Kent are asked to work for the Gotham Gazette temporarily to save it from ruin. Bruce Wayne also joins the staff as a reporter to help track down a large crime ring. Bruce and Clark compete for stories, while working on breaking up the crime ring as Batman and Superman. They eventually track down the ring with Robin’s help and deliver the story to the Gazette. The newspaper increases in circulation due to the story and is saved from bankruptcy.

That is followed by Superman and Batman in "The Negative Superman" by France Herron, Jim Mooney and Sheldon Moldoff and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #126. Luthor uses a new device to cause Superman to split in a positive and negative half. The Negative Superman begins helping Luthor and other criminals. The real Superman is unable to stop his duplicate because of an energy field.

Batman and Robin assist the Man of Steel in combating the super-powered menace. Batman uses Kryptonite, but the mineral causes the Negative Superman to grow more powerful. When Superman collides with his negative half, the increased power of the Negative Superman breaks the energy field and allows them to merge back into one being.

Next is Green Arrow in "The World's Worst Archer" by Robert Bernstein and Lee Elias and reprinted from Adventure Comics #262. Roy Harper, a promising athlete and archer, wants to become Green Arrow’s partner. His guardian is Brave Bow, an Indian chief whose life was saved by Roy’s late father. Brave Bow has trained Roy to master the bow and arrow, but is now too old to care for Roy.

Green Arrow gives the boy a chance to prove himself at the Greenville Fair. Roy’s arrow misses the target horribly. Roy doesn’t give up and follows Green Arrow after some crooks. Roy uses Brave Bow’s lucky flint arrow to catch the criminals. Green Arrow misses the action and believes the crooks were caught by a lucky accident.

G.A. gives Roy another chance after Roy wins a track meet. Again the boy’s arrow goes wide of the target. Roy is disappointed, but again trails Green Arrow after some crooks. His flint arrow punctures the tire of the getaway car, but the shaft breaks off leaving no evidence that Roy was responsible. Roy finally gives up, but Green Arrow returns later to explain to Roy that his arrowhead was in the tire. The shots he missed were metal arrows which had become magnetized at the fair, causing them to go wide of the targets. Green Arrow gives Roy the nickname Speedy and takes him as a partner.

We end with Superman and Batman in "The Batman Nobody Remembered" by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #136. Batman is forced to crash land the Batplane during a lightning storm. When he returns to Gotham City no one remembers him. He also discovers that certain things are different. Bruce Wayne is really Superman and lives with Robin and Alfred; Vicki Vale looks like Lois Lane; and the Joker is a TV comic.

Batman’s behavior causes Superman and Commissioner Gordon to think he is a criminal, so he is hunted. He eventually proves himself by helping Superman rescue Robin. After relating his story to Superman, the Man of Steel reasons that Batman has been on a parallel Earth. Then he sends Batman to his own dimension, where he belongs.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Batman #213

Batman #213 (On Sale: May 6, 1969) has a cover by Bill Draut and Vinny Colletta hearkening back to the style of Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson for this 30th Anniversary special issue.

We begin with a new tale, "The Origin of Robin" by E. Nelson Bridwell, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito. This story has been reprinted in DC Special Series #19 and Showcase Presents: Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1 TPB.

Next is "Here Comes Alfred" from Batman #16 and created by Don Cameron, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. Crooks attack a recently arrived passenger from England. Batman and Robin are on hand to fight off the crooks, who manage to escape. The intended victim is an amateur sleuth named Alfred. Later, Alfred arrives at Bruce Wayne's home. Alfred's father Jarvis was Bruce's father's butler. Alfred intends to carry on in the family tradition. Despite Bruce's protests Alfred makes himself comfortable.

That night the crooks return trying to steal Alfred's valise. Batman once again chases away the crooks. While Batman follows them, Alfred accidentally discovers the Bat-Cave and the secret identities of the Dynamic Duo.

Having trailed the thieves to a music hall, Batman and Robin are captured. Alfred also follows and manages to rescue them. Batman then apprehends the crooks, who are after the crown jewels of Dorian. The Duke of Dorian was a passenger on the ship that carried Alfred.

The following evening, Alfred brings Bruce and Dick their uniforms, revealing that he knows their secret identities. Bruce is surprised, but decides to keep the trustworthy man on as his butler.

That is followed by "The Game of Death," a Robin tale from Star Spangled Comics #127 and created by David V. Reed and Jim Mooney.

Next is "The Man Behind the Red Hood" from Detective Comics #168, created by Bill Finger, Lew Sayre Schwartz and George Roussos.

We end with "The Challenge of Clay-Face" from Detective Comics #298 and the work of Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris. A mysterious new crook with the power to change shape, Clay-Face, arrives in Gotham and begins a life of crime. Clay-Face is really Matt Hagen, a crook who has found a pool of strange chemicals which allow him to change shape.

Clay-Face’s crimes put him at odds with Batman and Robin. His powers allow him to elude capture, but during one encounter they nearly fail him as they wear off. After escaping Hagen returns to the chemical pool and restores his powers.

To protect himself from further trouble Clay-Face hires two henchmen, but one leaves a clue at a crime scene which allows Batman to track him down. Batman captures the henchmen while Robin trails Hagen back to his hide-out. Together the Dynamic Duo stall Hagen until his powers wear off allowing them to make an easy arrest.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Superman #217

Superman #217 (On Sale: April 8, 1969) has a cover by Curt Swan and the dreadful Vinny Colletta. featuring Famous Firsts!

We begin with "The Outlaws from Krypton" by Bill Finger, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Action Comics #194.

Next is "The Girl in Superman's Past" also by Bill Finger, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #129. This is the first appearance of Lori Lemaris. Superman recalls an old romance from his college days. When he met Lori Lemaris, she was a college girl confined to a wheelchair. He began to date her as Clark after saving her from an accident. He found her mysterious because she always had to leave at a certain time of night.

Eventually, Lori told Clark that she must return to her homeland. Clark did not want to lose her, so he decided to give up being Superman and propose. Lori told him that she already knew his secret and could not marry him.

Clark investigated further and found a huge salt water tank instead of a bed in her bedroom, and he was able to guess her secret. Lori was a mermaid from Atlantis. She tells Clark the truth about herself, but she still must return to Atlantis forever.

"The Super-Duel in Space" is by Otto Binder and Al Plastino and is reprinted from Action Comics #242 and features the first appearance of the bottled city of Kandor. Clark Kent and Lois Lane are aboard an experimental rocket ship to cover the story for the media. The ship is attacked by a flying saucer. Clark exits the ship and arrives as Superman. Inside the saucer, an alien called Brainiac uses a shrink ray to steal Earth cities and place them in bottles. Superman is prevented from reaching Brainiac by a force field that surrounded the ship.

Superman returns to Metropolis where the rocket has landed. As expected, Brainiac shrinks Metropolis next and takes the tiny city aboard his ship. A tiny Superman escapes the bottle and tries to restore the captured cities to normal. He is forced to hide momentarily as Brainiac’s monkey attacks him.

Superman hides inside another bottle. The bottle contains a Kryptonian city called Kandor, taken from before Krypton’s destruction. Superman is powerless inside Kandor, so he seeks out a scientist, Kimda. Kimda has studied Brainiac’s machines and knows how to free everyone. Superman uses a rocket to escape the bottle.

Outside the bottle, Superman’s powers return. He reverses the controls to restore the Earth cities. There is only enough energy for one more use of the machine. He decides to restore Kandor rather than himself, but Kimda flies a rocket out of Kandor and presses the control which restores Superman. Kandor is stuck in it’s tiny form. Superman takes the city back to his Fortress of Solitude for safekeeping. Brainiac, who is now in suspended animation is sent into space.

Next we have "The First Supergirl" by Otto Binder, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #123. Jimmy receives a magical totem which grants three wishes to him. The first wish brings into existence a Super-Girl, who Jimmy wishes to be the perfect mate for Superman. Unfortunately, the female heroine gets in Superman’s way and becomes a nuisance. She realizes her existence is becoming a problem, so she sacrifices her life to make the Man of Steel happy.

Crooks steal the totem and use the second wish to remove Superman’s powers. Jimmy and Superman then spend the day faking his powers to convince the crooks that the spell failed. After being tricked, the crooks allow the spell to be removed, restoring Superman’s powers.

For the final wish, Jimmy wishes for Superman to meet his parents. However, he has decided to type the wish and a typo causes Superman to "Mate" his parents. As a result, Superman travels back to Krypton and meets young Jor-El and Lara. They are working as undercover agents with Kryptonian Intelligence. With Superman’s aid, they stop a criminal, Kil-Lor, and the Man of Steel plays cupid, setting up his own parents, before returning to Earth.

We end with "The Menace of Metallo" by Robert Bernstein and Al Plastino and reprinted from Action Comics #252. Reporter John Corben is involved in a near fatal car accident. He is found by Professor Vale who rushes Corben to his lab. In order to save the injured man’s life, Vale gives Corben a metal body powered by uranium. After completing the operation the professor suffers a stroke.

Corben begins a criminal career as Metallo. He begins stealing uranium from secure places with his super strength that the robot body provides him. He also joins the staff at the Daily Planet.

When the professor recovers from his stroke, Corben learns that Kryptonite can also power his body. Corben is given a piece of Kryptonite by the professor, but he uses it on Superman who has been trying to capture him. He replaces his own Kryptonite with a sample from a display. The display Kryptonite was fake, so without power, Corben dies from heart failure..

Edited by Mort Weisinger and E. Nelson Bridwell.

Detective Comics #387

Detective Comics #387 (On Sale: March 27, 1969) has a cover by Irv Novick. celebrating Batman's 30th anniversary.

"The Cry of Night is -- Sudden Death" is by Mike Friedrich, Bob Brown and Joe Giella. this story was reprinted in Best of DC #2 and Detective Comics #627. "The Cry of Night is -- Sudden Death" is basically an updated version of of the "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" from Detective #27, only from teenager Mike Friedrich instead of teenager Bob Kane. The plot follows the original fairly closely, only adding a conflict between Robin and Mel Lambert, Robin feeling Lambert must be guilty because he is such a disrespectful youth.

The back-up story is "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" by Bill Finger and Bob Kane from Detective #27. This is of course the first Batman story. Commissioner Gordon receives a call telling him that Old Lambert, the chemical king, has been murdered. Gordon leaves for the crime scene bringing his millionaire friend Bruce Wayne. The prime suspect is Lambert’s son, but the boy claims to have found his father stabbed. A telephone call from Steven Crane, one of Lambert’s partners, reveals that Lambert’s life had been threatened.

Crane is also murdered by two thugs, who also steal a contract. They are confronted by a masked man on a rooftop, the Batman. Batman dispatches the hoods in short order, recovering the contract which leads him to the laboratory of another of Lambert’s partners, Alfred Stryker.

Stryker is being visited by the final partner, Paul Rogers. Rogers is knocked out and nearly killed by Stryker’s assistant, Jennings. Batman arrives in time to save the man and stop Jennings. Stryker also tries to kill Rogers to protect himself from the knowledge that he made secret contracts with the partners for control of the Apex Chemical Corporation. Batman rescues Rogers again, and knocks Stryker into a vat of acid, killing him.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Our Fighting Forces #117

Our Fighting Forces #117 (On Sale: November 12, 1968) has a Lt. Hunter's Hellcats cover by Joe Kubert.

We begin with Lt. Hunter's Hellcats in "Colder Than Death" by Robert Kanigher and Frank Thorne. Next is "The Three GIs" from Star Spangled War Stories #62 by Bill Finger and Russ Heath. Lastly we have "Medal in the Mud" written and drawn by Fred Ray.

Edited by Joe Kubert.

Batman #208

Batman #208 (On Sale: November 12, 1968), 80pg. Giant #G-55, has a cover by Nick Cardy featuring Who is the Most Important Woman in Batman's Life?

This book contains"The Women in Batman's Life" by E. Nelson Bridwell, Gil Kane and Jack Abel. This story is a new framing sequence that surrounds reprinted stories. This framing sequence consists mostly of flashbacks to earlier events in the career of the Earth-1 Batman. Some of these events parallel adventures of the Earth-2 Batman. It should not be assumed that all other Earth-2 stories have Earth-1 parallels.

Mrs. Chilton, the woman that cared for Bruce Wayne following the death of his parents, remembers various events from the career of Batman that involve important women in his life. The women she remembers are: Julie Madison, Catwoman, Linda Page, Vicki Vale, Batwoman, Kaye Daye, Aunt Harriet, Patricia Powell, Marcia Monroe, Poison Ivy, and Batgirl. Unbeknownst to Bruce, Mrs. Chilton knows that he is Batman and that her sons Joe and Max Chill played important roles as villains in Batman's life.

The first woman is Catwoman in "The Secret Life of the Catwoman" a reprint from Batman #62 by Bill Finger, Lew Sayre Schwartz and Charles Paris. Next is Vicki Vale in "Vicki Vale's Secret" from Batman #73 by David V. Reed, Lew Sayre Schwartz and Charles Paris. Next we have Batwoman in "The Menace of the Firefly" from Batman #126 by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris wherein Firefly robs a party at which Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Kathy Kane are guests. The crook gets away, but Kathy sees the host, Ted Carson, slip away prior to Batman appearing on the scene. She suspects Ted is Batman, but when she confront him, she learns he is really the Firefly. Batman and Robin predict where Firefly will strike next, and Kathy shows up as Batwoman to stop the crook.

Next is "The Dilemma of the Detective's Daughter" from Batman #165 by France Herron, Sheldon Moldoff and Joe Giella. Patricia Powell, the daughter of Lt. Mike Powell, graduates from the police academy with top honors. She receives her awards from Batman and is immediately promoted to detective. She tells Batman that she has a crush on Bruce Wayne, though the two have never officially met.

Batman keeps an eye on Patricia. During her first case, Pat investigates the kidnapping of Professor Smedley. Batman helps her track down the Professor. The Dark Knight apprehends the crooks, while Pat releases the professor. Later, Pat attends a weekend party held by Bruce Wayne, where she meets him for the first time.

This issue also contains excerpts reprinted from other stories including: two pages from Detective Comics #203, one page from Detective Comics #233, one page from Batman #194, one page from Detective Comics #328, five pages from Brave and the Bold #64, two pages from Batman #181, two pages from Batman #182, and five pages from Detective Comics #359.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Tomahawk #120

Tomahawk #120 (On Sale: November 7, 1968) has a cover by Nick Cardy. I think the coloring pretty much destroys this nicely-drawn Cardy cover..

We begin with "The Coward Who Lived Forever" by Robert Kanigher and Frank Thorne. The back-up story is "A Bullet Meant for Me" by Bill Finger and Bob Brown.

Bill Finger was pretty much fired by DC with this issue. He would sale a couple of mystery stories in 1974 and 1976, but for all intents and purposes, Finger's career ended here. His career begin 30 years prior in a book called Detective Comics. The 27th issue of Detective Comics to be exact. In a little story called "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate." Maybe you've heard of it; it introduced a character called, oh, what was his name? Oh yeah, the Batman.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.