DC Special #14 (On Sale: July 1, 1971), has a Wanted: World's Most Dangerous Villians cover by Murphy Anderson proving that DC 100-Page Super Spectacular was not the only book named for the company that would be the launching pad for new titles.

We begin with Superman in "The Toyman's Castle" by Don Cameron, Ira Yarbrough, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #47 (1947). While in prison, the Toyman is allowed to create toys that discourage crime. However, his toys are actually robbery plans for his gang. Though Superman is able to stop the robbery, the Toyman is able to escape jail.

Toyman then creates a party machine designed to tell fortunes. His real plan is to steal the signatures of wealthy party guests. Lois sees him, so the Toyman takes her prisoner. When Superman catches him, he uses Lois as a hostage. Superman foils Toyman's plans using a toy jack-in-the-box and then sends the crook back to prison.

From 1943 to 1948, Ira Yarbrough drew 77 Superman stories and worked closely with Superman creator Joe Shuster.

Next up is the Flash in "The Heat Is On... for Captain Cold" by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Flash #140 (1963). Flash is asked by Henry Willens, an attorney, to search for a missing girl. The girl was lost in an accident many years before. Her father has died recently and his dying wish was to locate the girl. A diamond-shaped birthmark is the only clue Flash has to her identity.

While searching for the girl, Flash learns that Captain Cold has broken jail. He quickly catches up to Cold but is preventing from making the capture by a new villain, Heat Wave. Heat Wave teams temporarily with Cold, but the two have a dispute over the affections of a TV model, known as Dream Girl. The two crooks compete in a crime spree to win Dream Girl. They halt their rivalry again when Flash shows up. Flash is able to overcome both opponents and turn them into the authorities.

Learning of the crooks' passion for Dream Girl gives Flash an idea. He meets Dream Girl who turns out to be Priscilla Varner, the missing girl. Flash is able to take her to Mr. Willens to receive her inheritance.

We end this issue with Batman in "The Bird Sayings Crimes" by William Woolfolk, Lew Sayre Schwartz, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #55 (1951). On his birthday, the Penguin receives presents containing mocking bird sayings from other criminals. For this reason, Penguin decides to use those same sayings as inspirations for crimes, and thus dispose of Batman and Robin, but as usual, he ends up captured by the Dynamic Duo.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Batman #203

Batman #203 (On Sale: May 9, 1968) AKA 80pg. Giant #G-49 has a cover by Neal Adams over a layout by Carmine Infantino. I remember as a kid being excited by this issue, that there were actually some "secrets" that I was going to learn.

We begin with "The 1,000 Secrets of the Batcave" by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney from Batman #48. Escaped killer Wolf Brando on the run from police takes refuge inside Wayne Manor. Once inside, he knocks out Dick Grayson and accidentally discover the Batcave entrance.

Batman learns that Wolf is hiding in his home and follows him into the Batcave. Brando has Dick held hostage, but Batman rescues him. Together Batman and Robin then chase Brando through the Batcave. They know that once he is caught, Wolf will reveal their secret identities to the world. After a long chase, Brando is finally cornered. However, he accidentally falls into an underground stream and drowns.

Next is "The Birth of Batplane II" by David V. Reed, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris from Batman #61.

That is followed by "The Secret of Batman's Utility Belt" also by David V. Reed, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris and from Detective Comics #185.

Next is "The 100 Batarangs of Batman" by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris from Detective Comics #244. Film is stolen which contains pictures of Batman throwing his batarangs. The Dynamic Duo recalls several criminals who have been defeated by the batarangs. They determine that Jay Garris is the likely suspect. Batman locates Garris and uses Batarang X, a giant batarang that can carry a man, to sneak into Garris’ hide-out. He learns the crooks intend to use exploding batarangs for crime.

Next up is "Secret of the Batmobile" also by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris from Batman #98. When Batman pursues the Racer in the Batmobile, Vicki Vale snaps a photo of the chase. Batman sees the photo and worries that it will reveal a secret. He convinces Vicki to run several stories of cases in which the Batmobile was used before printing the photo. The reason for this is that the engine of the Batmobile was damaged. While repairs continued, Batman replaced the Batmobile with Bruce Wayne's sports car. Vicki's photo showed the sports car and would have given away his identity.

Lastly we have "The Flying Bat-Cave" by David V. Reed, Lew Sayre Schwartz and Charles Paris from Detective Comics #186.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell who began editing all of the Batman 80-Page Giants beginning with issue #198.

Batman #198

Batman #198 (On Sale: November 14, 1967), AKA 80pg. Giant #G-43 features a cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson spotlighting an All-Villain Issue.

We begin with "The Origin of the Batman" from Batman #47 by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Charles Paris. Batman and Robin discover that a trucking company is smuggling wanted criminals out of state. When Batman sees a picture of the trucking company's owner, Joe Chill, he immediately recognizes the man as the killer of his parents (this was the first time the killer's name was revealed. Batman works the case alone, trying to trap Chill and get evidence against him. Chill eludes Batman's traps and continues to operate his company.

Finally Batman takes a daring risk and reveals his identity to Chill, explaining that Chill was responsible for creating him. Batman threatens to follow and harass Chill until the crook eventually slips up. Frightened, Chill runs to his gang. He tells them that he was responsible for creating Batman. Before he can tell them who the Batman really is, they gun him done for creating their nemesis. Batman is then able to finally close the case of the Wayne murder.

Next is "The Jungle Cat-Queen" from Detective #211 by Ed Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris. After a jewel heist, Catwoman pilots her plane to a remote island where she meets her accomplices. Batman follows her to the island and is quickly captured. Catwoman allows Batman to escape, even though her partners try to kill him. Once free Batman rounds up the gang, but the Catwoman herself escapes.

This is followed by "The Web of the Spinner" from Batman #129, by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris. While Batman and Robin track down a new costumed foe, the Spinner, Batwoman is investigating a swami who she believes is a phony. All the heroes finally follow their leads to an old windmill which the Spinner is using as a hideout. Although they are able to overcome the Spinner, Batman suspects more is going on. They exit the windmill just before it explodes. The swami is the real Spinner, and he setup another crook to take the fall. Batman then finds evidence in the swami’s possession and arrests him.

Next we have (Oswald Who?) reprinted from the Batman Sunday strip 2/10/1946-3/10/1946 by Alvin Schwartz, Jack Burnley and Charles Paris. This was later reprinted in Batman:The Sunday Classics, 1943-1946 TPB.

"The Crimes of Batman" from World's Finest #61 by David Reed, Lew Sayer Schwartz and Charles Paris follows.

This is followed by "The Menace of False Face" from Batman #113 drawn by Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris. A new criminal and master of disguise, False Face, commits robberies around Gotham by disguising himself. Batman realizes that the real people which False Face replaces are delayed from their normal activities in advance. When someone is delayed, Batman arrives in their place and is able to locate False Face, but the crook escapes. During another encounter, Batman is apparently knocked out, but he is really able to capture False Face and his gang.

Lastly we have "The Bandit of the Bells" from Batman #55 drawn by Bob Kane and Charles Paris.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.