The 24th appearance of The Batman took place in the December 1940 issue of Detective Comics issue 46. The cover has nothing to do with the issue as was often the case back in the golden age of comics.
Detective Comics issue 46 featured the return of recurring Batman enemy Hugo Strange. The tone also continues the more swashbuckling approach to Batman’s character since taking on Robin as his partner.
In issue 46 of Detective Comics, Batman continues to demonstrate refined martial arts skills.
Batman begins to unfoil the plot when one of the bad guys squeels.
The rat tells Batman everything about the upcoming scheme being cooked up by Prof. Hugo Strange.
It takes a considerable number of pages before we see Prof. Hugo Strange in this issue.
Issue 46 of Detective Comics also features an early version of The Scarecrow’s famous fear gas, though it is Prof. Hugo Strange wielding it in this issue of Detective Comics.
Lots of hand-to-hand combat from Batman in this issue of Detective Comics. It is clear that the stories are shifting more and more away from crime stories and more toward adventure stories.
Robin even demonstrates his circus tightrope skills in this issue by running down the powerlines! (Don’t try this at home… or anywhere!)
Batman battles Prof. Hugo Strange in a wrestling match before Strange tumbles over the edge of the cliff. Don’t worry he’ll be back.
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The Batman Timeline and Chronology:
03-30-1939: 1st Appearance of The Batman & Commissioner Gordon. Detective Comics issue 27.
06-1939: Batman swings from building to building with a rope for the first time. Detective Comics issue 28.
07-1939: The Utility Belt is used for the first time.
09-1939: Fiancée Julie Madison is introduced. First Bat-Copter / Bat-Plane
10-1939: Batman uses a gun to kill The Monk.
11-1939: Batman kills Dr. Kruger by causing his plane to crash after knocking him out with gas. Origin of Batman.
12-1939: Batman is depicted holding a smoking gun. Commissioner Gordon returns.
02-1940: First appearance of Prof. Hugo Strange.
04-1940: First appearance of Robin (Dick Grayson). Robin kills a mobster.
04-1940: First appearance of the Joker and Catwoman (AKA: The Cat).
06-1940: First appearance of Clayface.
Batman Kill Count: 16
Robin Kill Count: 1
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