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"Batgirl: "Those Were the Bad Old Days!"": When Batgirl is invited to Provincetown, she tries to get Robin to go with her, but Dick finds himself busy at Hudson University with personal affairs. However, Dick tells Barbara to mee

Quote1 Somebody suggested I had outgrown my Batgirl name and should change it to Batwoman! Quote2
Batgirl

Batman Family #10 is an issue of the series Batman Family (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1977.

Synopsis for Batgirl: "Those Were the Bad Old Days!"

When Batgirl is invited to Provincetown, she tries to get Robin to go with her, but Dick finds himself busy at Hudson University with personal affairs. However, Dick tells Barbara to meet with an old friend of Bruce, whose name is Kathy Kane.

On the road to Provincetown, Barbara reads some mail to Batgirl, which suggests that she should change her name to Batwoman, but she doesn't give it much thought, as she knows there was a Batwoman once in the past, but has retired. Upon arriving at Provincetown, Barbara witnesses the Cavalier's crimes and she confronts the criminal as Batgirl, allowing the police to arrest the colorful villain.

Later, Barbara meets with Kathy Kane, but before they could get to know each other, they witness how a giant moth is attacking the Police Department. Sneaking out of sight, Barbara changes into Batgirl and confronts the one responsible for the giant moth attack: Killer Moth. Batgirl finds it difficult to fight Killer Moth with his new weapon, but things only get harder when the Cavalier is sprung out of prison and joins Killer Moth in his efforts against Batgirl. At that moment, Batgirl gets help from Batwoman, who frees Batgirl and allows them to fight against the crooks. Despite their combined work, the villains escape thanks to well placed illusions that trick the heroines and stump them.

Back in their civilian identities, Barbara and Kathy go on a cruise, where they are once again suddenly attacked by giant moths. Both ladies get the same idea of making up an excuse so they can change into their secret identities, but while they switch, they learn about each other's secret. Without a dull moment, the ladies go into action and while Batwoman confronts and captures Killer Moth with his own weapon, Batgirl fights the Cavalier and also puts an end to his crime spree.

Afterwards, Barbara and Kathy go to an amusement park to discuss their secret adventures. It is then that Barbara reveals to Kathy that people had suggested she should claim the name Batwoman, and Kathy agrees, as she only came out of retirement for this special occasion and has no intention of going back to crime fighting. Barbara however, refuses to take the name and chooses to stay as Batgirl, since she considers that there is only one Batwoman.

Appearing in Batgirl: "Those Were the Bad Old Days!"

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Synopsis for Batman: "Bruce Wayne Loses the Guardianship of Dick Grayson!"

This story is reprinted from Batman #20.

A couple arrives at Wayne manor claiming to be Dick Grayson's aunt and uncle. They announce their intention of claiming young Grayson so he can come live with them. Bruce Wayne protests and shows the couple out but George and Clara Grayson declare that they will pursue their claim in court. During the custody hearing It is revealed that Bruce Wayne has quite a reputation as a playboy and the judge awards custody to the Graysons since they appear to be able to give the young boy a stable home life.

Bruce Wayne finds himself working alone as Batman once again. He tries to keep up with the criminal element on his own. Batman then heads to the library with a lead that indicates that it will be robbed by Fatso and his mobsters. Batman arrives just in time to halt the burglary. He tussles with the mobsters but starts to find himself overwhelmed. He is then surprised by Robins sudden appearance. The two crimefighters easily subdue the mobsters. Robin then explains that he snuck out of uncle George's home, but that he must return soon.

As Bruce arrives back home, he receives a phone call from George Grayson. Grayson asks Bruce to meet with him to discuss a matter of importance. Bruce meets with George Grayson and is shocked to learn that Grayson is willing to sell Dick Grayson back to him in exchange for a million dollars. He tells Bruce to go back home and think it over but advises him not to bring in the police since they probably wouldn't believe him anyway. Instead of giving them what they want, Bruce goes to George Grayson's place as Batman and threatens him to sign a confession. George asks Batman for an hour so they can have a chance to pack. Meanwhile, he contacts the crime boss called Fatso Foley and they set a trap for Batman.

George Grayson calls Wayne Manor again and warns them that their pal Batman has been taken care of. Alfred takes the message and he goes to warn Dick about the situation. Together, Alfred and Robin find the criminals responsible and locate Batman, saving him from a deadly air pressure chamber.

Batman and Robin take Fatso to uncle George's house along with the police and the truth is finally revealed. Going to court once again and using the evidence against George Grayson, Bruce regains the legal custody of Dick Grayson.

Appearing in Batman: "Bruce Wayne Loses the Guardianship of Dick Grayson!"

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  • George Grayson (Single appearance)
  • Clara Grayson (Single appearance)
  • Fatso Foley (Single appearance)

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Synopsis for Robin: "The Second Boy Wonder!"

This story is reprinted from Batman #105.

Batman and Robin are returning from a battle with gangster Gorilla Hardy and his men. In the Batcave, Batman changes into his Bruce Wayne civilian identity while "Robin" removes his mask and reveals a different face than Dick Grayson's. The "new Robin" claims to be Fred Loyd, son of Olympic Decathlon champion Hank Loyd. Fred explains that he was trained by his father to athletic perfection. He also claims that Robin, wounded in his encounter with Hardy, stumbled onto his doorstep and asked him to take his place to help Batman, giving him the Robin costume. The Bat-Signal flashes outside and Batman is informed via radio that Gorilla Hardy has escaped from prison and is hiding in an amusement park. "Freddy" blackmails Batman into letting him come along or having his identity revealed.

The twosome nab Hardy in the house of mirrors, and then return home, where Bruce and Alfred smilingly assure Fred that he is a worthy replacement for Dick. Angrily, "Fred Loyd" removes his face mask and is revealed as Robin. The two adults burst out laughing, and reveal to the dismayed Dick that he gave himself away from the very start when he got out of the Batmobile in a pitch dark Batcave --and went over and switched on the light!

Appearing in Robin: "The Second Boy Wonder!"

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  • Gorilla Hardy (Single appearance)

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Trivia

  • According to the thoughts of Barbara Gordon in the first story, Barbara is 25 years old and won a scholarship eight years prior, while Dick Grayson is still a teenager.


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