Most people use slang expressions daily which, if carried out word for word, would cause them to commit crimes! "I'll mow you down" -- and others. Get the idea? 
- — Joker
Batman #12 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1942. It was published on June 6, 1942.
Synopsis for "Brothers in Crime"
At Wayne Manor, Batman and Robin visit their secret Hall of Trophies and they recall how they got some of them. After a quick tour, they reach Trophy No. 41, which is a bullet proof vest that saved a young man's life and they start remembering the events.
Peter Rafferty was released from the Gotham State Penitentiary, but his attempts to go straight were thwarted by the influence of his brothers, who forced him back into a life of crime. During altercations with the Batman, two of the brothers were killed as a result of wearing iron vests to protect them from bullets. Unfortunately, when Peter tried to go straight again, and saves the life of a man, he is killed by a member of his former gang. Batman was unable to save Peter, but using his own vest, Rafferty allowed a doctor to save the life of a young man.
Appearing in "Brothers in Crime"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Peter Rafferty (Single appearance; dies)
- Mike Rafferty (Single appearance; dies)
- Steve Rafferty (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Dugan (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Wizard of Words"
Joker comes up with a great scheme to start pranks across Gotham City by using slang expressions that he carries out in the literal sense of the word. In one of these pranks, Joker sends a letter to Commissioner Gordon, telling him that he is going to "paint the town red". The entire Gotham City Police Department is placed in constant vigilance, but instead of murders and crimes, Joker and his henchmen take some red paint and start smearing it across the city, on the streets and buildings.
Batman deduces that this is all part of Joker's latest criminal master plan and after looking at the pattern of the red paint, Batman deduces Joker's plan. Joker and his gang are already inside one of the banks that was painted red, since the paint was mixed with an acid solution that weakened the walls and allowed the criminals to get inside. The dynamic duo descend to their secret underground hangars and soon they're riding the Batplane on their way to the bank. Upon arriving, they confront the Joker and his gang, but the criminals manage to get away.
The next day, Joker sends another cryptic message, but this time Batman and Robin deduce the clues and Batman goes to an old abandoned building, where a newspaper used to be settled. When Batman enters the building, he is ambushed by Joker and his thugs, who then place the Dark Knight on a giant gyroscope. Joker stops the machine allowing Batman to walk again, but the vigilante is absolutely dizzy and he can't see his opponents. Batman is then forced to walk through a plank over a burning furnace and some spikes. At his current condition, Batman is bound to fall downwards, but at that moment, Robin arrives and takes down some of Joker's men. Batman finally falls to a certain death, but he is rescued by Robin. In the meantime, Joker escapes again.
Later, the duo learn about Joker's next hit and they get ready. Joker breaks into a train and steals a package of money. Once he has claimed his prize, Joker leaves the train and soon he realizes that the Batmobile is following him. Batman leaps towards the Joker and they both fall to the river below. They reach shore and Joker runs towards an army camp, where he steals a barrage balloon. Batman jumps towards the balloon and they start fighting on the top of the flying object. With a great punch, Batman pushes Joker off the balloon towards the water beneath. Minutes later, Batman joins Robin and they stop the chase for Joker,as they believe he couldn't have survived the fall.
Appearing in "The Wizard of Words"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Joker
- Slapsy (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Wayne Manor
- Secret Underground Hangar (First appearance) (Batcave not yet named)
- Wayne Manor
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "They Thrill to Conquer"
Batman and Robin learn that there's a gang responsible for attacking stuntmen in order to get protection money from them. While fighting this gang, the duo learns of the hardships of stuntman "Fearless" Ford and he decides to help him. Ford was lost the will to perform as a stuntman because of the risks of being killed and Batman has to take his place on his circus performance. The gangsters strike again and Batman is forced to fight some lions until Robin comes to his rescue.
Later, Bruce Wayne offers a big payment for Ford to act on one of his events, but Ford is still reluctant to do it. Bruce is forced to disguise himself as Ford and perform instead of him once again. This time, the gangsters alo strike and they almost manage to kill Bruce, but he avoids death.
Batman and Robin prepare a new stunt to attract the gangsters' attention. Ford was supposed to act on a diving act, but when it goes horribly wrong, the crowd thinks that Ford died. However, it was a dummy all along and Batman appears in time to follow the ones responsible for the accident. Batman follows the gang leader Joe Kirk, but the criminal manages to get away on a plane. Using a nearby cannon, Batman asks Robin to shoot him towards the plane using the cannon and in a few seconds Batman is flying towards the plane. When he gets inside, he confronts Joe and soon he gets control of the vehicle.
In the meantime, Robin prepares the Batplane to follow Batman and he discovers that stuntman Ford was already on the Batplane waiting for someone to pilot it. When Ford learns that Batman is struggling against the gang leader, he decides to help and when the Batplane is hovering over Joe Kirk's plane, Ford jumps on a daring feat towards the next plane. He can't make it clear and Batman has to reach out to save Ford. After this action, Ford has recovered his confidence and is ready to perform again.
Appearing in "They Thrill to Conquer"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Flying Fords
- "Fearless" Ford (Single appearance)
- Tommy Ford
Antagonists:
- Joe Kirk (Single appearance)
- Duke (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "Around the Clock with the Batman"
The City of Gotham are celebrating Batman's crimefighting career and the citizens are all astonished as to how many accomplishments Batman has under his belt.
However, this is just another day for Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. After a quick breakfast, some training in the gym and detective work, Bruce continues the ending of his book called "Observations of Crime", which is a documentary of his most notable cases solved as Batman and the psychology behind it all. Despite his many cases, he is still missing one last chapter and he can't think of a good story. Dick suggest that they should go outside and stop some crimes that would help Bruce with the final chapter.
On their way out, they soon find a robbery and they try to stop it but the criminals get away using tear gas. Following the clues, Batman and Robin arrive at an art exhibition, where they find the stolen gems inside some sculptures. The crooks are taken away, but the manager of the exhibition is a frail old man who would like the incident to remain a secret. Batman decides to honor the old man's wishes, and he sacrifices the last story.
Later, Batman and Robin go to perform at a kid's hospital before they learn of an apparent suicide attempt. Batman and Robin arrive at the scene, where a young woman is about to jump off the edge of a building. Using his Batrope across the buildings, Batman saves the girl, but in the meantime a robbery has taken place. Batman suspects that the woman was just a distraction for the criminals to get away. Following the girl to a secret hideout, Batman and Robin take out the whole gang, but when the leader is in prison, he pleads Batman not to tell anyone about it, because the news would be fatal for his mother, who would die if she knew the truth. Once again, Batman decides not to share the case.
Without any story to end his book with, Bruce decides to make the final chapter about a day in the lifes of Batman and Robin and he would call it "Around the Clock with Batman and Robin". After this decision, the duo take a well deserved rest.
Appearing in "Around the Clock with the Batman"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Heist Andrews (Single appearance)
- Margie (Single appearance)
- "Trigger" Maroni (Mentioned only)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Hodge (Single appearance)
- The Joker (Mentioned only)
- Penguin (Mentioned only)
- Scarecrow (Mentioned only)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- "Brothers in Crime" is reprinted in Batman #256.
- "The Wizard of Words" is reprinted in Batman: Secrets of the Batcave.
- This issue is reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol 3.
Trivia
- On the third story there's a reference to Frank Buck.
- Trophy No. 41, the Bullet Proof Vest, is later spotted in the Trophy Room, along with other trophies in Detective Comics #676.
See Also