Batman #15 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1943. It was published on December 8, 1942.
Synopsis for "Your Face Is Your Fortune"
Catwoman has taken the identity of Elva Barr, a cosmetologist working on a beauty salon in Gotham City. The ultimate purpose of her disguise, is to adopt the identities of the women who go to the salon and impersonate them in order to steal valuable objects. However, she is recognized by Bruce Wayne during a beauty contest for beauty salon operators. Bruce is one of the judges of the event and with his vote, Elva Barr wins the contest. During the crowning, Bruce presents her with the prize and Catwoman begins to fall for Gotham's playboy.
Bruce informs Dick Grayson about his encounter with Catwoman and they decide to follow Elva Barr after she leaves the beauty salon. For a moment, it seems like Catwoman is finally going straight, but after a while, the duo learns that she has still some connections with the underground. After a quick investigation and a confrontation with some of her thugs, Batman and Robin learn that Catwoman will strike next during a wedding ceremony disguised as another woman.
The heist takes place as planned, but on her way out of the place, Catwoman is stopped by Batman while Robin fights her henchmen. Catwoman is stopped by Batman and there, she asks him for a second chance at redemtion now that she has found love in Bruce Wayne. Batman is shocked to learn that Catwoman is in love with him and he allows her to escape after she promised she'd go straight if she gets a chance with Bruce.
In the following days, Bruce starts dating Elva and a few days later, their engagement becomes known to the public. It is then that Catwoman tells her gang that she is leaving crime forever, but one of her men informs her that Bruce Wayne has been dating Linda Page longer than her, placing the seed of doubt on Catwoman. Meanwhile, Linda is devastated by the news of Bruce's engagement and she decides to pay a visit to Elva Barr at her beauty salon, to know the woman Bruce changed her for. Linda's innocent motivation is used by Catwoman to her advantage when she creates a mask with the features of Linda's face in order to learn the truth.
Posing as Linda, Catwoman meets Bruce and inquires Bruce about his engagement. Bruce tells "Linda" that the engagement is fake and that he is only doing so because Batman asked him to do it until Catwoman leaves crime. Learning the truth, Catwoman leaves the place and Bruce returns home, where Dick informs him that Linda called on the phone to congratulate him on his engagement. Bruce finally realizes Catwoman's deception and soon, the master criminal starts a crime spree across Gotham, leaving her good intentions in the past.
Batman and Robin follow one of Catwoman's thugs to an animal exhibition, where they find her trying to steal some of the fine animals. The dynamic duo takes down all of the thugs and later, Batman gives chase to Catwoman, who stumbles over a group of cats, allowing Batman to capture her.
Catwoman is finally arrested and Bruce reconciles with Linda after the misunderstanding.
Appearing in "Your Face Is Your Fortune"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Catwoman (also as Elva Barr)
- Jim Jones (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Grace Arnold (Single appearance)
- Mrs. Gild (Single appearance)
- Mrs. Lord (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Boy Who Wanted To Be Robin"
After watching the Dynamic Duo in action, especially Robin, Knuckles Conger decides to use Batman's methods against him and adopts a young orphan boy to aid him.
The boy is tricked into thinking that Knuckles is a crime fighter just like Batman, but with time it becomes evident that he is a criminal. However, the criminal duo is very successful until one night they are chased down by Batman and Robin. After the chase, both duos start fighting and during the fight, the naive kid realizes that he is fighting the real Batman and Robin. Turning against his criminal mentor, the boy allows Batman to fight Knuckles and capture him.
Batman and Robin then get the kid to a school, where he becomes a happy kid once more.
Appearing in "The Boy Who Wanted To Be Robin"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Bobby Deen (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Knuckles Conger (Single appearance)
- Spike (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Commissioner Gordon (Cameo)
Locations:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Two Futures"
Batman and Robin visit some of the most notable intellectuals at the Gotham University to discuss the possible future of America after World War II. The group of intellectuals offer the dynamic duo two possible scenarios:
Germany Wins
In this scenario, America becomes an extension of the Nazi regime. Concentration camps are established on American soil and the former freedoms have been eradicated. Batman and Robin keep up their honorable fight against the oppressors and try to free the civilians imprisoned in the camps. The civilians are able to flee to the mountains but Batman and Robin get captured during the escape and are executed by firing squad.
America Wins
In this scenario, America has the upper hand on the War, Batman and Robin search for a secret Axis broadcasting station on American soil. Batman is able to break in and defeat the axis soldiers stationed in the station and finds out that a combined German and Japanese navy will invade Gotham City, Batman and Robin stall the enemy forces until the American navy arrives and defeats the invading force. After this, a better world for everyone is built upon the ashes of the oppression and hate.
After listening to the wise men, Batman and Robin finally understand that the victory of good over evil depends on everyone, including them and they contribute to the war salvage and saving stamps efforts.
Appearing in "The Two Futures"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Professor Ranier (Single appearance)
- Professor Proe (Single appearance)
- Professor Con (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Nazis (In a vision)
Other Characters:
- Bobby Logan (In a vision)
- Mrs. Logan (In a vision)
- Martha (In a vision)
Locations:
Items:
- Batrope (In a vision)
Vehicles:
- Batplane (In a vision)
Synopsis for "The Loneliest Men In the World"
For this Christmas, Batman and Robin decide to play Santa to "the loneliest men in the world": those who have no friends at that festive time of the year. But criminal Dirk Dagner decides to use this plan for his own financial advantage!
As the dynamic duo travel across Gotham, spreading the joy of the season, Dirk and his gang follow them with the intention of ruining their plans. After two failed attempts, Dirk and his comrades are finally captured and the dynamic duo spend Christmas Eve with some of the best people in Gotham.
Appearing in "The Loneliest Men In the World"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Dirk Dagner (Single appearance)
- Spike (Single appearance)
- Nails (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Ben Botts (Single appearance)
- Mr. Zang (Single appearance)
- Link Chisney (Single appearance)
- Tom Nick (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Wayne Manor
- GCPD Headquarters
- Swanky Crane Club
- Pirate Reef
Vehicles:
Notes
- Published by Detective Comics, Inc.
- First issue of this title to be edited by Jack Schiff, replacing Mort Weisinger.
- The whole issue is reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol 4.
- "Your Face Is Your Fortune" is reprinted in Batman: The Bat and the Cat: 80 Years of Romance.
Trivia
- The cover art features long-time gun-hating icon Batman gleefully firing a .30-cal machine gun.
See Also