Together we can pick Gotham City clean! Here's to crime-- May it provide us with gold and the Batman with gloom! 
Batman #25 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 1944.
After the Penguin is stopped from stealing the Van Landorpf Emerald and thrown into prison once more by Batman and Robin, he bemoans his misfortune as "the smartest crook in town". This attracts the attention of his new cellmate, the Joker, who mocks his incompetence. The two men quickly develop a rivalry, deciding that Gotham's underworld is not big enough for both of them. Together, they escape prison and agree on a wager: whoever steals the Van Landorpf Emerald has the right to stay in Gotham City.
Upon hearing of the breakout, Batman and Robin cooperate with Mrs. Van Landorpf to set a trap for the two arch-criminals. As predicted, both the Joker's and the Penguin's gang appear at the Van Landorpf house to steal the gem. The Dynamic Duo swoops down to arrest the two men, however, desperation causes the Joker and the Penguin to work together. Though they both fail to steal the emerald, the Joker and the Penguin are able to escape Batman's clutches; more importantly, each now recognizes the other's talents and agrees to a full partnership.
In less than a day, this new alliance buries Gotham under an unprecedented crime spree. When Batman and Robin attempt to capture them again, they are taken captive by a trick from the Penguin and brought to the arch-criminals' shared hideout. Both criminals are ecstatic, but begin to argue again when they cannot agree on how to kill the bound and helpless Dynamic Duo. Batman, taking advantage of their discord and respective egos, dares them into a shooting contest: whoever can hit a vase from twenty-five paces is the superior criminal.
Both the Joker and the Penguin easily accomplish the shot but fail to realize Batman's real goal: getting a jagged vase shard so he and Robin can cut themselves free. Upon being freed, the Dynamic Duo immediately beat the two arch-criminals into submission and arrest them. Furious, the Penguin and the Joker turn on each other once more, each blaming the other for the defeat. As they argue, an amused Batman reassures them that they will never be placed in the same cell again.
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Commissioner Gordon
- Mrs. Van Landorpf (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- GCPD Headquarters
- Gotham State Penitentiary
- Wayne Manor
- Van Landorpf Home
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Sheik of Gotham City"
The Organized Crime of Bagdad learns that the successor to the leadership of their country is living in Gotham City and they arrange a plan to eliminate him. Batman and Robin accidentally cross paths with the victim and together they save the sheik who is finally able to return to his country and gain the leadership of his country.
Appearing in "The Sheik of Gotham City"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Omar El Kobra (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Sidi Ben Hassen (Single appearance)
- Ali Ka-Bada (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Bagdad
- Gotham City
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Mesmerized Manhunter"
Alfred assists a magic show in a theater and he volunteers to participate on one of the acts. Alfred is subsequently hypnotized and after learning that Alfred is an amateur detective, Mazzo the magician tells Alfred that he would act as a detective during the whole show. Unbeknown to the magician and the audience, Alfred starts investigating and uncovers a person from the crew that has been stealing from the show. As his achievement is recognized by the entire audience, Mazzo lifts the hypnotism from Alfred, who in turn runs in shame.
The next day, the newspapers tell the story of how Alfred managed to capture a criminal while he was hypnotized. Dick finds the situation hilarious, but Bruce finds it remarkable.
Appearing in "The Mesmerized Manhunter"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Larson (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mazzo (Single appearance)
Locations:
Synopsis for "The Kilowatt Cowboys"
Batman and Robin are informed of a crime spree taking place near the electric station where some thugs have been stealing copper from the cables. While the duo investigates the case they team up with the maintenance team who repair the power lines that supply electricity to the city. While working with the linemen, Batman and Robin discover that the crimes are actually an inside job and with help from some of the workers, the criminals are finally captured.
Appearing in "The Kilowatt Cowboys"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Alec (Single appearance)
- Jack (Single appearance)
- Mr. Crane (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Matty Coyle (Single appearance; dies)
- Joe (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Commissioner Gordon (Cameo)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Both stories are reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol 6.
- "Knights of Knavery" is also reprinted in:
Trivia
- This issue features the only golden age story in which Joker and Penguin team up together.
- The second story features some references to various songs including The Prisoner's Song by Vernon Dalhart, There's a Small Hotel from the musical On Your Toes and Symphony No.5 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
See Also