Batman #293 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 1977. It was published on August 4, 1977.
Synopsis for "The Testimony of Luthor!"
The court of Ra's al Ghul reconvenes and hears the testimony of Lex Luthor, who says he killed Batman as a by-product of killing Superman.
Luthor tells the story of how he put in orbit a satellite of his own creation, manipulated Batman and Superman into standing at just the right spots, and hit each with maser beams from the satellite. The beams wiped out Batman's mind and transferred Superman's mind into Batman's body. Afterward, Luthor stepped in and killed Superman in Batman's body. His next step, he assures the rest of the villains, is to transfer his own mind into Superman's body and become ruler of the universe.
"Two-Face" proceeds to ruin Luthor's testimony by revealing that Batman, disguised as one of Luthor's gang, learned the details of Luthor's plan. Superman himself crashes into the courtroom, announcing that he has granted amnesty to the criminals assembled there so that he may testify. The Man of Steel explains to Luthor and the court that he shielded himself from the maser beams, substituted for Batman in a spare costume, and pretended to be killed by Luthor, proving Luthor's theory to be wrong. As he gets ready to leave, Superman informs the criminals that Luthor's amnesty ends once he walks out the door -- and Superman will be waiting for him.
Before leaving, Luthor angrily demands that "Two-Face" reveal his source of information. However, "Two-Face" replies that he cannot do so if the trial is to proceed. Ra's al Ghul rules in his favor with "Two-Face" promising to tell all at a later date. The court adjourns to hear the Joker's testimony when it reconvenes.
Appearing in "The Testimony of Luthor!"
Featured Characters:
- Batman (Behind the scenes)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Cavalier (Cameo)
- Killer Moth (Cameo)
- Cluemaster (Cameo)
- Lois Lane (In flashback on a TV screen only)
- Joker (Behind the scenes)
- Sparky Grimes (Single appearance)
- Sam Hoxie (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Cleeve Mansion
- Gotham Museum of Art
Items:
Vehicles:
- Skysurgeon (Single appearance)
Notes
- This is the third part of the storyline called "Where Were You On The Night Batman Was Killed?"
- This issue is reprinted in The Strange Deaths of Batman.
- This is the first issue to change the letter page's title name. On prior issues, it was called "Letters to the Batman", but starting with this issue, it was changed to "Bat-Signals". The new name was used all the way until the removal of letter pages in the year 2000, lasting for 23 years.
Trivia
- The new title for the letter page is credited to David Karoll, who also submitted the design. However, it is important to note that a reader by the name of Peter C. Phillips suggested the name "Bat-Signals" for the letter column. His suggestion was printed on the letter page of Batman #224, seven years prior to this issue.
See Also