Batman #55 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 1949.
Synopsis for "The Case of the 48 Jokers!"
When the Joker realizes that he's been missing opportunities for robberies while working on other crimes, he decides to start his own criminal school, where he prepares thugs from all the 48 States of the country to become part of the largest network of criminals. After the thugs are ready, Joker plans crimes all across the country at the same time with the same objective. Batman and Robin learn of the cross-country crimes and they investigate some of the captured thugs from other states. The Dynamic Duo confront the Joker in his base of operations, but the madman has prepared a trap for them, forcing Batman to wear an over-sized version of the Batsuit for his own amusement. In the end, Batman manages to break free and forces to Joker to trigger all sorts of traps inside a trick house, after which the Joker pleads to be taken to prison.
Appearing in "The Case of the 48 Jokers!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Joker
- Duke Wilson (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Bat-Signal
- Batrope
- Utility Belt
- Joker's Trick Cigar
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Bruce Wayne, Rookie Policeman!"
When a police officer dies on duty, he asks Bruce Wayne to carry on his honorable work and Bruce has no other option but to honor a dying man's wish. Bruce is able to become a member of the Gotham City Police Department, but his duties create conflict with his work as Batman. For this reason, Bruce prepares the final act as Officer Wayne and captures a large criminal gang before giving up his badge.
Appearing in "Bruce Wayne, Rookie Policeman!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Gotham City Police Department
- Commissioner Gordon
- Officer Mike Granite (Single appearance; dies)
- Officer Jack Bennett (Single appearance)
- Officer Johnson (Flashback only)
Antagonists:
- Longshoreman Kid (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Alfred Beagle (Cameo)
- Beverly (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Bandit of the Bells!"
Ed Peale grows up as a child hating bells. They wake him up, they dictate his daily schedule and take away his time. He decides to rebel against bells by incorporating them in his criminal activities. He calls himself the Gong and embarks on a crime spree. He uses the deafening sound of bells to distract others from his crimes. He disguises his men as members of the coast guard to patrol the city harbor. They run into millionaire Bruce Wayne's fishing boat and ask him for the time. Wayne responds that the time is 8 bells which means 12 o'clock in ships talk but the coast guard imposters are unfamiliar with that term. This arouses Wayne's suspicions and he follows the coast guard ship as they approach a nearby freighter. The Gong and his men commandeer the ship but Batman and Robin arrive on the scene. They are thrown off balance by the floundering ship that has run aground and the dynamic duo is apprehended. They are set adrift on a nearby buoy. They hang on to the buoy for dear life and manage to start a signal fire using acetylene gas and are rescued from the water. Later in the bat cave, Batman notices a piece of cardboard shaped like a small bell on his glove. He surmises that the bell shaped cardboard is from a railroad ticket that the Gong dropped from his coat. Batman follows up with the railroad dispatcher to see which conductor used a bell shaped punch symbol. They track down a conductor named Henry Morton who remembers that the Gong road his train and got off in the small town of Hicksburg. Batman and Robin race towards the town where they find the Gong pulling off his latest crime. The Gong and his men are in the act of stealing a valuable bell that is believed to contain jewels and gold nuggets. The caped crusaders attempt to stop the Gong but he manages to get away with the bell. Batman then has the idea to track down the bell using an instrument called a Variable Sonic Oscillator which hones in on the bells specific sound vibrations. The two crime fighters track down the stolen bell and apprehend the Gong. The Gong is imprisoned where he once more has to obey bells as they dictate his daily schedule while in jail. Bruce remarks at the end that the Gong never realized that bells also ring for special events such as weddings and that they really are the servant of man.
Appearing in "The Bandit of the Bells!"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Gong (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Henry Morton (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Joker Recommended Reading
- The Joker (Volume 1)
- The Joker (Volume 2)
- Batman: The Killing Joke
- Batman: The Man Who Laughs
- "Batman: Lovers and Madmen"
- "Batman: A Death in the Family"
- Joker: Devil's Advocate
- Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
- "The Joker's Last Laugh"
- "Superman: Emperor Joker"
- "Superman/Batman: With a Vengeance!"
- The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told
- Joker (graphic novel)