Batman #85 is an issue of the series Batman (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1954.
Synopsis for "Batman--Clown of Crime!"
When the Joker is paroled from prison, Batman keeps an eye on him, suspecting that the Clown Prince intends to return to crime. Batman follows his foe into a laboratory. By accident both Batman and the Joker are exposed to epsilon rays which cause them to exchange personalities.
While Robin scours the country for the necessary isotopes to reverse Batman's predicament, the Joker contacts the underworld. Since he has Batman's body he offers to expose the secret identity of the Caped Crusader for a million dollars. Batman, stuck in the Joker's own body, works to stop his foe. He befuddles police by catching crooks, then prevents the Joker from giving away his secret. Fortunately, Robin comes through with a cure. Then the two foes are restored to their own bodies without memory of the events.
Appearing in "Batman--Clown of Crime!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Joker
- Tiny Harper (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Dr. Tom Rayburn (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Bat-Signal
- Batarang
- Batrope
- Gotham Gazette
- Mind Transference Machine
- Giant Magnifying Glass
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Guardian of the Bat-Signal!"
When veteran cop, Harvey Hainer, proves to be unfit for duty, Batman has him appointed as guardian of the Bat-Signal. Batman and Robin soon find themselves in pursuit of a gang of parachuting thieves. When the Bat-Signal is not activated on time, they are too slow to catch the crooks. Hainer claims he never received notification to turn on the signal, but everything appears to work fine. Batman investigates and learns Hainer is blind.
Rather than have the cop fired, Batman helps him activate the signal without sight. When the crooks strike again, a technical malfunction prevents Hainer from activating the signal. This time, he comes up with an alternate way of alerting Batman. When Batman gets the timely alert, he and Robin are able to apprehend the gang.
Appearing in "The Guardian of the Bat-Signal!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Lew Lakers (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Sergeant Harvey Hainer (First appearance)
- Joe Dolman
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Costume of Doom!"
Vicki Vale arranges a reunion of Batman impersonators for a photo shoot. A gunmen fires at the men during the session and injures one of the men. Further attacks are carried out against the impersonators including Bruce Wayne. Batman and Robin prevent harm from befalling any of the other intended victims, then go to the Gotham Mint to stop the final crime, a robbery.
Actor Hubert Hall, one of the impersonators, is in the process of aiding a criminal gang in stealing a load of gold bullion from the Mint. Batman has deduced that Hall is working with a group of crooks, and tricks both Hall and his partners into confessions. Batman then explains to police that Hall used his position as an actor in a Batman movie to help the gang. He was in danger of being replaced due to his poor acting skill, so the gang attempted to injure potential replacements to make sure Hall's role was secure for the Mint robbery.
Appearing in "The Costume of Doom!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Twisty Rhodes (Single appearance)
- Rhodes Gang (Single appearance)
- Hubert Hall
Other Characters:
- Vue Magazine Editor (First appearance)
- Jerry Weiler (Single appearance)
- Farley Marden (Single appearance)
- Verreau (Single appearance)
- Mrs. Bartley (Flashback only)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Vue Magazine
- Wayne Manor
- Gotham Mint
Items:
- Batrope
- Giant Robot
- Gigantic Pile of Pennies
- Booby-Trapped Package
Vehicles:
Notes
- "Batman--Clown of Crime!" was reprinted in Batman #182 and The Joker: A Celebration of 75 Years.
- "The Guardian of the Bat-Signal" was reprinted in Batman #254.
Trivia
- According to the dcindexes.com, "Batman--Clown of Crime!" is the first story of the Earth-One period to feature the Joker. Here on the DC database, we put the start of the Earth-One period a little later...
See Also