DC Special #14 is an issue of the series DC Special (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1971.
Synopsis for Superman: "The Toyman's Castle"
This story is reprinted from Superman #47.
The Toyman arrives in prison as the warden is handing out work assignments. He pretends to be a reformed criminal and offers to build a series of toys that discourage crooks from turning to a life of crime. In actuality his toys turn out to be animated plans for actual crimes that assist criminals. His scheme is uncovered by Superman but the Toyman manages to build one final toy that explodes and allows him to escape through a damaged stone wall. The Toyman then approaches a socialite by the name of Mrs. Thwart who is planning a large party. She is looking to surprise her guests and the Toyman offers to build her a unique toy that will entertain and fascinate the people at her party. He demonstrates a fortune telling Swami character that gives out advice. The Swami is activated when a person writes their signature on a pad and the signature is then replaced by a written message. The Toyman demonstrates how it works by signing the pad but he then receives a mysterious message telling him to “Beware of one who flies through the air” The night of the party arrives and the mechanical swami is a hit at the party. The party is covered by Lois Lane who is there to write an article about the social event. The party comes to an end and the Toyman observes the guests as they leave. He reveals that he will use the collection of signatures to transfer bank accounts. He is then spotted by Lois Lane and the Toyman has no choice but to abduct her since he is still a wanted man. The Toyman then proceeds to collect the roll of paper containing all the guest signatures but he is interrupted by Superman who easily apprehends him. The Toyman requests that Superman take him by his secret castle before he is taken to prison. Superman is curious about the secret castle and agrees to take the Toyman there on the way to prison. When they arrive, Toyman reveals that he has Lois Lane trapped there as a hostage. She is strapped to a throne surrounded by wires that will trigger deadly traps if they are disturbed. Superman admits defeat and asks if he can give Lois a present to help her pass the time. He constructs a jack in the box in Toyman's workshop. When the Toyman opens the box to check it, the Jack in the Box knocks him out. Superman then races to protect Lois Lane as her booby trap is activated. Superman endures a number of deadly assaults but Lois is safe in the end. Toyman is sent back to prison where he is given the mundane task of breaking rocks with a hammer.
Appearing in Superman: "The Toyman's Castle"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Toyman
- Kid Kale (Single appearance)
- Zip (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mrs. Thwart (Single appearance)
- Pison Warden (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Metropolis
- Daily Planet
- Metropolis State Prison
- Pierre's (Metropolis greatest jewelry shop)
Items:
- Crime-does-not-pay (electronic board game)
- Convict doll (Destroyed)
- Mechanized swami
Vehicles:
- A Cable Car
Synopsis for Flash: "The Heat Is On... For Captain Cold"
This story is reprinted from The Flash #140.
Flash is summoned to the law offices of Willens and Kohl. He hears the story of a rich client by the name of Wilson Varner who was involved in a deadly ship to ship collision years earlier. Varner survived but his baby daughter who was traveling with him was never found. Varner never lost hope that his daughter would be found someday. Flash is shown a picture the baby who is named Priscilla Varner. The baby has a unique diamond shaped birthmark on the back of her neck. Apparently Wilson Varner had tracked his lost daughter to Central City before the her trail grew cold and Varner passed away from health issues. Wilson Varner also left a will which left two million dollars to his daughter and the rest of his money would go to aid the poor of Central City. The will also came with a one year deadline which is almost up. Flash must find Varners daughter before by sundown the next day. If the daughter is not found by the deadline, the money would revert back to Varners never do well relatives. Flash agrees to take the case and leaves to spend time with his fiancée Iris. While watching TV, Barry hears that his old nemesis Captain Cold has escaped from prison. Barry rushes out to look for Captain Cold before his trail disappears. In the meantime, Captain Cold is hiding in his secluded cave. He is staring lovingly at a huge picture of a woman known as Dream Girl. Cold confesses that he is smitten over Dream Girl and becomes obsessed with her. He even plans some of his crimes in order to show up flash and gain Dream Girls attention. Captain Cold then attempts a robbery in Central City. He attempts to steal a large amount of bank notes but is soon interrupted by the Flash. The Flash battles Captain Cold but he is then interrupted by another figure by the name of Heat Wave. Cold and Heat wave defeat Flash and retreat back to their hideout. The two men talk about their great team up but Heat Wave then notices that Cold has the huge picture of Dream Girl on his wall. Heat Wave reveals that he too has an obsession with Dream Girl and the two villains begin to fight amongst each other. The two men grow tired of fighting and agree to a contest. Whichever one of them commits the most spectacular crimes will win Dream Girl. Flash soon finds himself in the middle between Cold and Heat Wave. He is almost overtaken by the two villains but he manages to knock both of them out and delivers them to jail. Flash then meets with the woman known as Dream Girl. Flash asks about her past and Dream Girl relates that she was brought up in an orphanage. She states that she used to have a birthmark but she had it removed. She shows flash a picture of herself in earlier years and it clearly shows a diamond shaped birthmark on the back of her neck. Flash quickly realizes that Dream Girl is actually Varners long lost daughter Priscilla. He delivers her to the Willens and Kohl law offices so that Dream Girl can claim her inheritance before the deadline. He also secures millions of dollars for the poor of Central City.
Appearing in Flash: "The Heat Is On... For Captain Cold"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Captain Cold
- Heat Wave (First appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Batman: "The Bird Sayings Crimes!"
This story is reprinted from World's Finest #55.
The Penguin receives birthday greetings from different crime bosses. The messages are condescending and critical of Penguins crime methods which utilize Bird themes. Penguin is determined to prove his fellow crime compatriots wrong and doubles down on his use of Bird sayings with his crimes. He begins by sending Batman and Robin a letter outlining clues to his upcoming crimes. The letter includes pictures representing A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush. It also includes a picture depicting Birds of a Feather Flock Together. The third picture shows the Early Bird getting the Worm but the fourth picture is puzzling. It shows Batman and Robin standing on a scale which is pointing to 14 pounds but the caped crusaders are at a loss as to how to interpret it. The crimefighters decide to focus on the first picture which shows a hand holding a bird. Batman notices that the to the statue where they find Penguin recovering valuable gems from a pigeons mouth. They try to apprehend the Penguin but he dives into the water and escapes. Batman and Robin return to the bat cave to concentrate on the second picture, Birds of a Feather Flock Together. Batman turns to a book on American families and reads about the descendants of American Revolutionary war Hero Ezekiel Byrd. The family members gather in a cavern to recognize the achievements of outstanding family members that bring honor to the family name. They reward the deserving member with valuable jewels. They recognize Miss Ellen Byrd and her work as an actress but before they can bestow the rewards on her, the Penguin appears and attempts to steal the gems. The Penguin is then surprised the appearance of Batman and Robin who chase him to a cave opening. Penguin seals the opening with a weblike wire material which slows down the caped crusaders and gives the Penguin time to escape. The next crime involves the Penguin uncovering an oil pipe which is referred to as the Worm. He pierces the pipe and it gushes out oil. As the pipe sprays out the oil, it rains down on a group of security guards who are carrying a $50,000 payroll. As the guards are blinded, Penguin swoops in and steals the cash. Batman and Robin arrive in time to disrupt the Penguin but he sets the oil on fire and forces the dynamic duo to deal with the flames while he escapes once again. Batman and Robin follow Penguins oily footprints to his hideout. They hear a bird call coming from a house and Batman realizes that the birdcall is coming from a Stonebird. He pulls out the letter with the four pictures and realizes that the last picture shows a scale pointing to 14 pounds which is a unit of measurement referred to as stone. They figure out that the picture represents Killing Two Birds with One Stone. The Penguin surprises Batman and Robin from behind and holds them at gunpoint. He ties them up to a wall rigged with dynamite. He then sets a stone bird closeby that will flyout for breakfast and set off an electric eye which will trigger the dynamite. This would result in the deaths of two birds known as Batman and Robin being killed by a Stonebird. Batman then digs out a marble from his belt and manages to paint it to resemble and egg. He knows that if he drops the replica egg into the birds nest, the Bird will not leave not even if it wants breakfast. Batman pitches the marble into the nest and the bird is fooled into thinking that it has an egg to care for and stays without triggering the dynamite. The two crimefighter safely escape their trap and apprehend the Penguin. They return the Penguin to jail where Painters paint the cell a gold color to depict a bird in a gilded cage.
Appearing in Batman: "The Bird Sayings Crimes!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- The Byrd Family
- Jonathan Byrd
- Miss Ellen Byrd, Actress
Locations:
- Gotham City
- The Aviary
- Gotham City Police Headquarters
- Wayne Manor
- Gotham Statue of Liberty
- Big Inch Pipe Line
Items: