Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 1973.
Synopsis for "Deathmask!"
An ancient mask of a South American god of death is being held in exhibition at the Gotham Museum. The legend behind the mask leads a series of men to wear the mask and they are all driven by it to kill, leaving Batman to learn the secret behind the mysterious mask. After investigating the background of some of the Museum's employees, Batman finally deduces the identity of the killer, who has used the mask as a mean to frame his colleagues and seize control of both the mask and and the museum, all for himself. In the final confrontation with Batman, the criminal tries to escape, but is crushed by a giant replica of the mask and the murder mystery ends as his life is claimed by the curse of the mask.
Appearing in "Deathmask!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Unnamed Art Thief (Single appearance; dies)
- Judd Thaxton (Single appearance; dies)
- Austin Spires (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Marcus Wingate (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Gotham Museum
Items:
- Batrope
- The Mask of Matuchima
Synopsis for "The Himalayan Incident"
Christine St. Clair, an Interpol agent, seeks a mysterious vigilante called Manhunter, aka Paul Kirk, a former big-game hunter. She learns from a man in Nepal of how Manhunter protected an idealistic anti-tyrant from assassination by a group of clones of Manhunter's, and then leaves, not knowing that the man she spoke to was Manhunter himself in disguise.
Appearing in "The Himalayan Incident"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Christine St. Claire (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Cult of Thieves (Single appearance)
- Master of Thieves (Single appearance; dies)
- Master's Bodyguards (Single appearance; dies)
- Group of Sherpas (Single appearance)
- Dharmata (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- None
Notes
- This is the first issue of Detective Comics under the editorial command of Archie Goodwin, who also started writing the stories in the book. In the letter page "Batman's Hot Line", Archie introduces himself and explains that Detective has been "off on sales"; which was the reason why its publication was changed from monthly to a bi-monthly schedule.
- This issue also marks the return of the original logo for the book, which was designed by Ira Schnapp and was first featured in Detective Comics #2. The logo was removed at the start of Julius Schwartz's run in the title, in favor of a modern logo designed by Gaspar Saladino in Detective Comics #327.
- The Batman stamp was also featured in the early days of the book until the introduction of Robin in Detective Comics #38. It was reintroduced with a new design for this issue, featuring a modern version of Batman's face.
- The entire issue is reprinted in Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin.
- "Deathmask" is also reprinted in:
- "The Himalayan Incident" is also reprinted in:
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Batman Recommended Reading
- Batman (Volume 1)
- Batman (Volume 2)
- Batman (Volume 3)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 1)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 2)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 3)
- Batman Confidential (Volume 1)
- Batman: Gotham Knights (Volume 1)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Volume 1)
- Batman: Streets of Gotham (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 1)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman: World's Finest (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 2)
- The Brave and the Bold (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 2)
- Superman/Batman (Volume 1)
- World's Finest (Volume 1)