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in: Julius Schwartz/Executive Editor, Ernie Chan/Cover Artist, Elliot S. Maggin/Writer,
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Detective Comics Vol 1 458

Revision as of 13:40, 23 May 2011 by Darkseid01 (Message Wall | contribs)
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"The Real Batman Died Next!": At a costume fund raiser, a man, Lt. Bucky Dunlop, dressed as Batman dies in Bruce Wayne's arms. After removing the cowl to identify the man, the words "The Real Batman Dies Next!" appear to have been tattooed on the man's forehead. Gor

Detective Comics #458 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1976.

Synopsis for "The Real Batman Died Next!"

At a costume fund raiser, a man, Lt. Bucky Dunlop, dressed as Batman dies in Bruce Wayne's arms. After removing the cowl to identify the man, the words "The Real Batman Dies Next!" appear to have been tattooed on the man's forehead. Gordon is there and orders all in attendance, including Bruce, to remain behind. Bruce checks into a hotel room. Bruce realizes that the man had been shot by a gun with silencer. In his hotel he calls Alfred who patches through to Gordon to tell him what happened. Batman tells him he won't appear as he is the target. Batman then goes to the Dunlop family and tells them that Dunlop is missing (unable to tell them the truth). Mrs. Dunlop tells Batman that he and Slats Johnson, a friend and ex-convict who owns a tattoo parlor, volunteer every Thursday as part of a Juvenile Rehabilitation Program. Meanwhile, Gordon and the police find a rifle, rigged to fire by remote, in the ceiling and that the tattoo ink is a kind of invisible ink that disappears with heat meaning Dunlop could have been tattooed at any time. Batman returns to the hotel and redresses as Bruce. He finds Gordon and drops a hint about volunteer work which leads Gordon to investigate any contacts from that program. Three are found - Johnson, Fellman and Squire. Bruce recognizes all three from his crime fighting. Bruce changes again to Batman planning to investigate all three. He goes to Johnson's apartment but finds his tattoo equipment dry having not been used recently. He goes to Fellman's place and discovers a recently opened can that he finds suspicious. He takes some to run some tests. Slats Johnson is arrested for the crime but pleads his innocence. The rest are set free but Batman is waiting for Charlie Fellman, captures him and brings him to Gordon. He tells Gordon that Slats is innocent as his tattoo work is different from the calligraphy used in the crime. Fellman, conversely, studied calligraphy during his prison time. Batman then mentions the disappearing skin dye found at Fellman's place. Fellman is arrested and Slats is set free.

Appearing in "The Real Batman Died Next!"

Featured Characters:

  • Template:Apn

Supporting Characters:

Villains:

  • Charlie Fellman (Single appearance)

Other Characters:

  • Bucky Dunlop (Single appearance) (Deceased)
  • Doctor Carlin (Single appearance)
  • Dunlop family (Single appearance) (wife Edith, daughter, and son)
  • Slats Johnson (Single appearance)
  • Mister Squire (Single appearance)

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:

  • None


Synopsis for "Peal of the Devil-Bell!"

Britt Langstrom (Kirk's sister) finds Francine (Kirk's wife) strapped to a bed and she frees her. In the process Francine changes into a humanoid bat. Kirk enters, captures her and injects her with the serum that changes her back. Only when the metamophosis is complete, it's not Francine but someone else. Meanwhile Dr. Thanatogenos considers the Langstroms to be the perfect substitutes and sounds the Demon Bell's Mystic Clapper. This causes Francine to change again into bat form and she flies towards the bell. Kirk changes into Man-Bat and follows. As he approaches the tower, Dr. Thanatogenos zaps him with a wand and Man-Bat pretends to fall but hangs below the ledge. When the doctor leans over, Man-Bat attacks but Dr. Thanatogenos points out a gargoyle statue that appears to be Francine. In Man-Bat's confusion, Dr. Thanatogenos zaps him again implying it will be his fate as well.

Appearing in "Peal of the Devil-Bell!"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Villains:

  • Doctor Thanatogenos (First appearance)

Other Characters:

  • Britt Langstrom (First appearance)

Locations:

  • Illinois
    • Chicago
    • Langstrom Residence
    • Cathedral of St. Aloysius of the Doves

Items:

  • Capsule (Antidote for Serum)
  • Man-Bat Serum
  • Devil Bell and Mystic Clapper
  • Unnamed Magic Wand

Vehicles:

  • None

Notes

"Peal of the Devil-Bell!" continues immediately from Man-Bat #2.

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Links and References

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