Are y'gonna talk or do I get the pleasure of splashin' up the walls with your face? 
- — Slam Bradley src
Slam Bradley was a two-fisted private detective in Cleveland, in New York, and later in Gotham City. He was an ally of Batman and Catwoman.
History
Pre-Crisis
Part of a family of adventurers, Slam Bradley was a private detective in the 1930s and 40s, who worked with his partner, "Shorty" Morgan. Together they battled street criminals, inheritance embezzlers, arsonists, organized gangsters, and other lowlifes, for over a decade. They worked together with the police, federal investigators, fire departments, and law enforcement officers from all over the world. They twice encountered the international supercriminal Fui Onyui.
Originally Slam Bradley lived and worked in Cleveland,[1] but fairly early in his career, moved his home and business to New York City.[2]
Decades later, "Shorty" was killed by drug dealers. In more recent years, the aged Slam joined a cadre of famous detectives (including Roy Raymond, Christopher Chance the Human Target, Captain Compass, and others) to solve the murder of their fellow detective Archie Evergreen.
Post-Crisis
Sam Bradley was in charge of the investigation concerning the death of Roger Elliot in a car accident. Though Sam suspected that the accident had been provoked, he never found the killer. He also suspected Roger's son, Thomas of involvement in this crime, but he could never prove it, despite being right.[3]
Slam resurfaced in Gotham City, recently hired by the Mayor of Gotham City to track down the current whereabouts of Catwoman. He found her, but she persuaded him not to divulge her location to the mayor, and has, since that time, developed a working relationship with her.
After Slam learned that Selina was attacked by Thomas Elliot, now calling himself Hush, he reopened the old investigation and started looking for Elliot to bring him to justice.[4]
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
- Hand-to-Hand Combat (Basic): Excellent bar-fighter.
- Investigation: Slam possesses keen skills of deductive reasoning and is trained in various forms of investigation.
- Disguise: Slam is also a master of disguise.
- Mimicry: Slam also possesses a talent for mimicry proficient enough to allow him to effectively work undercover.
Notes
- Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-Two era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985–86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and no longer apply.
- This character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Shuster drew and inked the feature from Detective Comics #1 to issue #32. Mart Bailey drew and inked it from Detective Comics #33 to #37, then was replaced by Dennis Neville.
- The original Slam Bradley series ran from Detective Comics #1 to Detective Comics #152, with Slam himself dropping out after #151, making him the longest-running character who debuted in Detective #1.
- The first few Slam Bradley stories were set in Cleveland, sometimes explicitly, then quietly and without explanation the stories were set in New York City. This change took place some time after Detective Comics #17. Circa 1947, the "Bradley & Morgan Detectives" office was at 218 Grade St., on the 1st floor.
Trivia
- Slam Bradley is based on a second early design for Superman.[citation needed]
- Slam's introductory caption calls him "Slam Bradley, Ace Free Lance Sleuth, Fighter, and Adventurer."
Recommended Reading
Related
- 230 Appearances of Samuel Bradley (New Earth)
- 33 Images featuring Samuel Bradley (New Earth)
- 8 Quotations by or about Samuel Bradley (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Samuel Bradley (New Earth)
Footnotes
  This character is or was an officer of, or held a title in the Gotham City Police Department, in any of its various incarnations. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the "GCPD members" and "Police Officers" categories. |