Batman #17 - Story 3

April 9, 1943

"Rogues' Pageant"

For the third story in this collection, we see how quickly Alfred has acclimated himself to the Wayne household as he berates Bruce and Dick for working so hard and not taking time for a vacation. I just recorded new episodes of the podcast with writer Jim Beard where we're discussing the 1949 Batman movie serial. I was amazed how Alfred managed to appear in the 1943 movie serial that premiered a mere six months after his debut in the comics while Commissioner Gordon did not. Indeed, I've also found some documentation online that suggests the change in Alfred's appearance in the comics was based on the Alfred we see in the 43 serial.

Bruce and Dick quickly concede to Alfred's concerns and prepare to leave on a holiday for the town of Santo Pablo. Alfred goes so far as to hide their costumes to make sure that they will not engage in any crimefighting while away. As they depart, we learn why Bruce gave in so easily. The night before, he and Robin stopped a robbery by the "Ducky" Mallard gang. One of them gets left behind, but Ducky shoots him to make sure he doesn't spill his guts.

As he lays dying, he tells Batman that the gang is heading to Santo Pablo. And so, the two are planning to follow the gang there and as both reveal, their spare costumes are under their street clothes.

When they arrive at the town, they find it is celebrating its 300th anniversary. So, that means the town of Santo Pablo was founded in 1643. Have to wonder about this though as it is hard to believe that there would be a town on the east coast with such a name in the mid-1600s. And there was nothing else west of the original settlements at the time.

Bruce and Dick spend some time enjoying the attractions of the town including the hundreds of thousands in gold nuggets on display. Shortly after, the gold is stolen and Bruce is certain it was Ducky and his gang.

Bruce and Dick change to Batman and Robin when Bruce finds a dead bat, dead because of a bullet hole. Some of those celebrating the founding of the town wore guns as part of the costume, but one of the guns was real and Bruce figures it's Ducky.

Sure enough, Ducky and his gang rob the bank. Batman and Robin arrive and so do the police. But Ducky is able to convince the police that Batman is fake and the robber, allowing him time to escape. But when the tied up guards reveal who the real villains are, the police ask Batman not to tell the press about the blunder. And in a perfect Batman 66 moment, Batman points out that the police have enough to deal with than something like bad press.

In fact, Batman is certain that two successful thefts will empower Ducky and his men to try again at the height of the anniversary festivities that night. He has the chief pick 30 officers dressed in costume while he has powerful searchlights placed about. Meanwhile, Batman curiously starts cutting out a series of paper bats.

That night, the festivities are in full swing when Ducky sets off planted dynamite, so much that it shakes the ground and makes everyone thinks it's an earthquake. The crowds panic, but the police in disguise hold their ground and begin to move in on Ducky's men.

Meanwhile, Batman and Robin stand watch from the clock tower. Suddenly, colored lights bearing the Bat symbol shine in the sky. Batman cut the bats to paste to the powerful searchlights, a signal from the police when they had Ducky's men.

They quickly round up the men and proceed to calm the panicked crowds. With the success of the case, they return to Gotham City where they find an annoyed Alfred. He heard about their exploits and points out that the next time, he will accompany them as he is an accomplished detective himself.

It's a good story with the nice bookends of Alfred to hold it together. It got me thinking how it would be nice if there was a Batman cartoon series where issues of the golden age comics were adapted and this would be a perfect one. And what will be the final story in this anthology issue? Stay tuned, Citizens!