Batman #2 - Story 1
July 20, 1940
(The Joker Meets the Cat-Woman)
So how did the publishers start the second issue of their anthology comic on the Caped Crusader? By having the villains from the previous issue appear in the same story and be at odds. The story opens with Batman learning that Joker is alive and recovering in a hospital. Worrying that anything could happen as long as the Joker is not behind bars, Batman decides to kidnap the Joker and take him to a brain surgeon that will basically lobotomize him.
But Batman is beaten to the punch by members of the Crime Syndicate Inc. who want the Joker to lead them in the theft of the Pharaoh Gems. They have a Batman impersonator lure the police away as the thugs force a doctor to operate on Joker. The operation is a success and the thugs escape, but the impersonator is killed in the chase.
Outside the hospital, there's an old woman selling gum who reveals herself to be the Catwoman. But again as with early appearances of Batman, we have an inconsistent identification as she is first identified as the Cat, then Cat-Woman, then Cat Woman. Batman sneaks up on her and promises her her freedom if she spills the dirt on Joker. She complies and Batman follows trough with his end of the bargain.
As soon as she is gone, Batman reveals he has treated Catwoman's shoes with the same substance he used to follow Robin a few stories back. Batman sends Robin to keep tabs on Catwoman.
Batman meanwhile goes to the Crime Syndicate's hideout where Joker has double-crossed the thugs and given them a sleeping drug. Joker also removed the firing powder from the mens' guns as well. Joker escapes as Batman mops the floor with the men.
Meanwhile, Catwoman has arrived at the home of Arthur, owner of the gems. She had developed a relationship with him in order to gain his trust. She finds him dead, a victim of Joker's nerve toxin. Joker threatens to kill her if she doesn't turn over the gems.
Robin arrives and spars with Joker, but he gets the better of the Boy Wonder. Catwoman pleads for Robin's life, not something I'm used to seeing, even in the 66 series. Batman arrives and the two spar, a fight that includes some swordplay. Batman is knocked out of action momentarily, giving Joker a chance to flush the other two by setting fire to the hideout.
