Batman #22 - Story 4
February 9, 1944
"The Cavalier Rides Again"
And for our final story, we have the return of the flamboyant Cavalier. He's an interesting duck as it appeared he wasn't into crime for the money, but rather a desire to collect odd things. And sure enough, as this story opens, we see the Cavalier lament the fact that Batman stopped him from taking a collection of sports curious. He even had a display case all set for it. But now he's ready to pick up where he left off.
And the Cavalier purposefully lets the world know he is back by walking the streets where he gets the attention of a cop and of Bruce and Dick, who just happen to be in the neighborhood. I must admit, I'm getting tired of this means to bring Batman and Robin in. We have a Batsignal. Let's get some departures from the Batcave!
The two follow Cavalier to an antique shop where Robin falls on a tripwire, but Batman manages to leap away and swing on a pole. It kind of reminds me of the opening of the 77 Filmation series when Batman swung on a pole as well. But in the end, the Cavalier gets the better of the two as he traps Robin in a wall bed and stuns Batman who grabs the villain's sword and is electrocuted by the hilt. He locks Batman away in a chest and leaves. He proved he can best the two, he is happy. And so, he goes back to his other identity, socialite Mortimer Drake who plans to attend a society dinner. So basically, he's the villainous equivalent of Batman?
Batman is able to free himself from the chest when he realizes it belonged to the magician that influenced Houdini. He then free Robin and the two find a note the Cavalier left behind. The two return home where Bruce plans to attend the dinner and wouldn't you know it, the two are seated next to each other. Drake appears to be as much of a bored playboy as Bruce.
