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Batman #7 - Story 2


August 13, 1941

"The Trouble Trap"


I have to admit, I've been getting antsy wondering when we will be getting to Batman and Robin working hand in hand with the police. So I kind of looked ahead in this issue and this is the one. The groundwork appears to be laid out throughout this issue. Don't know how intentional it was, but it works.



Our first story was Batman dealing with a frequent threat to Gotham, The Joker. In this issue, we have Batman calling Gordon! Let's get into it.


Batman and Robin attempt to apprehend the killers of a man on the streets of Gotham one night. They are stopped by two large men who almost manage to kill them. Batman stops them with gas vials from his utility belt. They escape and Batman learns the dead man had recently withdrawn large amounts of money from the various bank accounts he had.


And we get a scene where I call Robin's age into question. Dick is working on his homework as Bruce prepares to go out the next day. He wants to go out and play, but can't until he completes his assignments. The kid has his own roadster and wants to go out and play. And play with whom? Like the 66 series, we haven't gotten an idea of Dick's life outside of crimefighting. Even Bruce has somewhat of a social life. I know we are coming up on Robin's solo stories in Star Spangled Comics. I hope he gets a social life there.

Bruce visits an old friend named Carl who also has another visitor - one of the killers from the night before. Carl sends Bruce away as he deals with the man, but not before Bruce hears that he will meet with the killer that night. Batman shows up and sees Carl paying the killer off. Batman follows him to the shop of a swami. Batman wonders what a dead man, two giant Hindus, his friend Carl, and a gangster all have in common.


Batman goes back to Carl to get more information. Carl is being blackmailed by the swami who recorded a session he did with Carl who unknowingly related an incident in college that would prove embarrassing if it got out to the newspapers.


Batman calls Gordon and tips him off to the swami, but a search of the man's store finds no evidence. Another gangster visits the swami wanting the Batman taken out. The swami knows that Linda has been involved in some of Batman's cases, so he has his men kidnap her to get information.


Batman and Robin save her and Batman takes the place of the kidnapper and brings her back to the swami. Meanwhile, Robin calls Gordon. The police are stalled from getting to the swami's store when their car crashes into another car.

Meanwhile, Batman is forced to reveal himself when his ruse is clearly starting to fail. The giant men attack and now Batman is on his own. But Robin shows up and they are able to take the two down. Gordon then shows up with his men and saves Batman from being killed.


And here we have the actual first meeting of Gordon and Batman. It's short lived though as the swami makes his escape. Batman and Robin take the police car and chases after him, capturing him after jumping an open drawbridge.


Gordon thanks the two for their help in the case. No wanting the take them in. No lectures on their methods. No questioning why a kid is out so late fighting crime. This is it, folks. It's starting here as Gordon is accepting of the two's help. And it will continue in the next story in this anthology comic. Stay tuned, Citizens!



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