Detective Comics #55
July 29, 1941
"The Brain Burglar"
One thing I've heard many say and I've read about is that when World War II came about, Batman was one of the few comics that didn't do many stories on the war effort. There were covers that featured Batman and Robin urging people to buy bonds or marching in step with a soldier, but apparently there weren't many stories where Batman directly thwarted war efforts of the enemy. I don't know how true that is. Since the comic started, I've read of one mention of the war affecting shipment of goods and two actual stories of fifth columnists trying to infiltrate America. This is the second one, dated September 41 and released in July, a full four months before the United States would enter the war. That's a pretty good pre-war record and I get the feeling that we'll see more, but in subtle ways as time goes on.
It makes sense that someone like Superman, with the powers he has, having to be more directly involved in the war effort. As well known as Batman and Robin were as we discussed in a recent post, they were still relatively relegated to Gotham City. And as we know, the city has its own problems with crime.
Professor Jon Henry is showing off his new invention, a device that forces people to tell the truth. It's interesting to note we have this device in play three months before the debut of Wonder Woman. A group of men, fifth columnists, capture Henry and force him to tell them how it works. They then strap him into the machine and learn about his other inventions, including one that can benefit their mission.
The leader of the group, Deker, calls his people together and convinces them to submit to an operation, despite what will ultimately happen to them, for the good of the fatherland. One by one, they agree and are operated on. In addition, Deker kidnaps other members of the scientific community.
Meanwhile, Bruce goes with Linda to her uncle's aviation plant. (She's got some real money in this family - oil, planes...). There, some of the uncle's workers appear to go insane and start attacking Bruce and the uncle. Bruce uses the opportunity to spirit Linda away and then change to Batman where he puts a stop to the attack.
The men who attacked went permanently insane and were committed, the price they paid to undergo the procedure. Bruce decides to check our Mason, another scientist who has invented a new form of gunpowder. In an odd move, he knocks Mason out and ties him up, hiding him in the cellar. Batman then proceeds to make himself up like Mason.
He is then kidnapped and taken to Deker. There, Robin bursts in, having followed them and Batman reveals himself to the fifth columnists. A fight ensues and Batman learns of a plan for a dirigible to land carrying more enemy agents to infiltrate the country.
