Detective Comics #76

April 21, 1943

"Slay 'em with Flowers"

Well now, a Joker story with a title using the word "slay". Could we be moving back to the old Joker? Let's see as we dive into the story.

The story opens with the Joker now in possession of a flower shop that caters to the rich. He sells a series of plants to the reclusive Jason Johnson. Johnson's home is difficult to break into because of his retinue of guards that watch over it.

Later that evening, Joker and his men walk with ease into Johnson's house as Johnson and his guards are all frozen in place. They rob the home and make their escape. Hours later, the police arrive and are puzzled by what could have frozen those in the home. The only clue they have is that the Joker is involved as he leaves his calling card.

The call goes out to Batman via the Batsignal. He is quickly on the case as the next day Bruce and Dick visit the flower show where Joker's men have frozen many of the attendees and are robbing them. Batman and Robin quickly move in and attack. But the two find themselves immobilized by a strange force. They are quickly tied up and placed in an elevator that is sent plummeting. Batman is able to recover long enough to press the button that activates the brakes of the elevator car.

Batman figures the plants were what paralyzed the people, but an inspection of the plants at Johnson's place and the flower show reveal them to be ordinary. They go to the flower shop where they see another millionaire entering. They wait it out and follow Joker and his men who are following the millionaire back to the wealthy man's residence.

They intercept Joker before he can enter the millionaire's apartment, but Joker incapacitates them with a plant. He has is men drag the two into the millionaire's apartment where he too is frozen. Joker has the gas stove turned on without the flame and leave the three to die.

Robin comes around and wakes Batman. They don't have the strength to knock the door down, but they are able to remove the hinges and knock it down that way. They know the flower store is central to all this, but Batman suspects that all the loot the Joker has stolen has been placed in another location so the two need to draw the Joker out.

The next day, they visit the flower shop and Bruce purchases several potted plants. At home, Bruce's suspicions are confirmed as he finds chloroform gas tanks in the pots, timed to go off. Bruce releases the gas and empties the tank. He warns Alfred not to resist when the Joker and his men enter.

After Joker robs the house, Batman and Robin pursue them to the former owner of the flower show's home. There, Joker holes up in a greenhouse fortified with bulletproof glass. He warns Batman he will kill the owner if Batman interferes.

Batman turns the tables on Joker though by piping in the chloroform into the greenhouse, knocking out everyone inside. When Joker and his men awaken, they find themselves in a police van heading to prison.

Well, despite a misleading title, this was a good story. In fact, this is another you can file under potential Batman 66 story with setup, death trap of the gas filled you and Batman overcoming his enemy by turning the tables on him.

What's next? We're off to the World's Finest Comics, Citizens!