Detective Comics #83

November 24, 1943

"Accidentally on Purpose"

I am really connecting with the current vibe of the Batman series. We're getting our adventure stories, of course. We're also starting to see some more of the life of Bruce Wayne as in the recent issue where Bruce loses Dick to an uncle because the uncle points out that Bruce's playboy lifestyle was not good for raising a kid. And then we have Alfred. He has proven an invaluable member of this team. And then we open to the splash page and there is Alfred front and center, walking away from Batman and Robin with his bags packed! Let's get into the story.

Actually, let's talk about a few things in the first page alone. First, the story opens with Bruce and Dick wondering where Alfred is and starting a search of the house for him. There's a panel though that makes me think we're finally moving towards calling this the mansion because at one point, Dick comes down the stairs and they look a lot more ornate than one would find in a house in the suburbs. Heck, they look fancier than the stairs in Wayne Manor on the 66 TV series.

And then we read those words we've been waiting to read as an alarm from the "Bat Cave" sounds, sending the two below. No longer will we have a long winding passage leading to a barn where all the vehicles are stored. Instead, the lab, the workout area, and, at least, the Batmobile are all at the ready as the two come to find Alfred working out in the gym.

And here's another element I love. Last story, Alfred felt that playing some football might help him get back in shape and now he's working out in the gym. I don't know why, but I assumed that the soon to be thinner Alfred was something that just suddenly happened, as a response to his portrayal in the movie serial. It was, but it didn't suddenly happen. The writers clearly laid the seeds for Alfred's desire to change his physique.

But Bruce notes that Alfred could use a break and suggests a vacation. He leaves for a place in the country and we get a little characterization from Bruce and Dick as they point out how despite his respect with "Mawster" and such, but Alfred's really the boss. He also tends to be clumsy as we saw when he clocked Bruce with a weight.

A short time after, Bruce and Dick watch gangster Biff Bannon run over Corliss, the owner of a jewelry store. He survives, thanks to Doctor Goodwin who was in the area, but it prompts Batman to stake out the store and sure enough they catch someone in the act of breaking into the store's safe. They are surprised though when it's Corliss himself. He is dazed and confused, not sure how he wound up in his store.

Shortly after, Bruce and Dick sees another injured man, hit with the standing plank of a window washer. Dr. Goodwin is on the scene and tending to the stockbroker. That night, Batman and Robin find the stockbroker robbing the safe of his partners. Batman lets him go as they follow him back to house in the slums. There, they find Bannon's gang.

Bannon is working with Doctor Goodwin who somehow mesmerizes his injured victims to rob themselves and give the loot to Bannon. Batman and Robin burst in and take down the gang. Robin steps out to call the police and while gone, Batman is surprised by Goodwin who knocks him out. Goodwin gives him the drug he uses to sap the will and then he and the gang escape.

Robin takes Batman home, but Batman feels he should be doing something. He leaves the house and is followed by a suspicious Robin. Neither of them realize that they are soon followed by another figure. Batman arrives at a building and starts to break into a safe. He struggles though with the moral dilemma he is faced with. On the one hand, he knows it's wrong, but on the other, he feels compelled to do it. And in a struggle worthy of the Marshsa, Queen of Diamonds episode, Batman resists the drug.

Writer Jim Beard is fuming even as you read this because Alfred referred to Batman as Mr. Wayne in front of the bad guys.

Goodwin and the gang surprise the two as Goodwin suspected the drug would fail. They are all surprised when the mysterious figure drops in and helps with fighting the gang. After they are rounded up, the mysterious figure reveals himself to be Alfred who used his vacation time at a health resort to get himself into a shape that would help him in being a detective. Unfortunately, he still is a klutz.

Another charming story, but what do we have next? We're on to issue 21 of Batman, Citizens!