Detective Comics #94

October 25, 1944

"No One Must Know"

The cover to this issue is very well realized as we have our two heroes walking beneath the streets of Gotham City in the sewers. I'm particularly drawn to Robin's expression as he is well behind Batman in their journey.

And we're taking this story up, away from Gotham City once again, in the town of Meadowvale where everyone appears to just be nice. Even when someone does wrong, there appears to be an understanding with the sinner. It's funny, I always thought Batman leaving Gotham City was something that happened later in the comics as he joined the JLA and all, but he was away from Gotham quite often in the Golden Age.

It appears though that some sins cannot be forgiven as a young man tells his father, George Barrows, that the judge in town has given his consent for the son to marry his daughter. The problem is Barrow is an ex-con and he doesn't want that shame to influence the judge in any way.

We move back to Gotham City where Batman and Robin stop two con men from dumping an injured man who called them out on their swindle. They get into it with the con men's gang and are both knocked out. When the two come around, everyone is gone and the evidence they need to convict the con men is missing.

The two con men decide to avoid the big city's and go back to their roots of shaking down marks at state fairs in the sticks. The problem is, they are recognized there as well and a newspaper article tells Bruce and Dick where they were last sighted with Batman deducing where they will wind up next - Meadowvale.

In Meadowvale, the two con people of their money with cons from the old shell game to fake oil wells to fake gold mines. But then they spot George Barrow who they used to work with. They shake him down for $20,000 to keep quiet about his past. All he can raise is $500 though which they consider a down payment. It all looks terrible but then Batman and Robin show up and startle the two. They call their gang in to help them.

The rest of the story deals with the chase through the fair by the Duo after the conmen. They hide up atop a tall ladder in a barn, but Barrows sees them and knocks the ladder down, allowing the Duo to round them up. They finger Barrow and it looks like all is lost, but this is Meadowvale and the judge says he will do what he can to help Barrow. With Batman's help, they round up a petition speaking to Barrow's good character. The governor grants a pardon for Barrow and the two depart before the wedding. Had to chuckle at the idea of Batman not being sentimental. I'm sure eventually he will be, but right now, that's so not the case.

This was a neat, little story despite it being mostly set in another town. I think what worked for me is that it's not like the town was corrupt, but rather was invaded by evil. And what's next, Citizens! We're going to see if the World's Finest Comic can continue its record of producing World's Finest Comics.