World's Finest Comics #10

April 28, 1943

"Man with the Camera Eyes"

So far, we've managed to have Batman stories worthy of being in a comic book called, "World's Finest Comics". I'm a little wary of this one as based on the title and the weird opening images of our "Man with the Camera Eyes", I have to wonder.

The story opens with Bruce and Dick attending a demonstration of Oliver Hunt, the man with the camera eyes, or more specifically, instant recall of whatever he sees. Dick is skeptical, but Bruce explains the man's background of memory since he was a kid. He also points out how such a memory can be used for good or evil.

Hunt is approached by gangster Dude Fay who offers him to make more money than he is being a vaudeville freak performer. Hunt agrees as he wants to engage in studies in psychological research and and needs the money. His one request is that no one is injured or killed because of his help.

What follows are a series of crimes where Hunt's talents are useful. He "steals" the lyrics to future hit songs. He acquires the papers of the DA who is preparing to prosecute a big time mobster.

Weeks go by and one evening, Bruce and Dick see some of Fay's men running out of a building on fire followed by Hunt. Bruce reminds Dick of Hunt using his gifts for good or evil. They follow the three in a taxi and then change to Batman and Robin.

They engage with the gang, yet the group gets away, but not before they overhear them talking about hitting a patent office next. They make it to the office as Hunt is looking over the latest patent requests. Hunt surprises Batman with a jujitsu move, throwing Batman over him. Batman responds by tossing a typewriter at Hunt and then knocking him out with a punch.

The gang enter and engage the Duo. Batman grabs Hunt and takes him away in the Batplane, hoping to talk him out of his life of crime. But Hunt incapacitates the two with a neck pinch. The Batplane's auto pilot kicks in and lands safely. Hunt takes advantage of the situation to study every detail of the craft and brings it back to Fay who builds his own Batplane with some added improvements like machine guns to knock Batman out of the sky.

Fay's plane engages the Batplane and Hunt is surprised when Fay opens fire. Batman pretends he's been hit and has the Batplane fall away. Fay continues on to his next target, the weather station, followed by Batman in the distance. At the weather station, Fay has Hunt scan the weather reports which he can sell to U-Boat commanders who will take advantage of weather conditions to attack the US.

This is too much for Hunt who refuses and gets knocked around by Fay. Batman and Robin jump in and attack and Fay tries to escape in his Batplane. But Hunt has disabled the craft. Fay shoots Hunt in anger as Batman catches him. Hunt manages to survive the bullet and is offered a position with the secret service based on Batman's recommendation. Hunt uses his talents to capture German secrets and we end with Bruce and Dick listening to audio of what presumably is Hitler ranting about how the German will catch the American phantom who steals their secrets.

With that, I can say we have another tale worthy of being called World's Finest. Once again, Batman and Robin help in the war effort without being directly involved in it. It's a really nice way of making Batman relevant at the time without beating it over the heads of kids or seeming like American propaganda.

What's next? Stay tuned, Citizens!