Comic Title: Batman Archives Vol. 6 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2005
On Sale Date: June 2, 2005 Direct Market Date June 15, 2005
Source: Previews, Vol. 15 #4 (#196)

Direct Market Date June 2, 2005
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Thursday, June 2, 2005

Cover Price: $49.99
Page Count: 224
Editor: Dale Crain

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Human Key"
Pages: 12

Feature(s):
Batman (of Earth-2)

Penciller: Jim Mooney
Inker: Charles Paris

Reprinted From:
Detective Comics #132 (1948)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman #45; next appearance in Detective Comics #133)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman #45; next appearance in Star Spangled Comics #78)

Villain(s)

• Burly Graham and Sleepy (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• The Human Key (Paul Bodin; a locksmith; no further appearances)
• Paul's daughter (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
A series of crimes are perpetrated by a crook called the Human Key. The crimes revolve around his abilities to crack safes and unlock difficult locks. Batman plans a trap for the Key during one of the robberies. The Human Key and his gang escape, but not before alerting Batman to his true identity Paul Bodin.

Batman is puzzled by Bodin's behavior because the man is not a crook and has actually trained Batman on how to pick difficult locks. Bodin also gives Batman clues to their next job. Batman is unable to defeat the Key's gang, but Bodin acts to save Batman's life.

Batman then trails the Human Key back to Bodin's house. He has deduced that the crooks are forcing Bodin to work with them by holding Bodin's daughter is a hostage. The crooks lock Bodin and the girl in a safe with little oxygen. Batman exhibits incredible skill by cracking the safe in time to save them. Bodin is cleared of the robbery charges, and the real crooks are sent to prison.