Comic Title: Batman:The Dynamic Duo Archives Vol. 1 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2003
On Sale Date: February 12, 2003 Direct Market Date February 12, 2003
Source: Previews, Vol. 12 #8 (#164)

Direct Market Date February 12, 2003
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Cover Price: $49.95
Page Count: 240
Editor: Dale Crain

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Mystery of the Menacing Mask"
Pages: 15

Feature(s):
Batman (of Earth-1)

Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella

Reprinted From:
Detective Comics #327 (1964)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #141; next appearance in Batman #164)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #141; next appearance in Batman #164)

Villain(s)

• The Smiler (alias Roland Meacham; an underworld leader and chairman of Gotham's Committee to Preserve Gotham Village; no further appearances)
• Various underworld hoods (no further appearances)
• Frank Fenton (a jewel thief; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Andrew Wallis (head of Gotham City's Anti-Crime Commission; no further appearances)
• James Packer and Linda Greene (a resident of Gotham village and his fiancee; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story introduces the "New Look" Batman.

The "New Look" includes changes to the general direction of the feature. The stories now rely less on science fiction, aliens, and giant monsters. Instead the stories focus on Batman's detective abilities and include more down-to-Earth opponents. Other changes include the loss of Batman's supporting cast: Batwoman, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite, and Ace the Bat-Hound.

Artistically, the "New Look" includes a stylistic change to the pencils of Carmine Infantino. Bob Kane had gotten credit for all Batman stories up to this point even though the vast majority were done by ghost artists. His name no longer appears on the stories.

Batman's costume now includes a yellow oval around the Bat-symbol on his chest. This change was first seen in World's Finest Comics #141, which pre-dates this story.

Synopsis:
While trailing a jewel thief, Batman is caught in an explosion. He is unharmed, but a red "X" suddenly appears on his forehead. A similar mark appears on Robin's forehead, then both marks disappear. After analyzing his mask, Batman is able to trace the chemical in the mark to Frank Fenton, the thief. However, Fenton is able to use the marks to paralyze Batman and Robin, then escape.

Batman and Robin decide to search Gotham Village, where several crooks have disappeared, to locate Fenton. They meet Linda Greene, who shows them a map with an "X" like the one on their foreheads. Batman then follows Linda's fiance James Greene. The trail leads to an underworld hide-out. Fenton is there and tries to protect the crooks using his power over Batman. However, Batman and Robin use lead liners on their heads to protect themselves from the paralyzing rays. After taking down the crooks, including Fenton, Batman learns that the hide-out is run by the leader of a Committee to Preserve Gotham Village, Roland Meacham.