Comic Title: Batman Annuals Vol. 1 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2009
On Sale Date: April 22, 2009 Direct Market Date April 22, 2009
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Direct Market Date April 22, 2009
Source: Previews, #243

Cover Price: $39.99
Page Count: 256

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "When Batman Was Robin"
Pages: 12

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

Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Dick Sprang
Inker: Charles Paris

Reprinted From:
Detective Comics #226 (1955)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman #96; next appearance in Detective Comics #227)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman #96; next appearance in Detective Comics #227)
• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Detective Comics #225; next appearance in World's Finest Comics #80)

Villain(s)

• Arthur Mellen and his hired thugs (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Harvey Harris (a detective; appears in flashback; revealed to be dead following the flashback in this story; no further appearances)
• Van Marden, Bellew, and Gerritt (collectors; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Bruce Wayne (last appearance in Superboy Spectacular #1; next appearance in Batman #96)

Comments:
Bruce Wayne appears in flashback as the first Robin. The flashback takes place sometime in Bruce’s teen’s. The flashback indicates that Bruce’s parents are still alive at that time. This reference should be considered apocryphal, since it has been established that Thomas and Martha Wayne died years earlier.

Synopsis:
Bruce Wayne receives a package in the mail from detective Harvey Harris. The package contains a Robin costume.

Batman then explains to Robin that years before he became Batman, he wore the Robin costume and trained with Harris. Bruce wore the costume to protect his identity while learning to be a detective.

The package contains a letter explaining that Harvey had discovered Bruce was his pupil. He was then able to conclude Bruce became Batman years later. Harvey’s letter then explains that he kept the secret to himself and with his death, the secret went to the grave with him.