Comic Title: Batman in the Forties TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2004
On Sale Date: March 10, 2004 Direct Market Date March 3, 2004
Source: Previews, Vol. 14 #1 (#181)

Direct Market Date March 10, 2004
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Direct Market Date March 3, 2004
Source: Comic Shop News, #870

Cover Price: $19.95
Page Count: 192
Editor: Robert Greenberger

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Origin of the Batman"
Pages: 13

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

Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Bob Kane
Inker: Charles Paris

Reprinted From:
Batman #47 (1948)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (also appears in flashback to the first story of Detective Comics #33; last appearance in Batman #47; next appearance in Detective Comics #136)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman #47; next appearance in Detective Comics #136)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Star Spangled Comics #81; next appearance in Detective Comics #137)

Villain(s)

• Feets Borgam (a killer; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Joe Chill (also appears in flashback to the first story of Detective Comics #33; dies in this story; last appearance in Detective Comics #33; no further appearances)
• Monty Julep (a gambling boss; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Chill's gang (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Thomas Wayne (in flashback to the first story of Detective Comics #33)
• Martha Wayne (in flashback to the first story of Detective Comics #33)

Comments:
Batman's origin from the first story of Detective Comics #33 is retold in flashback in this story. This story reveals the name of the Wayne's killer is Joe Chill.

Synopsis:
Batman and Robin discover that a trucking company is smuggling wanted criminals out of state. When Batman sees a picture of the trucking company's owner, Joe Chill, he immediately recognizes the man as the killer of his parents. Batman works the case alone, trying to trap Chill and get evidence against him. Chill eludes Batman's traps and continues to operate his company.

Finally Batman takes a daring risk and reveals his identity to Chill, explaining that Chill was responsible for creating him. Batman threatens to follow and harass Chill until the crook eventually slips up. Frightened, Chill runs to his gang. He tells them that he was responsible for creating Batman. Before he can tell them who the Batman really is, they gun him done for creating their nemesis. Batman is then able to finally close the case of the Wayne murder.