Comic Title: Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1989
On Sale Date: June 27, 1989 Shipping Date June 27, 1989
Source: Previews, #4

Shipping Date June 27, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #167

Direct Market Date June 29, 1989
Source: Comic Shop News, #102, #104

Cover Price: $15.95
Page Count: 352
Editor: Mike Gold

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Birth of Batplane II"
Pages: 12

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

Writer: David Vern Reed
Penciller: Dick Sprang
Inker: Charles Paris

Reprinted From:
Batman #61 (1950)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #48; next appearance in Batman #61)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Star Spangled Comics #109; next appearance in Batman #61)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman #60; next appearance in Batman #61)

Villain(s)

• The Boley brothers (Bull, Dave, and Slats; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Flying Tiger Haggerty (a pilot; no further appearances)
• Colonel Webb (head of a military weapons research test; no further appearances)
• Mr. Lane (an executive for Gotham Airlines; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Batman and Robin agree to test a new device for the military which knocks out aircraft engines. Batman installs the device on the Batplane. During the first test, the Batplane is disabled, forcing Batman and Robin to bail out. They assume the plane will crash at sea when it runs out of fuel. However, it glides to a landing near the Boley brothers, a group of smugglers who take possession of it.

The Boley's then trick Haggerty, a down on his luck pilot, to fly the plane, so that they can commit acts of piracy. Batman builds a new Batplane to replace the old one. The new plane can convert to a helicopter or submarine. However, the Boley's also construct two more planes. When Batman tries to take them on, it's three against one, so Batman pretends to crash.

With Batman out of the way, the Boley's split up. Batman then defeats them one at a time with the new Batplane. Haggerty turns against Bull Boley and sees that he is caught. Batman then assures Haggerty that he will find him a job.