Batman #120
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeBatman #120 (December 1958) is the first prominent Batman-title showcase of the Whirly-Bat, the one-man personal helicopter that would become a recurring part of the Dynamic Duo's arsenal throughout the Silver Age and beyond — used against foes from Mr. Freeze to the Penguin. The issue also contains a genuinely touching Secret-Identity story in which Alfred impersonates Batman to allow a dying Silas Wayne to believe that his great-nephew Bruce has brought honor to the family name, a rare moment of emotional warmth in the era's otherwise gimmick-driven Batman storytelling. Sitting squarely in the Jack Schiff editorial period, the issue is a representative artifact of the sci-fi- and gadget-obsessed Silver Age Batman — the phase that shaped how an entire generation of readers pictured Gotham's protector before the 'New Look' reinvention of 1964.
In "The Curse of the Bat-Ring," a young Bruce Wayne confronts a mysterious family legacy when his dying uncle urges him to embrace adventure—setting him on a path that leads to a surprising twist. Written by Bill Finger and illustrated by Sheldon Moldoff, with inks by Charles Paris and letters by Stan Starkman, this 1958 Batman tale blends family drama and mystery. The cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye captures the eerie tone of a story where even a simple ring might hold more than meets the eye.
In "The Curse of the Bat-Ring," Batman outsmarts a gang of crooks who try to curse him with a seemingly cursed ring, turning their own scheme against them in a clever twist that leads to the capture of their leader. The story showcases the detective’s wit and the enduring mystery of the Bat-Ring, all within the classic tone of 1950s Batman.
In "The Failure of Bruce Wayne," a young Bruce Wayne faces a quiet reckoning when his dying uncle Silas expresses disappointment that Bruce hasn’t followed the family’s legacy of adventure. Determined to prove himself, Bruce sets out on a journey that challenges his sense of purpose—and redefines what it means to be a hero.
When a stampeding elephant leaves Batman injured and unable to walk, Gotham City’s criminals seize the moment—turning the streets into a lawless playground. With the Dark Knight grounded, the city’s underbelly rises, and the stakes for justice have never been higher.
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The issue was produced under the editorial structure of the era: Whitney Ellsworth held the credited editorial role, but Jack Schiff was the actual working editor steering the Batman line during this period. The interior art was handled by the Sheldon Moldoff/Charles Paris team — Moldoff functioning as ghost artist under the Bob Kane byline, a standard arrangement DC maintained throughout the late 1950s. The cover was rendered by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, the same pairing doing strong work on World's Finest Comics at the time. Writers Bill Finger and Jack Schiff contributed stories to the 36-page issue, with Finger penning the key Whirly-Bat lead and the Silas Wayne Secret Identity tale.
Trivia · 7 facts
- First prominent Batman-title appearance and cover feature of the Whirly-Bat — the one-man open rotor personal helicopter used by Batman and Robin. (NOTE: the absolute first appearance of the vehicle was in Detective Comics #257, July 1958.)
- The lead story, 'The Airborne Batman!', written by Bill Finger, depicts Batman relying on Whirly-Bats to patrol Gotham after injuring both legs stopping a circus elephant — a plot device that justified the gadget's showcase across multiple gang confrontations.
- A second story features Silas Wayne, Bruce Wayne's dying great-uncle and family historian; to give him peace, Alfred dons a Batman costume so that Bruce can 'unmask' publicly and still protect his secret identity — one of the more character-driven Silver Age Batman vignettes.
- A third story, 'The Curse of the Bat-Ring!', has Batman use a fake cursed ring as bait to lure a criminal mastermind out of hiding — an example of the elaborate superstition-based ruse plots typical of Jack Schiff's editorial era.
- Cover art by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye; interior pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (ghost-credited to Bob Kane) with inks by Charles Paris and George Roussos; letters by Gaspar Saladino and Stan Starkman.
- Whitney Ellsworth received official editorial credit; Jack Schiff was the actual working editor, per Grand Comics Database records.
- The Whirly-Bat gadget introduced in this era went on to appear in stories featuring Mr. Freeze, the Penguin, Clayface, and Calendar Man, and was revived in modern comics including Detective Comics #850 and Batman: Black and White.
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in Colossal Comic #35 (1965), Batman #259 (1974), Batman Classics #76 (1976), Läderlappen #7/1976 (1976), Lynvingen #7/1976 (1976), The Untold Legend of the Batman [Batman Cereal Edition] #3 (1989), The Untold Legend of the Batman [MPI Audio Edition] #3 (1989), Batman (1ª Série) #83
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