Cover: Dick Sprang

Batman #20

Dec 1943 · DC · 0.10 USD

📊 ~129,039 copies sold its debut month

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“The Centuries of Crime!”

In "The Centuries of Crime!", Batman faces a chilling mystery when a pair claiming to be Dick Grayson’s aunt and uncle suddenly appear at the Wayne mansion and take custody of the boy—only for Batman to grow suspicious when they later offer Bruce Wayne a chance to "buy" Dick back. Written by Bill Finger and brought to life by Bob Kane’s iconic art with inks by Jerry Robinson and letters by George Roussos, this 1943 classic features a cover by Dick Sprang that captures the story’s eerie intrigue.

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writer Bill Finger · artist Bob Kane · inker Jerry Robinson · letterer George Roussos · cover Dick Sprang

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Full credits

writer Bill Finger

artist Bob Kane

inker Jerry Robinson

letterer George Roussos

cover pencils, inks Dick Sprang

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

One day a couple show up at the Wayne mansion claiming to be the Aunt and Uncle of Dick Grayson, and they successfully get custody of the boy. But Batman smells a rat when the couple call up Bruce Wayne and offer him the opportunity to "buy" Dick back!

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).