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Batman Archives #1 cover
Cover: Bob Kane

Batman Archives #1

Jul 1990 · DC · 39.95 USD; 49.95 CAD
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About this Collection

This volume kicks off the DC Archive Editions series by reprinting the earliest Batman stories from Detective Comics #27-37 and Batman #1. It features the Dark Knight's debut, the first appearances of the Joker and Catwoman, and early adventures with Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and the original Clayface, Basil Karlo. Presented in hardcover with restored art, it's a cornerstone collection for fans of Golden Age Batman.

Contains 24 stories
The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
6 pp · Superhero
Bat-Man [BatmanBruce Wayne] (introduction)

In "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," Batman dives into the high-stakes world of corporate espionage when a chemical tycoon is found dead, his fortune and secrets now up for grabs. With the trail leading to a web of deceit among his partners, the Dark Knight must untangle the truth before the killer disappears into the shadows.

Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang
6 pp · Superhero
The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne]Frenchie Blake (villain)
The Batman Meets Doctor Death
10 pp · Superhero
Doctor Death (villain, introduction)Jabah (villain, introduction)
The Return of Doctor Death
10 pp · Superhero
Doctor Death (Villain)

In "The Return of Doctor Death," the seemingly deceased criminal mastermind resurfaces with a new agenda: securing funds to rebuild his empire. Targeting a wealthy socialite, Mrs. Jones, he plans a daring heist centered on her prized diamonds, setting the stage for a chilling confrontation with Gotham’s Dark Knight.

Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 1
10 pp · Superhero
Julie Madison (Bruce's girlfriend)Dr. Trentthe Monk (villain, introduction)

In "Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 1," Batman races to uncover the truth behind Julie’s strange trance, following a doctor’s cryptic advice to seek answers in Hungary. There, he confronts a living vampire whose deadly intentions threaten both Julie and the Dark Knight’s resolve.

Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 2
10 pp · Superhero
Julie Madisonthe Monk (villain)Dala (villain, introduction)

In "Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 2," Batman, tracking the Monk through Hungary with Julie, encounters a mysterious vampire who offers a chilling proposition: reveal the Monk’s hideout in exchange for his death. The tension mounts as the Dark Knight weighs the cost of an alliance with a creature of the night.

The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom
12 pp · Superhero
Joe Chill (unnamed)Carl Kruger (villain)The Scarlet Horde (villains)

In "The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom," the Dark Knight confronts a sudden wave of menacing airships descending upon Gotham, each carrying unknown forces with world domination on their minds. With the city under siege from above, Batman must rise to the challenge, using his wits and gear to outmaneuver a threat that’s as bold as it is bizarre.

Peril in Paris
10 pp · Superhero
Duc D'orterre (villain, introduction, dies)

In "Peril in Paris," Batman tracks a mysterious criminal whose victims are left with no face, uncovering a twisted plot that begins with a man desperate to protect his sister—and his fortune. As the Dark Knight delves into the case, he finds himself entangled in a web of greed and violence that stretches from the streets of Paris to the shadows of Gotham.

The Case of the Ruby Idol
12 pp · Superhero
WongSin Fang (villain, introduction, dies)

In "The Case of the Ruby Idol," a cursed gem shaped like a grotesque figure draws death and danger in its wake, leaving one man dead and another in peril. Batman steps into the shadows to unravel a mystery tied to a sinister Hindu cult, where ancient rituals and deadly secrets collide.

Professor Hugo Strange
12 pp · Superhero
Professor Hugo Strange (villain, introduction)

In "Professor Hugo Strange," the Batman confronts a sinister mind behind a lethal fog that blankets Gotham, using it to carry out crimes while evading capture. With a clue from the death of a G-Man, the Dark Knight must unravel Strange’s twisted scheme before the city is consumed by the invisible threat.

The Screaming House
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]

In "The Screaming House," Batman investigates a cry for help from an abandoned mansion, only to find a desperate crook named Joey who’s been tortured by his own boss’s men. As the wounded man reveals the identity of his employer—a major smuggler—Batman shifts from rescuer to hunter, setting his sights on a criminal network that’s been operating in the shadows.

Robin the Boy Wonder
12 pp · Superhero
John Grayson (introduction, dies)Mary Grayson (introduction, dies)Mr. HalyBoss Zucco [Anthony Zucco](villain, introduction)

In "Robin the Boy Wonder," young Dick Grayson witnesses the tragic death of his parents and hears the killers' confession, prompting him to try to alert the police. But before he can act, the Batman intervenes, recognizing the boy's potential and taking him under his wing to train as his partner—Robin the Boy Wonder. Together, they set out to gather the evidence needed to bring the criminals to justice.

The Horde of the Green Dragon
12 pp · Superhero
Wong (dies)

In "The Horde of the Green Dragon," Batman dives into the shadows of Chinatown after a chauffeur is murdered with a hatchet and two millionaires vanish without a trace. As the investigation unravels a web of opium trafficking, the Dark Knight faces the Green Dragon's ruthless gang in a tense showdown that tests his resolve and cunning.

The Murders of Clayface
12 pp · Superhero
Julie MadisonMr. Bentley

In "The Murders of Clayface," Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson visit a film studio to reconnect with Julie, now a rising actress—only to find themselves caught in a web of danger when a series of ominous events unfold. As shadows deepen and a killer known as Clayface strikes, Batman must step in to protect those in peril, even as the line between past and present blurs.

The Masked Menace of the Boys' School
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Mr. Graves (villain)

In "The Masked Menace of the Boys' School," Batman enlists Dick Grayson to infiltrate a prestigious boys' school after a student is kidnapped and the headmaster is murdered. With the campus cloaked in secrets and suspicion, Dick must navigate the rigid hierarchy and hidden tensions among students and staff—while the Caped Crusader watches from the shadows.

The Case of the Prophetic Pictures
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James Gordon

In "The Case of the Prophetic Pictures," a desperate businessman turns to a twisted scheme, amassing paintings by a reclusive artist only to eliminate the people depicted in them—each death somehow boosting the artwork’s worth. With no clear motive beyond greed and a chilling pattern, Batman must unravel a mystery where every portrait holds a deadly secret.

The Case of the City of Terror
13 pp · Superhero

In "The Case of the City of Terror," Bruce and Dick set out on a cross-country vacation hoping to escape the shadows of Gotham, only to find themselves drawn into a small town where the mayor’s grip on power hides a web of corruption—gambling dens, rigged elections, and a police force bought and paid for. As the duo investigates, they uncover a city where justice has been silenced, and every shadow holds a secret.

The Land Behind the Light
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Dr. Marko

In "The Land Behind the Light," Batman and Robin are pulled into a mysterious dimension by Dr. Marco’s invention, landing in a surreal realm where towering giants and tiny dwellers coexist. Captured by the giants, they uncover a chilling plan: the King of the giants intends to launch an invasion—though just how they’ll stop it remains unknown.

The Case of the Laughing Death
13 pp · Superhero
Professor Strange's Fear Dust
12 pp · Superhero
Professor Hugo Strange (villain)

In "Professor Strange's Fear Dust," Batman races against time to stop the cunning Hugo Strange from unleashing a sinister aerosol that turns public officials to fear—his twisted plan to seize control of America by exploiting paranoia. With the fate of the nation hanging in the balance, the Dark Knight must outwit a mastermind who weaponizes dread itself.

Money Can't Buy Happiness
13 pp · Superhero

In "Money Can't Buy Happiness," Batman takes a personal hand when he learns that the reckless actions of Bruce Wayne’s lawyer and wife are endangering their children. When he uncovers a connection between Midas’ daughter’s new husband and a criminal ring targeting the family jewels, the Dark Knight must navigate a web of deceit without revealing his true identity.

The Secret Cavern
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Linda Lewis

In "The Secret Cavern," a chance discovery beneath Fort Knox leads a man to a hidden cavern, a secret that draws the attention of criminals who manipulate his daughter into believing she's committed murder—pushing her father to reveal the cave's location. The story unfolds with tense psychological stakes, as trust erodes and danger lurks in the shadows of a vaulted underground world.

Clayface Walks Again
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Julie MadisonMr. BentleyClayface I [Basil Karlo] (villain)

In "Clayface Walks Again," Julie’s decision to leave Bruce for a life in Hollywood takes a dark turn when Basil Karlo, the reformed Clayface, escapes and targets Argus Pictures and Portia Storme in a vengeful rampage. As the city’s shadows grow longer, Batman is drawn into a web of past betrayals and present threats, where identity and illusion blur.

The Case of the Three Devils
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James Gordon

In "The Case of the Three Devils," Batman uses a daring plan to catch a trio of jewel thieves by going straight to the fence who's buying their loot—turning the criminal underworld's own network against them. With his usual blend of sharp instincts and unrelenting determination, the Caped Crusader sets a trap in the shadows, knowing the real prize might not be the stolen gems, but the truth behind the heist.

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Cast · 7 characters

Full credits

artist, inker Bob Kane
inker, letterer Jerry Robinson
colorist Bob Le Rose
colorist Daniel Vozzo
cover pencils, inks Bob Kane

Reprints

↩ Reprints Detective Comics #27 (1939), Detective Comics #28 (1939), Detective Comics #29 (1939), Detective Comics #30 (1939), Detective Comics #31 (1939), Detective Comics #32 (1939), Detective Comics #33 (1939), Detective Comics #34 (1939), Detective Comics #35 (1940), Detective Comics #36 (1940), Detective Comics #37 (1940), Detective Comics #38 (1940), Detective Comics #39 (1940), Detective Comics #40 (1940), Detective Comics #41 (1940), Detective Comics #42 (1940), Detective Comics #43 (1940), Detective Comics #44 (1940), Detective Comics #45 (1940), Detective Comics #46 (1940), Detective Comics #47 (1941), Detective Comics #48 (1941), Detective Comics #49 (1941), Detective Comics #50 (1941)

Reprinted in Batman #3/1991 (1991), DC Archiv Edition #3 (1999), Clásicos DC #1 (2004)

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