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Batman: The Golden Age #5 cover
Cover: Evan "Doc" Shaner

Batman: The Golden Age #5

Nov 2018 · DC · 29.99 USD; 39.99 CAD
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About this Collection

This omnibus collects Batman stories from the late 1940s, including issues of Batman, Detective Comics, and World's Finest Comics, showcasing the Caped Crusader's adventures alongside Robin and early encounters with classic villains like the Joker and Catwoman. The volume continues the chronological reprinting of the character's Golden Age tales, featuring work by writers and artists such as Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Dick Sprang.

In "The Joker Reforms!", Bruce Wayne’s sudden, harsh behavior toward Dick Grayson takes a shocking turn when the real Wayne is kidnapped by a madman who’s impersonating him—sending doppelgängers to torment the wealthy while holding millionaires captive. Written by Joe Samachson and illustrated by Dick Sprang with inks by Norm Fallon, this Golden Age-inspired tale blends mystery and menace, with Evan "Doc" Shaner’s cover capturing the eerie duality of the deception.

Contains 29 stories
The Joker Reforms!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Sheriff Jeb JohnsonSam Upson (proprietor of the General Store and post office)The Joker [also as Ed Smith] (villain)Joker's gang [KiteSparkyNitro] (villains)

In "The Joker Reforms!", the Clown Prince of Crime crashes into a quiet town after a botched jewelry heist, his memory wiped and his usual madness replaced by an unexpected sense of justice. As he tries to rebuild his life as a local hero, the stolen jewels draw the attention of his old gang—and the Bat-family—both of whom are determined to find him.

The Grade A Crimes!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonBillJohn Winthrop (villain, introduction)Winthrop's gang [Sparksrest un-named] (villains)

In "The Grade A Crimes!", Batman zeroes in on a peculiar pattern: a milkman and his horse-drawn wagon showing up at every early-bird robbery. With the city baffled and the clues as odd as they are suspicious, the Dark Knight must unravel how a seemingly ordinary delivery route ties into a string of high-stakes thefts.

The Adventure of the Branded Tree!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Scotty (lumberjack)Olaf Yonson (lumberjack, death)Bull Beeton (villain, introduction)Knuckles (villain)
Here Comes Alfred!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred Pennyworth (introduction)Jarvis Pennyworth (Alfred's father who was a butler for Thomas Wayne, mention only)The Duke of Dorian [aka Gaston LeDuc]Manuel Stiletti (villain, international crook, introduction)Pablo (villain)Tomas (villain)

In "Here Comes Alfred!" from *Batman: The Golden Age #5*, a mysterious English butler named Alfred arrives at Wayne Manor with a solemn vow to honor a promise made to the original Wayne family butler. When he realizes his new employers—Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson—are actually Batman and Robin, the situation takes a turn both unexpected and deeply personal.

The Robber Baron!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred PennyworthCommissioner James GordonThe Robber Baron (villain)Baron's gang [Bingoothers un-named] (villains)
Slay 'Em with Flowers
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred PennyworthJason JohnsonAmes (Johnson's chauffeur)Percy FillmoreThe Joker (villain)Joker's henchmen (villains)
The Batman's Biographer!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]B. Boswell Browne (introduction)The Conjurer (villain, introduction)Conjurer's gang [Creeperrest un-named] (villains, introduction for all)

Boswell Browne, a self-proclaimed biographer of the Dynamic Duo, finds himself in over his head when his boastful tales about Batman and Robin catch the wrong ears. Now, a cunning criminal has turned Browne’s knowledge into a weapon, turning his research into a threat to Gotham’s protectors.

The Penguin Goes A-Hunting
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Warden KeyesMiss Meecham (Throckmorton's Secretary)Mr. Throckmorton (a broker)Tyrus WolffMr. GulletThe Penguin [Oswald Cobblepot] (villain)Penguin's gang (villains)
Rogues' Pageant!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred Pennyworth"Ducky" Mallard (villain, introduction)Mallard's gang ["Dazie" Dickens (death)rest un-named] (villains, introduction for all)

In "Rogues' Pageant!" from *Batman: The Golden Age #5*, Bruce and Dick take a much-needed break from Gotham’s chaos, only to find that even San Pablos—celebrating its 300th anniversary with pageantry and pride—can’t escape the shadow of crime. With Alfred’s advice ringing in their ears, the Dynamic Duo must navigate a city draped in celebration, where every parade float hides a secret and every festive mask could conceal a criminal.

Adventure of the Vitamin Vandals!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Mr. Gibbons (villain, leader of the Raiders, introduction)The Phantom Raiders (villains, introduction for all)

In "Adventure of the Vitamin Vandals!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson find themselves chasing a bizarre mystery along Malibu Beach—where fishing boats are being stripped of their hauls by shadowy thieves who vanish without a trace. Disguised as crew members on a suspect vessel, the dynamic duo sail into the unknown, only to uncover a twist that leaves them both stunned.

Man with the Camera Eyes
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Henri LongvieuxOliver Hunt (introduction)Dude Fay (villain, introduction)

In "Man with the Camera Eyes," Oliver Hunt—haunted by his reputation as Gotham’s most scrutinizing observer—takes a dangerous turn, trading his lens for a criminal alliance. He agrees to aid a known gang in their heists, using his unique ability to capture every detail, as long as no lives are lost.

The Crime Clinic!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Billy (hospital patient)Mr. BrownHodges (banker)un-named ProfessorThe Crime Doctor [Dr. Matthew Thorne] (villain, surgeon, introduction)Albert (villain, Thorne's assistant)Piggy Pinto (villain)Ranson (villain)

In "The Crime Clinic!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, a brilliant surgeon with a fascination for the thrill of wrongdoing opens a bizarre clinic where criminals come seeking expert advice on how to commit their next heist. With a mix of medical precision and criminal ingenuity, the clinic becomes a strange haven for those looking to perfect their craft—until Batman steps in to stop the madness.

The Bond Wagon
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Matt Wilkins [as Captain John Paul Jones] (ex-sea Captain)Passin' Pete Arnold [as Nathan Hale] (former football player)? [as General George Washington]? [as Ethan Allen]Baron von Luger (villain)Karpf (villain)Adolf Hitler (villain, image)the Nazis (villains)

In "The Bond Wagon," Batman enlists a group of down-on-their-luck men to pose as Revolutionary War figures in a patriotic Bond Wagon, aiming to boost war bond sales. But when Nazi spies target the campaign, the makeshift parade becomes a high-stakes test of courage and deception.

The Secret of Hunter's Inn!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred PennyworthTweedledee [Cousin Deever] (villain)Tweedledum [Cousin Dumfree] (villain)Soup McConell (villain)Legs (villain)Sapper (villain)

In "The Secret of Hunter's Inn!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, with Alfred at their side, dive into the mystery of a string of high-profile robberies at the secluded Hunter's Inn—only to find themselves face-to-face with the notorious Tweed Brothers. The story unfolds with classic Golden Age flair, blending suspense and sharp detective work as the Dynamic Duo unravel the inn's hidden secrets.

Robin Studies His Lessons!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Dick's school ProfessorSpike (villain)Harry (villain)
The Good Samaritan Cops
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonSergeant Mead (head of the Emergency Squad, introduction)the Emergency Squad [BresslerBranniganFlanniganRichards] (introduction)un-named homicidal maniac (villain)Black Market Looters (villain)Two-Gun Fowley (villain)

In "The Good Samaritan Cops," Batman and Robin team up with the Police Emergency Squad, a specialized unit trained to handle crises beyond the scope of regular patrols. As the dynamic duo navigates the high-stakes world of emergency response, they find themselves testing the limits of cooperation between vigilantes and law enforcement.

The Crime Surgeon!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]un-named prison WardenThe Crime Surgeon [Dr. Thorne] (villain, death)Flop-Ears Bailey (villain)Slick Minder (villain)Tipper (villain)Mocco (villain)
Destiny's Auction
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Madame Calagra (seeress)Judy O'Casson (a dramatist)Tremaine Wentworth (actor)Mrs. Midge (Judy's landlady)Diamond Pete Ransome (villain)Ransome's gang [Leftyother un-named] (villains)

In "Destiny's Auction," three strangers leave their fates in the hands of a gypsy fortune teller, only to find their lives taking strange turns after each loses a personal possession to a mysterious trunk. Batman and Robin track the trio as they converge at an auction, each hoping to reclaim what they believe is their destined future—though the real mystery lies in how the past is shaping their next moves.

A Thief in Time!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Father Time (cameo, splash only)Rob Callender (villain, introduction)Callender's gang (villains, introduction for all)

In "A Thief in Time!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, a future lab worker materializes in Gotham City with a singular goal: steal enough wealth to make himself a millionaire before being pulled back to his own time. The story unfolds as Batman confronts this temporal intruder, blending retro sci-fi flair with the classic noir atmosphere of the Golden Age.

The End of Two-Face!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Gilda (Harvey's fiancee)Two-Face [Harvey Kent] (villain)Two-Face's gang [Joerest un-named] (villains)

In "The End of Two-Face!", Two-Face escapes custody during his trial, reigniting his criminal spree—only to accidentally endanger Gilda in the process. Facing the consequences, he surrenders and undergoes plastic surgery to reclaim his appearance, setting the stage for a tense, unpredictable turn in his twisted story.

Batman Makes a Deadline!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]un-named newspaper City EditorLarry Spade (newspaper reporter, death)un-named toy shop proprieterBig Ben Bolling (villain, introduction, death)Skylark Skelly (villain, death)Legs Lascomb (villain, death)Rattler (villain, death)

In "Batman Makes a Deadline!", Batman and Robin step into the spotlight when a murdered reporter’s final, unfinished story becomes their only lead. With the truth buried in a newspaper’s deadline, the Dynamic Duo must race against time to expose a criminal gang before the ink dries.

Atlantis Goes to War!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Ben Stunsel (introduction, death)Taro (Ruler of Atlantis, introduction)Lanya (Empress of Atlantis, Taro's sister, introduction)Kano (Atlantean High Priest, introduction)other un-named AtlanteansAdmiral Von Buntz (villain, introduction)Captain Kurt Fritzl (villain, U-Boat Captain, introduction)un-named Nazis (villains, introduction for all)

In "Atlantis Goes to War!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, Batman and Robin track a mysterious Nazi submarine preying on Allied ships—only to uncover its hidden base deep beneath the ruins of Atlantis. The discovery throws them into a high-stakes mystery where ancient secrets and wartime espionage collide.

The Case of the Timid Lion!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]un-named zoo attendantThe Joker (villain)Mr. Lyon (villain)

In "The Case of the Timid Lion!", Batman and Robin face a puzzling criminal who's using the Joker's signature calling card to frame the Clown Prince of Crime—except the real Joker isn't laughing, and neither are the Dynamic Duo. With a mysterious impostor playing the fool, the caped crusaders must untangle a web of mistaken identity before Gotham's most chaotic villain gets blamed for crimes he didn’t commit.

Collector of Millionaires
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Judge TowerRonnie Tower (the Judge's son)Carol Tower (Ronnie's sister, the Judge's daughter)Howard Prescott (millionaire)Miles Rockley (millionaire)Reginald Van Astor (millionaire)Ali (villain, introduction)Ali's gang of impersonators (villains)

In "Collector of Millionaires," Bruce Wayne’s vacation takes a dark turn when his carefully maintained persona begins to unravel—only for Dick Grayson to realize the man he’s been serving isn’t the real Wayne. When a mysterious kidnapper targets the wealthy and replaces them with impostors, Dick must unravel the truth before the charade consumes them all.

The Cavalier of Crime!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]young boyBerry Berrigan (former big league baseball pitcher)The Cavalier [Mortimer Drake] (villain, introduction)Jennings (villain, introduction)

In "The Cavalier of Crime!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, a would-be villain with a flair for theatrics sets his sights on a child’s cherished baseball—signed by a legendary pitcher—launching a bizarre crime spree that draws Batman into a high-stakes chase. With the caper escalating into a full-blown heist targeting a famed sports figures collection, the Caped Crusader must outwit a rogue with a flair for the dramatic and a taste for the absurd.

The Centuries of Crime!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred PennyworthPercival PruittThe Joker (villain)Professor Ecla Tate (villain, fraudulent scientist)Swami Meera Kell (villain, crooked crystal gazer)Kid Glove Mixter (villain, bank robber)

In "The Centuries of Crime!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, the Joker orchestrates a bizarre scheme that pulls together a fraudulent scientist and a self-proclaimed swami, promising them a chance to outwit victims across time—past and future. With his usual flair for chaos, he sets them on a path that stretches the limits of deception, leaving Batman to untangle a mystery that defies time itself.

The Trial of Titus Keyes!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James Gordonun-named District AttorneyJames Stoney (night watchman)Jack Paley (laundry owner)Nick (shoe-shine boy)Titus Keyes (ex-con, introduction)Chief Detective FlamPatrolman Patrick Francis Aloysius Michael O'BrienSlick Fingers [as George Collins] (villain)Noodle Nolan (villain)

In "The Trial of Titus Keyes!" from Batman: The Golden Age #5, Batman and Robin dig beneath the surface of a seemingly straightforward courtroom case, uncovering a web of deception tied to a prison cell-mate of the accused. With sharp detective work and a keen eye for detail, they follow the trail to reveal a truth far more complex than the prosecution’s version.

The Lawmen of the Sea
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]"Whittling" Willie Binger (wheelman)Spinner Powell (former All-American quarterback)Sergeant DanielsShark Hawkey [aka The Shark] (villain, introduction)Hawkey's river-pirate gang (villains, introdction for all)

In "The Lawmen of the Sea," Batman and Robin join forces with the Harbor Patrol in a high-stakes chase across Gotham’s waters, tracking down a gang of cunning harbor pirates. The story blends the grit of urban law enforcement with the mystery of the open sea, as the dynamic duo navigates the tides of justice alongside a new kind of cop.

Bruce Wayne Loses the Guardianship of Dick Grayson!
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Alfred Pennyworthun-named JudgeGeorge Grayson (villain, Dick Grayson's uncle, introduction)Clara Grayson (villain, Dick Grayson's aunt, introduction)Fatso Foley (villain, racketeer, introduction)The Joker (villain, image)

When a pair claiming to be Dick Grayson’s long-lost aunt and uncle suddenly appear at the Wayne mansion and secure legal custody, Bruce Wayne is thrown into turmoil—especially when a suspicious phone call offers him a chance to "buy" the boy back. The Golden Age of comics meets modern drama as Batman must navigate a legal and emotional storm, questioning who really has Dick’s best interests at heart.

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Full credits

cover pencils, inks Evan "Doc" Shaner

Reprints

↩ Reprints Batman #16 (1943), Detective Comics #75 (1943), Batman #17 (1943), Detective Comics #76 (1943), Detective Comics #77 (1943), World's Finest Comics #10 (1943), Batman #18 (1943), Detective Comics #78 (1943), Detective Comics #79 (1943), Batman #19 (1943), Detective Comics #80 (1943), World's Finest Comics #11 (1943), Detective Comics #81 (1943), Batman #20 (1943)

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