Detective Comics #276
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeDetective Comics #276 (February 1960) holds a firm place in Silver Age Batman history as the second appearance of Bat-Mite, the fifth-dimensional imp created by writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff just nine issues earlier in Detective Comics #267 (May 1959). Where the debut established Bat-Mite's dynamic with Batman and Robin, this follow-up meaningfully expanded his role by pairing him with Batwoman — marking the first time the whimsical imp interacted with Kathy Kane's costumed identity, and cementing a relationship that would carry forward into Batman #133 and beyond. The issue also illustrates the breadth of the Silver Age Detective Comics anthology format at its peak: a single 36-page issue housed three distinct features — the main Batman/Bat-Mite lead, a Roy Raymond TV Detective mystery, and a Martian Manhunter back-up — showcasing DC's practice of running multiple self-contained strips in one title and making the comic a showcase for several corners of the emerging DC Universe simultaneously.
In "The Return of Bat-Mite," the enigmatic and mischievous Bat-Mite returns to disrupt Gotham with his trademark brand of chaotic antics, turning a game show segment into an unexpected test of wits. Written by a young and ambitious team, this 1960 issue features dynamic artwork by Amilcar Ruben Moreira, with Sheldon Moldoff's iconic cover capturing the absurdity and flair of the story.
In "The Great Space Hoax," Roy's show takes a surprising turn when a contestant openly admits he's pulling a scam—challenging Roy to prove it. With the stakes higher than ever, the line between truth and trickery blurs in this clever detective mystery.
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The issue was published with a cover date of February 1960 and went on sale under the editorial stewardship of Jack Schiff, who oversaw the Batman family of titles throughout the late 1950s and into the early 1960s — the same editor who had shepherded Bat-Mite's debut. The lead Batman story was written by Bill Finger and penciled by Sheldon Moldoff (who was ghosting art under Bob Kane's byline at the time), with inks by Charles Paris; the cover was also drawn by Moldoff. The Martian Manhunter back-up, 'The Crimes of John Jones,' fell under Jack Miller, the writer credited with the majority of J'onn J'onzz's Silver Age solo adventures, with art by Joe Certa, the character's long-running visual collaborator. A public service announcement page featuring Superboy was scripted by Jack Schiff with pencils by Curt Swan and inks by Stan Kaye, while Roy Raymond's mystery installment was illustrated by Ruben Moreira and the recurring 'Warden Willis' humor filler was handled by Henry Boltinoff.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Second appearance of Bat-Mite, who first debuted in Detective Comics #267 (May 1959) — created by writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff.
- First time Bat-Mite interacts directly with Batwoman (Kathy Kane), a pairing that was revisited in Batman #133 (August 1960), where Bat-Mite became 'Batwoman's Publicity Agent.'
- Lead story 'The Return of Bat-Mite' written by Bill Finger, penciled by Sheldon Moldoff, inked by Charles Paris; cover also by Moldoff.
- The issue contains three separate features: the Batman/Bat-Mite lead, a Roy Raymond TV Detective installment ('The Great Space Hoax,' art by Ruben Moreira), and a Martian Manhunter back-up ('The Crimes of John Jones,' art by Joe Certa).
- The Martian Manhunter back-up story from this issue was reprinted in DC's Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 (2007), a black-and-white collection of J'onn J'onzz's Silver Age Detective Comics run.
- Also contains a public service announcement page starring Superboy, scripted by editor Jack Schiff and drawn by Curt Swan with inks by Stan Kaye, and a 'Warden Willis' one-page humor strip by Henry Boltinoff.
- Published under Jack Schiff's editorial tenure — the same editor who oversaw Bat-Mite's creation and the broader Silver Age Batman family titles before Julius Schwartz's 1964 'New Look' revamp retired Bat-Mite, Batwoman, and related characters.
- Bat-Mite's narrative function in this issue — rejected by Batman and Robin, he turns to Batwoman and ultimately helps all three heroes capture the Hobby Robber gang — established a template of the imp seeking approval from members of the Bat-family that recurred across his Silver Age appearances.
Cast · 12 characters
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Mr. District Attorney #26 (1952)
Reprinted in Big Boss #46 (1960), Detective Library #24 (1961), Superman Annual #1963 (1963), Big Boss #27 (1976), Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter #1 (2007)
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