Batman #259

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE NIGHT OF THE SHADOW! When he was a child, Bruce Wayne, his father, and two others were saved from robber Willy Hank Stamper by the Shadow. Twenty-five years later, Stamper has been released from jail and is bent on revenge against the survivors of that incident. Once again the Shadow is on the case, and helps Batman nail Stamper. After the case is solved, The Shadow reveals that he knows Batman's secret idenity, but he assures the Dark Knight that the secret is safe with him. THE GREAT BATMAN SWINDLE! Ned Judson, a wealthy yachtsman, is called to a mysterious castle once built by an eccentric millionaire, and comes face-to-face with the Brotherhood of Batmen. The leader, Batman Number One, convinces Judson that the figure of Batman is actually four people, and, because of the death of one of their members, he is to become Batman Number Four. Judson agrees and joins the Brotherhood, not knowing that all the members are actually criminals who want to take advantage of Judson's admiration for Batman. The crooks "train" Judson and allow him to "capture" some criminals to make their charade believable. A short time later, the crooks start asking for money from Judson in order to provide him with his own Bat-Vehicles and equipment, which of course is a fraud to steal his money.   Soon, the real Batman and Robin learn of the situation and they decide to help Judson realize the trap he has fallen for. The Dynamic Duo train Judson and after an extensive regime, the trio capture the Brotherhood of Batmen. Judson, finally learning of his mistake, is happy that he got to work with the real Batman. THE STRANGE COSTUMES OF BATMAN! While making an inspection of equipment in the Batcave, Bruce and Dick also inspect the various Batsuits stored in the costume room. The Dynamic Duo are later called into action and Batman uses some of his most useful Batsuits to stop the criminals. However, when he is seriously injured, Robin has to use a Batsuit that has never before being used. This costume allows Robin to disguise and pose as Batman, which proves useful in this particular situation as the criminals become overconfident after Batman's injury and are easily captured by Robin wearing the batsuit. HEROES BY PROXY! A couple of private detectives are almost out of business and they decide to impersonate Batman and Robin in order to gain some reputation as prestigious detectives. However, their activities as the caped vigilantes are a failure and they are almost defeated by some common thugs. The real Batman and Robin get into action and they manage to capture the criminals, allowing the detectives to take the credit for the capture so their business could improve. TOO BATMEN TOO MANY! In order to capture jewel thief Ed "Numbers" Garvey, Batman and Robin enlist the aid of Elongated Man and the Atom to stage an elaborate hoax to catch the jewel thief and recover the jewels he stole. Disguising themselves as a giant and miniature Batman respectively, Elongated Man and Atom post as magical clay statues given power by an old shaman, and took on the shape of Batman due to Garvey's fear of bats.   Although the heroes ruse is exposed, Batman and Robin are able to learn the locations of all the stolen jewels and manage to defeat Garvey's gang with the help of Elongated Man and Atom. THE FAILURE OF BRUCE WAYNE Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson pay a visit Bruce's great-uncle Silas Wayne, who is the self-appointed historian of the Wayne family and is constantly harping at Bruce to do something worthy of his pioneer ancestors. If Bruce did something worthy of his family, says Silas, he will die happy. Being an idle playboy is not enough. Accordingly, Bruce tried to answer emergencies for Batman as Bruce Wayne. But he is frustrated each time by the police, who see him as a meddling amateur, and he is forced to become Batman to deal with the threats. Silas allows that Bruce is in there trying, and may live up to the Wayne name yet.   Soon after, however, he has a relapse and is bedridden, soon to die. Bruce, perplexed, hits on a solution. After he and Robin bring in the "Babyface" Muller gang, Batman unmasks before reporters at police headquarters as Bruce Wayne. As he does so, another Batman comes in the door, and "reveals" that he allowed Bruce to help him out on the case to throw the crooks a curve. The reporters praise Wayne for his courage. Afterward, the second "Batman" unmasks in the Batcave as Alfred. Silas allows Bruce's portrait, as Batman, to hang proudly beside his ancestors. And Silas passes away hours later--but not before Bruce reveals to him that he is actually Batman.