Batman Family #5

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE PRINCESS AND VAGABOND As a Congress representative, Barbara Gordon has been assigned to overlook the activities of Princess Evalina, who is visiting the country on a political assignment. During their activities together, Barbara also protects Evalina using her alter-ego as Batgirl when the Princess is attacked by some jewel thieves. However, Barbara is unaware that the Princess has been targeted by the criminal organization MAZE, who have already learned of Batgirl's protection duties, and they start planning to eliminate her. The next day, the Princess has an appointment at the Lincoln Memorial, but Barbara is stalled when she goes into a burning building to help. Batgirl falls for a trap prepared by MAZE and she is left tied up in a condemned building that is bound to be demolished.  Meanwhile, Dick Grayson and his friend Jack, work as tourist guides to the renowned author Alexei Brund, who wants to visit the country's most important landmarks without attracting the media's attention. On their trip from New Carthage to Washington, D.C., they meet a young girl in peril, who is saved by Robin's timely arrival. The girl is also going to Washington and the boys decide to take her with them. Unfortunately, they are unaware that the woman is in fact a spy of MAZE and that she is going to Washington to finish the job of killing the Princess. When the woman uses knockout gas to take control of the vehicle, she leaves Dick and his friend behind and takes Brund with her. When Dick recovers, he switches into Robin and makes his way to the capital.   In the meantime, Batgirl has managed to free herself from the deadly trap and she rushes to the Lincoln Memorial to prevent the murder of Princess Evalina. At that moment, Robin arrives at the city and locates the stolen vehicle near the memorial. Batgirl and Robin arrive just in time to prevent the crime and the whole event is reported live by Clark Kent. After the criminals are captured, Batgirl and Robin learn that MAZE is behind the murder attempt and working together, they go to the organization's headquarters and take out all of the members who were working on the blood money contract.   Afterwards, Princess Evalina meets Alexei Brund and a new friendship is born, while Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson are satisfied that their combined efforts and team-work are outstanding. ACE THE BAT-HOUND! This story is reprinted from Batman #92. Batman and Robin rescue a drowning dog from a nearby stream. While they try to find his owner, they are chagrined to find that the dog runs after the Batmobile. They are forced to take him along with a black mask to cover a distinctive mark on his forehead. After the dog helps them take down escaped con Bert Bowers, who calls him "Bat-Hound", the Dynamic Duo accept that as a working name for their new pet. Bat-Hound helps Batman and Robin track down his owner, John Wilker, an engraver held captive by counterfeiters. They learn that Bat-Hound's real name is Ace and after the case is closed, they return him back to his rightful owner. THE SIGNS OF THE SIGNALMAN This story is reprinted from Batman #124. Phil Cobb breaks jail and returns to the Gotham underworld as the Signalman. He hopes to acquire a gang, now that he has one battle with Batman under his belt, but the Gotham crooks refuse, since Batman has outsmarted him before. Accordingly, Signalman begins a new solo crime campaign, sending clues to Commissioner Gordon and Batman. The symbols of theater masks and a short voyage sailing symbol indicate his first raid will be on an old showboat's box office; Batman and Robin confront Signalman on board, but he brings down a smokestack with an explosive and forces the heroes to stop the resulting fire as he escapes.   Later, the heroes receive the astrological symbol for Sagittarius, the archer, and the chess symbol for a castle. They deduce correctly that Signalman intends to rob a priceless borrowed diamond necklace from an actress portraying the queen of England in a Robin Hood movie being filmed nearby; the Signalman flings down a checkered flag and escapes in a racing car. Finally, Batman receives a flashlight with a Bat-Signal fixed to it. He realizes that the Signalman plans to rob the police exhibit at a nearby hall, heisting a display of the many honorary police badges sent to Batman. During the confrontation, Signalman attempts to escape by climbing a giant microscope, but Batman climbs a giant safety patrolman's statue, reaches Signalman, and knocks him onto a giant scales of justice.