Detective Comics #281

Issue Details

Synopsis

BATMAN, ROBOT Batman prevents a crime by the Night Owl Gang and learns the identities of its two leaders, Wedge Dixon and Eddie Chill. The gang gets away, but Wedge Dixon is later found by police. Batman's testimony is the only evidence against Dixon, so the gang plans a trap for him, and Batman is apparently killed in an old mine. Later, Batman appears to still be alive as he and Robin capture some other crooks. Dixon and the gang realize, though, that Batman has been replaced by a robot. When Dixon comes to trial, Batman is exposed as a robot, as a result Dixon is set free. Dixon meets up with Chill, who was in hiding, to recover their loot from a previous crime. The real Batman who has escaped the death trap is able to catch both men, the rest of the gang, and recover the loot. THE GIRL WHO BECAME A SORCERESS Roy Raymond and his assistant, Karen, on a drive, have a scare when they believe they are about to hit a woman standing in the middle of the road, but are amazed when they discover they actually just drove through her as if she were made of air. They stop to check on her and the woman, Sally, tells them that she has more amazing powers that she would like to demonstrate on Roy's TV show, Impossible... But True!. Later, as she goes on the air, she threatens America that if she does not receive tribute from all citizens, she will unleash her magical powers upon all of them. Roy and Karen track down where the woman lives and discover she is actually under the spell of a sorcerer named Mazar who is forcing her to act on his behalf, as he has lived for more than 500 years and has always demanded tribute from countries in which he lives. Roy manages to swipe Mazar's wand, the source of his power, and destroys it, destroying Mazar and releasing Sally from his spell. THE MENACE OF MARSVILLE Martian Manhunter has turned a park into a Martian town. The town is encased in a dome which contains Martian atmosphere. Inside the dome humans gain powers like those of J'onn. Also Martian Manhunter is powerless inside. Three crooks take control of the town. They try to take the control unit away from J'onn, who without powers must flee. J'onn sends the robot inhabitants of the town to attack the crooks, but their powers are too strong. J'onn finally defeats them by exposing them to fire. The men are taken away by the police.