Detective Comics #355

Issue Details

Synopsis

HATE OF THE HOODED HANGMAN! The wrestler known as the Hooded Hangman has called out to Batman for a challenge to be the most popular masked man in Gotham City. After an initial fight which Batman manages to escape, Batman deduces that newscaster Telman Davies is the Hooded Hangman. Arranging an official fight on the roof of the wrestling arena, the loser to be unmasked, Batman and the Hooded Hangman duke it out. When the Hangman manages to defeat Batman, he unmasks the Caped Crusader to reveal the face of Telman Davies. As the Hangman is confused, Batman knocks the Hangman out and reveals him to be the real Hangman. After the fight, Telman's attempt at being the most celebrated masked fighter is ruined and he leaves Gotham City for South America. THE TANTALIZING TROUBLES OF THE TRIPOD THIEVES! Certain day, Elongated Man comes across a couple of crooks who are taken flying across the city by some unknown force. Elongated Man tries to take them down, but the force is stronger than him, making it impossible for him to take the criminals, although they dropped the stolen loot in the process. The crooks are then taken to a prop-shop, where Zatanna has dragged them in order to retrieve the Golden Ting Tripod the crooks stole. With the item. Zatanna expects to find her missing father, the great magician, Zatara. Unfortunately, Zatanna is ambushed by the owner of the prop-shop, who is a criminal using his shop as a front for his fencing activities. Elongated Man tracks down the criminals to the prop-shop and he learns of Zatanna's trouble. Together, Elongated Man and Zatanna work together to stop the criminals and in the process, Zatanna gets hold of the magic book of I Ching, which combined with the Golden Tripod, will take her to the dark dimension where Zatara is locked. Elongated Man offers his assistance, but he is turned down as Zatanna explains only magical beings could enter the dark dimension. Afterwards, Ralph returns home with the jewels as a present for Sue.