Detective Comics #363

Issue Details

Synopsis

THE TRUE-FALSE FACE OF BATMAN One night, a group of thieves break into the Amerindian Museum to steal solid gold insects that are on display there. Their plan is foiled when Batgirl arrives to break things up, she is later joined by Batman and Robin who were alerted of the robbery, the Dynamic Duo are surprised to find her there. With the crooks wrapped up, Batman offers to show Batgirl a secret and takes her to the Batcave blindfolded. On the ride there, Batgirl reflects on how she got wind of the robbery in her civilian guise of Barbara Gordon when one of the patrons of her library (Paul Crowell) would borrow books that contained plots that were later reenacted in real crimes. Arriving at the Batcave, Batman shows Batgirl his real identity as Bruce Wayne (much to the shock of Robin) however, Batgirl never says his name out loud. As they blind fold her and take her back to the city, Batman silently pulls a hidden bug and shows it to Robin. After dropping Batgirl off, the two heroes hide out in a cabin hoping that the crooks who planted the bug, in an attempt to get Batgirl's knowledge of Batman's real identity, would play into their hands. This plan works, and Batman and Robin take the crooks by surprise and capture them all with the help of Batgirl who had followed them to the cabin as well. Questioning one of the thugs, they find out he's under the employ of a crook named Mr. Brains and explains how their ring worked by use of library books. Returning to the Batcave, Batman reveals to Robin that although he revealed his true identity to Batgirl, he made it look as if the face of Bruce Wayne was really a rushed disguise job by applying a sloppy wax and dye job, knowing that Batgirl would notice these things and figure that the Bruce Wayne identity was a fraud. The next day, the Brain arrives at the library to return the book detailing his next crime. He's revealed to be John Heart, and he is soon captured by Batman and Robin. Later, having dinner with the Gordons, the Commissioner remarks about how Batman "borrowed" Bruce's face to help crack a case. WAY-OUT DAY IN WISHBONE CITY!