Detective Comics #442

Issue Details

Synopsis

DEATH FLIES THE HAUNTED SKY! Batman becomes aware of a man's revenge desire against three pilots and he starts investigating the case after one of them is attacked by a mysterious white plane. Batman is assisted by Eve, the suspect's sister and they work together to save the two remaining pilots from the vengeance-seeking killer in a biplane. Batman and Eve manage to bring down the pilot of the mysterious plane and discover that it was in fact one of the pilots, who wanted to frame Eve's brother but his plan was thwarted by Batman. THE HOUSE WHERE TIME STOOD SILL Citizens are very concerned that the Presby brothers haven't been seen in over 25 years, so the boys and the Guardian investigate, only to learn that the Presbys had locked themselves in their home to avoid contact with World War I and now World War II. This has played right into the hands of a couple of Nazi spies, who intend to use their home as a secret Nazi radio station to contact submarines. The Guardian comes to the rescue, or at least attempts to, until he is captured as well. So it is up to the Newsboy Legionnaires to save their shield-bearing friend, while proving to the Presbys that the Nazis are an enemy that must not be ignored. THE MAGIC MIRROR MYSTERY! After 10 long years, Robert Sorel stands to inherit the priceless jewels that his late father left for him after his death. Having been sealed in a room for the past ten years, the commissioner and Hawkman are on-site to ensure that none of the jewels were taken. Although the room has been untouched for 10 years, somehow the diamonds are missing. Prompting Hawkman to try and figure out how the diamonds could have been stolen. He tells all gathered that the mirror in the room was once owned (apparently) by Cogliostro and that anything that was reflected on its surface can be seen again if the conditions are right.   This proves to be a trick on Hawkman's part to try and lure the real thief who would try and destroy the mirror before the truth got out. Hawkman catches the real thief: Robert Sorel himself. Taking him into a court of law, it's revealed that he stole the gems before they were to be locked into the room (and therefore not legally his at that time) and replaced them with mock-up gems that would dissolve in the case.   Sorel tries to get out of it, by citing that the statute of limitations is long over, however, the judge and Hawkman correct him that statute of limitations only starts AFTER a crime is discovered, not from the point it was actually committed. Sorel is then found guilty for his crimes and taken into custody. THE HUNTRESS OF THE HIGHWAY THE ROBBERY THAT NEVER HAPPENED! VANISHING VILLAGE! Batman and Robin learn of a village in Florida that has simply vanished. Following the trail of a well known criminal of Gotham City, Batman arrives at Florida and poses as Knuckles Donegan to be allowed to enter the vanished village, which is run by several criminals and has been hidden on purpose by them, to operate undetected. Once inside, Batman contacts Robin, who in turns notifies to the local authorities about the trick and a short time later, the police arrives and arrests the entire gang. Batman and Robin are almost victims of a deadly trap involving carnivore plants, but they managed to escape and on their way back to Gotham, they capture the real Knuckles Donegan. MURDERS IN BARANGA MARSH Kent Nelson and Inza Cramer come across the corpse of a man and they decide to investigate. In the meantime, the responsible for the crime is a mad scientist, who has created a sound system that kills people at a distance and is looking for his next victims.   The mad scientist uses a girl to kill a former partner, but Fate prevents the crime and learns about the location of the mad scientist's lair. Doctor Fate confronts the mad scientist, who is unable to harm Fate by any means and chooses his own death as a result of his madness. TO DUEL THE MASTER Asano Nitobe, the martial artist who trained Manhunter, now goes against his pupil in a fight to the death.