Detective Comics, #500 Newsstand
Published: March 1981
Cover
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Issue Contents:
Characters
- Jason Bard
- Batman (mainstream Universe)
- Slam Bradley
- Boston Brand (mainstream Universe)
- Rick Carter
- Christopher Chance
- Captain Mark Compass
- Deadman (mainstream Universe)
- Ralph Dibny (mainstream Universe)
- The Elongated Man (mainstream Universe)
- Commissioner James Gordon (mainstream Universe)
- Dick Grayson (mainstream Universe)
- Hawkgirl
- Hawkman (mainstream Universe)
- Katar Hol / Carter Hall (mainstream Universe)
- The Human Target
- Mysto
- Roy Raymond
- Robin (mainstream Universe)
- Pow-Wow Smith
- Shayera Thal / Shiera Hall
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
- ? (unidentified male)
Credits
- Pencils: Dick Giordano
- Pencils: Joe Kubert
- Pencils: Carmine Infantino
- Pencils: Walter Simonson
- Pencils: Tom Yeates
- Pencils: José Luis García-López
- Inks: Dick Giordano
- Inks: Joe Kubert
- Inks: Walter Simonson
- Inks: Tom Yeates
- Inks: José Luis García-López
- Colors: Jack Adler
- Colors: Anthony Tollin
- Letters: Gaspar Saladino
- Inks: Bob Smith
Story Notes
Wraparound cover. Montage of characters featured in Detective Comics composed by Bob LeRose (signed, also noted in "The Guest List" inside back cover). Colors credit confirmed by Anthony Tollin.
Detective Comics
Characters
- Batman (mainstream Universe)
- Dick Grayson (mainstream Universe)
- Robin (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
Credits
- Pencils: Jim Aparo
- Inks: Jim Aparo
- Colors: Anthony Tollin
- Colors: Adrienne Roy (uncertain)
Story Notes
Contents page with illustration on inside front cover. Colorist added per comments by Anthony Tollin on Facebook on June 26, 2019: "I'm pretty certain that I colored this page. If not, [my] late wife Adrienne Roy colored it, but I'm pretty certain it was colored by yours truly (who also co-colored the cover with my late boss and mentor, Jack Adler)."
To Kill a Legend
Characters
- Batman (mainstream Universe)
- Batman ( Universe)
- Joe Chill
- Dick Grayson (mainstream Universe)
- The Phantom Stranger
- Robin (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne ( Universe) [Flashback]
- Martha Wayne
- Thomas Wayne
- Joe Chill (alternate Earth, death)
- Lieutenant James Gordon (alternate Earth)
- Barbara Kean (alternate Earth)
- Lew Moxon (alternate Earth)
- Bruce Wayne (alternate Earth)
- Martha Wayne (alternate Earth)
- Thomas Wayne (alternate Earth)
Credits
- Script: Alan Brennert
- Pencils: Dick Giordano
- Inks: Dick Giordano
- Colors: Adrienne Roy
- Letters: John Costanza
Story Notes
This story takes place on June 21st, mostly on an alternate Earth where young Bruce Wayne's parents are about to be murdered by Joe Chill. The Earth-One Batman's parents were murdered on June 26, exactly 20 years earlier, when Bruce was 8 years old. As Batman explains, the difference in dates is due to the five leap days that occurred during those two decades. Fans have assigned this alternate Earth the designation "Earth-Five", however that name is not official.
The "Too Many Cooks..." Caper!
Characters
- Jason Bard
- Slam Bradley
- Rick Carter
- Christopher Chance
- Captain Mark Compass
- The Human Target
- Mysto
- Roy Raymond
- Pow-Wow Smith
- Victor Dominion (villain, death)
- Archie Evergreen (death)
Credits
- Script: Len Wein
- Pencils: Jim Aparo
- Inks: Jim Aparo
- Colors: Tatjana Wood
- Letters: Jim Aparo
Story Notes
With lots of cameos and guest-stars in this anniversary issue.
Once Upon a Time...
Characters
- Batman (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
Credits
- Script: Len Wein
- Script: Charles Schulz
- Pencils: María Alexandra Yáñez Hernández
- Inks: María Alexandra Yáñez Hernández
Story Notes
Text is from a number of Peanuts strips published in 1970.
The Final Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe!
Characters
- Ralph Dibny (mainstream Universe)
- Sue Dibny
- The Elongated Man (mainstream Universe)
- Edgar Allan Poe (flashback)
- Edwin Allman Pohe
- Marcia Douglas
- Steve Billman
Credits
- Script: Mike W. Barr
- Pencils: José Luis García-López
- Inks: José Luis García-López
- Colors: Tatjana Wood
- Letters: John Costanza
The Batman Encounters - Gray Face
Characters
- Batman (mainstream Universe)
- Commissioner James Gordon (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
- Gray Face (villain)
Credits
- Script: Walter Gibson
- Pencils: Tom Yeates
- Inks: Tom Yeates
Story Notes
Text story with small illustrations.
The Strange Death of Doctor Erdel
Storyline
The Hawks solve The Strange Death of Dr. Erdel.
Characters
- Hawkgirl
- Hawkman (mainstream Universe)
- Katar Hol / Carter Hall (mainstream Universe)
- J'Onn J'Onzz (mainstream Universe)
- Martian Manhunter (mainstream Universe)
- Shayera Thal / Shiera Hall
- Professor Mark Erdel (in flashback)
- Fred Schneider (cameo, also in flashback)
- Anna Erdel (in flashback, Prof. Erdel's niece)
Credits
- Script: Paul Levitz
- Pencils: Joe Kubert
- Inks: Joe Kubert
- Colors: Tatjana Wood
- Letters: Adam Kubert
- Editing: Len Wein
Story Notes
Title taken from contents page. Also listed in last panel of story.
What Happens When a Batman Dies?
Characters
- Batman (mainstream Universe)
- Boston Brand (mainstream Universe)
- Deadman (mainstream Universe)
- Commissioner James Gordon (mainstream Universe)
- Dick Grayson (mainstream Universe)
- Robin (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
Credits
- Script: Cary Bates
- Pencils: Carmine Infantino
- Colors: Adrienne Roy
- Letters: John Costanza
- Inks: Bob Smith
The Guest List
Credits
- Script: Paul Levitz
- Pencils: Dick Giordano
- Pencils: Joe Kubert
- Pencils: Carmine Infantino
- Pencils: María Alexandra Yáñez Hernández
- Pencils: Tom Yeates
- Pencils: José Luis García-López
- Inks: Dick Giordano
- Inks: Joe Kubert
- Inks: María Alexandra Yáñez Hernández
- Inks: Tom Yeates
- Inks: José Luis García-López
- Inks: Bob Smith
Story Notes
Reproduction of cover in various states of completion, plus text about the characters. On inside back cover.