Detective Comics, #491
Published: June 1980
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Issue Contents:
Characters
- Batgirl [Barbara Gordon]
- Batman [Bruce Wayne]
- Robin [Dick Grayson]
Credits
- Pencils: Ross Andru
- Inks: Dick Giordano
- Colors: Tatjana Wood
- Letters: Gaspar Saladino (uncertain)
Story Notes
Colors credit provided by Anthony Tollin.
The Saga of Johnny West
Featuring Acme Western Boots
Characters
- Johnny West
Story Notes
Inside front cover. Comic strip ad for Acme boots from Acme Boot Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Northwest Industries. Inc.
The Riddle of the Golden Fleece
Storyline
Maxie Zeus tries to steal a gold cloth as a gift for his daughter.
Characters
- Batman [Bruce Wayne]
- Professor Price
- Medea (Maxie's daughter)
- Maxie Zeus (villain)
- Bernard O'Hara (villain)
- Fred Britt (villain
- death)
Credits
- Script: Denny O'Neil
- Pencils: Don Newton
- Inks: Dan Adkins
- Colors: Adrienne Roy
- Letters: Jeff Osgood
Fragrance of Death!
Storyline
Jason tells an old caretaker of how he found his mother's killer... who just happened to be his father.
Characters
- Jason Bard [also as Griffin]
- Rose Bard (first appearance, flashback, death)
- Scratch (first appearance, flashback, death)
- Mark Kelson (first appearance, villain, flashback)
- Mr. Bard [as Doug Parker] (first appearance, villain, flashback, death)
Credits
- Script: Mike W. Barr
- Pencils: Dan Spiegle
- Inks: Dan Spiegle
- Colors: Adrienne Roy
- Letters: John Costanza
Story Notes
A spin-off character from Batgirl's strip, Jason Bard is the featured character in this Tales of Gotham City. Note Jason Bard is a guest star in the Slam Bradley strip in Detective Comics #500.
A Flash in the Dam
Characters
- Flash [Barry Allen]
- The Destroyer
Credits
- Pencils: Curt Swan
- Inks: Tex Blaisdell
Story Notes
Advertisement for Continental Baking Company which holds the registered trademarks for Hostess and Twinkies. The Flash is copyright DC Comics.
The Target of the Death-Dealer
Storyline
Robin captures a gambler who's trying to blackmail a basketball player.
Characters
- Robin [Dick Grayson]
- Jennifer Anne
- Kenny
- Doris Dexter
- Ben Dexter
- Mr. Washington
- unnamed gambler
- Chief Frank McDonald
- Mr. Myers (the man in black)
Credits
- Script: Jack C. Harris
- Pencils: Alex Saviuk
- Inks: Vince Colletta
- Colors: Gene D'Angelo
- Letters: John Costanza
Story Notes
The man in black is identified as Mr. Myers in Detective Comics #493.
Special Bonus Pin-Up
Characters
- Batman [Bruce Wayne]
Credits
- Pencils: Dick Dillin
- Inks: Bob Smith
Short-Circuit
Storyline
Black Lightning saves Lincoln Trask and himself from the burning building and manages to stop Jacques Cravin from escaping. During the battle Lightning discovers that his powers no longer work. Jacques confesses that he tried to burn Lightning's body in the fire in able to trick the mob into thinking that it was he who perished in the fire so they would stop coming after him.
Characters
- Black Lightning [Jefferson Pierce]
- Lincoln Trask
- Leon (villain)
- Jacques Cravin (villain)
- Mama Mambu
Credits
- Script: Martin Pasko
- Pencils: Pat Broderick
- Inks: Frank McLaughlin
- Colors: Bob LeRose
- Letters: Jeff Osgood
Story Notes
Created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.
Credits
- Script: Paul Levitz
Story Notes
Batman logo in masthead. Letters from readers - Henry J. Kujawa, Scott Gibson, Phil Schweier and Mark Ryan - and responses from Paul Levitz.
The Assassination of Batgirl!
Storyline
The mob hires an assassin to kill Batgirl.
Characters
- Batgirl [Barbara Gordon]
- Commissioner James Gordon
- James Stein
- Richard Bender (first appearance)
- Robert "Bob" Barton (first appearance)
- General Scarr (villain)
- Cormorant (villain)
- Tracy Dover (young girl hostage)
Credits
- Script: Cary Burkett
- Pencils: José Delbo
- Inks: Joe Giella
- Colors: Gene D'Angelo
- Letters: Ben Oda
Story Notes
Story continues in next issue's Batman story, and concludes in next issue's Batgirl story. Tracy Dover is identified by name in Detective Comics #494.
Street Ball
Storyline
NBA stars Rick Barry and Julius "Dr. J" Erving demonstrate their skills at a playground basketball game with some kids and discuss the quality of Spalding autograph basketballs.
Characters
- Rick Barry
- Dr. J [Julius Erving]
Credits
- Pencils: Jack Davis
- Inks: Jack Davis
Story Notes
Ad for Spalding basketballs. On back cover.