Issue Contents:
"Starting this issue: The amazing and unique adventures of the Batman!"
Characters
Story Notes
Arlen Schumer has identified panel 5 of the January 17, 1937 Flash Gordon Sunday page by Alex Raymond as the source of Batman's pose.
"Bullets betray no less than fingerprints..."
Storyline
Brief writeup on various crime and law related tidbits. Such as when the FBI starting taking fingerprints of suspects, analyzing bullets from guns at crime scenes, the RCMP, the writ of Habeas corpus etc.
Characters
- Helen Blixt
- Luke May
Story Notes
On the inside front cover. Seven separate panels.
The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
"The home of Commissioner Gordon, who at the moment is entertaining his young socialite friend, Bruce Wayne."
Storyline
The Bat-Man investigates the murder of a chemical tycoon, discovering that one of his partners murdered him to steal the secret contracts that would leave him as the sole owner of the Apex Chemical Corporation.
Characters
- The Bat-Man (mainstream Universe)
- Commissioner James Gordon (mainstream Universe)
- Bruce Wayne (mainstream Universe)
- Mr. Lambert (introduction, death)
- Mel Lambert (introduction)
- Lambert's son (unnamed in this story)
- unnamed Police Sergeant (introduction)
- Steven Crane (introduction, death)
- Crane's butler (introduction)
- Paul Rogers (introduction)
- Alfred Stryker (villain, introduction, death)
- Jennings (villain, introduction, Stryker's assistant)
Credits
- Script: Bill Finger
- Pencils: Bob Kane
- Inks: Bob Kane
- Letters: Bob Kane
Story Notes
Named "The Bat-Man" in the story. According to Will Murray and Anthony Tollin, the November 1, 1936, Shadow novel Partners in Peril, written by Theodore Tinsley, was Bill Finger's inspiration for this story. According to DSK of the Vallely Archives blog, and Robby Reed of the Dial H for Blog, the art in this issue is inspired by Henry Vallely's Gang Busters in Action (Big Little Book 1451) and Tom Lovell's art in Partners in Peril. The Bat-Man's home city is not identified until Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #33, in which it is named New York City. Only in Batman (DC, 1940 series) #4, the name "Gotham City" was adopted. This story has been revised and rebooted several times and it is retroactively said to be part of the universe Earth-Two. - In Secret Origins (DC, 1986 series) #6, Roy Thomas wrote an expanded version of the story, tying it into the rest of Bruce Wayne's origins. - In Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #387, Mike Friedrich wrote an Earth-One version of the story. - In Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #627, Marv Wolfman and Alan Grant wrote two different Post-Crisis versions of the story. - In Detective Comics (DC, 2011 series) #27, Brad Meltzer wrote a version that takes place in New 52 continuity.
Featuring Action Comics
"The thrilling adventures of Superman appear each and every month in Action Comics!"
Featuring Tenderfoot
"Good-night, boys - now don't forget your good deeds!"
Storyline
A young boy scout discovers a lost youngster, attempts to help him find his way home, but gets lost in the process himself!
Credits
- Pencils: Charles Biro
- Inks: Charles Biro
- Script: Charles Biro (uncertain)
Story Notes
Only appearance of this feature.
"John, Mildred and Frank are excused for orchestra reherseal."
Characters
- Johnnie
- John
- Mildred
- Frank
The Killers of Kurdistan
"Well-- what's up?"
Storyline
Speed investigates the murder of two men, on one of whom the killers left the symbol of a red crescent. This is the symbol of the Kurdistan Killers, a sect that both men belonged to but refused to kill for.
Characters
- Speed Saunders (mainstream Universe)
- Tom (Trelawney's friend, death)
- Trelawney (death)
- Trelawney's maid
- The Veiled Prophetress of the Killers of Kurdistan (villain)
- Killers of Kurdistan (villains, one dies)
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
- Letters: Fred Guardineer
Story Notes
Script credit from Martin O'Hearn.
Bullet Bluff
"Buck Marshall, Range Detective, loosens his six-gun in its holster as he hears the rapid tattoo of pony hoofs on the stony bottom of the valley trail--"
Storyline
Buck investigates the death of a ranch owner, in which a black empty cartridge is left behind as a clue to the killer.
Characters
- Buck Marshall (mainstream Universe)
- The Sheriff
- Matt Doyle (Box K Ranch worker)
- Jerry Kane (Box K Ranch owner, death)
- Pepper (Buck's horse)
- The Terror [Jack Stark] (villain)
Credits
- Script: Fraisic Marot
- Pencils: Fraisic Marot
- Inks: Fraisic Marot
Story Notes
Story printed in red, white and black only.
The Mysterious Murders (1)
"A dinner is thrown into pandemonium when its guest of honor, Congressman Sneed, head of a commitee investigating unamerican activities clutches his side."
Storyline
Bart investigates the deaths of members of a Committee on un-American activities that were killed by an explosive capsule hidden in their bananas.
Characters
- Bart Regan (mainstream Universe)
- Congressman Sneed (death)
- Congressman Little (death)
- Congressman Booker
- Congressman Stoker
- unnamed spy (villain, death)
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils:
- Inks:
Murder on the Oceanic Line Docks (1)
"Feared by the underworld and hunted by the police, the Crimson carries on the work of befriending the helpless."
Storyline
The Crimson Avenger tracks down a killer who murdered Abe Gold for welshing on a $100,000 bet.
Characters
- The Crimson Avenger (mainstream Universe)
- Wing How (mainstream Universe)
- Lee Travis (mainstream Universe)
- Wing (mainstream Universe)
- Abe Gold (night club owner, death)
- unnamed hospital nurse (death)
- Frank (villain)
- Mike Moran (villain)
- Mac
- unnamed police chief
Credits
- Inks: Jim Chambers
- Script: Jim Chambers (uncertain)
- Pencils: Jim Chambers
Death on the Airwaves
"The large and spacious Studio A, of the Federal Broadcasting System, was filled with an appreciative audience."
Storyline
Captain Byrne tracks down a revengeful killer who was once spurned in regards to a radio audition.
Characters
- Richard Drew (death)
- President Benson
- Captain Richard Byrne
- Brian DeAngelo (villain)
- Elaine Rutland
- Eddie Dorson
Credits
- Pencils: Fred Guardineer
- Inks: Fred Guardineer
- Script: Gardner Fox
Story Notes
Artist credits by Craig Delich. There are two illustrated advertisements found on the two pages. Accompanying the story are four small pieces of art. The title containing a drawing of a skull and a microphone, a man talking into a microphone, the detective entering a room, and silhouette art of the detective stalking the murderer.
Be an Expert Marxman!
Storyline
Daisy Air Rifle
Boys Earn Money and Big Prizes
The New Orleans Mardi Gras Murder, Part 1 (1)
"Boy! New Orleans at Mardi Gras time. This is something I've always wanted to see."
Storyline
Bruce begins his investigation of the death of a young woman due to black magic.
Characters
- Bruce Nelson (mainstream Universe)
- Ed Lane (a detective)
- Lili Grauet (death)
Credits
- Script: Tom Hickey
- Pencils: Tom Hickey
- Inks: Tom Hickey
Story Notes
Hickey also signed the story as "TH."
The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu, Part 11 (1)
"You would be a dead man now if it were not for your friend in China..."
Storyline
Fu Manchu attempts to kill Greba Eltham, all in an attempt to keep Rev. Eltham from going back to China.
Characters
- Rev. J. D. Eltham
- Greba Eltham
- Sir Dennis Nayland Smith
- Vernon Denby
- Dr. Petrie
- Dr. Fu Manchu (villain)
- Caesar (dog)
Credits
- Script: Leo O'Mealia
- Pencils: Leo O'Mealia
- Inks: Leo O'Mealia
- Script: 武田愛子
Reprint Notes
from Dr. Fu Manchu daily (Bell Syndicate)
Story Notes
Artist credits from Craig Delich. The strip appeared in newspapers in 1930 and 1931.
Featuring Flatfoot Flannigan
"Calling all cars -- calling all cars -- bank robbery on Main and Center Streets!"
Storyline
Flannigan is sent out on a bank robbery, but stops for a red light so he won't get a ticket!
Characters
- Flannigan
Credits
- Script: Richard Bent
- Pencils: Richard Bent
- Inks: Richard Bent
- Letters: Richard Bent
Story Notes
All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, Paul Gustavson's son. This was the only appearance of Flatfoot Flannigan.
Danzig Marks Anniversary; Nicaraguan Issue
"The Free City of Danzig, located about 250 miles from Berlin, has been a most important commercial city of central Europe for centuries, but at the moment its political importance is overshadowing all others claims of distinction."
Characters
- Stephen Bathory
Story Notes
Page includes several small ads from stamps dealers.
Illegal Aliens (1)
"Cosmo is called to Immigration Headquarters."
Storyline
Cosmo is placed on a case involving the illegal smuggling of Chinese into America.
Characters
- Cosmo (mainstream Universe)
- Carg (Immigration HQ official)
- Mike Donovan (Policeman)
- Yen Lo (villain)
- Kwan Joy Lo (villain)
Credits
- Pencils: Sven Elven
- Inks: Sven Elven
- Script: Sven Elven (uncertain)
- Letters: Sven Elven
Story Notes
Story printed in red, white and black only. The only credit on the story is "Illustrated by Sven Elvén". Letterer credit for Elven added by Craig Delich. Per writer identification expert Martin O'Hearn, the unknown writer of this story only wrote for stories with art by Sven Elven, so it's likely the writer was Elven himself, but it's not certain.
Plain Clothes Pete
"Pete, Louie th' Louse is operatin' 'round here again!"
Storyline
Pete and Joe try to discover the whereabouts of the hideout of notorious criminal Louie th' Louse.
Characters
- Pete
- Joe
- Louie th' Louse (villain)
Credits
- Script: Eugen Taru
- Pencils: Eugen Taru
- Inks: Eugen Taru
- Letters: Russell Cole
Story Notes
Letterer credit from Craig Delich. This was the only appearance of the character.
The Murderer on Vacation (1)
"Out joy-riding, to relax from the tension of manhunting, Slam Bradley, tough private detective, and his partner pal, Shorty Morgan, find the ride no pleasure when a hurtling sedan forces them off the road, as it whizzes by at a terrific rate of speed!"
Storyline
Shorty and Slam help to find out the whereabouts of a Federal agent who disappeared after trailing an escaped felon to Switzerland.
Characters
- Slam Bradley (mainstream Universe)
- Shorty Morgan (mainstream Universe)
- Dick Kelly (death)
- Gale Dennis (villain)
- "Black Jack" Benson (villain)
- Nicky (villain)
- Helger Wetjen (villain)
Credits
- Script: Jerry Siegel
- Pencils: Joe Shuster
- Inks: Joe Shuster
Story Notes
According to Alter Ego #112 (August 2012), Paul Cassidy did some art on this story.
Featuring All-American Comics; Movie Comics
"Thanks, boys and girls of America..."
Characters
- Andy Devine
Story Notes
On the inside back cover. House ad for All-American Comics #2 and Movie Comics #2, with cover repros.
Story Notes
Back cover.