Batman #17 - Story 2
April 9, 1943
"The Penguin Goes A-Hunting"
It's interesting to note how the covers of Batman never feature an image that has anything to do with any of the stories within. Like with World's Finest, it's just a random image of Batman and Robin doing something, but this one is striking as the two ride atop a giant eagle and urge folks to buy war bonds. While the war may not have played a huge part in the Batman saga in the 40s, the two certainly did their part by either urging folks to buy bonds or thwarting attempts by criminals to steal the proceeds from sales.
And what of the second tale in this particular anthology? It's a Penguin story and the splash page features the Buy War Bonds logo in the corner once again. The story opens with Bruce and Dick attending a lecture by Warden Keyes on Gotham's greatest criminals. Also in attendance is the Penguin. He is angered when Keyes doesn't first mention him among the likes of Joker, Catwoman and Scarecrow. (I was recently told we won't see Scarecrow for quite some time, so seeing his name drop here makes that thought even more sad.). The warden makes matters worse when he says that Penguin is a one trick villain with his trick umbrellas.
It's an interesting commentary on the character. Makes one wonder if the writers were feeling the same way. Indeed, that's one of the reasons I was never a fan of him, feeling he only worked on Batman 66 because Burgess Meredith elevated him. Mind you, I have been enjoying his stories from the 40s, more so than even the Joker's stories.
He's spotted by Bruce and Dick who slip away to make their change, but he's also spotted by a police officer who approaches him. He escapes, thanks to the trick umbrellas, but he's not happy. He feels people are laughing at him and his "gimmick". He wants to change things up and a nearby sports store display inspires him.
So, the Penguin robs the store of guns and fishing gear. He changes up his look with fisherman pants and hat and uses a fishing rod to simply snatch bonds and money from people. It's a weird set up and I have to wonder if the writers might even be saying, "If you think Penguin is strange, it could be worse," because even though it nets Penguin large sums of money, it seems pretty tame compared to what the umbrellas could do.
But it's more than just fishing. He next robs a spoiled rich kids home during his party by shooting a gift he sent that releases gas and knocks everyone out. Batman and Robin arrive, but they are captured.
Back at Penguin's hideout, he has the two tied up and guarded by what look like hyenas. The two dogs are held at bay, but are eager to attack the Duo. The Penguin leaves them as he plans to rob a huntsman show.
Batman escapes his bonds by rubbing the ropes with a candle he found nearby. He counts on the tallow in the cable to be palatable enough to the dogs that they chew on his ropes and he's right. After feeding them, he, Robin and the dogs head out to the show.
At the show, Penguin robs them of the winning cups and all the jewels. Batman and Robin arrive to capture his men, but Penguin rides off on a horse with Batman and Robin and the dogs in pursuit. Penguin is forced to point his gun at a crowd in an open air restaurant and demand that Batman and Robin dismount and give him a heads start. Batman complies despite Robin's objections.
