Batman #18 - Story 2
June 9, 1943
"Robin Studies His Lessons"
Finally! I have to say I already like this story because it addresses an aspect of Dick Grayson's life - his schoolwork. And he finds himself sidelined from his duties as Robin when he brings home a report card of poor grades.
What's interesting to note though is that while Dick protests he knows the material, he can't understand why his grades are so poor. Bruce isn't buying it and I was disappointed that with a story called "Robin Studies His Lessons", we wouldn't get more in depth into what was happening. It appears, on the surface, that Dick is doing poorly in school and is making excuses.
In any event, he can't be Robin until he gets his grades up, so Batman is on his own. And he quickly finds himself breaking up a robbery and doing well by himself until the lights go out and he is tricked into positioning himself to being clubbed from behind. The gang escapes.
But one of the gang feels they should have taken Batman out when they had the chance and he wants another shot. They leave behind a note from one of them saying the gang would be robbing a fish warehouse the next night.
That night, Batman heads out again as Dick studies at home. He is quickly knocked out when he stumbles into a trap. At home, Dick worries about Batman and is tempted to get in the costume, but instead turns on his radio and hears Batman speaking to the gang. He calls out and the they urge him to come to the fish warehouse alone.
Robin does and knowing Batman, he figures he walked into a trap, so he's cautious avoiding touching things and walking on certain parts of the floor. He comes up with the idea of releasing the sulfur dioxide used in the refrigerator could to incapacitate the gang. It works, but the gang is still able to get away.
And Batman has to pretend to be angry with Robin for not staying home. He sends the boy off crying and vowing to capture the gang himself. He gets his chance as they haven't gotten far and managed to get the chemical they coated a series of blocks on the roof on their shoes. Robin attacks them.
