Batman #3 - Story 4
October 18, 1940
"The Batman Vs. The Cat-Woman"
The final story in this issue of the comic anthology features the return of the Cat/Cat-Woman/Cat Woman/Catwoman. We still haven't nailed down the name yet. The title says Cat-Woman, but she is referred to as The Cat throughout the story. Indeed, she dons a mask this time, but not the usual domino-style mask you would see on her, but rather a full on cat head. She looks like she's preparing for a furry convention.
Up until this point, the Cat has been an undercover player, known only to Batman and Robin, but now she's seen by her victims in her guise and quickly the newspapers report on the mysterious Cat. The police are frustrated as they cannot catch her, but Gordon assigns McGonigle, who had great success rounding up the "Ugly Horde" a month ago (thanks to Batman in story two of this very issue).
Of course, Batman also reads the news and he takes to the streets to see what he can dig up on the Cat. He quickly finds himself fighting a group of men who have stabbed someone. The man dies, but before he does, he tells Batman to warn the Diamond Syndicate about a shipment. Batman is knocked out by one of the men, but is saved as McGonigle arrives on the scene. The detective snaps the cuffs on Batman, but Batman manages to knock the cop out.
Bruce reads about the murder the next day and how the murdered man was the Diamond Syndicate Secretary. He wanted the rest of the Syndicate warned as they have a huge shipment of diamonds coming to the city. Bruce visits his friend Gordon and gets an invite to an interview with members of the Syndicate.
The shipment has arrived and the Syndicate plans to display them on several models at a show the next night. Gordon promises to protect the show, but Batman knows there needs to be more than that. He attends the show as Bruce Wayne and has Robin on standby.
The women parade on stage the various diamonds, but one stands out, a blonde wearing a diamond array valued at close to a million dollars. She surprises everyone as she throws down a magician's spark which stuns everyone, allowing her to run off. She removes the blonde wig to reveal she is the Cat. She then exits with her Cat head on and is immediately picked up by a gang of men who drive off with her.
And then we come to the next moment of questioning Robin's age as he follows the car in his own, personal green roadster. Thirteen year olds can't drive, neither can fourteen or fifteen year olds. Robin has to be at least sixteen and even then, it's a bit of a stretch.
Meanwhile, Batman grabs one of the members of the Diamond Syndicate, Darrell. He has an idea what's going on. Robin contacting him and telling him that the Cat was taken to the home of another member of the Syndicate, Hoffer, confirms it. He brings Darrell to Hoffer's home where we learn that the two hired the Cat to steal the diamonds for them to sell. Hoffer decided he wanted all the money to himself and planned to kill the Cat and Darrell.
Batman and Robin take out the men and free the Cat. Batman plans to put her behind bars and at first she seems willing after Batman saving her. She gives him a kiss and then pushes him away, ducking out the door and getting away in one of the gangsters' cars. Robin offers to go after her in his roadster, but Batman holds him back, going on about it being a night for romance.
As the story ends, Batman leaves the diamonds with McGonigle, giving him another chance to shine and calling him pal, infuriating the cop. This is the last we'll see of McGonigle. The final panel though is the most interesting as we see the Cat driving and wishing that Batman were driving and she were sitting beside him as though they were a normal boy and girl enjoying a ride.
