Detective Comics #38
March 5, 1940
"Robin the Boy Wonder"
In the last issue, we were promised Man-monsters, but instead, we're told the story of Batman's new companion in fighting crime - Robin. As the story opens, Boss Zucco has sent his men out to shakedown various businesses for protection money, including Haly, owner of a circus that the Graysons, a trapeze act, perform in.
Dick, the son in the family, overhears the conversation Haly has with the men. Later, as his parents are performing, the ropes holding the trapeze bar snap, sending the two plummeting to their deaths. Dick knows what happened and plans to tell the police, but the Batman appears to him and urges him to come home with him where he explains Dick is in danger with the knowledge he has. He tells Dick how his own parents were killed by a criminal and Dick decides he wants to devote his life to fighting crime.
One thing of note is that Batman is driving the red convertible in this issue. In the previous issue, he is driving a black one that looks like it could be an early Batmobile. It begs, the question, does this story take place before the last issue? We've already established stories told out of order with the events of Batman's battles against the Monk and Duc.
Dick takes an oath and begins his training, impressing Bruce with his acrobatic skills. He is given the costume and name, Robin, after the daring skills of Robin Hood and so he begins his first mission, getting the goods on Boss Zucco.
He poses as a newspaper boy and sure enough, it isn't long before Zucco's men shake him down for protection money. In fact, it appears there is no business in New York that Zucco hasn't tapped in this protection racket.
Batman begins a campaign of shaking up the businesses Zucco is controlling while also disrupting the illegal gambling halls he's set up. He sends Zucco a message in the form of a bat in a box to bring his message home.
Zucco decides to show Batman he's the boss as he plans to blow up the top floors of a building under construction. Robin follows by clinging to the back of the car Zucco drives in. At the building, Robin begins to attack the men on the upper floors jumping from girder to girder. It's interesting to note that Robin utilizes a sling shot which he uses to nail thugs from a distance. He will continue to use it for some time.
Batman soon joins and gets a confession of everything from Blade, one of Zucco's men. Zucco throws Balde off the building with Robin taking a picture of the event. Between the confession and the evidence of the photo, Batman has enough to put Zucco away without having to involve Dick Grayson.
Dick decides he wants to stay with Bruce and fight by his side as Robin. Overall, a great introductory story, but there is one question remaining - will we get Man-monsters next issue? Stay tuned, Citizens!
