Detective Comics #51
March 27, 1941
"The Case of the Mystery Carnival"
Before I get into this, I want to say I love this cover. The shading is just so different to what we usually see and adds a layer of realism to the piece.
What a nice change of pace as our story opens with Bruce and Dick on a ride one afternoon when they spot a carnival. They decide to stop and enjoy what the fair has to offer which includes Dick driving a poor carnival barker crazy with his accurate throwing arm knocking over a series of mile bottles.
One thing that stands out as odd is slot machines which many kids are playing and losing their money on. Bruce knows the owner of the carnival, Colonel Dawes, and is surprised the colonel has these devices on the premises. He heads to the office to ask his friend who seems confused at the sight of Bruce and tells him he doesn't have time.
Bruce realizes he's dealing with an imposter because the colonel has a fake leg and yet this man is constantly scratching his leg. He is also seen with "Mouse" Docker, a small time crook. It's enough to have Bruce and Dick get their costumes from the car and investigate some more.
The two follow the phony Dawes into the wax museum where they stay perfectly still and are mistaken as part of the collection by the crazed, old caretaker. As he walks off, the two hear Dawes speaking with other men in another room. They are sharing their takes from the slot machines and money from the folks who attended the fair whom they pickpocketed.
Robin accidentally knocks over a figure which gets the men's attention. The two are captured, tied up and placed in a room with the real Dawes who is heavily sedated. They are rescued though by the old caretaker who is upset that his "wax figures" have been tied up as they have. Batman takes Dawes to the doctor and leaves Robin to deal with the gang.
