Detective Comics #28 was published in June 1939. The comic saw the publication of the Batman story "Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang", seeing the Dark Knight investigating a crew responsible for various jewel thefts. The story was written by Bill Finger and presumably drawn by Bob Kane.
"Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang"
Synopsis
Having recently heard of a series of high-profile jewel thefts around Gotham City, Bruce Wayne decides to learn who is responsible and apprehend them. Pretending to be Commissioner Gordon to contact a police informant, he learns that they are being committed by a gang led by Frenchy Blake and their next target. That night, he attacks Blake's men as they attempt to escape with the jewels. Waiting for the police to arrive, Batman pretends to have taken part in the robbery and makes his escape, using a "Silken Cord" to swing between the buildings.
As planned, the officers implicate him in the robbery and reports of his apparent involvement spreads around the city. Blake, believing the police will focus on Batman, decides to launch another robbery of the Norton Home. As he and his gang discuss the plans, Batman overhears the group from outside. As they launch their robbery, the vigilante subdues the henchmen and contacts Gordon, asking him to send officers to arrest the goons.
Returning to Blake's apartment, Batman tricks the criminal into letting him in by pretending to be his goons. He then ties the criminal with his cord and dangles him out of a window, threatening to drop him unless he signs a full confession. Blake complies and attempts to fight off Batman after doing so. However, the vigilante subdues him and leaves him in front of the Police Headquarters with a briefcase attached. Officers find inside the stolen jewels, Blake's confession and a personal message to Gordon, promising to work with him again.
Appearances
Individuals
- Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Commissioner Gordon
- "Frenchy" Blake (Only appearance)
- "Gloves" (Only appearance)
- "Ricky" (Only appearance; dies)
- "Slick" (Only appearance)
- Gimpy (Only appearance)
- Kelly (Only appearance)
Organizations
- Police Department
- Frenchy Blake's Gang (Only appearance) (Unnamed)
Locations
- New York City (Original Intention) / Gotham City (Retconned Appearance)
- Wayne Manor
- Vander-Smith Apartment (Only appearance)
- Norton Home (Only appearance)
- Frenchy Blake's Apartment (Only appearance)
- Gotham City Police Headquarters (First Appearance)
Objects
The 1st Bat-Note ever
- Batsuit
- Utility Belt
- Silken Cord (First Appearance)
- Utility Belt
- Bat-Note (First Appearance)
Vehicles
Notes
- Some sources have referred to the Batman story as "Justice".
- The story features one of the only occasions where Batman is explicitly confirmed to have killed someone, in the case of the story Ricky.
- The silken rope lasso is used for the first time in the comic, though had previously appeared on the previous issue's cover.
- The story features one of the first times Batman uses a "Batman Gambit", a trope where the Dark Knight (and other fictional characters) pull off a plan so reliant on chance or manipulation that it would be almost-impractical to pull it off in a logistical sense. However, such plans had been previously used in other fictional works, most notably in multiple Sherlock Holmes stories and The Scarlet Pimpernel (both of whom have served as major influences for Batman).
- Other stories in this issue include "Dope Ring" (Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator), "Killing by Proxy" (Buck Marshall, Range Detective), an untitled Spy story, an untitled Crimson Avenger story, an untitled Bruce Nelson story, an untitled chapter in the adaptation of The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu, an untitled Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise story, and an untitled Slam Bradley story. The Fu-Manchu adaptation ends in this issue.