Detective Comics #35 was published in January 1940. The issue saw the publication of the Batman story "The Case of the Ruby Idol", which sees Batman investigating a mysterious ruby idol related to a series of attacks. The story was written by Bill Finger and presumably drawn by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff.
"The Case of the Ruby Idol"[]
Synopsis[]
Whilst visiting Commissioner Gordon, Bruce Wayne meets a museum curator called Weldon, who begs for the police's help. He explains that he'd recently met with famed explorer Sheldon Lenox, who'd sold him a ruby idol of the Hindu god of death Kila. However, he'd recently begun receiving death threats from a group who called themselves the idol's worshipers, demanding his life.
Having received another note informing him of Lenox's impending doom, the police rush over to save the explorer, with Bruce tagging along. Discovering him being taken away by the men, they give chase but are unable to save Lenox, who is apparently stabbed and thrown into the river. After the attackers escape his forces, Gordon decides to place both Weldon and the idol under police protection. However, word of Lenox's death and the idol quickly spreads around the city, though the explorer's body is unable to be found. Criminals also begin to take notice of the idol and plan to steal it.
After several weeks, Weldon and Gordon decide to lax the protection, having set up a burglar-proof case to hold the idol in. However, Bruce isn't satisfied and begins investigating himself. After infiltrating Weldon's estate at night, he discovers the guards have been subdued by two criminals, who he quickly defeats. However, the followers of Kila also break in and knock him unconscious before fleeing with the idol. As he recovers, Batman is discovered by the guards, prompting him to escape.
Tailing the followers in his car, Batman sees them visit a Chinese-themed shop owned by Sin Fang. Deciding to investigate further, he contacts Chinatown's unofficial mayor Wong and learns that Sin Fang is a well-known fence. Reasoning that he'll likely cut down the idol to sell it to other clients, Wong cautions Batman of his treachery and to take care when confronting him. When Batman confronts him, Sin Fang claims to be unaware the idol was stole and offers to return it. However, he leads Batman into a series of traps, including two sword-wielding Mongols, a room rigged with mustard gas and a deadly water trap. The Dark Knight, however, manages to escape these and fakes his death to throw off Sin Fang.
Following him to his office, Batman learns that the man is actually Sheldon Lenox in disguise. Confronting him, Batman deduces he'd created the scenario to draw up the idol's price, having written the note himself, hired goons to pretend to be followers and faked his death to avoid suspicion. Lenox previously planned a scheme with the real Sin Fang, though had killed him after a quarrel over their payment. As he decides to kill Batman, the Dark Knight throws the idol at Lenox, causing him to fall out of the office to his death.
Appearances[]
Individuals[]
- Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Commissioner Gordon
- Wong (First Appearance)
- Sheldon Lenox (Only appearance; dies)
- Mongol in Purple Pants (Only appearance; dies)
- Mongol in Blue Pants (Only appearance)
- Joe (Only appearance)
- Mike (Only appearance)
- Weldon (Only appearance)
- Sin Fang (Only appearance)
Organizations[]
- Police Department
- Followers of Kila (Only appearance)
Locations[]
- New York City (Original Intention) / Gotham City (Retconned Appearance)
- Police Headquarters
- River (First appearance; Unnamed)
- Weldon Estate (Only appearance)
- Chinatown (First Appearance)
- Sin Fang's Shop (Only appearance)
- Wong's Apartment (First Appearance)
- India (Mentioned only)
Objects[]
- Batman's Costume
- Utility Belt
- Pistol
- Batrope
- Mustard Gas Neutralizing Agent (First Appearance)
- Utility Belt
- Ruby Idol of Kila
- The Tribune
Vehicles[]
Notes[]
- The story has often come under criticism in following years, often for the portrayal of Asian characters and using stereotypes related to them. The story also features a Caucasian man disguising himself as a Chinese immigrant in an attempt to throw off Batman and the police, something that has led to allegations of "yellowface".
- Other stories in this issue include an untitled Spy story, "Branded Yellow" (Buck Marshall, Range Detective), "The Kidnapping Racket" (Steve Malone, District Attorney), "The Voodoo Vengeance" (Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator), an untitled Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise story, an untitled Bruce Nelson story, and an untitled Slam Bradley story.