New York World's Fair Comics #2 was published in July 1940 and featured the Batman story "Batman and Robin Visit the New York World's Fair". The issue sees Batman and Robin as they investigate a series of collapsing bridges whilst they visit the New York World's Fair. The story was written by Bill Finger and drawn by Bob Kane and George Roussos. The comic was made to promote the 1939 New York World's Fair during its last months of operation.
"Batman and Robin Visit the New York World's Fair"[]
Synopsis[]
On a day away from crime-fighting, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson visit the World's Fair. During their visit, they hear a radio broadcast revealing that the West River Bridge has been destroyed, apparently melting into dust. Suspicious around its circumstances, Bruce decides to cut their visit short to investigate.
Visiting Commissioner Gordon to investigate more, their meeting is interrupted by Travers. He reveals his company has received a message from someone who claims to be responsible for the catastrophe, which threatens their bridge project unless he pays a ransom. Though Gordon doesn't take the threat seriously, Bruce believes the sender may intend to go through with their attack. Sent to investigate the destroyed bridge, Dick sees a group of men chasing after a woman. Deciding to interfere, he defeats the men, letting the her slip away. The men claim to be detectives who were after her, though Dick remains suspicious.
Two days later, Travers' bridge is destroyed in a similar attack and another threatening message is sent to the Flavin Company. Deciding to investigate, Batman and Robin arrive at the attacker's target and discover a group of criminals. As Batman fights the criminals on the bridge, Robin discovers two men setting up a device on one of the girders. After apprehending the group, the Dynamic Duo are approached the woman who Dick saved earlier, who reveals herself as Ann Vreekill: the niece of an inventor called Hugo Vreekill.
Ann relays to them that her uncle had invented the device Batman holds, which releases an energy form capable of displacing the atoms in steel structures and causing them to collapse. The device is a receiver, which is controlled by a sender from his laboritory. Having gone mad with power, Hugo decided to use it to blackmail various and build up his own criminal empire. To prevent his plans from being made public, Ann had been held hostage by him to prevent his plans from going public, but had managed to escape with Dick's help. She reveals her uncle's plans to cause a riot at the State Prison and target the Monarch Building. Knowing their plans, Batman and Robin decide to respond to both, taking flight in their Batplane to respond to both on time.
At the State Prison Vreekill's men use the devices to melt the bars holding the inmates and the guards weapons. However, before they can escape, Batman and Robin arrive and recapture the inmates. They then make their way to Monarch Building, arriving as the criminals set another receiver in the building. Together, they are able to subdue the men and confiscate the device. They then track Vreekill to his laboritory, hoping to turn him into the authorities. Rather than be sent to prison, Vreekill commits suicide by grabbing a live wire from his sender. With the case wrapped up, Bruce and Dick decide to see the rest of the World's Fair before they go on another adventure...
Appearances[]
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Characters[]
- Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Robin/Dick Grayson
- Commissioner Gordon
- Ann Vreekill
- Hugo Vreekill (Only appearance; dies)
- Joey (Only appearance)
- Travers (Only appearance)
Organizations[]
- Police Department
- Travers Engineers (Only appearance)
- Hugo Vreekill's Gang (Only appearance)
- Flavin Company (Mentioned only)
Locations[]
- New York City
- New York World's Fair (Only appearance)
- West River Bridge (Only appearance)
- Travers Bridge (Only appearance)
- Flavin Birdge (Only appearance)
- State Prison (Only appearance)
- Monarch Building (Only appearance)
- Hugo Vreekill's Laboritory (Flashback and Main Story) (Only appearance)
- Wayne Manor
Objects[]
- Batman's Costume
- Robin's Costume
- Silken Cord
- Slingshot
- Hugo Vreekill's Senders (Only appearance)
- Hugo Vreekill's Receivers (Only appearance)
Vehicles[]
Notes[]
- In some republications, the story is titled "Batman and Robin Visit the 1940 World's Fair".
- The comic also features stories for other DC/National Comics characters visiting the fair, including Superman, Red, White and Blue, Slam Bradley, Zatara, Hour-Man, Sandman and Johnny Thunderbolt.