Batman #191: The Day Batman Sold Out

Quick answer

Batman #191: The Day Batman Sold Out stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 1967-05-01 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Alfred Pennyworth, Aunt Harriet, Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), Batman and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

When Ira Radon absorbs so much radiation that he is forced to give up his life of crime, he decides to get revenge by dousing Batman’s equipment with deadly radiation, forcing the Caped Crusader to give up his career. "The Day Batman Sold Out!" Batman has tracked down Ira Radon, a criminal who is responsible for stealing radioactive isotopes all over Gotham City . Batman accidentally throws Ira into the nuclear reactor. Ira survives but is horribly burned and will soon die. Blaming Batman for his situation, Ira vows revenge against the Dark Knight. Later Batman calls a press conference and announces that he is retiring from crime fighting. He intends to auction off all of his crime fighting gear. It turns out that Ira Radon has irradiated Batman's various devices in order to force Batman to get rid of them or risk Radon increasing the power of the radiation and killing Batman with radiation poisoning. At the auction, Andrew Kunkel is the only person to win. Ira goes to visit "Kunkel's" home to see who would purchase a Batarang for $10,000. There, Ira is confronted by Kunkel who is really Batman in disguise. During the fight, Ira walks into the path of his radiation device and dies instantly. Resuming his Andrew Kunkel disguise, Batman phones the police. "Alfred's Mystery Menu!" Alfred has been kidnapped by the Millionaire Mobster Club! The club's leader wants Alfred to prepare…

Characters listed for this issue

Alfred PennyworthThe man who raised Batman. Ex-SAS, current butler, permanent father figure. The only one who…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

A

Aunt HarrietOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)The first and greatest Batgirl. The Joker took her legs but not her spirit — she became Orac…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

B

BatmanOpen this Gotham Vault character file to see linked appearances, story arcs, and related com…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Nightwing (Dick Grayson)The first Robin, all grown up. Acrobat, detective, leader. The best of Batman without the da…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

Commissioner Gordon (James Gordon)The one good cop in a corrupt city. Keeps the GCPD running and the Bat-Signal lit. Never los…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

The JokerThe Clown Prince of Crime. Gotham's chaos agent. No one knows his real story, and that's the…VIEW APPEARANCES ›

The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot)Oswald Cobblepot runs the Iceberg Lounge and half the city's underworld. Never underestimate…VIEW APPEARANCES ›