Batman #40: The 13 Club!

Quick answer

Batman #40: The 13 Club! stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 1947-04-30 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Alfred Pennyworth, Batman, Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Commissioner Gordon (James Gordon) and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

ON COVER: Batman and Robin laugh as Joker stands with a lagger around his neck, a bucket of red paint falling in his head as he breaks a mirror and a black cat crosses his path. a falling paper reads "daily bugle Friday, June 13th". "THE 13 CLUB!" (written by Bill Finger) a new TV show features the 13 club, a group of wealthy men challenging superstitions. the man who was to be their 13th member backs out when the Joker threatens the club. they plead for someone brave enough to join and Batman steps up. Joker starts committing crimes against the member based on the superstition they challenged. "THE CASE OF BATMAN II" (Batman vs Beetle Boles, Henry Bush) Bruce Wayne is dead in a car accident. his will accounts for everything except a new Batman. it would take years to train a proper replacement but one is needed now so Dick and Alfred look at a gym and fin Bill Randal, a wealthy amateur athlete who's build matches Batman's perfectly. he is brought in and trained to be the new Batman but in the end, Bill turns out to be Bruce, who faked his death even to Alfred to catch a crooked lawyer who would have added a fake charity to his will. Melody of Murder (full-text story by Tom Neill) Prof. Pipp (gag strip by Jack Farr) "THE GRAND OPERA MURDERS! (Batman vs Colin Vanning) Batman and Robin get involved when someone starts trying to kill performers at the Gotham Opera.

Characters listed for this issue

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

P

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