Batman #73: Guns For Hire / Vicki Vale's Secret / The Joker's Utility Belt!

Quick answer

Batman #73: Guns For Hire / Vicki Vale's Secret / The Joker's Utility Belt! stands out in Gotham Vault because the issue title, character tags, and 1952-10-31 cover date create a distinct entry point into Batman. Readers can use it to jump from this issue into Alfred Pennyworth, Batman, Casey the Cop, Nightwing (Dick Grayson) and related Batman continuity.

Issue summary

Cover by Dick Sprang and Charles Paris. " Guns For Hire " written by Unknown, penciled by Dick Sprang and inked by Charles Paris. " Vicki Vale's Secret " written by David Reed, penciled by Lew Schwartz and inked by Charles Paris. " The Joker's Utility Belt! " written by David Reed, penciled by Dick Sprang and inked by Charles Paris. At the Gotham Museum of Modern Art, The Joker attempts to steal the new Knoxborough jewel collection. The Batman and Robin engage the Joker and his gang in the Comedians Hall OF Fame. A large painting falls of its hook and crashes down on the Batman making him dizzy as he and Robin become the Jokers captives. The Batman pulls out gas pellets from his utility belt and takes out some of Jokers gang as the Joker escapes. The Joker, upset after his plan failed, realizes that Batman's utility belt gives him the edge and creates one of his own. The Joker strikes at Gotham Opera House causing havoc with Gotham's finest with his utility belt. He escapes before The Batman and Robin arrive. Later at Professor Laughwell's private studio, Batman figures out, and tries to foil the Joker's plan to steal a priceless collection of rare native masks. When they struggle the Joker slips his utility belt onto Batman . The Batman reaches into it to use gas pellets they burst into flowers instead of gas and the Joker makes a clean getaway. A few days later the Batman…

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 ›

C

Casey the CopOpen 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

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

V

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

V

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