“THE MYSTERY OF THE MENACING MASK!” The trail of a jewel thief leads to a subterranean enclave of criminals.

Detective Comics featured DC's first masked adventurer and went on to give the company its name (from Detective Comics Inc.) and the only character to dominate American popular culture three separate times, each a generation apart: Batman. Join us in a celebration of Detective Comics' amazing eight-decade run and Batman's 80 years, with reflections on Detective Comics by Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Senator Patrick Leahy, Denny O'Neil, Anthony Tollin, police chief Shelley Zimmerman and Paul Levitz. This special collector's edition also features the very first Batman story; the debuts of classic sidekicks and allies like Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman and even Bat-Mite; and the first stories of archvillains Two-Face, the Riddler and Man-Bat. With a new cover by DC publisher and chief creative officer Jim Lee, a never-before-published sketchbook of Lew Sayre Schwartz, a never-before-published scene from Bruce Wayne's childhood by Paul Levitz and Denys Cowan and much, much more, this is sure to be the celebration of the year!

The Joker commits crimes in which bad jokes make people laugh uncontrollably, whereupon he robs them.

Rite of Passage conclusion. Batman has finally learned where the Obeah Man is holding Tim Drake's parents captive and races to the rescue--but will he arrive too late to prevent the young Tim from experiencing the loss of his parents?

Dick Grayson--alter-ego of the original Robin of Batman comics--has gone through various changes in his 75 years as a superhero but has remained the optimistic, humorous character readers first embraced in 1940. Predating Green Lantern and Wonder Woman, he is one of DC Comics' oldest heroes and retains a large and loyal fanbase. The first scholarly work to focus exclusively on the Boy Wonder, this collection of new essays features critical analysis, as well as interviews with some of the biggest names to study Dick Grayson, including Chuck Dixon, Devin Grayson and Marv Wolfman. The contributors discuss his vital place in the Batman saga, his growth and development into an independent hero, Nightwing, and the many storyline connections which put him at the center of the DC Universe. His character is explored in the contexts of feminism, trauma, friendship, and masculinity.

“CAPTIVES OF THE ALIEN ZOO!” Batman and Robin are mistaken for two-legged animals by alien hunters, who capture the Dynamic Duo and place them on display in an alien zoo.

When Bruce Wayne refuses to allow illegal mindcontrol experiments to continue at Wayne Technology, he finds himself charged with being a traitor. During the police investigation, Wayne is forced to confront memories of the various people who trained him to become the feared Dark KnightBatman. Wayne not only must clear himself, but also protect his secret and save his company from ruin. Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm makes his comic-book debut with BATMAN: BLIND JUSTICE, introducing new elements to the Batman legend including the character of Henri Ducard, played by Liam Neeson in 2005s smash film Batman Begins.

Celebrating the legacy of the Dark Knight, DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN follows the best-selling ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN. Curated by guest editor Paul Levitz, it features reprints of the Dark KnightÕs most memorable adventures, from his first appearance to the debuts of Robin, Batwoman, Bat-Mite and Batgirl, as well as villains including Two-Face, the Riddler, Clayface, Man-Bat and more. This hardcover also spotlights crime-fighters including Slam Bradley, Air Wave, the Boy Commandos, the Martian Manhunter and the 1970s Manhunter, Paul Kirk! And, published for the first time anywhere: a new tale of a traumatic early moment in Bruce WayneÕs life written by Paul Levitz with art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, and an extraordinary look at a long-ago work in progressÑthe original layouts for the Batman tale from DETECTIVE COMICS #200, as illustrated by Lew Sayre Schwartz (and signed ÒBob KaneÓ). As if thatÕs not enough, this volume includes essays on Batman from contributors including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Dennis OÕNeil, former San Diego police chief Shelley Zimmerman and pulp historian Anthony Tollin.

ÒBREAK-IN AT THE BIG HOUSE.Ó The Caped Crusader is wanted for murder after being accused of murdering Talia, the daughter of his old enemy, Ra's al Ghul. ÒTHE CASE OF THE ROBOT-SPY.Ó To help private eye Star Hawkins solve a mysterious jewel robbery, Ilda (HawkinsÕ robot-secretary) decides to disguise herself as one of the suspected gang thieves. Plus, ÒTHE HUMAN BOMB!Ó and much more!

ÒTHERE IS NO HOPE IN CRIME ALLEY!Ó Every night on this date, Batman abandons all other crimes and missions and secretly heads to visit Leslie Thompkins. En route, Batman stops a car-radio theft and two muggings. When one of the muggers pulls a gun on him in Crime Alley, Batman loses his temper and knocks the mugger silly while having a flashback to his parentsÕ murder and his ÒrescueÓ by a young Leslie Thompkins.