Detective Comics #30 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 1939. It was published on June 30, 1939.
Synopsis for The Batman: "The Return of Doctor Death"
Bruce Wayne sits at home reading the newspaper. There is an article about a wealthy man named Mr. Jones who died under mysterious circumstances. Bruce Wayne recognizes this as the work of Doctor Death, who he believes to be dead. Bruce visits Mrs. Jones, who explains that her husband was being blackmailed by Doctor Death. They lost their money in the depression, so Mrs. Jones is going to hand over her diamond heirlooms. Bruce suits up as the Batman, and prepares to face Doctor Death a second time. He stores gas vials in his belt in case he needs them. The Batman breaks into the Jones estate, and opens their safe.
Doctor Death is shown to be still alive, but horribly disfigured by severe burns. His henchman is a burly Cossack named Mikhail. Death sends Mikhail to steal the Jones' diamonds, and the Batman is waiting for him. Mikhail finds the safe open, which makes it easier for the Batman to trail him home. Mrs. Jones interrupts them and Batman is forced to knock Mikhail out. He throws Mikhail out the window, so Mikhail will wake up and think he got free. The Batman revives the fainted Mrs. Jones, and trails Mikhail to the Ivan Herd pawn shop. Mikhail leaves after fencing the diamonds and returns to his apartment. The Batman climbs up using his rope, and drops down through a skylight. He breaks into Mikhail's bedroom and uses the choking gas to make sure Mikhail stays asleep. Mikhail recovers and points a gun at the Batman, who leaps out the window, then swings back around with his rope. Mikhail sticks his head out the window, and the Batman breaks Mikhail's neck by kicking him in the head.
The Batman returns to Ivan Herd's pawn shop to recover the diamonds. He swings in through the window and confronts Ivan Herd, who recognizes him and tries to run, but the Bat-Man catches him with his lasso. It's revealed that Ivan Herd was actually Doctor Death in disguise. He wore a skin mask to disguise the fact that his face was destroyed in the fire. The Batman leaves Doctor Death tied up for the police. The police are surprised to find the jewels recovered and a note explaining their rightful owner.
Appearing in The Batman: "The Return of Doctor Death"
Featured Characters:
- Template:Apn
Supporting Characters:
- Mrs. Jones (Single appearance)
Villains:
- Doctor Death (also as Ivan Herd)
- Mikhail (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Gotham City Police Department
- Jabah (Mentioned only)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Bruce Wayne's Roadster
Synopsis for Buck Marshall: "Finger of Doom"
Appearing in Buck Marshall: "Finger of Doom"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Pepper
- Sheriff
Villains:
- Slade (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Morgan (Single appearance)
- Vail (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
- Sage City
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Bart Regan, Spy: "The Dictator of the United States"
Appearing in Bart Regan, Spy: "The Dictator of the United States"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
- Mad Scientist
Other Characters:
- Senator Kingsley
- Jack Steele
- Ray Gordon
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Larry Steele: "The Old Man and the Kidnappers"
Appearing in Larry Steele: "The Old Man and the Kidnappers"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
- Pops (Single appearance)
- Son (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Doctor (Single appearance)
- Nurse (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Speed Saunders: "The Crossbow Mystery"
Appearing in Speed Saunders: "The Crossbow Mystery"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Chief of Police
Villains:
- Nancy Jones
- Gardener Ted
Other Characters:
- Butler (Single appearance; dies)
- Dustin Rhodes (Appears only as a corpse)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Bruce Nelson: "The Tea Racketeers"
Appearing in Bruce Nelson: "The Tea Racketeers"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Yan Lee (Single appearance)
Villains:
- Risin Sun Inc. (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Sam Wong (Single appearance)
- Billie Bryson
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise: "The Imperial Insurance Swindle"
Appearing in Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise: "The Imperial Insurance Swindle"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Inspector Grey
Villains:
- Gene Clausen (Single appearance)
- Clausen's man (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Captain Midland (Single appearance)
- Captain Alvarez (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Slam Bradley: "The Granville Insane Asylum"
Appearing in Slam Bradley: "The Granville Insane Asylum"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
- Dr. Granville (Single appearance)
- Granville's men (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Gloria Travers (Single appearance)
- Officer Kelly
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Partially reprinted in Batman Archives, Volume 1 and 'Batman Chronicles Vol 1'.
- This issue marks the final appearance of Dr. Death until Batman #345 March, 1982. It should be noted however, that the latter Dr. Death is a reimagined version of the one who appeared during the Golden Age.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Batman Recommended Reading
- Batman (Volume 1)
- Batman (Volume 2)
- Batman (Volume 3)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 1)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 2)
- Batman and Robin (Volume 3)
- Batman Confidential (Volume 1)
- Batman: Gotham Knights (Volume 1)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Volume 1)
- Batman: Streets of Gotham (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 1)
- Batman Incorporated (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 1)
- Batman/Superman (Volume 2)
- Batman/Superman: World's Finest (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (Volume 2)
- The Brave and the Bold (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 1)
- Detective Comics (Volume 2)
- Superman/Batman (Volume 1)
- World's Finest (Volume 1)
Links and References
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.