- I've heard there's no hope in Crime Alley, Miss Thompkins-- that's wrong! You and those like you... you're the hope of Crime Alley-- maybe the only hope our tormented civilization has left!
- — Batman
Detective Comics #457 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1976. It was published on December 30, 1975.
Synopsis for "There is No Hope in Crime Alley!"
On the twenty-first anniversary of his parents' murder, Batman abandons all other crimes and missions and secretly heads to visit Leslie Thompkins in Park Row, or better known as Crime Alley. En route, Batman stops several crimes including a car radio theft and two muggings; one of which happens to Miss Thompkins. As Batman saves the old lady, one of the muggers pulls a gun on him and Batman loses his temper, beating the thug to a pulp while having a flashback of his parents' murder and his "rescue" by a young Leslie Thompkins.
He is brought back to reality by the current, elderly Leslie who knows Batman visits her annually on this date, but doesn't know why. Batman tells her it's a reminder of who he is and probably of his own demise. Batman then asks Leslie why she stays in Crime Alley and she tells him that once she witnessed a terrible tragedy - a child whose parents were murdered before his eyes - and has devoted her life to trying to prevent another tragedy. Batman kisses her on the forehead calling her the hope of Crime Alley.
At dawn, Alfred finds Batman sleeping in a chair at the Wayne Penthouse with a smile on his face.
Appearing in "There is No Hope in Crime Alley!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Leslie Thompkins (First appearance) (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
- Gooch (Single appearance)
- Alfie (Single appearance)
- Joe Chill (Flashback only) (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Harry (Single appearance)
- Martha Wayne (Flashback only)
- Thomas Wayne (Flashback only)
Locations:
- Gotham City
- Crime Alley (First appearance historically)
- Bruce Wayne's Penthouse
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Make Way for the Elongated Woman!"
Previously while fighting the siblings, Ralph's powers wear off and he is captured. The villains demand he write Sue a note to bring him the source of his powers for the villains to use. He agrees but asks Sue to bring special rubber tree bark. Sue buys accordian arms and collapsible stilts, used under one of Ralph's costumes to make it look like she has the same powers (in truth, Sue is allergic to gingold). While the brothers eat the bark, Sue is locked in a room which happens to be over the room Ralph is locked in. Sue makes a hole in the floor with a nailfile and, using a medicine dropper, gets gingold to Ralph whose powers soon return. Ralph catches the villains easily.
Appearing in "Make Way for the Elongated Woman!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Heather (Final appearance)
- Paul (Final appearance)
- Eddie (Final appearance)
Other Characters:
- Dr. Prouty (Single appearance)
- Lt. Reynolds (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Cape Crescent
- Dibny's Hotel Room
- Villain's Hideout
Items:
- Gingold
- Accordian Arms
- Collapsible Stilts
Vehicles:
- None
Notes
- "There Is No Hope in Crime Alley!" is reprinted in:
Trivia
- "There is No Hope in Crime Alley!" was loosely adapted on the episode Appointment in Crime Alley of Batman: The Animated Series in 1992.
- The cover art and splash page of this issue is recreated on the last page of Nightwing (Volume 2) #153, which is dedicated to Denny O'Neil, Dick Giordano and Julius Schwartz.
- According to the daily paper, Ralph and Sue rank third in a recent poll of the Ten Most Admired Couples. The other four couples shown are:
- Henry and Nancy Kissinger
- Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
- David and Julie Eisenhower
- Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
- Sue fails to make the Top Ten Most Admired Women List.
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)