- Nobody can catch The Penguin!
- — Penguin
Detective Comics #58 is an issue of the series Detective Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1941. It was published on October 21, 1941.
Synopsis for Batman: "One of the Most Perfect Frame-Ups"
The heretofore-unheard-of Penguin steals a valuable painting and fences it to "the Boss," who hires him to do some crime-planning for him, and soon an ambitious crime spree sweeps over the city. When "the Boss" tries to screw over the Penguin at loot-splitting time, Penguin just guns him down, with a rifle concealed in his umbrella, and takes over his gang. During a subsequent crime, Penguin manages to gas Batman with another trick umbrella, leaving him woozy and half-amnesiac. Penguin takes this opportunity to frame Batman for stealing an expensive jade idol, of which the Penguin himself is the real owner. This complicated but effective plan works, and the police arrest Batman. Then as they drive away with Batman in the back of a police truck, Penguin's men crash a car into it, and grab Batman, escaping with him.
Soon, Batman escapes the Penguin with help from Robin and together they search for the Penguin. Batman and Robin break up the Penguin's gang, and exonerate themselves by delivering the stolen goods to Commissioner Gordon. The Penguin, however, scrambles aboard a passing express train, and escapes.
Appearing in Batman: "One of the Most Perfect Frame-Ups"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Penguin (First appearance)
- Penguin's Henchmen
Other Characters:
- Gotham City Police Department
- Bustolli (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Batrope
- Jade Idol
- Penguin's Umbrella (First appearance)
Synopsis for Bart Regan, Spy: "New Orleans - Queen City of the South"
Appearing in Bart Regan, Spy: "New Orleans - Queen City of the South"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Mac (government agent)
Antagonists:
- Revolutionaries
- Suner
- Captain Eugen
- Mr. Volmann
Locations:
Synopsis for Larry Steele: "The Case of the Frightened Sister"
Appearing in Larry Steele: "The Case of the Frightened Sister"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Claudia Carol (teacher)
- Lorna Dane (singer)
- Teddy (hotel detective)
Antagonists:
- Slattery (racketeer)
Synopsis for Cliff Crosby: "Vacation at Lake Cobalt"
Appearing in Cliff Crosby: "Vacation at Lake Cobalt"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Kenneth Cravath (silver miner)
Antagonists:
- Big Bull (silver miner)
Other characters:
- Marie
Locations:
- Lake Cobalt
Synopsis for Speed Saunders: "The Cigarette Murder"
Appearing in Speed Saunders: "The Cigarette Murder"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Mr. French (apartment manager)
- Inspector O'Rourke
- Axton (scientist)
Antagonists:
- Saul Adams (racketeer)
Other Characters:
- Silky Sam Sedgwik (ex-con)
- Gamblin' Gus
Locations:
Synopsis for The Crimson Avenger: "Smith and Smythe"
Appearing in The Crimson Avenger: "Smith and Smythe"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Smith, escape artist
- Smythe, escape artist
- their gang: Lefty, others
Locations:
Synopsis for Steve Malone: "Murder in the Metropolitan Hotel"
Appearing in Steve Malone: "Murder in the Metropolitan Hotel"
Featured Characters:
Locations:
- Metropolitan Hotel
Supporting Characters:
- Tommy (bellhop)
- Casey (policeman)
- Jim (photographer)
Antagonists:
- Mr. Fisher (hotel detective)
Other Characters:
- Nora Haylie (actress)
Synopsis for Slam Bradley: "Everything Happens to Slam"
Appearing in Slam Bradley: "Everything Happens to Slam"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Bullneck Burtis
- his gang: Micky, others
- his girlfriend, Mabel
Other Characters:
- Martin Lewker
- Junior Lewker
- Miss Allen
Locations:
Notes
- Published by Detective Comics, Inc.
- Batman: "One of the Most Perfect Frame-Ups" is reprinted in:
- Batman Archives Vol 2
- Batman Chronicles Vol 5
- The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told Vol. 2
- Batman Arkham: Penguin
- This issue marks the first appearance of the Golden Age Penguin.
- The Penguin became one of the Batman's most notorious foes and appeared regularly throughout the entire Golden Age era. The Penguin was also featured in the Batman daily comic strips featured in newspaper publications throughout the 1940s and 50s. He appears next in Detective Comics #59.
- At this episode's end, the Penguin has escaped from Batman, and remains at large.
- Batman and Robin appeared last in the Hop Harrigan text story featured in All-Star Comics #8. They appear next in World's Finest #4.
- Commissioner Gordon appeared last in Batman #8. He appears next in Batman #9.
- Final Golden Age appearance of Speed Saunders. He reappears years later in the JSA Returns saga.
Trivia
- At this point in his career, Batman has just very recently been deputized as an honorary GCPD cop. Penguin's trick causes Commissioner Gordon some serious doubts about the wisdom of this decision, but in the end he's reassured.
See Also
Recommended Reading
Links and References
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.