Showcase Presents: Batman #2

In "The Decline and Fall of Batman," a vengeful inventor unleashes a ghost imaging device that conjures phantom versions of the Dynamic Duo, their presence reshaping Gotham’s crime-fighting landscape in ways that challenge the very identity of the real heroes they mimic.

In "Two Batmen Too Many!", Batman sets a clever trap to expose numbers racketeer Ed Garvey as the mastermind behind the Kimber Gem heist, using a bold deception that puts his own identity to the test. The stakes rise as the Dark Knight’s plan begins to unravel in unexpected ways.

In "The Art Gallery of Rogues!", Batman follows a trail of stolen art and deceit when he uncovers a scheme involving a gallery theft and a clever fraud orchestrated by a man named Lathrop, who’s using his henchmen to secure a grant from the Alfred Foundation. With sharp deduction and a keen eye for detail, the Dark Knight pieces together the puzzle before the real mastermind can vanish into the shadows.

In "The Strange Death of Batman!", the Caped Crusader meets a shocking end at the hands of the Bouncer, leaving Robin to confront the villain alone and devise a new way to stop his elastic powers—before the city descends into chaos. The story explores an alternate path where Batman’s death forces Robin to step into the role of hero, testing his courage and ingenuity in a world without his mentor.

In "Raid of the Rocketeers!", the Caped Crusader tracks a stolen missile to a hidden lair where jet-powered criminals have been using a mysterious beam to intercept and hijack experimental weapons. With danger soaring and the city at risk, the Dark Knight must unravel the scheme before the next launch.

In "The Loan Shark's Hidden Hoard!", Rosy and Weeper find themselves in deep trouble after losing a high-stakes bet to Sharkey, the ruthless loan shark who’s known for collecting debts in the worst possible way. With their lives on the line and no way to pay, the Dynamic Duo must intervene before Sharkey’s threats turn deadly.

In "Clay Pigeon for a Killer!", a man takes a shocking TV confession, claiming to have solved a murder—and promising to name the killer the next day. When he reveals to Bruce Wayne that it's a ruse designed to draw out the real murderer, the Dark Knight steps in, posing as the actor to protect him. With danger closing in, Batman must outwit a killer who's already one step ahead.

In "The Riddle-Less Robberies of the Riddler!", the Riddler’s latest spree leaves Gotham baffled—no riddles, no clues, just a string of flawless heists. Batman, sensing something off, follows a trail of subtle, almost imperceptible signs that only the Riddler could leave behind.

In "The Blockbuster Breaks Loose!", after months in an underground cavern, the monstrous Blockbuster resurfaces just as Batman and Robin stop a robbery. When a voice claiming to be Blockbuster’s brother Roland Desmond intervenes, Batman narrowly escapes death—only to be captured and imprisoned in a coffin by a shadowy figure. After a confused Blockbuster turns on the unseen assailant, Batman breaks free and defeats him, but the true threat, revealed as the Outsider, walks away with renewed resolve to destroy him.

In "Death Knocks Three Times!", Batman confronts a criminal in a skeleton costume who brags he’ll never face justice—only to die suddenly on the way to trial, a moment that lingers in the Dark Knight’s mind. When the man returns, seemingly resurrected, Batman captures him again, only for him to die once more, raising the chilling question: will the third time be the final one?

In "Beware of -- Poison Ivy!", while Bruce and Dick attend an art show, a mysterious woman arrives with a bold claim: she’s Gotham’s most dangerous criminal. Her presence sends a chill through the gallery, hinting at a game far more personal than any crime.

In "The Perfect Crime -- Slightly Imperfect!", Batman senses something off when the renowned author Kaye appears at a meeting of the Analysts, claiming she didn’t write her latest book—and a voice seems to echo from her brooch. As suspicion grows, Batman digs into the mystery, uncovering a deception that blurs the line between identity and illusion.

In "A Touch of Poison Ivy!", Batman finds himself entangled in a dangerous game when the imprisoned villainess sends him a cryptic gift, claiming she’s ready to change. Though he comes to visit her with cautious hope, her cunning proves too much—her influence begins to twist his resolve, turning him into an unexpected ally in her bid for freedom.

In "Batman's Baffling Turnabout!", Batman’s pursuit of criminals leads him into a trap when he falls through a hidden trapdoor and is captured—only for one of the crooks to don his cowl and mimic his every move. With the city under the shadow of a fake Batman, Robin must rely on sharp instincts and a subtle clue to uncover the deception and rescue the real hero.

In "The Boy Wonder's Boo-Boo Patrol!", Robin, patrolling Gotham on his own, grows concerned when stunt performer Viola Lance narrowly avoids a series of bizarre motorcycle accidents—each one too close to be coincidence. As he investigates, he begins to suspect a dangerous game is being played, but the truth behind the near-misses is more tangled than he expected.

In "The Joker's Original Robberies!", the Caped Crusader faces his most unpredictable foe yet as the Joker returns with a new accomplice—Gaggy, a hulking figure whose absurd antics are the perfect catalyst for the Clown Prince of Crime’s chaotic genius. With Gaggy’s laughter fueling a parade of increasingly bizarre heists, Batman must outthink a villain who’s not just mad, but dangerously inspired.

In "Gommissioner Gordon's Death-Threat!", Batman answers a frantic call from Commissioner Gordon, who warns that Fred Purley—recently released after a stint in prison thanks to Gordon’s earlier conviction—has vowed revenge. As the Dark Knight rushes to protect the city’s lawman, he unknowingly walks into a deadly trap set by Purley, who’s turned the commissioner’s own warning into a lethal game.

In "The Eraser Who Tried to Rub Out Batman!", Commissioner Gordon calls on Batman to solve a string of baffling crimes where every clue has been meticulously erased—leaving no trace behind. With no evidence to follow, the Dark Knight slips into the shadows to uncover the truth, stepping into a mystery where nothing is as it seems.

In "The Ten Best-Dressed Corpses in Gotham City!", a notorious fashion magazine's top-ten list becomes a deadly roster when three of its featured men are found murdered. With the city's elite on edge and the killer still at large, Batman takes the case—only to find himself in grave danger when he realizes he was also on the list.