Batman and Robin tangle with the Joker in “The House that Jokes Built!”

DETECTIVE COMICS Vol.1,  No.109,  March 1946;  Cover Art:  Jack Burnley,  Ray Burnley;  Writer:  Don Cameron;  Penciler:  Win Mortimer;  Inker:  Win Mortimer

Batman and Robin have tussled with the Joker more times than we can count,  with the pasty-faced madman portrayed as everything from lightweight prankster to maniacal killer.  At this point, he’s more mischievous than murderous, and he’s broken out of prison to rob from the rich and give to himself!  An attempt to stop the Clown Prince of Crime from continuing his latest spree goes awry, with the Boy Wonder becoming the Joker’s prisoner.

Merrily leading Batman into a series of lethal traps as the Caped Crusader follows clues to rescue Robin from the crazed criminal’s clutches,  the Joker miscalculates when he reunites the Dynamic Duo in a bid to finally eradicate the heroes.  OK, so maybe he’s a bit murderous here after all,  but rest assured Batman and Robin live to laugh another day.  Additional adventures with Slam Bradley,  Air Wave,  and the Boy Commandos round out the issue.

Kudos to Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg for his expert commentary above and to the talented artists and writers of DC Comics who captivated and inspired millions of readers during this magical Golden Age.  To

Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg is an educator,  publisher,  author,  comic book and pop culture historian, and former museum curator.  He is the author or co-author of Zombiemania,  The Big BIG LITTLE BOOK Book,  and Howe’s Transcendental Toybox.   He was the editor of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and also wrote for Cinescape,  The International Journal of Comic Art,  Fandom,  and IGN.com.  He holds a doctorate in Communications Design from the University of Baltimore and teaches courses in everything from comics and superhero mythology to zombies to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  You can find him on Twitter at @DoctoroftheDead