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Off-White to White pgs; Restored holder; Slight Professional Restoration; CGC#1290012002
Fourth appearance of the Joker; 1st mention of Gotham City; Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson cvr/art


Batman #4 is an enduring Golden Age classic, and a vital part of the Caped Crusader's mythology. For starters, this is the first time we learn that Batman operates out of Gotham City. (All the earlier references had been to New York City.) This means readers see their first copy of the Gotham City Gazette. There's also our first look into Batman's personal philosophy. After some earlier cold-blooded incidents, we're now informed that Batman refuses to use a gun and doesn't believe in killing criminals. He can't help it if the Joker seemingly plummets to his death at the end of "The Case of the Joker's Crime Circus."

That classic story will mark the fourth appearance of the Joker in comics, and the first reference to his various hideouts as the Ha-Hacienda. "Touchdown for Justice" is the first time that a criminal deduces that Batman is really Bruce Wayne. Fortunately, that's resolved by Batman and Bruce Wayne being seen "together" for the first time. The previously-seen Batplane is also modified to occasionally serve as the Bat-Boat, setting a precedent for "Bat-" vehicles. (The Joker also gets his own vehicle in this issue, but it's not the Jokermobile.)
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