The evolution of Batman and Robin continued in the year 1947 with a known villain upgrading their vehicles to escape from the caped crusader and member of the Dynamic Duo having their first solo story.
In Star-Spangled Comics #65 the Boy Wonder, Robin had his first solo story since he was introduced to the Batman mythos. The story was called “The Teen-Age Terrors” written by Win Mortimer and saw Robin take on Joe Beasley and his gang.
A couple of months later in Detective Comics #122, Catwoman returned wearing her classic purple and green costume in “The Black Cat Crimes” written by Bill Finger. The story sees the first appearance of her new vehicle, the Kitty Car, later called the Catmobile, which is her version of the Batmobile. During the story, Catwoman manages to capture Robin and take him to her hideout where Batman comes to save the day. The feline felon is able to escape from the Batman’s clutches thanks to her new Kitty Car.
In September’s World’s Finest #30, the giant penny that had become a staple in the Batcave makes its first appearance. “The Penny Plunderers!” by Bill Finger saw the first appearance of Joe Coyne, The Penny Plunderer. Joe Coyne started out as a newspaper peddler but was fired from his job and turns to a life of crime. After his first heist is a bust, he centers his crimes around pennies. Batman is finally able to capture the criminal at the penny arcade. Joe Coyne is taken to prison and is sentenced to death.
A few minor things also popped up in 1947 including the first time the Bat-Signal was destroyed in Detective Comics #121, which is seen as an action anytime someone within Gotham doesn’t agree with the idea f Batman. At the end of the year, the history of the Wayne Family was expanded in Batman #44 for the first time. Finally, the first time Catwoman held her famous whip was in Batman #39. Batman and Robin continue to evolve throughout the years, but so do their villains. What will 1948 bring?
