I recently picked up Batman #181 (Facsimile Edition), which shows us how DC portrayed the caped crusader in 1966. One of the things that caught me right away is that they weren't big on credits. On the first page of the "Beware Of Poison Ivy" story, Bob Kane's name is the only one listed at the bottom of the panel. It was mentioned in the "Letters To The Batcave" section that Bob Kanigher actually wrote the Poison Ivy story, and this only because fans were trying to guess the writers of these stories. Also, underneath the Batman logo it stated "With Robin The Boy Wonder." Of course, the Robin referred to here is a very young Dick Grayson.
There are two stories in this book with the first one having Robin trying to get Batman not to fall for the charm and beauty of Poison Ivy. Ivy is upset that the Gotham City Museum lists three of the most beautiful and deadly women as Dragon Fly, Silken Spider and Tiger Moth. Obviously, Ivy feels that she needs to up her game to crack the top three. After falling under her spell, Batman comes to his senses and puts Ivy behind bars.
The second story involves Batman and the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City. Someone released a mystery novel under author Kaye Daye's name. However, the real Kaye Daye is being held prisoner in a penthouse apartment right next door to her own digs. When Batman checks out her apartment, he realizes that Daye left a clue under her desk by scratching out the apartment number in the Parquet floor with her high heel.
The lettering wasn't the best used back in the 1960's, as some of the letters bled into each other. Also, these stories don't match up to any of the ones that I have read in the later issues. The second story also read a little corny. However, it was great to delve into an older issue to see these differences.
