Batman #3 was published in Autumn/Fall 1940. It saw the publication of the stories "The Strange Case of the Diabolical Puppet Master", "The Ugliest Man in the World", "The Crime School for Boys" and "The Batman vs. the Cat-Woman". The stories were all written by Bill Finger, and drawn by Jerry Robinson and George Roussus.
"The Strange Case of the Diabolical Puppet Master"
Synopsis
Batman is doing his patrol and sees a man bumping into another man on purpose. He interferes and the thug is driven away, but the other man, Dr. Craig, has a little scratch on his hand. Batman and Robin start investigating and find out something is wrong, so they go to Dr. Craigs house, where they find him hypnotized and handing over a secret formula to the thugs. Batman defeats the thugs and Dr. Craig comes to his senses.
The next day there is a scuffle on a train and the Batman is scratched on his cheek. That night, Robin finds out the Batman isn't in his bed and start investigating. Meanwhile, the police are trying to stop the Batman, who is robbing a jewelry store. Robin finds Batman with a bag full of stolen jewels outside the Puppet Master's house and gets slapped by the Batman. He hits back and the hypnosis is stopped. Batman enters the Puppet Master's house, still pretending to be hypnotized and surprised him by hitting him with a knock-out punch.
Appearances
Individuals
- Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Robin/Dick Grayson
- The Puppet Master/Dmitri (Only appearance)
- Doctor Craig (Only appearance)
Locations
"The Ugliest Man in the World"
Synopsis
To be added
Appearances
Individuals
- Batman/Bruce Wayne
- Robin/Dick Grayson
- James Gordon
- Larry Larrimore (Only appearance; dies)
- Ekhart (Only appearance)
- Harvey Dodge (Only appearance)
- John Tyler (Only appearance)
- McGonigle (First Appearance)
- Mrs. Tyler (Only appearance)
Locations
"The Crime School for Boys"
Synopsis
To be added
Appearances
Individuals
- Batman
- Big Boy Daniels (Only appearance)
- Pockets (Only appearance)
Locations
"The Batman vs. the Cat-Woman"
Synopsis
To be added
Appearances
Individuals
- Batman
- Robin
- James Gordon
- Cat-Woman
- Darrell
- Hoffer
- Blake (Only appearance)
- McGonigle (Only appearance)
Locations
Notes
- The comic also features a final note called "The Batman Says", written by Whitney Ellsworth and drawn by Robinson. This exert consists of a lecture given by Batman to the reader, with him and Robin asking them not to get involved in crime.
- This is the first issue of Batman to not feature a story with the Joker.
- The comic features the first time Catwoman wore an official "Cat-Costume".