Batman #68
"The New Crimes Of Two-Face!"
December, 1951 - January, 1952
Script: Bill Finger
Batman and Robin Figures Only: Bob Kane
Pencils: Lew Sayre Schwartz
Inks: Charles Paris
Letters: Ira Schnapp
The return of that modern-day Jekyll-and-Hyde criminal in Gotham City --
with the Dynamic Duo come face to face with Two-Face. There are two
sides to every story and you will be surprised when you read about the
cause for... "The New Crimes Of Two-Face!"
Actors are gathered in the rehearsal studio for the "True Crime
Television Playhouse" and are interviewed by the casting director. The
next play will be about Two-Face, the criminal who was created when a
vial of acid scarred the face of the then-district attorney, Harvey Dent.
Thanks to plastic surgery, Dent was given a new face and was able to
reform. Since he is the very image of Harvey Dent, Paul Sloane is given
the dual role, and is told to study the character. A week passes, with
the players gathered backstage before curtain. Lights and cameras are in
place. Joe the prop man has got the prop bottle of acid ready. It's
been filled with blue water so it will resemble vitriol. That night,
television viewers tune into "True Crime Playhouse" for the story of
Two-Face. As a public service, the Dynamic Duo will recreate their
real-life parts in tonight's reenactment. Actors recreate the court
scene where Harvey Dent was prosecuting Boss "Lucky" Moroni. A
two-headed silver dollar was found at the scene of the crime -- the lucky
piece belonging to Moroni. "Lucky" hurls some acid at the D.A.'s face,
but when the actor's face begins to burn, the others know that this is no
act. The Caped Crusader sees that Joe the prop man is trying to make a
getaway.
Joe did it to ruin the actor's handsome face. Ever since his girl met
Sloane, she hasn't so much as looked at the prop man. Because of his
jealousy, a terrible deed has been done. Days pass, when the doctor
removes the bandages, and Paul Sloane sees that one side of his face is
now scarred -- just like the real Two-Face. The doctor tries to remind
his patient that he was lucky that he didn't lose his eyesight. His
acting career is over. The only part he could possibly play would be
that of Two-Face, and without makeup. Paul Sloane is gone -- and in the
actor's place stands Two-Face. Batman hopes that this doesn't affect
Sloane's mind, and he recalls what happened with Harvey Dent. The doctor
assures the Caped Crusader that it's natural for the shock to make the
man bitter. After a night's rest, he will speak with his patient about
plastic surgery. Moroni's silver dollar is still in his possession. It
has two sides -- both are clean and handsome. He makes one of the sides
ugly, evil like his own visage. The coin now has two faces, but which
face will appear when he flips the coin? The evil side emerges and crime
wins. From this moment on, the two-faced coin will be the symbol of
Two-Face. When a nurse tries to stop him, Sloane slugs her, and
convinces himself that he is Two-Face.
When she recovers, the nurse speaks of Sloane's rash actions. The actor
had studied the part so much and the mental shock have combined to make
Paul Sloane believe that he's Two-Face. The Batmobile is on patrol in
Gotham City and on the trail of the second Two-Face. The Dynamic Duo know
all too well that the original's crimes were based on the number two.
That evening, the new Two-Face plunders the safe at a bicycle company,
and makes his escape on one of their two-wheeled vehicles. The following
evening, having hired a henchman, Two-Face prepares his second crime
caper. The mail car is carrying a sword heading for the Gotham Museum.
It is an ancient dual-edged sword with gems encrusted in its hilt.
Learning of the robbery on the police radio, the Batmobile heads off in
pursuit of another two-wheeled vehicle. The Batmobile soon races towards
the railroad tracks, where Two-Face and his criminal crony are riding on
a railroad handcar.
The Dynamic Duo leap down to tackle the two criminals. The Caped
Crusader dodges as the dual-edged sword comes close to cutting him in
twain. Using a rusty piece of rail, Batman parries the next thrust.
Two-Face finds it appropriate that they with dual lives should be
fighting a duel. The Caped Crusader sees that his obsession with the
number two has taken control of the actor's mind. Thanks to the rail,
Batman is able to drive his opponent off-balance, and deliver a rapid
one-two punch. When the actor recovers, he finds the Dynamic Duo
standing over him, and imploring him to remember that he's Paul Sloane.
They want him to undergo plastic surgery so that his face will be
restored. The dazed figure seems to understand what they are
suggesting...
Batman and Robin are unprepared when Two-Face commits his double-cross by
striking them down with the piece of rail. When they recover, the
Dynamic Duo discover that they are now the prisoners. Blinky is anxious
to knock them off, but Two-Face insists that it's up to the coin whether
they live or die. The coin is tossed, then lands in the palm. The good
side has won. Blinky asks since he committed a double-cross before, why
doesn't Two-Face double-cross them again, and let him kill them?
Although he had gone back on his word, he has never gone against the
decision of his coin. The coin is the symbol and trademark of Two-Face.
The Boy Wonder is relieved that the actor stuck to the coin's decision.
The Caped Crusader believes that the coin will aid them in wrapping up
this case. When they return to police headquarters, the Dynamic Duo are
greeted by Harvey Dent, the ex-D.A. who was once the original Two-Face.
Having just flown in from Europe, Harvey is anxious to help in any way he
can. That evening, the television networks simultaneously broadcast a
plea from Harvey Dent. Since Sloane can see how plastic surgery restored
his looks, the same can be done for the actor, as well. For a moment,
Two-Face weighs the pleas of the man who was once the first Two-Face.
Believing that an actor had been hired to impersonate him, Two-Face hurls
a lamp at the television screen, and insists that he is the genuine
article. Seeing how his boss acts unnerves Blinky, but he decides to
stick with him for the money. When Two-Face flips his coin once again,
the evil side wins again. The paid admissions for a doubleheader take
are his for the taking. When the scarred side emerges again, a movie
house running a double-feature is robbed. At police headquarters,
Commissioner Gordon informs the Dynamic Duo about the theft of a midget
submarine from a military exhibit. Batman knows that a two-man sub means
that it's a Two-Face job, and will no doubt be used to commit an water
robbery. He and the Boy Wonder will do some water patrolling from the
Bat-Plane. Under Gotham River, a submarine periscope tracks a
slow-moving ferry ahead. After surfacing and gaining entry on the ferry,
Two-Face confronts Professor Hodge of the Gotham City Zoo. The Professor
is carrying the egg of an rare amazon jungle bird. Hodge wonders what
the criminal could want with a single egg, especially since his crimes
involve the number two.
He has inside information on the egg containing a double-yolk -- which
means that two rare and valuable birds will be hatched instead of one.
As the two criminals reenter their two-man sub, the Bat-Plane spots them,
and Robin takes over the controls. The Batman is about to become a "Frog
Man!" The Caped Crusader's diving suit was first used by the Navy to
disconnect German underwater mines and prepare for invasion on D-Day.
The gear includes: helmet, glass window, exhaling pipe, inhaling pipe,
collar, oxygen valve, inhaling breathing bag, oxygen bottle, rubberized
stocknet suit, fins, regenerating chamber, and back weight. The next
moment finds Batman diving from the Batplane. The Caped Crusader moves
below the surface like an expert Frog Man. Using his bat-rope, Batman
hitches a ride, and lets the sub take him to Two-Face's hideout. Because
the Caped Crusader doubled as a "Frog Man," he has succeeded in tracking
down Two-Face's lair. The hideout turns out to be an old two-masted
schooner.
When Blinky walks the deck of the schooner, he is knocked unconscious by
an approaching fist. The hired thug is bound and hidden from sight. In
the cabin, Two-Face is tackled by Batman. The two grapple about on the
floor of the cabin, with Two-Face gaining the upper hand. When the Caped
Crusader comes to, he finds his fate resting on the outcome of a coin
toss. Will he live or will he die? Two-Face would like to know, but
Batman wonders what would happen if the coin stands on edge? Would his
captor agree to surrender himself and submit to plastic surgery if the
coin stands on edge? Two-Face agrees to whatever outcome is dealt out by
the coin. The chances are a million-to-one that the coin will not stand
on edge. The Caped Crusader has staked his life on a million-to-one
chance. Will he win the day or lose his life? Watch the coin!
The coin is tossed, then hits the floor with a bounce, and rolls... where
it rests -- standing on edge. Batman reminds Two-Face of his promise,
and how he can't go back on his word where the coin is involved. The
Caped Crusader has won, even though the odds against the coin standing on
edge were a million-to-one. One time was all Batman needed to win. Once
Blinky has been turned over to the authorities, and Two-Face has been
brought to a plastic surgeon, the Boy Wonder compliments his mentor on
his luck. Luck had nothing to do with it. Knowing that Two-Face would
decide his fate on the toss of a coin, the Caped Crusader allowed himself
to be captured. When they were grappling in the cabin, Batman lifted the
coin from his pocket, and replaced it with a specially-prepared coin. It
was hollowed out so that the weight is always in one place on the edge.
The coin cannot fall face up. The Caped Crusader has won against
Two-Face with two coins, proving to be too smart for the criminal -- two
smart for him.
This story was reprinted in Batman: From The Thirties To The Seventies.
On the splash page of the story, Two-Face prepares to hurl a giant
version of his 1922 silver dollar onto the approaching Dynamic Duo on a
fire escape.
This particular crime drama just became too true-to-life.
The host of "True Crime Playhouse" bears a striking resemblance to Walt
Disney.
In trying to comfort his patient about how he was lucky that the acid
didn't take his sight, the doctor should remember what Paul Sloane had to
look forward to in a mirror.
As with his coin, Paul Sloane had flipped, and became the second
Two-Face.
After robbing the E-Z Ride Bicycle Company, Two-Face became an "easy
rider" on one of their stolen products.
As with the ancient two-edged sword, Paul Sloane played his criminal role
to the hilt.
When approaching two criminals riding a railroad hand-car, the Dynamic
Duo use a hand-to-hand approach.
Two-Face doesn't play ball when it comes to robbing a doubleheader game.
It's no night at the movies when the Jekyll-and-Hyde criminal is eager to
pick up the box office receipts.
The Caped Crusader has got a unique approach when it comes to cabin
service.
The coin's final decision was the one which brought the second Two-Face
on edge.
Steve Chung
"The New Reviews Of Two-Face!"
"The New Crimes Of Two-Face!"
December, 1951 - January, 1952
Script: Bill Finger
Batman and Robin Figures Only: Bob Kane
Pencils: Lew Sayre Schwartz
Inks: Charles Paris
Letters: Ira Schnapp
The return of that modern-day Jekyll-and-Hyde criminal in Gotham City --
with the Dynamic Duo come face to face with Two-Face. There are two
sides to every story and you will be surprised when you read about the
cause for... "The New Crimes Of Two-Face!"
Actors are gathered in the rehearsal studio for the "True Crime
Television Playhouse" and are interviewed by the casting director. The
next play will be about Two-Face, the criminal who was created when a
vial of acid scarred the face of the then-district attorney, Harvey Dent.
Thanks to plastic surgery, Dent was given a new face and was able to
reform. Since he is the very image of Harvey Dent, Paul Sloane is given
the dual role, and is told to study the character. A week passes, with
the players gathered backstage before curtain. Lights and cameras are in
place. Joe the prop man has got the prop bottle of acid ready. It's
been filled with blue water so it will resemble vitriol. That night,
television viewers tune into "True Crime Playhouse" for the story of
Two-Face. As a public service, the Dynamic Duo will recreate their
real-life parts in tonight's reenactment. Actors recreate the court
scene where Harvey Dent was prosecuting Boss "Lucky" Moroni. A
two-headed silver dollar was found at the scene of the crime -- the lucky
piece belonging to Moroni. "Lucky" hurls some acid at the D.A.'s face,
but when the actor's face begins to burn, the others know that this is no
act. The Caped Crusader sees that Joe the prop man is trying to make a
getaway.
Joe did it to ruin the actor's handsome face. Ever since his girl met
Sloane, she hasn't so much as looked at the prop man. Because of his
jealousy, a terrible deed has been done. Days pass, when the doctor
removes the bandages, and Paul Sloane sees that one side of his face is
now scarred -- just like the real Two-Face. The doctor tries to remind
his patient that he was lucky that he didn't lose his eyesight. His
acting career is over. The only part he could possibly play would be
that of Two-Face, and without makeup. Paul Sloane is gone -- and in the
actor's place stands Two-Face. Batman hopes that this doesn't affect
Sloane's mind, and he recalls what happened with Harvey Dent. The doctor
assures the Caped Crusader that it's natural for the shock to make the
man bitter. After a night's rest, he will speak with his patient about
plastic surgery. Moroni's silver dollar is still in his possession. It
has two sides -- both are clean and handsome. He makes one of the sides
ugly, evil like his own visage. The coin now has two faces, but which
face will appear when he flips the coin? The evil side emerges and crime
wins. From this moment on, the two-faced coin will be the symbol of
Two-Face. When a nurse tries to stop him, Sloane slugs her, and
convinces himself that he is Two-Face.
When she recovers, the nurse speaks of Sloane's rash actions. The actor
had studied the part so much and the mental shock have combined to make
Paul Sloane believe that he's Two-Face. The Batmobile is on patrol in
Gotham City and on the trail of the second Two-Face. The Dynamic Duo know
all too well that the original's crimes were based on the number two.
That evening, the new Two-Face plunders the safe at a bicycle company,
and makes his escape on one of their two-wheeled vehicles. The following
evening, having hired a henchman, Two-Face prepares his second crime
caper. The mail car is carrying a sword heading for the Gotham Museum.
It is an ancient dual-edged sword with gems encrusted in its hilt.
Learning of the robbery on the police radio, the Batmobile heads off in
pursuit of another two-wheeled vehicle. The Batmobile soon races towards
the railroad tracks, where Two-Face and his criminal crony are riding on
a railroad handcar.
The Dynamic Duo leap down to tackle the two criminals. The Caped
Crusader dodges as the dual-edged sword comes close to cutting him in
twain. Using a rusty piece of rail, Batman parries the next thrust.
Two-Face finds it appropriate that they with dual lives should be
fighting a duel. The Caped Crusader sees that his obsession with the
number two has taken control of the actor's mind. Thanks to the rail,
Batman is able to drive his opponent off-balance, and deliver a rapid
one-two punch. When the actor recovers, he finds the Dynamic Duo
standing over him, and imploring him to remember that he's Paul Sloane.
They want him to undergo plastic surgery so that his face will be
restored. The dazed figure seems to understand what they are
suggesting..
Batman and Robin are unprepared when Two-Face commits his double-cross by
striking them down with the piece of rail. When they recover, the
Dynamic Duo discover that they are now the prisoners. Blinky is anxious
to knock them off, but Two-Face insists that it's up to the coin whether
they live or die. The coin is tossed, then lands in the palm. The good
side has won. Blinky asks since he committed a double-cross before, why
doesn't Two-Face double-cross them again, and let him kill them?
Although he had gone back on his word, he has never gone against the
decision of his coin. The coin is the symbol and trademark of Two-Face.
The Boy Wonder is relieved that the actor stuck to the coin's decision.
The Caped Crusader believes that the coin will aid them in wrapping up
this case. When they return to police headquarters, the Dynamic Duo are
greeted by Harvey Dent, the ex-D.A. who was once the original Two-Face.
Having just flown in from Europe, Harvey is anxious to help in any way he
can. That evening, the television networks simultaneously broadcast a
plea from Harvey Dent. Since Sloane can see how plastic surgery restored
his looks, the same can be done for the actor, as well. For a moment,
Two-Face weighs the pleas of the man who was once the first Two-Face.
Believing that an actor had been hired to impersonate him, Two-Face hurls
a lamp at the television screen, and insists that he is the genuine
article. Seeing how his boss acts unnerves Blinky, but he decides to
stick with him for the money. When Two-Face flips his coin once again,
the evil side wins again. The paid admissions for a doubleheader take
are his for the taking. When the scarred side emerges again, a movie
house running a double-feature is robbed. At police headquarters,
Commissioner Gordon informs the Dynamic Duo about the theft of a midget
submarine from a military exhibit. Batman knows that a two-man sub means
that it's a Two-Face job, and will no doubt be used to commit an water
robbery. He and the Boy Wonder will do some water patrolling from the
Bat-Plane. Under Gotham River, a submarine periscope tracks a
slow-moving ferry ahead. After surfacing and gaining entry on the ferry,
Two-Face confronts Professor Hodge of the Gotham City Zoo. The Professor
is carrying the egg of an rare amazon jungle bird. Hodge wonders what
the criminal could want with a single egg, especially since his crimes
involve the number two.
He has inside information on the egg containing a double-yolk -- which
means that two rare and valuable birds will be hatched instead of one.
As the two criminals reenter their two-man sub, the Bat-Plane spots them,
and Robin takes over the controls. The Batman is about to become a "Frog
Man!" The Caped Crusader's diving suit was first used by the Navy to
disconnect German underwater mines and prepare for invasion on D-Day.
The gear includes: helmet, glass window, exhaling pipe, inhaling pipe,
collar, oxygen valve, inhaling breathing bag, oxygen bottle, rubberized
stocknet suit, fins, regenerating chamber, and back weight. The next
moment finds Batman diving from the Batplane. The Caped Crusader moves
below the surface like an expert Frog Man. Using his bat-rope, Batman
hitches a ride, and lets the sub take him to Two-Face's hideout. Because
the Caped Crusader doubled as a "Frog Man," he has succeeded in tracking
down Two-Face's lair. The hideout turns out to be an old two-masted
schooner.
When Blinky walks the deck of the schooner, he is knocked unconscious by
an approaching fist. The hired thug is bound and hidden from sight. In
the cabin, Two-Face is tackled by Batman. The two grapple about on the
floor of the cabin, with Two-Face gaining the upper hand. When the Caped
Crusader comes to, he finds his fate resting on the outcome of a coin
toss. Will he live or will he die? Two-Face would like to know, but
Batman wonders what would happen if the coin stands on edge? Would his
captor agree to surrender himself and submit to plastic surgery if the
coin stands on edge? Two-Face agrees to whatever outcome is dealt out by
the coin. The chances are a million-to-one that the coin will not stand
on edge. The Caped Crusader has staked his life on a million-to-one
chance. Will he win the day or lose his life? Watch the coin!
The coin is tossed, then hits the floor with a bounce, and rolls... where
it rests -- standing on edge. Batman reminds Two-Face of his promise,
and how he can't go back on his word where the coin is involved. The
Caped Crusader has won, even though the odds against the coin standing on
edge were a million-to-one. One time was all Batman needed to win. Once
Blinky has been turned over to the authorities, and Two-Face has been
brought to a plastic surgeon, the Boy Wonder compliments his mentor on
his luck. Luck had nothing to do with it. Knowing that Two-Face would
decide his fate on the toss of a coin, the Caped Crusader allowed himself
to be captured. When they were grappling in the cabin, Batman lifted the
coin from his pocket, and replaced it with a specially-prepared coin. It
was hollowed out so that the weight is always in one place on the edge.
The coin cannot fall face up. The Caped Crusader has won against
Two-Face with two coins, proving to be too smart for the criminal -- two
smart for him.
This story was reprinted in Batman: From The Thirties To The Seventies.
On the splash page of the story, Two-Face prepares to hurl a giant
version of his 1922 silver dollar onto the approaching Dynamic Duo on a
fire escape.
This particular crime drama just became too true-to-life.
The host of "True Crime Playhouse" bears a striking resemblance to Walt
Disney.
In trying to comfort his patient about how he was lucky that the acid
didn't take his sight, the doctor should remember what Paul Sloane had to
look forward to in a mirror.
As with his coin, Paul Sloane had flipped, and became the second
Two-Face.
After robbing the E-Z Ride Bicycle Company, Two-Face became an "easy
rider" on one of their stolen products.
As with the ancient two-edged sword, Paul Sloane played his criminal role
to the hilt.
When approaching two criminals riding a railroad hand-car, the Dynamic
Duo use a hand-to-hand approach.
Two-Face doesn't play ball when it comes to robbing a doubleheader game.
It's no night at the movies when the Jekyll-and-Hyde criminal is eager to
pick up the box office receipts.
The Caped Crusader has got a unique approach when it comes to cabin
service.
The coin's final decision was the one which brought the second Two-Face
on edge.
Steve Chung
"The New Reviews Of Two-Face!"
