Detective Comics #168: The Start of Joker’s Origin

Detective
Comics #168: Where it all Began

You might be wondering, what exactly is Detective Comics #168 about? Well, this blog will tell you all about it.

What is especially interesting about Vol 168, is the story of “The Man Behind the Red Hood!” This issue starts out with Batman and Robin, who have been invited to be guest instructors at a university. They spend some time teaching classes and decide to test the class on crime-fighting techniques, by giving them a crime that Batman himself had never solved before. The case that he picked was the case of Red Hood; described as a master criminal, he had managed to escape Batman and Robin by diving into chemicals from the Ace Playing Card Company, meaning he disappeared before he was even caught.

Red Hood Returns to Crimes in Detective Comics #168

Somehow, the fact that the class is trying to solve the case once again makes the news, as the case at this point is 10 years old. Red Hood decides to come out of his hiding and dive into the life of criminality once again by robbing the campus office. With Batman and Robin on his heels, he manages to escape through a main gas pipe of the University. This leads Batman and Robin to believe that Red Hood must have some kind of gas mask, which would allow him to survive the gas.

Red Hood is unable to stay away, and already later that night, he comes again, this time wishing to steal from the museum exhibit. While nothing is stolen, as he is noticed by our hero duo, he once again manages to escape them.

The Results of the Case in Detective Comics #168

Wishing for Red Hood to attempt to rob the campus once again, Batman plants a false story in the school newspaper. Red Hood ends up taking the bait, and this time our hero duo is ready; they blind the villain with red beams, and have him reveal his identity; Earl Benson.

Now, Earl was actually only an imposter. During the very first visit of Red Hood, Earl managed to catch him, tying him in the shed in hopes of a nice reward. This also led him to commit crimes in the name of Red Hood, as it meant he would not get blamed for it. In the shed, they find the Joker - the real Red Hood - who decides to open his mouth and talk to them. He explains he was a lab worker, who became Red Hood after stealing a large sum of money. The hood of his original costume had helped him survive the chemicals, but his appearance had been changed to look different; not only was his new appearance terrifying and clown-like, so he decided to name himself the Joker, also giving credit to the card company where he became himself.

Which stories are included in Detective Comics #168?

You can find the following stories in this volume:

“The Man Behind the Red Hood!” (Batman)

“The Electric Thinking Cap” (Roy Rammond)

“The Return of Iron Man” (Robotman)

“Ten Little Indians” (Pow-Wow Smith)