Detective Comics #40: When Boy Wonder Gets Involved

Written by: Arven Keating-Syndulla

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Detective Comics #40: The Making Of

Detective Comics #40 is an early edition of the DC Series. It includes a total of eight stories, out of which we will share plenty of detail regarding the first later in this blog. The comic book has a cover date of June 1940, and the cover includes our Boy Wonder, Robin, as the main objective!

The People of Detective Comics #40

As always, many more people than one might expect have worked on a comic book edition like this. So, specially for you, we have made a list of every amazing person working on this edition of the detective comics:

Whitney Ellsworth - Executive Producer, Editor

Bob Kane - Cover Artist, Penciler, Inker

Jerry Robinson - Cover Artist, Inker, Letterer

Bill Finger - Writer

Maurice Kashuba - Penciler, Inker

Ken Ernst - Penciler, Inker

Jack Lehti - Writer, Penciler, Inker

Fred Guardineer - Penciler, Inker, Letterer

Don Lynch - Penciler, Inker

Chad Grothkopf - Writer, Penciler, Inker, Letterer

Jerry Siegel - Writer

Howard Sherman - Penciler, Inker, Letterer

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Detective Comics #40: The Stories

Alright - let’s get into the actual stories of this edition of the detective comics. It contains several stories, but let’s have a look at the first one titled “Batman, with Robin the Boy Wonder: "The Murders of Clayface"”, shall we?

Synopsis for “Batman, with Robin the Boy Wonder: "The Murders of Clayface"”

In this story, a new film is about to come out, Dread Castle. However, something terrible happens on the filmset and several people lose their lives. Of course, it is up to Batman to figure this out and he manages to figure out who the killer is: Clayface. Together, Batman and Robin start their investigation on the filmset, where Batman does get in trouble with some gangsters - but it turns out they had nothing to do with the deaths of the actors. It is Robin who finds Clayface; but is then captured by him. Batman, obviously, goes to save Robin, but lets Clayface escape in the process. It is the next day that Clayface is caught on the filmset and his identity is revealed: Basil Karlo, the make-up man of the set and an ex-actor.

Appearing in “Batman, with Robin the Boy Wonder: "The Murders of Clayface"”

In this Comic, in “The Murders of Clayface”, there are quite a few interesting places and characters to see. So let’s get into them!

Characters of Detective Comics #40

The main characters of this story are, obviously, Batman and Robin, who are working together to figure out this crime. The main antagonist is Clayface, who rather soon in the story, turns out to be the mastermind behind the murders. Another important character is Julie Madison, one of the main actors on the set who helps Batman and Robin catch Clayface. Besides them, there are also some other actors who are mentioned by name, but not too relevant for the rest of the plot.

Locations of Detective Comics #40

All of this story takes place in Gotham. Specifically on the movie set of Dread Castle, but also in some other parts of Gotham, such as Wayne Manor itself.

Other Stories of DC #40

Does the story of Robin and Batman fighting off against Clayface not interest you? Well, do not worry, because this DC Comics edition includes many other stories, as well! Here is the full list:

Bart Regan, Spy: "The Forgarian Ball"

Red Logan: "An American Reporter in London...."

The Crimson Avenger: "The Mysterious Rays"

Speed Saunders: "The Jewel Robbers"

Steve Malone, District Attorney: "The Prodigy"

Cliff Crosby: "The New Plane"

Slam Bradley versus the South Side Mob, in "The Murder of Slugger Carmen"

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Have you read Detective Comics #40 or read any of the events leading up to this edition? Share with us in the comments about your thoughts to earn a Limited Edition Comic Book Pack for your collection!