Issue File: Detective Comics #27   Detective Comics featured the first appearance of "The Bat-Man," as he was first called. This book included several separate stories, only the first of which featured Batman. Several oddities are evident in this story. Batman is called "The Bat-Man," and Bruce Wayne is seen smoking a pipe. This also features the first appearance of Commissioner Gordon. The villains are just run of the mill criminal types, not the insane and bizarrely costumed villains that Batman fans are used to.   Featured Characters in this Detective Comics Batman Story:   Batman (First appearance)   Supporting Characters: Commissioner Gordon (First appearance)   Villains: Alfred Stryker (Single appearance) (Dies in this issue) Jennings (Single appearance)   Other Characters: Lambert (Single appearance) (Dies in this issue) Lambert, Jr. (Single appearance) Paul Rogers (Single appearance) Steven Crane (Single appearance) (Dies in this issue)   Locations:  Gotham City  Lambert Residence  Stryker Laboratory Detective Comics #27-1st Appearance of Batman   Story Summary: “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”:   Commissioner Gordon learns that a chemical industrialist named Lambert has just been murdered. It seems as if Lambert's son is guilty of the crime, but the son, Lambert Jr., confesses only to finding his father's body. Millionaire Bruce Wayne is conveniently present at the scene of the crime, and decides to investigate as his alter-ego, The Batman. After looking though the late Lambert's contacts, Batman discovers the names of Lambert's old business partners: Steven Crane, Paul Rogers and Alfred Stryker. Shortly thereafter, Steven Crane is found dead in his home. Paul Rogers learns of the murder and seeks out the last surviving business partner, Alfred Stryker. But Stryker reveals himself to be behind the crimes and kidnaps Rogers. Stryker seeks total control over their business interests. Batman swoops down inside of Stryker's chemical factory and rescues Rogers. Stryker tries to attack him but Batman beats him back, toppling the criminal into a vat of acid. *It should be noted that many versions of the Joker's origin story have the Joker falling into a vat of acid, thereby causing his discoloration and oddly permanent smile.   Take the ComicsHistory Batman Villains Poll: Copyright © 1998-2016 History Guy Media; Last Modified: 09.17.16 This copyright notice covers the written text and written analysis and historical descriptions on this page. "Batman" and all fictional characters mentioned on this page are the property of DC Comics. "The History Guy" is a Registered Trademark.