When a young Bruce Wayne watched in horror as his parents were murdered, the legend of the Batman was born. Collected here are the first stories of the masked vigilante as they were originally printed in 1939. These stories include the classic first appearance of the Batman and the introduction of his teenage ally, Robin. These early adventures show how a dark and grim character and his humorous and light sidekick were masterfully combined to create one of the most enduring partnerships of all time. Jacket and text design by Alex Jay/Studio J. Special thanks to Greg Theakston, Mark Waid and Joseph Mannario.