The Past Was Close Behind: Commissioner Gordon as Batman!?

CBR

By Brian Cronin

Published Jul 7, 2015

In their latest spotlight on comic book moments that look amusing in hindsight, CSBG looks at the FIRST time that Commissioner Gordon became Batman!

This feature spotlights moments, exchanges, etc. from older comics that take on a brand new light when read in concert with later comic books. Here is the archive of previous installments.

Based on a suggestion by reader Bill K, we take a look at the FIRST time that Commissioner Gordon took over as Batman in Detective Comics #225...

1955's Detective Comics #225 is famous for some alien guy debuting later in the issue, but for this column, we're looking at the main story (written by Edmond Hamilton, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris), "If I Were Batman," where people donate money to charity for the chance to be Batman for a day. The first two Batmen are an accountant and an actor. Their incompetence as Batman allow the bad guys to make good on a nefarious plot. Eventually, Bruce Wayne wins the contest so he can properly stop the bad guys. But not before one more person wins the chance to be Batman - Commissioner James Gordon!