Batwoman Has What It Takes

When we last left the crime scene, Batman and Robin, now under the control of the evil Black Widow, had taken hostages within the hollowed halls of stately Wayne Manor. While robbing the living room wall safe, the Caped Crusaders are told that the mansion is surrounded by state and local law enforcement officers and that they must come out quietly or the police will have to move in and take them.

The hostages are Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred; Dick Grayson's aunt, Mrs. Harriet Cooper; billionaire Katherine Kane and her niece, Gotham City High School Girls' Tennis Champion, Betty Kane. Kathy Kane appeals to Batman to release the others. "Batman, in the name of mercy, please let Mrs. Cooper, her butler and my niece go. If it is money you want - fine, but this hostage taking is unnecessary."

"No," says Batman. "I need an edge against what may be thrown at us by the police, the county sheriff and the state militia. If they leave, then we will depart."

"Batman is right," seconds Robin. "All we wanted was the money in the safe here. There was no reason to involve you, but they started this and we'll finish it."

"Correct, Robin," Batman agrees. "We will not harm you, nor did we want to take hostages, but nothing will stop us from achieving our ends."

"Oh, Batman, please!" pleads Mrs. Cooper, "think of all the people that respect you and Robin. What will the children say when they see this?"

"Don't concern yourself with that, madam. At this moment, there are more important things to consider than public opinion."

Alfred is strangely silent. He is wondering if his friend Barbara Gordon, who is secretly Batgirl, has heard about this in Australia. He realizes, however, even if she does learn what is going on, that it may be too far for her to come in time to make a difference.

At Police Commissioner Gordon's office, Gordon, Chief O'Hara and Mayor Linseed are talking over options to break the stalemate. "Do you think this appeal to Batman and Robin will work, Mayor Linseed?"

"What choice do we have? The Governor has ordered that the Dynamic Duo not be allowed to escape, but yet, I don't want any violence. I'll try anything!"

"His Honor is right, Commissioner. The last thing we need to see is any of the hostages, officers or Batman and Robin hurt."

"Yes, Chief. Batgirl is still not answering her e-mail. We haven't heard any more from Batwoman and Flamebird and now there's no answer on their cellphone. Force is the final option. I hope and pray your appeal will work, Mayor Linseed."

"If only Batman sees it." With television crews setting up in Commissioner Gordon's office, the Mayor hopes he can persuade Batman to release the hostages.

Meanwhile, Batman allows the hostages to watch TV, but all they seem to be able to find is coverage of the hostage crisis at Wayne Manor. "For Channel 7 Eyewitness News, this is Joanna Jill. With me is Nellie Majors, reporter for The Real Truth tabloid. Ms. Majors, is it true that Batman has a shady past when it comes to working with criminals?"

"Well, yes, Joanna. I remember when a large block of ice filled with cash was brought to Batman by Mr. Freeze. Some people thought he was on the take then. I wonder what his excuse is this time?"

"Nellie, we understand that billionaire software company owner Katherine Kane is a hostage inside Wayne Manor. What is your perspective on that?"

"It is terrible that Ms. Kane is in there with the Dreaded Duo. Ms. Kane just recently sold her large circus company to Harry "Skin" Flint, the jiggle magazine magnate. I hear that Flint has put up one billion dollars for a winner-take-all match between Batman and The Green Hornet at his game room hotel in Las Vegas.
"It has been the Gotham City Police's position that Batman chased The Green Hornet away when he visited Gotham City, but some say otherwise. Like candidate for Mayor, Lloyd Knox, who says that the ties between Batman and the Police Department are too close for comfort."

"Change to another channel, Robin!" directs Batman.

Click!

"We switch you now to David Dooley at Wayne Manor. David."

"Thank you, Chet.
"Gathered here outside Wayne Manor, besides all the law enforcement personnel, are supporters of Proposition B - the measure that asks the City leadership to explain its relationship with Batman. All these people have signs and banners in favor of the ballot initiative and have a not-too-flattering opinion of Batman in their slogans."

"Change the channel, Robin!!" orders Batman.

Click!

"This is Walter Klondike, with a special campaign update. Councilman Lloyd Knox has tied Mayor Linseed in a new poll by Gallus, Rooper and Trendek. Both men are tied at 37 percent each, with Jerry Younger, the Know Nothing candidate getting 3 percent, and with 23 percent still undecided.
"Councilman Knox has stated that Batman has gone too far and that Mayor Linseed and the police department must take the blame for this hostage crisis."

Click!

"I don't want to hear this crap!" declares Robin as he changes the station again. Aunt Harriet gasps at the usually well-mannered Boy Wonder's use of such foul language. Katherine and Betty Kane start to whisper to each other.

"Did you see those new poll numbers, Aunt Kathy? Money can't buy the luck Lloyd Knox is getting right now!"

"I don't think this is the time nor the place to think about the election, Betty."

"I just wanted to get my mind off of this as much as possible. That is why we're watching TV, right?
"Or are you thinking of a way out?"

"You bringing up Knox and being here has given me an idea, Betty, . . . but we need some luck of our own."

"Well, tell me, Aunt Kathy. What is your plan?"

Robin notices their conversation. "Hey! What are the two of you talking about? If everybody will just keep quiet and watch TV, we'll all be better off."

Robin switches to a UHF station that is not showing the hostage crisis, but a 30 minute live political broadcast for candidate for Mayor, Lloyd Knox. The announcer speaks. "This is The Lloyd Knox Show, with another segment of ‘Knox In The Box,' a talk with one of our city's voters on his or her view of the campaign.
"And here he is! The next Mayor of Gotham City, Lloyd Knox!"

"Hi, everybody! Welcome to another edition of Knox In The Box, where one of Gotham City's citizens gets to speak to me about the issues.
"With us today we have a shoe salesman, who does dinner theatre in his spare time. Let's welcome . . . Mr. Adam Eastland!"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Eastland. Glad to have you with us."

"Pleasure to be here, Mr. Knox."

"Adam, what do you think of the current hostage situation at Wayne Manor and what is your opinion of Batman in particular?"

"Lloyd, I think it stinks and that Batman is a big dope. He must be some goofball - running around town in that crazy getup of his. He must be nuts!"

"But, Adam, the police say Batman is a champion of justice, who instills fear in the hearts of criminals."

"Then he must instill fear in himself, too. I mean, that must be why he wears that big mask of his. Lloyd, anyone dressing up to fight crime is nuts!"

Betty Kane turns to her Aunt and says, "There must be a metaphor in all this."

"Adam, what about your young son? Wouldn't he want to be like Batman?"

"He says he would rather be like Kobe and make that big money. He's smart. He thinks Batman is more of a nut than I do. He says, ‘Daddy, I want to be Kobe Bryant. I don't want to be Batman and run around in long underwear. He's a kook!'"

"All right, Robin, turn off the TV," says Batman with disgust. "Television is such a vast wasteland."

"The way Batman was looking," whispers Betty to her Aunt Katherine, "it seemed like he was ready to dropkick that big screen TV to San Diego. Whatever you have in mind, I hope it works." Katherine Kane hopes her plan will work as well.

At her underground hideout, Black Widow and her young nephew, Archie Arcane, are enjoying the coverage of the hostage crisis. "Man, Auntie, look at all those cops!" says Archie while eating a piece of cherry pie with whipped cream topping. "Auntie, you are the greatest!"

"In a while people will say the same of you, my dear, sweet, nephew. It is too bad old Ben and May didn't see your potential."

"Hey, they didn't think anything of me, really. They wanted me to be like cousin Peter, a complete dork."

"Well, Archie, Ben and May were set in their ways, that's for sure."

"Auntie, why don't we unmask Batman and Robin, now that we have them under our control?"

"I do not wish for either of them to get too upset by threatening something they hold so dear as their secret identities. Such an action might reverse their ‘change of attitude.' Besides, I have big plans for the Dynamic Dolls just as they are."

"How do you plan to get them out of there with the cops surrounded the place?"

"Batman will take care of that, Archie. Hand me the telephone book and the phone."

Black Widow looks up the number for "Wayne, Bruce." She is somewhat surprised to discover that it is listed, but finds when she dials that all contact with the outside world from Wayne Manor has been cut off because of the situation.

Next, she looks up the number for the Gotham City Police Commissioner's office. Unlike many super-villains, Black Widow doesn't have the number for the Commissioner Gordon's direct line. She calls and speaks to Bonnie, Gordon's secretary.

Bonnie buzzes her boss. "Sir, I have a woman claiming to be The Black Widow on line one."

"Put her through!" orders the Commissioner.
"This is Commissioner Gordon."

"Hello, handsome," drawls the raspy voice at the other end.

"Black Widow, I should have known you were behind all this!"

"I am sure you should have, flatfoot, but now that you know, hook me up with Batman by using that famous Hotline in your office . . . and no listening in!"

Gordon considers denying the request, but decides that this may be the only way the standoff can be peacefully resolved. He routes the villainess' call through the Hotline. Batman once again takes Alfred with him into the study and answers. "This is Batman. Now look, Commissioner . . ."

"How are you holding out, Bat Doll?"

Batman immediately recognizes Black Widow's distinctive voice. "Quite well, my friend. Robin and I are just fine."

"Good. Let me tell you my plan and then I'll explain it to that stuffy Commissioner."

After explaining what she has in mind to Batman, Black Widow again rings up Gordon. "Commissioner, Batman, with all his Bat-gadgets and his Bat-brain, is more than a match for you and your troops. Now, if you want somebody hurt, you can continue this ordeal - but, if you want to end this with everyone safe and sound, do exactly as I say."

"What do you want?"

"Have a police van brought over and Robin will drive the hostages from Wayne Manor to my hideout. If you don't follow or try to track them somehow, I promise that no harm will come to the hostages. If you don't do exactly as I instruct, then somebody's going to get hurt!"

Gordon explains the proposal to Mayor Linseed and Chief O'Hara. "Begorra, Commissioner, that she-devil has us confounded!"

"The public at large is really not effected by this, Commissioner, but can we just let Batman go? What might he do next, once he's together again with Black Widow?"

"For the sake of Gotham City, Mayor Linseed, I hope Batman somehow breaks free from Black Widow's control. We don't want the hostages or Batman and Robin harmed. I just wish I knew another way out of this."

"Remember one thing, Commissioner," points out Mayor Linseed, "Batman and Robin haven't injured anyone yet . . . but if they do, under the spell of Black Widow's brain short circuiter or not, we will have to stop them . . . any way we can!"

Gordon and O'Hara look at each other with dread.

Robin drives the van delivered by the police, with the hostages secured in the back. Batman follows in the Batmobile. Soon they arrive at 411 Lava Drive. Black Widow and Archie Arcane come out to greet them.

"Ah, Masked Muscles, it is so good to see you, and the Boy Wonderful, again, safe and sound."

"There was no problem at all. The police did not want to have the hostages harmed, so they did just as you told them."

"And here are the hostages, ma'am," announces Robin, as he gets them out of the van. "First off, Mrs. Harriet Cooper."

"Thank you, Robin. It is a pleasure to have you here, Mrs. Cooper."

"I wish I could say the same, but you, madam, are no lady by any means!"

"Well, you can't have everything, my dear, and, right now, you have nothing. So if you remain polite, you might live to be around for a little while longer."

"I'll say! The nerve of you!" cries out Aunt Harriet.

"Here is her butler, Alfred," introduces Robin, "and this is billionaire software company owner, Katherine Kane."

"It is an honor to have someone so important - and so rich! - as a hostage, believe me," gushes Black Widow.

"And, last, but certainly not least, here is her niece, high school tennis champion Betty Kane."

"The niece is nice!" says Archie appreciatively. Although Betty finds Archie physically attractive, she is repulsed by the young evil-doer.

Black Widow puts Aunt Harriet and Alfred in a room in the house basement, a room that has pictures of her late husband, Max Black, on the walls. She then pulls Archie aside. "When we leave, this chamber will sink five feet every ten minutes. When they've dropped 150 feet, hundreds of black widow spiders will be released into the room!"

"Wow! What a trap! Boy, I'm learning more and more about the crime game from you every day, Auntie."

"Stick with me, Archie, and you will learn a lot more."

Katherine and Betty Kane are marched upstairs and locked in an empty room.

"Archie, soon you can short circuit the Kanes' brains. I will get all of Katherine Kane's money and you can have Betty all to yourself. You'd like that, wouldn't you, sweetie?"

"Auntie, you're da bomb!"

"But first . . ." Black Widow turns to Batman. "Don't you have something, besides money, for me?"

Batman shows her what looks like ten medium sized fire extinguishers. He explains that the red canisters really contain Bat-sleep gas. The Caped Crusader tells Black Widow that her assistants can spray the gas in any enclosed space and that it will knock everyone out for 30 minutes. "That way, wearing gas masks, your help can easily get what you want."

"Wonderful, Masked Muscles! I'll have two of my men pose as security guards and have them stationed outside, while the rest of the gang gathers the loot from the banks we target."

"Man, it sure is great to have Batman and Robin on our side!" exclaims Archie.

"Batman, I have one other request. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. May Archie and I visit the Batcave?"

"Why, of course! No problem!"

"Now, I understand that you and Robin want to preserve your true identities, Bat Doll, so I'll take a whiff of your Bat gas, so I won't see where the Batcave is." Black Widow figures that she can learn who Batman and Robin really are at her leisure, once she is done using them.

Presently, with Black Widow put to sleep with Bat gas and riding up front with the Dynamic Duo, and with Archie locked in the Batmobile trunk, the foursome soon arrive at the Batcave. Robin lets Archie out of the trunk while Batman wakes Black Widow with Bat-Awake.

"This is marvelous!" enthuses Black Widow. "So amazing, so fantastic! No wonder they call you Dynamic!"

"Thank you," replies Batman courteously. "I really appreciate it."

"Oh, man! This is da bomb! Here I am, Archie Arcane, inside the Batcave itself! Man, Robin, I can't believe it!"

"Believe it, Archie," says Robin. "It is all right here in front of you, with everything you need to get anything you want."

"This is simply too much!" crows The Black Widow.

Meanwhile, back at Black Widow's hideout, Mrs. Cooper and Alfred notice the floor is moving downward. "Oh, Alfred, I'm so scared! What are we going to do? I'm just glad Bruce and Dick aren't involved in this."

"So am I, madam, so am I," says Alfred, who knows better, but besides protecting Batman and Robin's secret identities, wants to try to calm the nerves of Mrs. Cooper.

"Alfred! The floor is going down again! What does it mean?"

"I don't know, madam. Just try not to panic. I trust that help will arrive soon," says the butler. With Batman and Robin under Black Widow's influence, Batgirl out of the country and the police held at bay by the theat against the hostages, Alfred can only hope for a miracle.

Hang on, Alfred! Perhaps a miracle is in progress in one of the rooms upstairs!

Katherine Kane has slipped a small device down her long sleeve into her palm. "What is that you have in your hand?" asks Betty.

"This is a robot miniature control terminal. Remember the fund raiser at Wayne Manor for Mayor Linseed? Professor Stuckenschneider and I had a conversation concerning a theme park built around robots. He proposed constructing an amusement park here in Gotham City with robots so advanced that visitors could believe they were talking to real people."

"But they would be meeting a bunch of androids instead! Fantastic, Aunt Kathy . . . but how does that help us?"

"Well, to convince me of the practicality of the idea, the Professor constructed an android Dynamic Duo! . . . and he sent them to me. Besides trying to get me to invest in his invention, he asked me to have my software company improve the program for controlling the robots from a distance. We're in the process of testing this mini-controller.
"I've programmed the robotic Batman and Robin to collect our Batwoman and Flamebird costumes and to go to police headquarters . . . but I've never tried controlling them from this long of a distance. I've also loaded a program that, when I press these buttons, will cause the androids to say whatever we say. We'll be able to see through their eye-cameras on this miniature screen and hear everything said in their presence. If this all works, the robots will then home in on this terminal."

In the Distaff Duo's Batcavern, the robotic Batman and Robin pick up a suitcase containing the costumes of Batwoman and Flamebird. The robots then strap on two jet powered back packs and fly off to police headquarters.

The android Dynamic Duo land in a nearby alley. They then enter police headquarters the way the real Batman and Robin always do.

"Now, Betty, let's hope we and the robots can convince the police that everything will be alright."

The robot Batman and Robin make their appearance in Commissioner Gordon's office. "Batman, Batman! Am I glad to see you . . . and you, too, Boy Wonder."

"Yes, Commissioner, we are no longer under the control of Black Widow. We will go out and capture her, but first, we would like to make a short speech to the public to assure them that we are back."

"How about the hostages, Batman?"

"They are safe now, Chief."

"Saints be praised! thanks to the Caped Crusaders."

"Well, we still have everything set up for a public address, Batman. You can make your speech right here and now," declares Mayor Linseed.

"Holy Perfect Timing! Things really are falling into place!"

"Exactly, Robin. Now, I shall address the public."

Back at Black Widow's hideout, the Kanes are able to see and hear everything perfectly. Betty motions her aunt to disengage the voice feature for a moment. "Gee, Aunt Kathy, they don't noticed the difference! This is going to be one great theme park you'll have."

"I hope the real Batman and Robin see this. It may get them away from Black Widow. With her controlling them, everyone is still in big trouble."

Back in the Batcave: "Hey, guys, can I watch TV from here?"

"Sure, Archie," answers Robin. "There is a TV right here."

The Dynamic Duo and the dreadful duo see the robot Batman and Robin assure the public that everything is fine. "Batman" promises to arrest Black Widow.

The android Caped Crusaders say goodbye to Commissioner Gordon. "For the safety of your men, wait for an hour and a half before coming to Black Widow's hideout at 411 Lava Drive. We'll be waiting for you."

"Good luck, Caped Crusaders," calls Gordon to the departing ersatz Dynamic Duo. "You know Chief, Mayor Linseed, sometimes it is hard to imagine a man as perfect as Batman. A machine couldn't do all the things he does."

In the Batcave, Black Widow is perplexed. "Batman, that wasn't you and Robin on TV right now, was it?" she asks incredulously.

"No, madam, those were imposters . . . and I have reason to strongly suspect that the source of this charade may be located at your hideout."

"Billionaire Katherine Kane."

"Right again, Robin. I'm sorry your visit here was cut short, my friend."

"That's okay, Bat Doll. We will just come back some other time."

Black Widow instructs Archie to call up the Webmaster, her big new henchman, and have him short circuit the brains of the Kanes. She also tells Archie to call Daddy Longlegs, her third in command, on his portable phone and order the rest of the Black Widow's gang back to headquarters.

After first talking to the Webmaster, Archie barks orders at Black Widow's longtime aide, "You should have been back there like yesterday."

"Okay. We'll be right back. I promise." Daddy Longlegs terminates the connection and turns to the rest of the gang.
"That was Prince Valium, telling us to get back to the hideout right now. Hey, Octo, how can nine people eat on just 70 dollars?"

"Don't ask me," the young woman answers. "Just be glad it is Wednesday and hamburger are only 20 cents apiece!"

The robot Batman and Robin arrive at Black Widow's lair and leave their jet packs in the house's backyard. Seeing everything the Batman android does, the Kanes watch as the robots approach their room. They observe the tall figure of the Webmaster coming to the room first.

"Aunt Kathy, that big thug is going to open this door!

"Betty, watch this!"

The robot Batman throws a batarang at the Webmaster, knocking him out! The android Dynamic Duo open the door and present Katherine Kane with the suitcase containing the costumes of Batwoman and Flamebird.

"Gosh, they look like the real thing. Ah, they are robots, but are they gentlemen? or are they going to watch us undress?"

"No way, Betty!" Kathy directs the androids to drag the Webmaster with them into another room.

Soon, as Batwoman and Flamebird, they notice something on the floor near the door. "This must be the brain short circuiter," concludes Batwoman.

"They were planning to short circuit our brains!" deduces Flamebird, aghast. "Luckily, they waited too long."

"I do believe I can do something with this, though," says Batwoman, as she takes a moment to adjust the device.

Moving downstairs and outside, Batwoman and Flamebird prepare to meet Black Widow for the first time. "Flamebird, where do spiders usually go?"

"Under the house!"

They pull up the door to Black Widow's underground hideout. They enter, leaving the door ajar, just seconds before Batman and Robin drive-up with Black Widow and Archie Arcane.

Once again, Batman awakens Black Widow while Robin releases Archie. "It looks like someone has entered your hideout, madam. Robin and I will check this out for you."

"Great idea, Masked Muscles."

Within seconds, a historic meeting takes place: Batman and Robin confront Batwoman and Flamebird. The two Duos pause to look one another over.

Then Batman says, "So . . . there really is a Batwoman after all. I've heard rumors of your existence."

"I'm no rumor, Batman. We are real."

"Well, unless you surrender this instant, I will have to end your crime fighting career right here and now." Before Batman can make a move, Batwoman turns the reversed short circuiting device on him and then on Robin.

Batman and Robin are quite surprised by what they see as they regain their senses. "Batman, Robin, are you all right?"

"Yes, I think we are! Are you Batwoman?"

"Yes, Batman, and this is my partner, Flamebird."

"It is great to meet you, Batman, Robin!"

"The pleasure's all ours, young lady," says Batman gallantly.

"Gosh, yes!" Robin says enthusiastically, "but where are we?"

"You are in the hideout of Black Widow, Robin," explains Batwoman. "She took control of you both with this little device right here."

"Robin, look! The brain short circuiter in an updated, miniaturized form!"

"Holy Concealment! No wonder we didn't see it coming! It's so easy to hide now."

"Batman, somewhere inside here, Harriet Cooper and her butler are being held hostage," informs Batwoman.

"Great Scott! Robin and I will rescue Mrs. Cooper and her butler . . ."

"While we get The Black Widow and her gang," interjects Batwoman.

"Can you do that Batwoman? Flamebird?"

"It will be our pleasure, Batman," answers Flamebird.

"Good luck to you both," calls Batman, as he and Robin begin the search for their friend and relative.

In the meantime, Daddy Longlegs, Octo and the other seven members of Black Widow's gang have arrived. As they join Black Widow and Archie, Black Widow declares, "Bat Doll and Boy Wonder are taking too long. Follow me!"

The eleven criminals crowd their way through the cellar door, into the first chamber of Black Widow's hideout. There they are met by the new Dynamic Duo.

"I've heard of a Batgirl, but what's this?" asks an astonished Black Widow.

"This," says Batwoman, "is the end for you, Black Widow!"

"Go get ‘em, guys," shouts Archie.

Batwoman opens with a right to the jaw of an male thug and then judo tosses two others. Flamebird slugs a female thug and then, with Batwoman holding her partner under the arms, Flamebird is swung into the group of goons.

Once Batwoman sets Flamebird down, Archie Arcane grabs Flamebird from behind. As Octo prepares to throw a pie into her face, Flamebird breaks free and Octo ends up hitting Archie in the face instead. Then Flamebird cold cocks Octo. Grabbing a big table, Batwoman and Flamebird slam it into the gang, flooring them like ten pins.

As soon as their ten opponents regain their feet, the Torrid Twosome surprise them by swinging from opposite directions via their Bat ropes. Once again the heroines bowl a strike, as all the goons are knocked down.

Batwoman turns the un-reversed brain short circuiter on Black Widow and Archie Arcane. Seconds later, Batman and Robin burst into the room, after having found and rescued Aunt Harriet and Alfred from Black Widow's deathtrap. "Oh, Batman," Black Widow rasps, "it is so marvelous to see you again."

"Yeah," chimes in Archie. "You and Robin are my idols."

"Black Widow, will you return all the money that you stole from the banks?" asks Batman.

"Why, of course, and Archie and I will return the lottery winnings to those we robbed, too."

"Yeah! like no problem," chimes in Archie. "I will tell the police everything - whatever you want, Batman."

"Just tell them the truth, young man," Batman instructs.

Suddenly, Batgirl appears in the subterranean chamber! "It looks like I've arrived too late to help, but not too late to meet some new friends!"

"Batgirl! Holy Costume Convention!" Batgirl shoots Robin a questioning glance, but quickly realizes that the Boy Wonder is referring to the five colorfully clad crime fighters in the room, not to the conference that Barbara Gordon has been attending.

"Well, Batman," observes Batgirl wryly, "it seems Gotham City now has more female costumed crime fighters than male!"

"We probably won't be around as much as you or the Dynamic Duo, Batgirl," Batwoman discloses, "but if Batwoman and Flamebird are needed, Commissioner Gordon knows how to contact us.

Off to the side, Flamebird and Robin find themselves standing next to each other. "Hi, Robin," the Girl Wonder flirts with a wave of a red gloved hand.

At that moment, Commissioner Gordon arrives. "Batman, we found Mrs. Cooper and her butler. Where are Katherine and Betty Kane?"

"I think Flamebird and I know where to find them, Commissioner," Batwoman offers. "But first, I've re-adjusted this device so you can reverse the effects on its victims." She hands the brain short circuiter to Gordon.

Gordon examines the machine and then turns back to Batman, "Black Widow has been stopped, once again thanks to you, Batman."

Chief O'Hara walks up, after having supervised the arrest of Black Widow's gang. "Saints be praised! Everything has worked out fine, because of you and Robin."

"Some, if not most, of the thanks should go to Batwoman and Flamebird, gentlemen, the new team of crime fighters that helped us out in cracking this case," Batman admits. "Robin and I welcome any assistance in the fight against crime, especially when it comes from people as competent as Batgirl, Batwoman and Flamebird."

"That goes for the Gotham City Police Department, too!" agrees Chief O'Hara. "but where are Batwoman and Flamebird?" Everyone notices that the Distaff Duo have disappeared! Just then, Katherine and Betty Kane come down the steps into the underground hideout.

"Ms. Kane! Thank goodness you're all right!" exclaims Batman.

"We're O.K.," says the businesswoman, seemingly quite shaken by her ordeal. "We were locked in a room upstairs. A woman and a girl in costumes I've never seen before released us."

"That was Batwoman and Flamebird," explains Batman. "They are not here . . . too bad. I would have liked to have said thank you to both of them for their help."

"Don't worry, Batman," says Katherine Kane. "Wherever she is, I'm sure Batwoman would appreciate your thanks."

Back to Batgirl Bat-Trap stories

Back to the Batgirl Bat-Trap Homepage!