Detective 44 – Robin dreams, the Crimson Avenger changes clothes, and Cliff Crosby on a island of vampires
Another generic Batman and Robin cover for Detective 44 (Oct. 40)
The story inside is fairly generic as well, certainly not one of the better efforts by Finger, Kane and Robinson. Dick Grayson is reading a book about fairy tales, and falls asleep.
The art is pleasantly extreme, and as it is pretty obviously a dream, going along for the ride is not too difficult.
The Crimson Avenger gets a new costume in this story, as Lee Travis dons a tight red outift, complete with finned headpiece, and cape. The unusual symbol on his chest is often interpreted as a sunburst, but one story argued that it was really a bullet hole.
The costume change is the one and only change, as we follow a pretty simple kidnapping story, and even throwing the hero and his new suit in among lions doesn’t really spark this up. Wing stands mutely to the side.
Cliff Crosby’s stories continue their path into the bizarre in this tale, as he winds up shipwrecked.
And wouldn’t you know it, the island is being used by an Asian caricature as he turns people into vampires.
The series may be crazy, but at least it’s fun. Cliff is aided by a friendly monkey he calls “Doc,” whom he takes with him when he leaves the island.