View Full Version : Batman and peppers
A member of the Batman forum suggested that I repost this here:
Hello. I'm writing in the hopes that you can answer a question plaguing me for quite some time now. I am new to this forum, so please bear with me.
I'm assistant publisher of THENOSTALGIALEAGUE. COM, and, at the request of some posters on the message board who have been researching and attempting to secure an answer to my dilemma, I now seek your help.
When I was a little kid (probably during a period between 1947 to 1955) I bought a Batman comic book that had on its cover---at least I thought it was the cover---a scene of Batman tied to a tree with Robin looking on from the distance as the Joker tortured Batman by stuffing hot peppers up his nose. I remember the sweat dripping from Batman. I also remember this comic so vividly because, at that tender age, I realized for the first time that my Batman comic was a bit "darker" or sadistic compared to my Superman or Captain Marvel comic. I give you all this background to demonstrate how clear my memory is on this, to give credence to the actual existence of "The Peppers." Anyway, I have wasted a lot of time looking on the internet at just about all the Batman, Detective, and even World's Finest Comics covers searching for this peppers scene to no avail. Recently, I checked out some Star-Spangled comics--no luck. Many tell me it probably is a splash page.
Would you have any knowledge, recollection, or access to such a scene? Some day, somehow......
Thanks very much.
Mike Kuypers
02-07-2006, 07:29 AM
You might find the answer you're looking for in Michael Fleischer's BATMAN ENCYCLOPEDIA. Unfortunately, my copy isn't where I can get to it. But maybe someone here can consult theirs. Good luck.
Thank you, I'll see if I can find a copy. Meanwhile, I'll continue to check back. Appreciate it.
Rob Allen
02-07-2006, 07:22 PM
jadm, I've posted your question on a mailing list that has some great comics history buffs among its members. I'll post any results here.
Thanks very much, Rob.
Mike, can you tell me how detailed the Fleischer book is? What type of information can I expect to find there if I can purchase it?
There certainly are a lot of helpful and friendly people here on this forum. Thanks again all.
Rob Allen
02-09-2006, 07:09 PM
Well, the only reply so far was from someone who says he once owned every Batman story from 1939 to 1989, and he doesn't remember this one.
Someone somewhere will know it; just a matter of time.
Rob Allen
02-10-2006, 07:22 PM
More responses -
One joker says the scene doesn't sound familiar, but it is sexually arousing.
Another person says it does sound familiar, and he thinks it was drawn by Lew Schwartz. He's going to do some research.
More updates as they happen!
I really appreciate all this. I'll keep checking back. Thanks.
Mike Kuypers
02-11-2006, 08:32 AM
Thanks very much, Rob.
Mike, can you tell me how detailed the Fleischer book is? What type of information can I expect to find there if I can purchase it?
There certainly are a lot of helpful and friendly people here on this forum. Thanks again all.
It's a 400-page softcover tome indexing every Batman story from the '30s to the '60s in encyclopedic form. Fleischer also did similar volumes for Superman (which I have) and Wonder Woman (which I don't have). This webpage (http://www.comictreadmill.com/CTMBlogarchives/2004/2004_Individual/2004_01/000234.php) describes the book in a little more detail.
dan bailey
02-11-2006, 04:55 PM
It's a 400-page softcover tome indexing every Batman story from the '30s to the '60s in encyclopedic form. Fleischer also did similar volumes for Superman (which I have) and Wonder Woman (which I don't have). This webpage (http://www.comictreadmill.com/CTMBlogarchives/2004/2004_Individual/2004_01/000234.php) describes the book in a little more detail.
looking back, this may well have been the first nonfiction comics book i ever owned, barring stan lee's origins of marvel comics & son of origins. i believe i found it for a couple of bucks at a remainder sale in some temporarily rented store in phoenix in 1981, & even though i'd sold my comics collection & hadn't read any in 3 years or more, i couldn't pass up such an obvious bargain.
Red Oak Kid
02-13-2006, 07:32 PM
More responses -
One joker says the scene doesn't sound familiar, but it is sexually arousing.
Another person says it does sound familiar, and he thinks it was drawn by Lew Schwartz. He's going to do some research.
More updates as they happen!
I hope jadm is able to find an answer to this.
I keep thinking about this and it is just hard for me to figure out how this scene would be drawn back then. Having the peppers actually be in Batman's nose is a little hard for me to visualize. I could see maybe having a box on Batman's head with the peppers in it. Or maybe having them strapped to his chest. But I can't see a Sprang type close-up of Batman's face with peppers actually in his nose.
This is really starting to bug ME now.
A good friend sent the following along to me. He also suggests that the pepper scene could have occurred in a Robin starring story. (Still hoping):
Bibliography of the Joker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,
is a list of appearances by the comic book character, the Joker. (Issues #49 & #50 were added to the list by me.)
Batman #37 (October-November 1946): "The Joker Follows Suit!"
Batman #40 (April-May 1947): "The 13 Club!"
Batman #44 (December 1947-January 1948): "Gamble with Doom!"
Batman #46 (April-May 1948): "Guileful Greetingfs or The Joker Sends Regards!"
Batman #49 (Oct/Nov 1948) "Batman's Arabian Nights!"
Batman #50 (Dec/Jan 1949) "The second Boy Wonder!"
Batman #52 (April-May 1949): "The Happy Victims!"
Batman #53 (June-July 1949): "A Hairpin, a Hoe, a Hacksaw, a Hole in the Ground!"
Batman #55 (October-November 1949): "The Case of the 48 Jokers!"
Batman #57 (February-March 1950): "The Funny Man Crimes!"
Batman #59 (June-July 1950): "The Batman of the Future!"
Batman #63 (February-March 1951): "The Joker's Crime Costumes!"
Batman #66 (August-September 1951): "The Joker's Comedy of Errors!"
Batman #67 (October-November 1951): "The Man Who Wrote the Joker's Jokes!"
Batman #73 (October-November 1952): "The Joker's Utility Belt!"
Batman #74 (December 1952-January 1953): "The Crazy Crime Clown!"
Batman #80 (? 1954): "The Joker's Movie Crimes!"
Batman #85 (August 1954): "Batman - Clown of Crime!"
Batman #86 (September 1954): "The Joker's Winning Team!"
Batman #87 (October 1954): "The Batman's Greatest Thrills!"
Detective Comics #114 (August 1946): "Acrostic of Crime!"
Detective Comics #118 (December 1946): "The Royal Flush Crimes!"
Detective Comics #124 (June 1947): "The Crime Parade"
Detective Comics #128 (October 1947): "Crimes in Reverse!"
Detective Comics #137 (July 1948): "The Rebus Crimes"
Detective Comics #138 (August 1948): "The Invisible Crimes!"
Detective Comics #149 (July 1949): "The Sound Effect Crimes!"
Detective Comics #168 (February 1951): "The Man Behind The Red Hood"
Detective Comics #180 (February 1952): "The Joker's Millions!"
Detective Comics #193 (March 1953): "The Joker's Journal!"
World's Finest #48 (? 1950): "Song of Crime!"
World's Finest #59 (? 1952): "The Joker's Aces!"
World's Finest #61 (? 1952): "The Crimes of Batman!"
gentlesatirist
02-20-2006, 06:46 AM
...of Batman 148 shows the Joker having Batman tied to a chair, but he's trying to unmask him. No peppers in sight.
This issue may have the story, but it also may fall out of your 1947-55 timeframe, since it's got a 12-cent price.
- FE
Wickiffe OH
Yes, I believe it is out of the time frame. Thanks for trying.
Lone Ranger
02-20-2006, 07:19 AM
...of Batman 148 shows the Joker having Batman tied to a chair, but he's trying to unmask him. No peppers in sight.
This issue may have the story, but it also may fall out of your 1947-55 timeframe, since it's got a 12-cent price.
- FE
Wickiffe OH
I have that issue - and that's not it.
In that story, the Joker unmasks Batman, but is blinded by the spotlight that he cannot see the face under the mask.
Captain Jim
02-20-2006, 07:22 PM
Well, a google search revealed that you can see all the relevant covers on www.dcindexes.com. I checked all the Batman, Detective and Worlds Finest from that era and didn't see anything that resembled it.
Thanks everyone for keeping the search ongoing.
Jim, yes, if you check my initial post you'll see I mentioned having done the same thing in regard to the covers, but thanks for taking the time and confirming that I hadn't missed anything. I guess the only hope is if someone somehow comes across a splashpage....sigh.
dr_cyclops
02-21-2006, 11:23 AM
jadm, I'm willing to go out on a limb. Although I am no "Batman expert", the scene you have described (Batman and peppers) sounds unfamiliar. So much so, that I doubt your memory is correct. Old memories are very tricky things. (Mine, mess me up all the time.) I believe you saw this scene somewhere in your past. Perhaps with different characters than you recall (Batman/Joker), or in a vivid dream.
Still, I can't wait for someone to find your image and make me look like the idiot I am. :D
I have met with this opinion before, and all I can say is that I am about as sure as I can be (which is why I went into the detail I did in my first posting.) I don't think this is a wild goose chase. Perhaps it's your lack of depth perception which is responsible for your disbelief, Cyclops. And, in as nice a way as I can express it, I hope you will have cause to fall from that limb. :)
Metamorpho
02-21-2006, 03:37 PM
Hmmm could it have been the KnightWatchman and his enemy the Pink Flamingo from Big Bang Comics? About as close to the Batman and the Joker as it gets.
I don't think so given that I've never heard of them. (I'm beginning to feel like Kevin McCarthy in INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS.)
Captain Jim
02-21-2006, 10:40 PM
I must confess I have some doubts as well. Not just because nobody can find it or has any recollection of it, but also because it seems so unlikely. Is there any possibility that it could be the cover of a Mad magazine parody or some similar title?
No, MAD or other satirical comics were not published at the time I'm referring to. BTW, I have had just as many people who DO say that the scene sounds familiar to them. I know I'm not imagining things.
Captain Jim
02-22-2006, 08:09 PM
Y'know, fiddling around on Google, I discovered that putting these peppers up ones nose is supposed to be a cure for nasal congestion. Maybe everybody else knows that, but it was news to me.
dr_cyclops
02-22-2006, 11:55 PM
Y'know, fiddling around on Google, I discovered that putting these peppers up ones nose is supposed to be a cure for nasal congestion. Maybe everybody else knows that, but it was news to me.
I didn't know that either. This is great news! I can now start looking for a story where the Joker "cures Batman's nasal congestion". To think, I was just about to give up. :evilsmile
Hey, at least we found something!
Once again, I'd like to say, as fruitless, perhaps, as this search may be, I surely do appreciate everyone's efforts.
Sir Tim Drake
02-23-2006, 09:17 AM
Hey, at least we found something!
Once again, I'd like to say, as fruitless, perhaps, as this search may be, I surely do appreciate everyone's efforts.
Shouldn't that be "vegetableless"? (Sorry.)
Darn! Now_I_should have thought of that. (Certain people will get on me for such a missed opportunity. I hang my head in shame.)
Thanks, Sir Tim. You're a man after my own artichoke heart.
(Soon someone will probably post telling Sir Tim and me that a pepper is really a fruit, but 'tain't as funny so we don't care.)
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