The "Disappearing Bat"

[OverMaster]

You know how it is: Someone is talking to Batman and, as soon as Batman learns all he needs to know from him/her, and the other person takes his/her eyes apart from him for a moment, he disappears. I love when that happens.

But which was the first comic book (in real world time) to ever feature that kind of scene with Batman?

[Gordon Smith]

You know how it is: Someone is talking to Batman and, as soon as Batman learns all he needs to know from him/her, and the other person takes his/her eyes apart from him for a moment, he disappears. I love when that happens.

But which was the first comic book (in real world time) to ever feature that kind of scene with Batman?

I *think* this disappearing act premiered in a Denny O'Neil scripted story circa the early 1970's, but I can't nail it down to a specific issue. Where's Cei-U! when we really need him? :p

[Luigi]

A little off topic, but the funniest thing I ever think I read related to that was the one during Knightfall, where Azrael takes the mantle. Azrael (as Batman) goes to Commissioner Gordon and is talking to him and Gordon turns his back and turns around again and is startled and goes "Good Lord!" And Batman is "What's wrong?" and Gordon says "You're still here. You're usually gone by now". Classic moment!

[1HELLBOY]

yeah thats always been one of my favorite Batman things, the ninja-like quality of him being seen one minute, then dissappearing the next

[Captain Jim]

I think he learned it from the Shadow. ;)

[kane]

I think sometimes it is silly because sometimes there is no way how he could make it without supersspeed.
Imagine Gordon looking away for a second and a Batman running fast to the window and jumping out of it, just for the childish joy to trick Gordon.

But the effect is of course cool.