BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Detective Comics #450

Categories: The Spotlight|Published On: August 20, 2026|Views: 5|

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DC; August 1975
Cover by Dick Giordano

Title: “The Cape & Cowl Deathtrap”
Synopsis: A hitman named Wormwood is hired to acquire Batman’s cowl – but who is really setting the trap?

Writer: Elliot S. Maggin
Artist: Walter Simonson

Review: This one is a surprising treat. Elliot S. Maggin offers up an enjoyable thriller with a fun twist and powerful conclusion. But the real magic comes from the early Walter Simonson art. His Bruce Wayne is a little off, but his Batman is striking. He offers strong visual storytelling, too.

————

Title: “The Parking Lot Bandit!”
Synopsis: Off at college, Robin teams with the campus security chief in an effort to bring a thief to justice.

Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inker: Terry Austin

Review: Robin is punching below his weight class here, but Al Milgrom’s art looks sharp under Terry Austin’s detailed line.

Grade (for the entire issue): B+

Cool factor: That Walter Simonson fella just might be a contender someday.

Character quotable: “Beware this avenging creature of the night! Those with reason to fear him are destroyed by their fear… Those who do not fear him are fools!” – The narrator

Copyright ©2026 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl offers up a Bronze Age Minute for Scoop. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl’s website, offthewahl.com.

BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Detective Comics #450

Categories: The Spotlight|Published On: August 20, 2026|Views: 5|

Share:

DC; August 1975
Cover by Dick Giordano

Title: “The Cape & Cowl Deathtrap”
Synopsis: A hitman named Wormwood is hired to acquire Batman’s cowl – but who is really setting the trap?

Writer: Elliot S. Maggin
Artist: Walter Simonson

Review: This one is a surprising treat. Elliot S. Maggin offers up an enjoyable thriller with a fun twist and powerful conclusion. But the real magic comes from the early Walter Simonson art. His Bruce Wayne is a little off, but his Batman is striking. He offers strong visual storytelling, too.

————

Title: “The Parking Lot Bandit!”
Synopsis: Off at college, Robin teams with the campus security chief in an effort to bring a thief to justice.

Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inker: Terry Austin

Review: Robin is punching below his weight class here, but Al Milgrom’s art looks sharp under Terry Austin’s detailed line.

Grade (for the entire issue): B+

Cool factor: That Walter Simonson fella just might be a contender someday.

Character quotable: “Beware this avenging creature of the night! Those with reason to fear him are destroyed by their fear… Those who do not fear him are fools!” – The narrator

Copyright ©2026 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl offers up a Bronze Age Minute for Scoop. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl’s website, offthewahl.com.