When a young Bruce Wayne watched in horror as his parents were murdered, the legend of the Batman was born. Collected here are the first stories of the masked vigilante as they were originally printed in 1939. These stories include the classic first appearance of the Batman and the introduction of his teenage ally, Robin. These early adventures show how a dark and grim character and his humorous and light sidekick were masterfully combined to create one of the most enduring partnerships of all time.

REPRINTS: Detective Comics #27-50

With Robin by his side, Batman has tirelessly protected Gotham City from the criminals and predators that stalk its streets. Battling a wide variety of eccentric villains and overcoming a plethora of deadly threats, the Dynamic Duo has forged a bond of unbreakable trust and friendship. Reprinting classic tales from the 1940s, BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 2 features Batman and Robin during their earliest days of crime fighting as they encounter the maniacal Two-Face and the manipulative Penguin for the first time.

REPRINTS: Detective Comics #51-70

Reprinting the classic tales that originally appeared in the 1940s, BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 3 is a wonderful look back at the Dynamic Duo in an earlier incarnation. In these delightful tales of crime and adventure, Batman and Robin face off against street thugs and insane criminals as they protect the citizens of Gotham. These stories are fundamental in the development of these two legendary characters, this book also includes the Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder's first encounter with the terror known as the Scarecrow.

REPRINTS: Detective Comics #71-86

After witnessing the death of his parents as a child, Batman began a mission of vengeance and justice. Vowing to defend those who could not protect themselves, Batman was soon joined by the acrobatic Robin in fulfillment of this selfless task. Through the years, this dynamic duo has fought side by side against organized crime, alien invaders, world conquerors, mad scientists, super-powered villains and maniacs. BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 4 reprints some of the craziest and most entertaining adventures from the 1940s as Batman and Robin square off against such outrageous characters as the Joker and the Penguin.

REPRINTS: Detective Comics #87-102

The fifth volume in the BATMAN ARCHIVES series, this fabulous book reprints the early adventures of Batman and Robin from the 1940s as they encounter blackmailing mobsters, haunting apparitions, and historical heroes. In this beautiful tome, the Dynamic Duo must defeat an embezzler who has stolen Bruce Wayne's fortune, travel to London to help Scotland Yard solve a mystery, overcome the lethal insanity of the Joker, uncover the secret of the ghost that is haunting the Gotham Library, and work with Robin Hood in a tale of time travel and hypnosis.

REPRINTS: Detective Comics #103-119

Batman is back and at his Golden Age peak in a new volume collecting DETECTIVE COMICS #120-135 (1947-48)! The Dark Knight and Robin face off against the Penguin, Catwoman, the Joker and more. Plus, an introduction by comics historian Bill Schelly.

REPRINTS: Detective Comics #120-135