Detective Comics #31

No. 31
Date: September, 1939
Title: None? The Monk Part I
Creative Team: Bob Kane

Story:
The debut of the villainous Monk! And no, it's not Antonio Scarpacci (Bonus points to those of you who understand the reference). This issue starts out with Batman on patrol through the city night when he saves a man from being killed by a hypnotized woman. The woman turns out to be Julie Madison, Bruce Wayne's fiancée! Batman escorts her back to her home and the next day she explains it all to Wayne. The wealthy socialite takes her to Doctor Trent, who recommends Julie relax and go on a trip to Paris.

However, Wayne suspects the good doctor was also hypnotized. Cloaked as Batman, he follows Julie's ship in his fancy aircraft known as the Batgyro. Batman briefly encounters the Monk on the ship before escaping the villain's hypnotic powers and fleeing in the Batgyro. He then heads to Paris to search for Julie.

He finally finds his fiancée, but a giant gorilla (seriously, a giant gorilla) in her room attacks him! Batman falls through a trap door, is ensnared in a net, and lowered by the Monk of a pit full of snakes. He uses his knew gadget, the batarang, to escape, and tries to chase the Monk. But the giant gorilla stops him again! Batman escapes the clutches of the gorilla and flies off in the Batgyro after the Monk's car. Catching up to the vehicle, Batman throws a gas pellet into an open window, causing the car to crash. The Monk is absent from the wreck, but Batman rescues Julie Madison and the two of them fly off.

Notes:

• First appearance of The Monk

• First appearance of Julie Madison as Bruce Wayne's Fiancee

• First Batgyro and famous batarang. Still no Bat-shark repellent.