Detective Comics #37

 

Batman gets lost and is going to ask for directions..hahaha

Detective Comics #37, published in March 1940, features the Batman story titled "The Screaming House." Here's a detailed summary:

While driving near Gotham City, Batman hears screams coming from an abandoned house and decides to investigate. Inside, he finds a man named Joey being tortured by a group of thugs. Batman intervenes, subduing the attackers, but Joey unexpectedly betrays him, knocking him unconscious and killing the thugs to cover his tracks.

When Batman regains consciousness, he follows Joey to uncover a larger conspiracy. Joey is revealed to be a U.S. espionage agent who had infiltrated a gang led by a man named Turg. The gang, working as spies for a foreign power, plans to destroy an incoming vessel to create an international crisis. Joey, despite his betrayal, had been leaking information to hinder their operations.

Batman tracks the gang to a pier where they are loading explosives onto a boat. Using infrared glasses, batman makes easy  work of a series of intense confrontations, Batman prevents the gang from carrying out their plan and ensures the safety of the ship. In the end, Turg is revealed to be a disguised Count Grutt, who meets his demise during a final confrontation with Batman.

This story showcases Batman's early detective skills and his ability to navigate morally complex situations. It also reflects the espionage themes prevalent in comics of that era.