DETECTIVE COMICS #300 (1962)
by Bill Finger & Sheldon Moldoff
The practice of using anniversary issues for a big story is a recent development, but 300th issue of Detective Comics celebrates the Caped Crusader by giving us his best villain: Polka-Dot Man.
While that’s the name that will make him famous, throughout the story he’s actually called Mr. Polka-Dot.
And he wastes no time to attack Batman & Robin, who are trying to stop a robbery at a carpet-cleaning shop.
If it wasn’t for the Comics Code, Polka-Dot Man would’ve killed Batman right there!!!
At this point you’re probably thinking “oh so his gimmick is that he throws the dots from his costume as weapons?”. THINK AGAIN.
How the hell does THAT work!?!?
Sounds legit.
But at least Batman can use the dots left behind for clues, right? Nope! Because in addition to figuring out the technology necessary to enlarge objects AND the secret to antigravity, Polka-Dot Man also learned COMPLETE DISINTEGRATION.
And I thought penny-themed crimes were a limited gimmick. Basing your crimes around dots is so limited that Polka-Dot Man immediately goes off-topic, stealing a gem instead of a leopard.
Clearly a valid target for someone who can create miniature suns.
Also, did you think I was joking about him using antigravity? Then explain THIS!!!
Reeeally stretching the definition of dots here, guys.
Here’s a thought for Gotham City supervillains. Choose your theme to be as vague as possible and Batman will have no idea where you’re going to strike.
I recommend becoming “Brick Man”, you could strike anywhere there are bricks!
His dots become fists… HOW!? We’re not getting any explanation for his powers, isn’t it?
Of course the best way to track Polka-Dot Man is using a leopard.
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you, that this doesn’t work. AT ALL.
This being 1962 he doesn’t even consider killing or unmasking Robin, deciding instead to use him to lure Batman into a trap.
More villains should use the trick of giving Batman fake riddles to solve. Looking at you, Riddler!
Batman DOES solve the clue left by Robin, however: writing a secret message in braille.
I reluctantly admit that’s pretty clever.
Actually it turns out Polka-Dot Man wasn’t giving a false puzzle, but rather was boasting about a riddle that will make him famous in the Gotham underworld.
Reaching the bottom of the barrel for “dot-themed crimes” now.
This time Polka-Dot Man can’t use his dots because Batman came prepared with a Flare Batarang ©, which doesn’t blind Batman as well because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And the big plan of Polka-Dot Man turns out to have been… drawing a giant stick figure over Gotham City.
Yeah, because THAT would clearly have established him as the greatest criminal in town.
Historical significance: ○/●
Unfortunately Polka-Dot Man failed to leave his mark.
Silver Age-ness: ●●●/●
Spotless insanity.
Does it stand the test of time? ○/●
Little more than a stain in Batman’s history.
How close is this to the modern character? ●/●
This is his only Silver Age appearance.
Polka-Dot Man would return in a 1996 issue of Batman: GCPD, resorting to using a baseball bat because he ran out of money to fund his gadgets.
We don’t talk about that. Better leave it as a blank spot in his history.
He has spent most of the time since as a background character, or as a running joke on how lame Batman villains can get.
Many people were understandably baffled by James Gunn’s decision to have him in his Suicide Squad movie, where he’s even one of the most interesting characters!
Other than the name and the outfit he has nothing to do with his comics counterpart, though.
As for why he chose Polka-Dot Man, OF ALL PEOPLE…
Polka-Dot Man is great, but I did think I needed a character who’s thought of as one of the dumbest ever. So I went and looked online, ‘Who’s the dumbest DC character of all time?’ and it was Polka-Dot Man. We’ve turned that character who’s a sad, pathetic character into a character who’s depressed because people think he’s stupid.
JAMES GUNN
Sounds legit.