Batcave Trophy Origins: The Giant T-Rex

     Every Bat-Blog has a post about Batman's trophies, it's obligatory. So to make mine different than the others I will include the entire comic it originated from.

    Arguably the most famous trophy Batman has is the Mechanical T-Rex. Unlike the Giant Penny, which has three origins, the T-Rex has always had one. Dinosaur Island baby.

     From Batman #35 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Just knowing it's by those two, you can tell it's a classic and a masterpiece issue.

     Now that's an epic cover. Let's Begin:

     We open in "The luxurious office of Murray Wilson Hart, Master Showman and Specialist in the Spectacular". Whatever that's supposed to mean.

     Mr. Hart, who only allows his employees to reply to him with "Yes Mr. Hart!", is pondering how he can top his last shows when he reads the newspaper and inspiration strikes:

I really like the toy T-Rex that's biting the other toy T-Rex. Details people.

     Hold on, did Batman just totally sell out? And for $5000? Huh. I guess it is for charity but really though:
     Bruce Wayne's money eats the money that eats this guys money for a pre-breakfast snack and appetizer. $5000 should be nothing to Batman even in the 1940's. Every dollar counts I guess?
     And don't be a jerk, Mr. Breach. He didn't forget about Dinosaur Island. He never heard of it until literally just when it tumbled out of your mouth, Mr. "Breach". Who eats mammoth meat anyways?

     It's nice how they never give this guy a real back story other than he was just a criminal. How he got into the dinner party? Idk. You tell me.

Since when do plain rocks gleam?

     Alright but now the issue gets straight up AWESOME. Full of action, survivalist mode Batman and Robin, Dinosaurs fights, Cavemen fights, pterodactyls, etc. Just read it:

YES

YES

YES

YES

     Oh man, that got my heart racing. I know it's a 40's comic, but dang. 

Recap:

• Batman gets charged at by a Triceratops Styracosaurus, dodges, it break it's neck and lands on it's back like my dog does when she wants a belly rub.
• In the water, Bats and Birdboy try to get to some land.
• BUT HAH! What they thought was a piece of land was another Dinosaur (A Plesiosaurus). Oh gosh. 
• The Plesiosaurus FLINGS Robin. FLINGS HIM.
• Then it decides to eat Batman. How many times do you think Batman has been chomped on by Nessy in his career? Not many.
• Batman shanks Nessy in the throat, and it dies.
• Batman and Robin make some weapons out of the Triceratops Styracosaurus.
• CAVEMEN
• Cavemen fight commences.
• Batman punches a Caveman's head right off.
• Robin shoot a Robot Caveman. It even pretends to die.
• Cavemen wrestling.

And my personal favorite:

• The bad guy decides to go to bed.

     That's a lot of action for a 40's comic. Imagine that animated, that would be a glorious visual. Anyways, Next:

Yes. Yes it is. That is the first appearance of the Mechanical T-Rex.

   And how about the way the villain just casually strolls up riding a T-Rex? That is sheer Epicness Awesomeness Glory.

"Hey Robin; I know we're going up against Robot Dinosaurs and all, but do you think you could use little yellow water balloons against them? I just feel like that's the best route to go".

"... "

"Yes boss, whatever you say boss."

     But no, as you can see the water's purpose was to make the Dino's short circuit. So not a completely bad plan I guess, but i'd use something that could at least injure Mr. Chase too. Maybe boil the water? Where'd they get the water balloons?

     So that's that. Unlike the Giant Penny, I have no idea how they got the T-Rex home, because they're vehicle-less and stranded on an island. It wouldn't fit on the row boat that took them there. They could couldn't even ride it because it short circuited.

Trivia note:

     Whilst readingthis issue, I began to notice uncanny resemblances to "The Most Dangerous Game", which i'm guessing is what Bill Finger at least partially based this issue off of. 

     One of the characters even directly says:

"...Since they hunt the Most Dangerous Perilous Game... Man!"

     Which is literally what "The Most Dangerous Game" is about. A rich safari dude goes crazy, buys an island, kidnaps and takes people there, sets them lose on the island, and then goes hunting for them.

     I haven't read it in years, but it out-dates this comic by 25 years. 

So: "The Most Dangerous Game" + "Jurrassic Park" = Batman #35.

Well, my ride's here:

     See you whenever I feel like posting again!