401 – Vicky Vale

A panel introducing Vicky Vale from Batman #49, August 1948

Batman #49 (August 1948) introduces a new potential love interest for Bruce Wayne in the form of Vicky Vale, a photographer who plays with the now-tired trope of the girl who suspects the superhero’s secret identity.

This story also introduce a new rogue for Batman and Robin in the form of The Mad Hatter, a villain who models himself after the Lewis Carroll character.

A panel introducing The Mad Hatter in Batman #49, August 1948