Comic Title: Batman #401
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: November 1986
On Sale Date: August 7, 1986 Newsstand Date August 7, 1986
Source: DC Releases, #30

Newsstand Date August 7, 1986
Source: Amazing Heroes, #98

Shipping Date July 15, 1986
Source: Amazing Heroes, #98

Shipping Date July 15, 1986
Source: DC Releases, #30

Copyright Date July 15, 1986
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1986
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "A Bird in the Hand..."
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Batman (Post-Crisis)

Crossover Event:
Legends

Writer: Barbara J. Kesel (Randall)
Artist: Trevor Von Eeden
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy

Reprinted In:
Batman Classic #401 (1987)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in Batman #416; next appearance in Detective Comics #568)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (Jason Todd; first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in Batman #416; next appearance in Detective Comics #568)
• Commissioner Gordon (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in Batman #411; next appearance in Batman #402)
• Alfred Pennyworth (first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in Batman #416; next appearance in Batman #402)

Villain(s)

• Magpie (last appearance in Man of Steel #3; no further appearances)
• Glorious Godfrey (G. Gordon Godfrey; first post-Crisis appearance; last appearance in Legends #1; next appearance in Detective Comics #568)
• Magpie's henchmen (George and Joe named; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Sondra Van Decar and her husband (a wealthy couple; Sondra dies in this story; no further appearances)
• David Estevez (Gotham City chief of detectives; no further appearances)
• Mrs. Andreason and Mrs. Lewis (victims of the Magpie; no further appearances)
• Roberta Valle (a Gotham City detective; no further appearances)
• Several party guests (Beverly named; no further appearances)

Comments:
This is the first post-Crisis appearance of Batman and his supporting cast including Robin, Gordon, and Alfred. This issue went on sale the same day as Man of Steel #3 which also features Batman and Magpie. Therefore both stories technically qualify as the first appearance of both characters. However, since this is Batman's own magazine, it shall be considered his first appearance.

This issue is labeled: "Legends Cross-Over Chapter 1".

Synopsis:
Shorty after Magpie is released from prison, she begins killing people with phony gems after she has stolen the real ones. Batman decides to set a trap for her by throwing a party as Bruce Wayne in which the valuable Wayne jewels will be on display.

The Gotham City police attend the party, including Roberta Valle who wears the jewels as bait for the Magpie. When the party is interrupted by the appearance of G. Gordon Godfrey, a man dedicated to bringing down super-heroes, Magpie strikes at Valle. Batman is able to save the detective's life, but the villainess escapes.

Batman and Robin give chase, following the Magpie to her old hideout, the Gotham Museum of Antiquities. They find Magpie's men inside and become trapped in a room with a laser-grid trap. Batman defeats the trap, then apprehends the Magpie.