Comic Title: Detective Comics #396
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: February 1970
On Sale Date: December 24, 1969 Copyright Date December 24, 1969
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1970


Newsstand Date December 24, 1969
Source: Comic Reader, #76

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "The Orchid-Crusher"
Pages: 9

Feature(s):
Batgirl (of Earth-1)

Writer: Frank Robbins
Penciller: Gil Kane
Inker: Murphy Anderson

Reprinted In:
Showcase Presents:Batgirl Vol. 1 TPB (2007)
Batgirl:The Greatest Stories Ever Told TPB (2011)
Batgirl:The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2018)

Feature Character(s)

• Batgirl (last appearance in Detective Comics #393; next appearance in Detective Comics #397)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jason Bard (last appearance in Detective Comics #393; next appearance in Detective Comics #397)

Villain(s)

• The Orchid Killer (alias Max Tournov and Darren Tomkins; next appearance in Detective Comics #397)

Other Character(s)

• Stella (a library employe; no further appearances)
• A landlady and a computer dating service employee (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Jennifer Linford (mentioned as a murder victim)

Comments:
This story continues in the second story of Detective Comics #397.

Synopsis:
Batgirl investigates the death of three red-headed women all of the whom were found murdered with a crushed orchid next to their body. A clue points her to a computer dating service, so she registers as Babs Gordon. She hopes to act as bait for the killer.

The first date arrives at Barbara's door. He is a homely man named Max Tournov. During the date, Max's tries to kiss Babs. After she brushes off the man, she follows him. After losing sight of Max, she is grabbed from behind and dragged into an alley.