Comic Title: Batman:The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 6 HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2010
On Sale Date: December 16, 2009 Direct Market Date December 16, 2009
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Direct Market Date December 16, 2009
Source: Previews, #248

Cover Price: $59.99
Page Count: 224

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "It Happened in Rome"
Pages: 13

Feature(s):
Batman (of Earth-2)

Writer: Joe Samachson
Artist: Dick Sprang

Reprinted From:
Batman #24 (1944)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Detective Comics #89; next appearance in Batman #24)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Detective Comics #89; next appearance in Batman #24)
• Carter Nichols (next appearance in Batman #32)

Villain(s)

• Publius Malchio and his men (Roman racketeers; no further appearances)
• Calvus (a gladiator; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• The Jester and Gito (a court comedian and a charioteer; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story is the first of Batman's time-travel adventures. This trip begins in 1942 and takes him to ancient Rome.

Synopsis:
Bruce Wayne is hypnotized as part of an experiment by Professor Carter Nichols. Bruce finds himself transported to ancient Rome. He witnesses a man being beaten on the streets and intervenes as Batman. Soldiers working for Publius Malchio arrest Batman and throw him in prison.

Still in the present, Dick Grayson senses trouble and has Professor Nichols hypnotize him as well. Dick arrives in Rome and helps Batman break out of jail along with a court jester.

Batman, Robin, and the Jester then help Gito, the charioteer, who is attacked by Malchio's men. Gito is injured, so Batman replaces him in the chariot race. After winning the race and a duel with a gladiator, Batman forces Malchio into exile. Following the adventure, Bruce and Dick are brought out of the hypnotic spell and return to the present.