Comic Title: Showcase Presents:Batman Vol. 2 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2007
On Sale Date: June 27, 2007 Direct Market Date June 27, 2007
Source: Previews, Vol. 17 #3 (#219)

Direct Market Date June 27, 2007
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Cover Price: $16.99
Page Count: 512
Editor: Bob Joy

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Inside Story of the Outsider"
Pages: 15

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

Writer: Gardner F. Fox
Penciller: Sheldon Moldoff
Inker: Joe Giella

Reprinted From:
Detective Comics #356 (1966)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Brave and the Bold #68; next appearance in Batman #186)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Detective Comics #355; next appearance in Batman #186)
• Harriet Cooper (last appearance in Batman #184; next appearance in Detective Comics #358)

Villain(s)

• Alfred Pennyworth (as the Outsider; identity and origin revealed; last appearance in Detective Comics #349; next appearance in Batman #188)
• The Grasshopper Gang (last appearance in Detective Comics #334; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Brandon Crawford (a scientist; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Detective Comics #328; next appearance in Detective Comics #334)

Comments:
The Outsider is revealed to be Alfred Pennyworth in this story. His condition is cured and he rejoins Bruce Wayne's household.

Synopsis:
Delivery men leave a package for Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. The package contains coffins with Batman and Robin dummies inside. A warning given by the dummies reveals that the pair has only 24 hours left to live. Batman suspects the Outsider is the perpetrator. He chases down the delivery men and discovers them to be the Outsider's agents, the Grasshopper Gang.

After rounding up the Grasshoppers, Batman checks the tomb of Alfred, whom he suspects may be the Outsider. Alfred appears to still be dead inside his tomb. However, the man in the tomb is really Brandon Crawford, a scientist who was able to revive Alfred using an experimental machine. The device warped Alfred's mind and appearance and made him the Outsider.

Batman is able to follow the O radiation back to the Outsider's lair. However, the 24 hours are up. Robin is transformed into his own coffin. With seconds remaining, Batman deactivates the transformation machine, then knocks out the Outsider. Using Crawford's machine Batman is able to restore Alfred to normal, though he has no memory of his activities as the Outsider. Crawford is also restored and given a job at the Alfred Memorial Foundation, now renamed the Wayne Foundation.