Comic Title: Batman (DC Direct Riddler) #171
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2005
On Sale Date: May 25, 2005 Direct Market Date May 25, 2005
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Cover Price: No Price
Page Count: 24

Notes:
Mini-comic included w/DC Direct First Appearance action figure

Title: "Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler"
Pages: 25

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

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

Reprinted From:
Batman #171 (1965)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Detective Comics #338; next appearance in Justice League of America #35)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Detective Comics #338; next appearance in World's Finest Comics #149)

Villain(s)

• Riddler (Edward Nigma; first Earth-1 appearance; next appearance in Batman #179)
• Riddler's gang (no further appearances)
• The Molehill Gang (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Smiles Dawson and Mr. Peale (a millionaire and an art gallery owner; no further appearances)
• A prison warden (no further appearances)

Comments:
This is the first Earth-1 appearance of the Riddler. This story references both the first story of Detective Comics #140 and the first story of Detective Comics #142, but those stories featured the Riddler of Earth-2. It should therefore be inferred that similar events happened on Earth-1 too, as depicted in the flashbacks shown in this story.

Synopsis:
Edward Nigma, alias the Riddler, is released from prison. He tells Batman and Robin that he has reformed and wants to help them fight crime. He leads the Dynamic Duo to the underground hideout of the Molehill Gang, then confounds the Duo with riddles.

Batman believes he catches the Riddler committing robberies twice, but each time he learns that Riddler isn't stealing at all. Batman finally puts together the Riddler's clues and deduces where the real crime will take place. Riddler is surprised that Batman has solved his puzzle. Despite a trick suit that prevents Batman from capturing him, Batman is able to defeat the Riddler by deactivating the suit. Riddler is then sent back to prison.