Comic Title: Batman #56
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Dec/Jan 1949
On Sale Date: October 12, 1949 Copyright Date October 10, 1949
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1949
Until 1958 DC did not report actual on sale dates to the copyright office
The publication dates listed in LoC records are NOT release dates.

Newsstand Date October 12, 1949
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V4 #9

Newsstand Date October 2, 1949
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V4 #8

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 48
Editor: Jack Schiff

Title: "The Riddle of the Seven Birds"
Pages: 13

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

Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Dick Sprang
Inker: Charles Paris

Reprinted In:
Batman:The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7 HC (2019)

Feature Character(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Batman #56; next appearance in Batman #56)

Supporting Character(s)

• Robin (last appearance in Batman #56; next appearance in Batman #56)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Batman #56; next appearance in Batman #56)

Villain(s)

• Penguin (last appearance in Batman #51; next appearance in Batman #58)
• Squeeze Miller (a condemned killer; no further appearances)
• Lance Unton and his gang (Nipper named; jewel thieves; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• A prison warden (no further appearances)
• Horace Springer (a criminal attorney; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
The Penguin is released from prison after turning over evidence against killer Squeeze Miller. Miller is executed for his crimes, but he sets up a revenge plot against the Penguin. If the Penguin commits seven crimes using different birds, Miller has arranged for him to receive a quarter million dollars.

Penguin then proceeds to return to crime. His robberies involve birds that begin with letters which spell out "Penguin". Batman discovers the pattern, but is captured when raiding the Penguin's lair. Penguin finishes his last crime then is caught by Batman who has escaped. Penguin is sent back to prison and is disappointed when he learns that Miller's reward turns out to be worthless.