The Brave & The Bold #222 - Batman and The Vigilante - homage to Marvel Team-Up issue #91

New Golden Age Team-Up Project commission - The Brave & The Bold issue #222, pairing Batman with the Vigilante, in a Bambos Georgiou-drawn cover adapted from Marvel Team-Up #91, original art by Rich Buckler and Al Milgrom.

1946 - and with the war over, things start to return to normal. Greg Sanders, about to fly to the West Coast to take part in a concert to raise funds for war orphans in Europe, is contacted by an old buddy from his rodeo days, who's bought a carnival on the outskirts of Gotham City and now finds himself the victim of extortion.

Knowing that Sanders has had contact with the Vigilante in the past (but not, obviously, suspecting that the singer and the hero are one and the same), he asks Sanders if he can ask for the Vigilante's assistance - which he promises to do.

Swiftly donning his leathers, stetson and bandana, the Vigilante mounts his motorbike and races off to Gotham, but as he starts to investigate he's interrupted by Batman, who had heard from his underworld informants that the new owner of the carnival was being threatened. The two join forces, looking for clues --- and an obvious one presents itself when Deathbolt appears atop the rollercoaster, throwing his electrical bolts and causing panic amongst the carnival patrons!

As the two heroes try to calm the carnival-goers and direct them safely to the exits, Deathbolt continues to wield his electric bolts, setting alight a nearby big top. Vigilante rushes to the aid of the carny workers as they try to extinguish the blaze - and Batman leaps up the side of the rollercoaster in an attempt to surprise the villain, only to be caught by another lightning bolt, tumbling down and only just managing to save himself!

As Batman re-ascends the big dipper, the Vigilante leaps on his bike and roars up the incline, aiming to distract the villain so the Gotham Guardian can catch him unawares - but Deathbolt shatters the rails under the hero's machine, sending him flying, with Batman swinging out on a bat-rope to catch him in mid-air!

Regrouping, the heroes prepare to launch another attack - but Deathbolt has vanished (in fact riding down the rails of the now-aflame rollercoaster, ducking into a tent, emerging in his civilian identity of Jake Simmons and blending into the fleeing crowd).

Without an enemy to fight, Batman lets the Vigilante know that he's aware that Greg Sanders has a pressing engagement on West Coast and suggests that he keeps it - but Batman will continue to investigate the extortion plot, and looks to re-engage with Deathbolt in the near future!

Continued - next issue!