FIRST APPEARANCE OF GIANT PET SQUID GERTRUDE OF VILLAIN THE SQUID - Batman #357 Page 13 Original Art

15" x 10" image area. Ink over graphite on Bristol board. Batman #357 Page 13 Original Art (DC 1983). Don Newton and Alfredo Alcala. This is the first appearance of Gertrude in her giant aquarium, pet of villain The Squid. The villain's name is also explained by himself.

This issue is also a milestone in Batman story history as it is the FIRST issue where side-kick Jason Todd (aka Robin), first appears.

Lawrence Loman (a.k.a. Clement Carp) is a crime lord and master criminal in Gotham City. Following the fall of Rupert Thorne and Tony Falco, he was poised to fill the vacuum they left behind. He sets up a hideout in an old warehouse near the piers. He also was able to capture a giant squid which he named "Gertrude", which he kept in a huge aquarium in his hideout, usually feeding his foes to it. In an attempt to gain control of the Gotham underworld, he and his crew succeeded in capturing Batman and feeding him to Gertude. Batman was able to barely escape from the tank with his life. Eventually the villain Killer Croc (who was once a part of the Squid's gang) kills the Squid by shooting him from a rooftop.