Mark Smith, age 4, looked out the taxicab window. He was very excited. All around him were the skyscrapers of Gotham City. Gotham was even bigger than he had imagined back at home in Denver, Colorado, with Steve, Tracy and Aunt Susan.

Mark still couldn't believe he had won the radio contest. The prize was a free trip to the Toy Tower, the world's biggest toy store! It was closing for the night, and Mark was going to have the whole store to play in.

As Mark was getting out of the cab, he noticed a delivery van speeding away from the store. The side of the van had the words "Felini Movers" written on it.

Mark caught a glimpse of the driver as the van passed. The driver was wearing a dark mask with pointy ears.

"That's weird," Mark thought. Maybe the driver was going to a costume party after work. Mark shrugged. Gotham City was a strange place.

Mark wanted to play with the world-famous KAT-2000, a cat-shaped robot made just for kids. It could play games, help with chores, even make milkshakes. Toy Tower had the only one in the whole world! But when Mark went inside, he learned that the KAT-2000 had been stolen. The police were looking for clues. But the thief had left no trace.

The store manager sighed. "We may never get the KAT-2000 back," she said. "Don't be so sure of that," said a deep voice. Everyone turned to look.

Mark couldn't believe it. Batman was here!


                                              Batman Book, pgs 1-3