Batman's Great Mystery Chapter 1

Before the movie serials, people would gather around their radios and tune into their favorite radio program. Some of these programs included The Shadow and Zorro They ranged from Mysteries, Romance, Science Fiction and of course, comic books. While Batman did not have his own program, he did star in 13 Broadcasts of The Adventures of Superman.

On 5 September 1945, the Man of Steel came to the rescue of an unconcious boy adrift in a rowboat. Quick to notice the young lad was wearing a red vest with the letter "R" under his street clothes, Superman exclaimed, "Great Scott. If this is who I think it is, this is serious business!" Superman had rescued Robin, the Boy Wonder, Batman's sidekick. Later Superman would also rescue Batman, who would repay the favor by pinch-hitting for Superman during the years to come - especially when Collyer needed time off for family vacations.

Stacy Harris was the first actor to play Batman on radio. Matt Crowley took over the role in the middle of the second Superman-Batman serial and would become the voice most associated with Batman on radio. Ronald Liss played Robin in all the radio team-ups. He and Crowley had worked together on many radio programs previously.

Although Superman and Batman had appeared on symbolic comic book covers and in a brief cameo in a 1941 issue of All Star Comics, the 10 September 1945 broadcast was the first to feature the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader working together as a team. Batman and Robin would guest-star with Superman in 13 radio serials over the next several years, including the greatest adventure serial in the history of the series, "The Atom Man".

Mason Adams portrayed the Atom Man, an atomic super-soldier within whose veins flows radioactive kryptonite. The Atom Man story line was the longest and greatest adventure serial in the history of the Superman radio program and inspired the second Superman movie serial starring Kirk Alyn. However, a story line dealing with religious and racial persecution would soon propel the series to its greatest heights and prestige.