Batman
The first Batman story, "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate", was published in "Detective Comics" #27 (May 1939). Finger said, "Batman was originally written in the style of the pulps", and this influence was evident with Batman showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals. Batman proved a hit character, and he received his own solo title in 1940 while continuing to star in "Detective Comics". By that time, Detective Comics was the top-selling and most influential publisher in the industry; Batman and the company's other major hero, Superman, were the cornerstones of the company's success. The two characters were featured side-by-side as the stars of "World's Finest Comics", which was originally titled "World's Best Comics" when it debuted in fall 1940. Creators including Jerry Robinson and Dick Sprang also worked on the strips during this period.
Edmond Hamilton
In 1942 Hamilton began writing for DC Comics, specializing in stories for their characters Superman and Batman. His first comics story was "Bandits in Toyland" in "Batman" #11 (June–July 1942). He wrote the short-lived science fiction series Chris KL-99 in "Strange Adventures", which was loosely based on Captain Future. He and artist Sheldon Moldoff created Batwoman in "Detective Comics" #233 (July 1956). Hamilton co-created Space Ranger in "Showcase" #15 (July–Aug. 1958) with Gardner Fox and Bob Brown. Hamilton was instrumental in the early growth of the Legion of Super-Heroes feature, as one of its first regular writers. He introduced many of the early Legion concepts including the Time Trapper in "Adventure Comics" #317 (Feb. 1964) and Timber Wolf in "Adventure Comics" #327 (Dec. 1964). His story "The Clash of Cape and Cowl" in "World's Finest Comics" #153 (Nov. 1965) is the source of an Internet meme in which Batman slaps Robin. Hamilton retired from comics with the publication of "The Cape and Cowl Crooks" in "World's Finest Comics" #159 (August 1966).