contains spoilers Superman: Son of Kal-El #15
The iconic image of Batman slapping Robin has been one of the biggest memes in DC history for years. Fortunately for Robin, a painting was recently recreated, this time of Wonder Boy slapping himself.
The panel in question has its origins in 1965 Best in the world #153 Edmund Hamilton, Curt Swan and George Klein. This issue breaks away from the classic Batman/Superman collaboration and tells an alternate reality story that takes place on Earth-153. In this world, Bruce grew up with his father, Thomas, a widow, who researched kryptonite to find a cure for young Superboys. When someone kills Thomas and steals Kryptonite, Bruce dedicates his life to becoming a crime fighter, hoping to avenge the Superboys he believes killed his father. The iconic moment comes when Robin comes to the defense of Superman (now Superman), begging Batman to give up his revenge. When Batman slapped Robin in the face, he said, “Don’t tell me I’m wrong, boy… My life’s mission is to prove Superman guilty!“The dynamic duo soon parted ways as Batman erased Dick’s memories of what he used to be Wonder Boy and embarked on his own journey of revenge. The group has since become a popular meme.” For, the original Batman cried out, “My parents are deeaaaaaaad!‘ when Robin asked what his parents bought him for Christmas.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #15 Tom Taylor and Cian Tormey flip the script by turning their partner from slap to slap in the “Batman Slaps Robin” Meme. In this installment, Jon Kent’s Superman leads a dangerous group known as the Revolutionaries to save Camorra Island from corrupt President Henry Bendix. During the raid, Damian Wayne’s Robin appears before Bendix, seeking revenge”keep trying to hurt [his] best friend.“When Bendix told Damian to leave, Damian slapped the perpetrator, in a scene that echoes Batman’s slap decades ago.
This isn’t the first time the Tom Taylor comic has repeated the meme. Recently, Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s Night Wing #81 Barbara Gordon is wearing the shirt in the photo, implying that the scene is a joke within the DC Universe itself. Here, Damian Wayne is able to recreate that scene with an interesting reversal in addition to the obvious character change. In the original comics, Batman slaps Robin out of hatred for Superman; instead, Robin slapped Bendix on defense New Superman image showing affection to his best friend and son Superman.
from that moment Superman: Son of Kal-El #15 was a funny wink at one of DC’s most famous moments. Damian Wayne punches Bendix in the face, and Batman’s iconic meme is happily reversed in favor of Robin.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #15 Now available from DC Comics.