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Since 2008 , the effigy ofBatmanslappingRobinhas permeated all corners of the internet , adjust to a all-encompassing stove of dissimilar part and theme . The meme has become so prominent and recognizable that infinite modern comics have weaved the iconic image into their stories … but why are comic Scripture writers so obsessed with this meme in particular ? With Tom King and Liam Sharp’sBatman / Catwoman # 8giving reader yet another at-bat - slap , has DC last gone too far ?
Comics have always played around with name , symbols , motif , and patterns ; perhaps meme have merely become part of the evolve mythology of these characters - or perhaps weaving them back into forward-looking account is just a path of attract the attending of people less conversant with comic strip . Whatever the design , the number of Batman - affiliated characters get wind slapping others has sharply rise in the past few year : eventhe ever - humble Alfred Pennyworthis not above laying one on Bruce ’s buttock . InBatman / Catwoman # 8 , another fiber join the Batman - slap lodge : Selina Kyle .
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In a possible substitute future tense , Dick Grayson has lease over Jim Gordon ’s function as Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department , while Bruce and Selina ’s daughter , Helena Wayne , protect Gotham as Batwoman . A conversation about Helena ’s parents cut to a flashback of Catwoman slap Batman , before proceeding to fence as they cat - and - black eye ( or cat - and - bat ) across the city rooftops . Bruce is frustrated that Selina is not the hero he wants her to be , while she openly air out about the toxicity of herlove / hate relationship with Batman . While Selina ’s Bat - smacking is perceivable in this context , cite the meme is an remaining way to start an versed conversation about contumely , trust , and unresolved emotional exit .
While straightaway recognizable , some readers may have tired of DC ’s recent obsession with the meme , seeing its frequent inclusion in modern comics as uninspired or distracting . Whether entertaining or annoying , however , smacking - meme references have become a elbow room of showing that some vital line has been hybridize , particularly if Bruce says , does , or thinks something that belie his principle or moral standing . In a strange way , this bears some similarities to the actual story behind theoriginal smack inWorld ’s Finest Comics # 153 : a ' what if ' story in which Batman is convinced that Superman defeat his daddy , vehemently pit Robin after he suggest that Superman was innocent . If slapping young Dick Grayson was n’t enough , Bruce even wipes Robin ’s memory of ever being his buddy and sends the pitiable son to an orphanage . Although the roles are reversed in Selina ’s late squash racquet - slap , the story still present a version of Batman that is in particular volatile and confused , and one whose unresolved issuing are push off his closest allies .
Memes are an inescapable part of innovative popular cultivation , and the Batman Slap is a pregnant point of reference even for people unfamiliar with comics . However , perhaps DC ’s author and editor in chief need to be more conservative about when to use it in a raw story , peculiarly when undertake topic like abuse and aroused imbalance . Regardless , who would have recollect thatBatmanslappingRobinin aSilver Age imaginary talewould have such a long , unusual , and run afoul legacy ?
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