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 .

touch on : The Batman Slapping Robin Meme Just Became Official DC Canon

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

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 ?

Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

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A man with nuclear explosions going off behind him in The Far Side.

Batman Slapping Robin with Green Background

Catwoman Slaps Batman

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