The image is ripped from the pages of World’s Finest Comics #153, released in 1965. The story is one of DC’s “Imaginary Novels,” basically a “What If?...” story that finds Batman and Superman as mortal enemies. Thomas Wayne is still alive in this tale and has just created a cure for Green Kryptonite. A young Bruce Wayne is thrilled when Superboy arrives and asks for the serum, anticipating an attack from Lex Luthor, but Wayne says he hasn’t done enough testing and Superboy, frustrated, flies off. That night Bruce finds his father dead in his lab, and the serum missing. All he sees of the killer is a streak of red and blue as he flies out of the window with super speed. This event - and not a mugging in Crime Alley - is what leads Bruce to dedicate his life to fighting crime - and bringing the Kryptonian to justice. The years pass as Bruce trains himself to become the Batman, eventually taking on Dick Grayson as his ward. As Batman plans a trip to Metropolis to take down his foe, Robin interjects, insisting Superboy (now Superman) would never have killed an innocent. And then came the slap heard ‘round the internet.
Batman says “Don’t tell me I’m wrong, you brat...proving Superman’s guilt is my whole mission in life.”
Robin replies “Ow! Batman, your grief has obsessed you with this idea of vengeance!. I beg you ... give it up!
The next panel Batman asks Robin if he’s with him or against him and Robin says that in his search for vengeance he can’t be with him.
Batman uses the hypnosis machine he apparently has to wipe Robin’s memory, preserving Wayne’s secret identity, before severing the partnership. The rest of the story sees Batman obtaining a belt that allows him to fly, partnering with Luthor - even revealing his secret identity to the villain - and eventually sacrificing his life to save Superman once he realizes Lex and his... Superboy-shaped flying robot were responsible for his father’s death.
And that is the story of the Batman/Robin slap panel... one of those weird ‘imaginary’ tales that DC did a lot of in the 60s/early 70s.
I have the issue - but the write up from here was better so I stoled it... :)
https://screenrant.com/batman-slaps-robin-meme-comic/
That’s awesome! (imaginary Batman/Superman story)
I can’t believe I missed reading it when it originally came out.