The Saga of Superman vs. Batman! is a Superman/Batman story featured in World's Finest (1941) issue #153, released in November of 1965. It was written by Edmond Hamilton with art by Curt Swan under the two-parter titles "The Clash of Capes and Cowls!" and "The Death of a Hero!"
In this "imaginary story", Dr. Thomas Wayne is working on an anti-Kryptonite serum that he hopes can help Superboy, especially as he fears that Lex Luthor has Kryptonite with him. However, when Superboy asks for the serum, Dr. Wayne refuses but doesn't tell him why. Later that night, Dr. Wayne's son, Bruce, enters his lab to see his father dead and the serum missing. Having seen a streak of red and blue leaving the lab, Bruce is convinced that Superboy killed his father and stole the serum out of jealousy, prompting Bruce to become a creature of the night to get revenge against the Kryptonian.
While this story wasn't anything special at the time of its release, it gained a measure of notoriety in the mid-2000s when a panel of Batman slapping Robin suddenly became a humorous meme, something that even DC Comics got into the spirit of.
Tropes Used in This Story:
- Adaptation Origin Connection: In this universe, Thomas Wayne's death is caused by Lex Luthor accidentally framing Superboy.
- All for Nothing: Batman's quest for vengeance ends up being this as Superman was innocent the entire time and Batman ends up sacrificing himself to save Superman from the Kryptonite trap.
- Batman Gambit: To get into the Fortress of Solitude, Batman uses two pieces of the rocky frame that holds up the entrance door in order to fool Superman. Superman ends up taking the bait, believing the rocks fell because of erosion.
- Covers Always Lie: Downplayed - while the scene happens in the story, it makes it sound that Batman and Superman hated each other for ages when, in reality, it was more of a case of Unknown Rival.
- Face–Heel Turn: Bruce Wayne doesn't really embrace this until he comes to believe that, without the serum, he can't bring Superman to justice, thus he allies himself with Lex Luthor.
- Heel–Face Door-Slam: Once he realizes that he's been wrong the entire time, Batman saves Superman, but is killed by Luthor.
- I Never Said It Was Poison: Luthor accidentally gives away his role in Thomas Wayne's murder when he mentions the anti-Kryptonite serum, something Batman never mentioned.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: When Robin refuses to help Batman in his mad quest, he uses a device from the Crime-Master to remove everything about Bruce's identity as Batman from him.
- Revenge Before Reason: This Batman is so determined to see Superman brought to justice that he slaps Robin when the Boy Wonder refuses to believe that Superman is evil, Batman subsequently making Robin forget his identity and his current alliance with Luthor.