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Did Batman Really Say "Quiet or Papa Spank"?

If so, what is that supposed to mean?

Batman is known for many things. One of them he can't seem to live down is saying, "Quiet or Papa spank!" When I first saw the image you see here, it looked too clean and simply to absurd to have actually happened. Panels are sometimes touched up or "remastered" so there was a possibility this could have actually happened. Then I recalled a Batman coffee mug I had years ago with panels from 1940's Batman #1
 
It turns out that the lady Batman is asking to be quiet is actually Catwoman in her first appearance. Thanks to my copy of Batman Chronicles Volume 1 (which reprints Detective Comics 27-38 along with Batman #1), I was able to read the story.  
 
The question is, is this an actual panel or has someone manipulated it and played a trick on us? 
  
Batman #1 contains several stories. The Batman Chronicles trade does contain that page, but that still wasn't proof enough. I did some more research and did find this old scan. It looks like Batman did indeed utter those words. 
 
The story dealt with Batman reading about a ritzy yacht party that was in the party. He figured every crook in town would also know about it and it would be a giant target for trouble. He sends Dick Grayson undercover as a steward who becomes suspicious when he sees a shady looking guy escorting an old woman with a sprained ankle. Robin discovers a crumpled note the man tried throwing overboard signed by "The Cat" and soon, the yacht owner's half million dollar necklace has been stolen! 
 
The boat is soon boarded by other crooks but they're too late as the necklace has already been stolen. Robin takes them on and soon Batman arrives. What ends up happening is after the crooks are defeated, everyone is gathered at a costume party on the yacht when a fire alarm goes off. Batman notices the old woman running off and that she has "nice legs for an old woman!" 
 
With the Cat captured, Batman tells Robin he's heard tales about her in the underworld. He removes her wig and make up despite the protest. This is when Batman tells her "Quiet or Papa spank!" Batman discovers that the Cat hid the necklace in the bandage on her ankle. She tries persuading Batman to become her partner after he defeats the shady guy. Batman replies, "Sorry, your proposition tempts me but we work on different sides of the law!" 
 
As they try to take the Cat away, she jumps overboard. Batman and Robin make their moves to go after her but bump into each other. Robin accuses Batman of bumping into him on purpose. Batman just comments on it being a "nice night." He also wonders if he'll bump into the Cat again. 
 
In other words, there is no explanation why on Earth Batman said "Quiet or Papa spank!" Maybe Batman just liked giving spankings. It was the 1940s. Batman was attracted to her. Perhaps we should just leave it at that. 

Chaos Burnon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:27 a.m.
That picture of Bruce spanking Dick is just messed up
longbowhunteron Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:29 a.m.

Batman...you are gross.
ComicMan24 is online on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:32 a.m.
If that was Batman's idea for waking someone happily for his birthday, I don't want to know what he would do to his wife for their anniversary.
xerox_kitty moderator on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:33 a.m.
It sounds weird by today's standards.  Hell, it sounds downright seedy!   
 
I guess it's just the evolution of the character.  We've gotten so used to Batman as the Dark Knight.  I guess back then Batman was still a Billionaire playboy under the mask.  Women weren't hardened criminals, but frail & pretty damsels who happen to operate on the wrong side of the law... and therefore can be lightly flirted with & 'accidentally-on-purpose' freed instead of handing over to the authorities.
Norusdogon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:34 a.m.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA
darkxman123on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:35 a.m.
why was golden age batman so creepy 
dondaschon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:37 a.m.
@xerox-kitty said:
" It sounds weird by today's standards.  Hell, it sounds downright seedy!    I guess it's just the evolution of the character.  We've gotten so used to Batman as the Dark Knight.  I guess back then Batman was still a Billionaire playboy under the mask.  Women weren't hardened criminals, but frail & pretty damsels who happen to operate on the wrong side of the law... and therefore can be lightly flirted with & 'accidentally-on-purpose' freed instead of handing over to the authorities. "
This.
 
And wow, that was just weird, but in character for that era I suppose.  I couldn't see that happening today.
NightFangon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:40 a.m.
LMFAO!!!!
Vance Astro moderator on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:40 a.m.
@darkxman123 said:
" why was golden age batman so creepy  "
Because 1930's-40's people were creepy.
TheMess1428on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:45 a.m.
Thanks to G-Man to creep us out when it comes to Batman...
Bruce Vainon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:46 a.m.

Ahh the good ol' days :D
FoxxFireArton Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:53 a.m.
@xerox-kitty: 
It's almost more jarring that Batman would make a joke. Let alone that really bad one. He was kind of kinky, too. Checking out an old woman's legs. Best answer is that it was the 40s. That kind of stuff passed for humor back then.
It doesn't paint Selina in the best light. She's an expert thief, but ran while she was trying to fake an injury.
 
I have to say hearing this news. I can almost feel a 4koma in this gag. Maybe have Selina turn the tables on Bruce.
kungnimaon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:53 a.m.
Thanks for ruining Batman for me with that last picture, G-man.. :P
 Batman's a pimp!
G-Man staff is online on Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:57 a.m.
You'd be surprised at the things I discover when doing "research." I'm even going to bring something up on the LIVE Show today about Robin.
Eyzon Oct. 22, 2010 at 5:59 a.m.
That crazy ol' silver age Bats! XD
xerox_kitty moderator on Oct. 22, 2010 at 6:02 a.m.
@FoxxFireArt: Quiet... or Mama spank! 
 
;)
jasrajon Oct. 22, 2010 at 6:13 a.m.

wtf was that 
 
anyway, im glad modern day batman doesnt do this
TerryMcCon Oct. 22, 2010 at 6:18 a.m.
At least the Golden-Age Batman never wet himself.
Theodoreon Oct. 22, 2010 at 6:18 a.m.
hahahaha Happy Birthday, Dick!
tgaxgriffenxon Oct. 22, 2010 at 6:22 a.m.
Imagine the joker saying that to Batman just before being captured. "Oh by the way Batman Quite or Papa spank." Camera pans to Batman's face of utter confusion and shame. Comedic music plays. Whaa Whaa Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! "Darn you creepy old Bats!"

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