One of the best memes from a Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic might not be entirely real, but it's still absolutely hilarious. An edited panel from Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic features the Dark Knight showing Raphael where his parents died, with the hero in a half shell responding by telling him "cowabummer!" The original dialogue from the comic is also somewhat jarring, albeit nowhere near as funny as the meme that's made it's way around the internet.
In Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 by James Tynion IV, Freddie E. Williams II, Jeremy Cowell, and Tom Napolitano, the Turtles end up in Gotham City but learn they'll mutate back to their mutation is failing as part of being in the new universe. Batman attempts to find a cure, but when Dark Knight and the Turtles take a pizza break, Raphael explodes at the DC Comics hero. He calls Batman a "thrill-seeker" and "some rich guy who puts on a costume and punches bad guys because it seems like fun." Then, he angrily leaves the Batcave as he awaits his "death sentence."
The famous panel comes in an ensuing conversation between Batman and Raphael. After catching up with the Turtle in the Batmobile, Batman convinces him to give him a chance to explain why he is the way he is. Batman takes Raphael to crime alley and tells him it's where he watched his parents die. While the encounter would strengthen the pair's relationship, the panel has been edited multiple times as a meme.
The most popular version of the meme inserts a hilarious reaction to Batman's revelation about watching his parents die, as he tells Batman, "cowabummer." The inappropriate response seems to originate from a Facebook user named Raven Perez, who posted it back in 2020.
The meme has gained a second wind thanks to TikTok user @flintmarmo67 reading the line with the cadence of Batman and Raphael. The video has been viewed nearly 7 million times and has received more than 1.6 million likes. The video has also become a popular sound on the app.
Flintmarmo67's reading of the edited dialogue makes it laugh-out-loud funny. While Batman giving Raphael a tour of where and how his parents died is strange, to begin with, the "cowabummer" reaction is perfect. While the moment might not exist in the pages of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we strongly recommend reading the unlikely crossover, as it has no business being as good as it is. Although, for readers hoping to see Rapahel tell Batman, "cowabummer," they won't find the meme in the comic.