Batman’s Greatest Boner

image A series of scans has appeared on the scans_daily LiveJournal blog, apparently from an early Batman comic (Batman #66). It details a 'boner' made by the Joker, and his subsequent efforts to force Batman 'into a boner'. The word boner is repeated so often that it seems like it has to be a joke, especially when you read lines such as "Gotham City will rue the day it mentioned the word Boner!" Perhaps someone photoshopped the word 'boner' into an issue of Batman. But I don't think so. I think it's real, although I can't be sure since I don't have a copy of that particular Batman comic (in fact, I don't have any Batman comics). The cover of that issue can be seen here. It's titled 'The Joker's Comedy of Errors!' So the issue itself is real, and 'boner' can mean an error. I think that it's only in recent decades that boner has come to predominantly refer to something else.

Another thing... in one of the panels a newspaper headline reads "Wrong-Way Batman! Lawman Aims For California, Winds Up In England!" This is a reference to Wrong-Way Corrigan, an aviator who wanted to fly solo from New York to Dublin but wasn't given permission to do so. So on July 17, 1938 he took off for California and 'accidentally' went the wrong-way and ended up in Ireland.

Art Literature/Language

Posted on Sat Mar 05, 2005


Comments

Last frame: "Let's hope we've the last of things like boners -- and jokers!"

This actually a really bad typo, especially given that older publications tend to have fewer typos.

It looks like a classic typing typo, where you just totally forget to type word because you've already thought it.

It definitely doesn't look like the kind of typo you commit when inking.
Posted by Typo might hold a clue  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:05 PM
The really scary part is, the art is by a guy named Dick Sprang. I pull you not. Look it up.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:15 PM
Typo,
That's not ungrammatical if "we've" is a contraction of "we have," and therefore not necessarily a typo.
Posted by John  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:16 PM
Doubt me not. I'm an expert on Bat-Trivia, and Boner is my middle name.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:19 PM
Just to confirm the etymology, from c.1912 "boner" referred to a blunder. From the 1950's it took on the meaning of an erect penis.
Posted by Pixie  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:21 PM
Actually, my middle name is Heinrich, but my confirmation name is Boner, after Saint Bonerface.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:23 PM
I remember at school giggling over Jane Austin's heroines when we found out that they loved "balls", or when we discovered that the main hero and lover was infact "gay".
Posted by Pixie  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:25 PM
I recall an urban legend regarding Johnny Carson, who asked Mrs. Arnold Palmer how she helps Arnie prepare for golf. "I kiss his balls", she said. "Bet that makes his putter stand up", said JC.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:37 PM
http://www.comicbookgirl.com/

http://www.redshirt.co.uk/media/batman/

Two other sites reference the "scans".

I'm bothered by this one. It looks like a hoax. Three separate sites, with no attribution, start showing the same thing at the same time?

I don't buy it.

Anyone know where I can find a Batman 66?
Posted by Typo might hold a clue  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:40 PM
I'm pretty sure that the scans are real. Expect more BatMan-ia as the Batman Begins film aproaches. It makes all my old Batman comics worth more, thanks.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:47 PM
ha, ha, ha, I just can't stop laughing at this. I suspect that this piece has been Photoshopped with a superflous amount of boners, though. I mean it reads like the way the Smurfs used to talk, when some form of 'smurf' was used every few words.
"Holy Boner, Batman that boner Joker's up to no good! He's making boners all over Gotham & soon we'll all be bonered!"
Even though they've only posted the parts containing 'boner' it's still awfully repetive for one comic book. But so funny, I lovesit!
Posted by Electra  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  08:50 PM
The other possibility is that this is some retarded "All Your Base Are Belong to Us" joke.

The joke is essentially real, but just some jackass found more humor in the slush pile of things forgeotten than he should have.
Posted by All your base are belong to us  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  09:07 PM
Here's a link to a seller of Batman #66, Typo. Hope you've got $1850.00 Amurrican. http://pages.metropoliscomics.com/365/PictPage/1921158771.html
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  09:15 PM
I can't believe nobody's said "Bat-Boner" yet. Quick, Dick, to the Bat-Pole. Grab hard, and slide on down. Seduction of The Innocents, indeed. (look it up, you ignorant fools)
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  09:21 PM
It's real. I don't have the issue, but a few people who did talked about it on a Comics bbs some time back. (Pulling a boner being a perfectly valid, if rather clunkily used, slang term to make this issue seem 'with it')
YES, it's used in all those shots. It's not a mistake. I don't know who is the progenitor of these scans, tho.
Posted by M. Smith  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  09:48 PM
Hairy Houdini said:

"Seduction of The Innocents, indeed. (look it up, you ignorant fools)"

Great reference, Hairy. Yes, comic books were the Internet of the 1950's, at least in terms of how they were going to ruin the youth of America. Gee, we're a fragile little nation, aren't we?
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  02:14 AM
this boner thing reminds me of a simpsons episode that I was confused by until now, Homer was telling Bart how he had 'pulled a few boners' in his time. Now it all makes sense...

the only site I could find with this quote in was - http://ftp.shugg.net/scripts/Simpsons/episodes/7g07
it's at the begginning of the script underneath all the 'didja notices etc or very near to the bottom (that one is quicker to find)
Posted by thunder  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  07:27 AM
...I checked my comics...not a single one from '66. I have a "best of" type novella, but it was written in '65...before this would have come out.
Posted by Maegan  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  09:13 AM
It's not 1966. It's issue #66. I don't know what year that would make it, but almost definitely earlier than 1966.
Posted by The Curator  in  San Diego  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  09:27 AM
Well, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics in 38 or 39, I think. The Batman Mag began in 1940 or so. At 12 issues a year, my guess is that BM #66 was printed in 1945-46. You're welcome.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  09:52 AM
A Dr. Wertham, I think, wrote a book called Seduction of The Innocents in the early fifties. He claimed that comics of the day were violent and prurient (some were), and that BM and Robin were gay.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  09:55 AM
Wertham(sic) testified at Government hearings on the Evil of comics. This led to the demise of EC comics (Tales of the Crypt,etc), and creation of the Comics Code Authority
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  10:00 AM
Horror, Crime, and Mystery comics then disappeared in favor of Super heroes. That started the Silver Age of comics in 1956 with Showcase #4 featuring The Flash.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  10:03 AM
By the way, Alex... Since last night, the term "Joker Boner" has stuck itself in my head. Thanks...thanks a lot. Beats "Bat-Boner", I guess.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  10:06 AM
Now we know why The Joker can't stop smiling.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  10:07 AM
Anybody who's read any old Hardy Boys or Tom Swift books (circa WWII or so), or Damon Runyan stories for the more literary among you, knows that "boner" is old slang meaning a foolish blunder. To "pull a boner" means to goof or mess up. I don't know if this usage is older or newer than "boner" meaning an erection, but the meaning of "a careless or foolish mistake" was certainly much more common in print, and probably in everyday conversation, until recent years.
Posted by Big Gary  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  03:01 PM
BONER has only been commonly used to mean ONE thing in my lifetime. But I've been familar w/'pulled a boner' for awhile just because I heard it used by older people when I was a child and was like...'What the..?
Once, in Math Class, Mrs. Coakley SPRUNG 'boner' upon an unsuspecting 7th grade classroom. Bridget had done an equation at the blackboard which was being checked by Mrs. Coakley. (A genuine character in her own right- an eccentric who was always looking for the eyeglasses that were atop her head & stuff like that.) As she checked the problem she leaped from her desk and shreiked triumphantly: "Ah-ha, Bridget's really pulled a boner this time!" Nearly the whole class was stunned into silent disbelief. Imagine the looks on the faces of 27 twelve year olds in a Catholic all girls high school. I of course fell out of my chair laughing even though I knew about the dual meaning. It was priceless.
'Ha, ha, ha. I'm still laughing @ the Batman comic.. Me always amused by such assisine things.
Posted by Electra  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  03:31 PM
I wonder where the term "PULLing a boner" came from... The poultry industry? Debonered chicken? I'd expect Pushing a boner works just as well...
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  05:27 PM
Another case of words changing their meaning with the passage of time. I could never understand "its the exception that proves the rule" - until I discovered that, when the phrase was first popularised, "to prove" meant the same as "to test".
Posted by midlandsea  on  Sun Mar 06, 2005  at  05:31 PM
I must not have read the article well enough. But since I'm overlooking things, I probably should have realized the story itself was from the 40s...(artist/writer...) :roll:
Posted by Maegan  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  07:26 AM
When guys are younger, we can get an erection when we least expect it. So the word "boner" started to be used when, as for example, a guy in class had to stand up when a teacher called his name, class mates would laugh and say he made a boner. Years after, thats what people started to associate that word with.
Posted by X  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  09:19 AM
Stephen, you Boner-ignorant twit. Boner was a family name derived from one's occupation, like "Cooper","Tanner",etc. Mr. Boner worked in a chicken plant, with Mr. Choker... Dar
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  01:31 PM
You're tha one!!
Posted by X  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  01:56 PM
I don't think I've met anyone named Boner, but I know a family named Bohn. They pronounce it "Bonn," but they don't fool anybody.
Posted by Big Gary C  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  03:30 PM
Is Wrong Way Corrigan hoax-worthy? From reading the background info on About.com, it's clear what his goal was when he took off. Should he be in the museum?
Posted by Katey  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  03:45 PM
Another site to have previously posted these images (back in February).
http://www.forumopolis.com/archive/index.php/t-5928.html
Posted by Katey  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  03:59 PM
A premature Joker elation, as it were.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Mon Mar 07, 2005  at  07:08 PM
When I was a kid in the 70's "boner" meant a big mistake or an erect penis. It depended on how you used it. It wouldn't be at all surprising if this is the actual text from the comic. It just means blunder here. But sure is funny now.
Posted by Getting Old  on  Tue Mar 08, 2005  at  09:45 PM
I think the comics are real. I'm portuguese (that's in Europe, by the way...) and I have allways known the two meanings of boner. How the hell are there American people that don't know it?...
Posted by corax  on  Sat Mar 12, 2005  at  08:43 AM
According to the American Heritage Dictionary (teehee, DICtionary...), the word "boner", in its original sense, comes from "bone(head)"+"er". It sounds likely enough.

http://www.answers.com/boner
Posted by Adam  on  Fri Mar 18, 2005  at  06:28 PM
This is so real! I found it on ebay going for nearly 200 bucks. Look for Batman #66 from 1951. Also, grab Wizard magazine #164 (June 2005) and look on page 12 there is a little segment called "Joker's Wacky Boner" - yikes! It's fantastic if you ask me. They need more stuff like this in comics!!! 😊
Posted by Remy LeBeau  on  Thu Apr 28, 2005  at  05:37 AM
For whoever is interested here is a link to an article which appears to be critiquing
Posted by Remy LeBeau  on  Sun Jun 12, 2005  at  07:06 PM
The Redshirt site is mine. To the best of my knowledge the issue is genuine. I have a scan of the entire issue including the other stories if anyone is interested. If it is photoshopped it is by far the best photoshop I have seen, as every single instance of text matches perfectly and there is no evidence of foul play.

And hey, that was what the word meant in those days. Its like the word 'gay' being happy back then. Just funny from todays perspective
Posted by Matt Marshall  on  Mon Jun 20, 2005  at  11:37 AM
I am really trying to find a digital copy pf the issue. If you have a digital copy, I know many others (I will pass it on to) who are anxious to see it as well. I would really appreciate any help you can give me.

-Koots <^^> Gegol! Gegol!

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Posted by Koots  on  Sat Sep 10, 2005  at  06:49 AM
Ireland is not in England.
Posted by egg  on  Thu Nov 17, 2005  at  08:35 AM
on words or phrases changing meanings over time?
It happens so often, I make believe a time traveller went back in time and is having his or her joke...

such as...
the old-time song standard ALL OF ME
"all of me, why not take all of me..."

or LITTLE RASCALS...
"my dad can 'lick' you dad..."

psst.. buy him dinner first...

RENFIELD
http://www.riprenfield.com
Posted by RENFIELD  on  Wed Jul 16, 2008  at  11:00 AM
I know this one's old, but just for anyone who doesn't know yet and is curious; someone at DC must have a sense of humour because this comic was recently included (preserving its original quality) in a compilation of Joker stories entitled The Joker: Greatest Stories Ever Told. The comic is FULL of references to "boners", even in a few panels not published on these sites.

So... there you have it...
Posted by The Lilac Pilgrim  on  Sat Aug 09, 2008  at  06:25 PM
I guess the innuendo must have been very intentional even when it was fist published.. From what I read earlier here it was around the time the word got it's current meaning. The writer could still use the excuse that he was decent and didn't know better than that the word still had the old meaning... cramming it in as often as possible.
Posted by Alecks  on  Thu Jan 22, 2009  at  04:21 AM
🐍 i fear boner . it made me crazy. boner is the thing makes crazy . bull licking my self
Posted by juju  on  Fri Jul 24, 2009  at  09:43 PM
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