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| Publisher |
DC |
| Writer |
Bob Haney |
| Artist |
Neal Adams |
| Letterer |
Ben Oda |
| Cover Artist |
Irv Novick |
| Published | May 1969 |
PUNISH NOT MY EVIL SON During a board meeting of the Zenith Oil Corporation leaves Bruce Wayne suspicious about millions of gallons of oil being stolen, so Batman and Robin investigate the plant to find that an elaborate theft scheme is being orchestrated to steal the oil. The next day, Bruce and Dick are surprised by the arrival of Lance Bruner, the son of the late Professor Bruner, one of Bruce's father's closest friends. Under an agreement drawn up between the two, and signed by both Bruner and Dr. Thomas Wayne, the Wayne family promised to adopt and raise Lance should anything happen to the professor — whom Lance claims was killed in an accident which he witnessed. Taking Lance in proves to be quite the headache as the boy is trouble, causing untold damage both on and off the Wayne property, as well as arranging his own kidnapping for ransom. Dick tries to cover for Lance at first and tries to help him make friends by means of the Teen Titans in their civilian guises, while at night Batman and the Teen Titans try to find out the source of the oil thefts. When it is discovered that Lance has outstanding arrest warrants, was expelled from military academy; and his father actually died of a broken heart and not in an accident, Bruce adopts Lance to keep him out of reform school. Lance behaves himself for a few days, but then he stumbles upon the Batcave and learns that Bruce and Dick are Batman and Robin! Lance vows to get revenge on the Dynamic Duo and sets them up for an ambush when he tells Zenith Oil owner Grantland Stark (actually the mastermind behind the thefts) of Batman and the Titans' next move, leading the group to be captured. Realizing that Stark intended to kill them, Lance realizes the error of his ways and sets the heroes free. During the fight, Lance — disguised in Robin's costume — sacrifices his life trying to stop Stark, who is quickly defeated by the angered heroes who think that it was Dick who was killed. Afterwards, Bruce puts up a memorial remembering Lance on the property of Wayne Manor.
