Mixed Feelings

Batman #681
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

My enthusiasm for this issue was nearly destroyed when I read Didio’s interview with Newsarama today. He basically confirmed Barbara Gordon will come back as Batgirl. I will get into that in a seperate post. Anyways, I have mixed feelings about this issue. When I first read it it seemed like a great ending if not a little underwhelming ending to this issue. The more I think about it the more I think Morrison’s ending for this was changed instead of Final Crisis. I don’t really see this as being such a shocking ending as Morrison described interviews. Sure Batman goes down in a helicoptor that blows up but it’s not like we see a body. One good thing about all this is Gotham certainly has a new group of villains in the form of the Club of Villains and the Black Glove but….I guess I expected some huge revelation, which there wasn’t one. Was the guy the Devil? Was he really Thomas Wayne? Was he Mangrove Pierce? I am not really sure. Daniel’s art is amazing and I don’t quite understand why people hate on it. I just don’t know what to think about this yet.

Batman 669 – 680

Batman #669
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

Ya maybe because it has been a while since I read the start of this story…..but I sooo confused by this. What happened? It seemed like pages were missing or something? So Mayhew was behind this? He is being paid by the Black Glove? So confused….maybe I have to go back and re-read the last two issues.

Batman #670
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the prelude to the Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul Bat-crossover and I have to say I liked it more then some of the other issues of this crossover. I was a bit confused by Ra’s saying Damian was grown in a tank? Did I miss something there? As for the storyline itself, I really could care less about it. But this was still a good issue.

Batman #671
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Also, a little bit confused by this issue. Was that really Ra’s father? It really didn’t seem like much happened in this issue. Very quick read….really only okay for a comic, a big failure for a comic written by Morrison.

Batman #672
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Wow…Morrison’s run is very confusing, but you know with Morrison it will all make sense in the end and when you reread things you will catch things you did not catch before. I didn’t notice the Zur-En-Arr stuff the first time I read this. As for what Bat-Mite is doing here, I do not know. But I am intrigued by everything, even though I am confused.

Batman #673
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Batman is having heart attack this issue, and flashes back to some interesting moments in his life where he has hallucinated. I like the flashback to the Robin Dies at Dawn storyline and it’s paralells with the Thogal ritual. I even liked the Joe Chill stuff, even if I was a little against the idea of bringing that character back. Tony Daniel is a fantastic artist and his work is perfectly suited for Morrison. I am not sure why some bloggers seem to not like him…to each his own I guess.

Batman #674
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Now things are getting really good! We learn the truth behind the three Cop-Batman’s that have been plaguing him. Apparently, they were created by Dr. Simon Hurt to take Batman’s place in case he died. But it looks like Hurt was a psycho who even went to the lengths of having one of the cop’s familes murdered to do the same psychological damage to the cop as Bruce experienced as a boy. Interesting stuff, I really think the overall theme of Morrison’s run is Bruce’s psychology, and the state of his mind. This is all coming together rather nicely. As for Bat-Mite, he seems to represent the readers, as he seems to know things only the readers of this book would know and is trying to clue Batman in. That would fit with the whole characters being aware they are comic characters thing that Morrison has been dealing with since his run on Animal Man.

Batman #675
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Ryan Benjamin

Well, this is the prelude to R.I.P. The storyline that is supposed to change Batman’s world forever. Benjamin’s art is pretty bad. I did not like it at all…the facial expressions just seemed off. As for Jezebel finding out that Bruce and Batman are one and the same, I think Bruce could have easily said that he wasn’t Batman, but it looks like he does trust her for some reason.

Batman #676
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the first part of R.I.P and I must say that I really enjoyed it…especially on the second read. Yes, it is no Hush, this isn’t some stupid popcorn summer movie flick type comic, this is intelligent stuff. You have to read it multiple times to catch things. I am not sure if the Black Glove is the same as the club of villains or if the Black Glove is an actual person behind the scenes. The club of villains are interesting and I look forward to learning more about them. I am getting suspicious of Jezebel…could she be the Black Glove? The Joker’s first appearence in this story was particularly frightening….the perfect way for Batman’s arch nemesis to make his entrance.

Batman #677
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

If this stuff with Thomas Wayne is true, then this WILL fundamentally change Batman as a character forever. I hope it is not. That is too much of a messing with the mythos. I hope this was created by the Black Glove to throw Batman off, to make him go crazy. I still am suspicious about Jezebel, I think she is involved with the Black Glove somehow. This is the most original Batman story I think I have ever read.

Batman #678
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

I can’t help but think of that old Batman: The Animated Series episode where Batman forgets he is Batman and ends up on the streets while reading this issue as essentially the same thing has happened, except Bruce has also gone bat-shit crazy! He’s running around in hand-stitched costume saying he is the Batman of Zur-En-Ahhr! I have to say, I have no idea where this story is going, but I am loving it!

Batman #679
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

The club of villains have taken over Arkham, and everything is going to hell in a handbasket. The Batman of Zur-En-Ahhr is one crazy bastard, but Bruce is sitll in there I know it. There was certainly a lot of red and black symbolism in this issue, although I probably would not have noticed if I hadn’t read about it in annotations.

Batman #680
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

I was correctamundo! It looks like Jezebel Jet is the Black Glove or is at least working with him/her. This was one INTENSE issue as I really got the feeling I was reading Bruce’s final days. It is both creepy and amazing. I can’t wait to see how this arc ends.

Batman 665 – 668

Batman #665
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert

Not sure why but the first time I read this I was very confused. Now I get it. It seems Batman is being visited by three ghosts- or versions of himself. The first one was the crazed cop Batman who shot the Joker, the second was the prostitute killing Bane-like Batman, and their is a third he has not yet met. That’s pretty crazy stuff. I think Morrison’s run is finally picking up after all.

Batman #666
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert

While I don’t normally enjoy stories that aren’t in continuity- this was pretty good. We meet the third ghost in this issue. It is Damian Wayne, who in the near future, long after his father is dead, has become an evil Batman who sold his soul. It was really cool and it was cool to find out what has happened to certain characters since Batman’s death. I still have no idea how this is all going to play out, but that’s typical Morrison fashion. It won’t all make sense until the end.

Batman #667
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

We take a break from the Black casebook storyline for this story, Morrison’s new take on the silver age Club of Heroes concept. I loved it. I am not a big silver age fan but this update was really cool. We learn that their are a bunch of Batman-like heroes around the world who meet every so often as the Club of Heroes. They have really goofy names and such but Morrison write them in a completely serious murder mystery. It was almost CLUE-like in how they all meet at this house and have to solve a mystery. Awesome.

Batman #668
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

Part 2 of the Club of Heroes story arc was in this issue. I didn’t really enjoy this one as much as the first issue mainly because I had forgotten who was who. I will have to go back and read this story arc as a whole when its over. But it was good. The art is amazing. Williams is a great artist and perfect for this storyline.

What is the Black Case Book?

Batman #664
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang

Grant’s Batman run so far has left me underwhelmed. I really am not finding it up to standards for well…Grant Morrison. I don’t know if it is because he is overworked or what. I felt the same about this issue. Keep in mind, I am not saying it is bad, just not up to par of the usual Grant Morrison. This focuses on a prostitute killer cop, or at least who they think is a cop. This cop is huge and looks kinda like Bane. He knocks the shit out of Batman at the end of this issue. Batman mentions something about a black casebook, whatever this is. I think Morrison is setting up some kind of mystery and the audience is not in on what exactly Batman knows. Unless I missed something. I don’t know, it got kind of confusing. The art was good and everything. Just left me underwhelmed. That’s all.

Batman 655 – 657

Batman #655
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Andy Kubert

Grant Morrison begins what will hopefully be an excellent run this issue. He starts a story that may change Batman’s world forever. The idea that Batman had a son with Talia has been around since the son of the demon graphic novel from years ago. DC never stated if it was continuity or not, but now it for sure is. Talia makes sure that Batman knows of his son by sending an army of man-bats after him. Very cool. The only problem I have with the plot is why wouldn’t Talia mention this to Batman before? I hope they explain that. Besides that minor problem, I love this issue. The art is great. There are so many great moments inlcuding the “There goes my vacation” line by Batman and Commisioner Gordon going all joker crazy. I would also like to see what will come of the Joker after being shot point blank in the head.

Batman #656
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Andy Kubert

The battle with the man-bats continues this issue and in the end, Talia leaves Batman with his son. I am starting to wonder if this is a good idea or not, is this truly Bruce’s son? If it is, a lot of things are going to change for Batman. The art continues to impress and I could not wait for the next issue after reading this.

Batman #657
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Andy Kubert

We finally get to meet the son of Batman this issue, and he is…well…a real bastard. I really hate this kid. He is just a total dickwad. He murders criminals, incapacitates Robin, and most of all treats Alfred like crap. On top of that, his name is Damian; the most evil name ever. This spoiled little brat steals Jason Todd’s old Robin costume and decides he is going to be the new Robin. This is ironic considering how much Damien reminds me so much of Jason…and I think this was intentional. The art is great once again and this storyline is exciting and suspenceful. Morrison make sure Damien is unlikeable as he could be. Can’t wait for next issue!