Batman RIP is definitely one of those series that you just have to pick up off the shelves and read, but you are definitely going to become a wikipedia but by the end because there is just so much reference to old issues of Batman and continuity story questions that you are left with no other option. If that doesn’t sound like your type of comic forget about this one because Morrison has definitely put the reader in the role of the Dark Knight as Detective because he isn’t giving you any of the details, but the information is out there.



This story is hard to follow but for good reason. Morrison is trying to make all of the Batman stories written so far seem like they were all continuity and streamlined into a couple of years of action which is difficult, especially with Batman. The story has been a great ride thus far with its chaotic environment and dark undertones. We are being given more and more questions and little answers to anything going on in Batman’s life.



This series definitely has its ups and downs fortunately Morrison is the upside; the down is definitely Tony Daniel’s pencil work. Sandu Florea’s colors are Daniel’s saving grace. The colors really bring lackluster pencils to life. The best look at this is in the last panel of the issue with Batman in his Batman of Zur en Arrh costume in purple, yellow, gold and black colors. The pencil work isn’t very impressive and definitely not dynamic, but the colors give it that dark tone and vibrancy that is needed to make the image shine. There are moments where Daniel’s work truly conveys the story is a manner that allows the reader to fall right into the story. Just before Nightwing is attacked and captured the image of the villain behind him while he is on the radio with Robin draws that horror movie moment where you are screaming; “turn around!”



After the attack on Batman in the last issue we find the Black Glove partying in the Batcave with Alfred held captive while Master Bruce is left on the streets of Gotham doped up with enough narcotics to make him forget all his troubles and even his life. I guess this is where it’s good to have Morrison writing as he doesn’t use some weird drug made up for the comics so the story gets its PG rating, its crystal meth. I know that is probably going to piss some parents off, but its time to do your job, reviews or preview what your kids are into and reading and you won’t have to worry about it.



Getting himself together isn’t going to be easy and Morrison invokes a spirit, Honor Jackson, a character that was introduced earlier in the series. First off though Honor is used a way to bring Bruce back to his roots as a fighter. The criminal underworld always needs tending to and Honor helps Batman get into this. I cant say that I know where Morrison is planning on taking this series, but I cant say that I am complaining about where it is going either, not knowing in this instance and being fed the breadcrumbs makes sense. I am just as lost as the main character and I think it is making me like the story even more. This is a far different feeling than I am getting from Morrison’s work on Final Crisis, which I can’t say I like, but I am strapped in for this ride and doing the wiki thing to figure it all out.

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