In this cold, dark evening, I found myself picking up another graphic novel in the bookstore to appease my cravings for some Batman action. I got more than I bargained for, and I realized that I just picked up the tale that set the stage for Batman: Reborn, the event wherein a new Batman arises to protect Gotham City after the disappearance of the original. How this came to be is told in Batman R.I.P - the somewhat controversial storyline that changed the entire landscape of the world of The Dark Knight - which is finally collected in one entire Deluxe Hardcover Edition. It's truly the "demise of Batman", as written by comic writer extraordinaire Grant Morrison and illustrated by the excellent Tony Daniels, who has teamed up with Morrison before and shows he can draw a mean looking Caped Crusader at any given moment. It's a collected piece of graphic novel beauty that no Batman fan should miss. Why? Read on to find out.
In this dark and covoluted tale, Batman faces his greatest challenges yet. The mysterious organization known only as "The Black Glove" has finally found a way to defeat the world's greatest detective, using the one thing which is considered his greatest asset against him- his mind. As the Dark Knight disappears and struggles with his demons, Gotham is at the mercy of criminals bent on destruction, with only his closest allies defending the city and at the same time making a desperate bid to find him before all is lost. In order to save everything he holds dear, Batman must journey inwards with himself and find the strength necessary to defeat his new enemies. But with so many secrets, lies, and odds against him, can he find the truth, triumph, and survive at the same time?
When this storyline began last year, I wasn't too sold on collecting it. Truth be told, Morrison's run on Batman has got to be one of the most confusing ones ever told in the history of the batbooks. It was only when he began Batman and Robin that I began to appreciate his run, but then again, he practically deconstructed things first in order to make them good in the end. RIP doesn't have much going for it alone except a few twists and turns that challenges everything we know about the Batman mythos. I guarantee that the book will raise eyebrows, especially with the whole "Black Glove" revelation and the way Bruce Wayne "fights back" later on when he recovers... somewhat. The story also seems to incorporate some of the more elaborate changes made to certain characters thanks in part to the success of The Dark Knight. Obviously, I'm talking about the Clown Prince Of Crime himself, The Joker, who gets to look and act like his onscreen persona from that movie as portrayed by the late Heath Ledger. Also, since it's Morrison's tale of the demise of Batman, many would argue that that isn't a great way for Batman to go... and in fact, it wasn't. His final fate is sealed in the pages of Final Crisis, a major DC Crossover also written by Morrison. So, in effect, this story is just one part in a chain of events leading to the actual "death of Batman", although it can stand on its own and written neatly to ensure that fans who do not like jumping and collecting multiple books are satisfied.
The art department is ensured at least. People who love spectacularly drawn representations of Batman will definitely admire Tony Daniels for his work here. In a way, I find his style to be in par with Jim Lee's work, and that's saying a lot. It makes an impression and truly captures moments in the book wherein a lot of fits fly and blood is spilled during the chaos in Gotham. Tony's art acts as a great foil to Morrison's storytelling, which can become dull without the proper illustration to back up the sequence. His run here eventually paved the way for his work in Battle For The Cowl, which he also wrote and illustrated at the same time. That didn't turn out too well also storywise, but the art was excellent as always.
So in the end, is this worth collecting just to see how "Batman croaks"? Well, the collecting part is true because of the story and extras, but this is just part of the big picture (see Final Crisis), and I sincerely doubt it will be a monumental death to remember. Besides, Dick Grayson has taken up the mantle, and his run as Batman is beginning to take shape in a good way. Still, even with a new Batman in town, we must not forget the ONE AND ONLY TRUE BATMAN - Bruce Wayne. If you want to remember the man and his last moments as the Dark Knight, this is the book for you. Grab it while it's hot.
Score - 8/10
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