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rollsoffedges's review against another edition
2.0
Blah. That is how I felt after reading this book. Of course, the ending was spoiled because I am reading it way too late, but it still just didn't do anything for me. The art was ok and the story was kinda cool. Really strange plot devices somehow keep the plot dragging. I finished it simply to finish it.
ladydewinter's review against another edition
4.0
Do not read this without having read "Batman & Son" and "The Black Glove" first.
Reading this for the second time, I can't believe I actually read it the first time. It's no wonder I was horribly confused back then. Then, the R.I.P. storyline was the... let me check my notes... it was the 19th Batman-related book (back then I read the individual issues but I count that as one book anyway) I'd read, if you count "Crisis on Infinite Earths". Although I have to admit that one didn't help me much with understanding anything. I think I can count myself lucky that I was reading that "Physics of Superheroes" back then, because I think it was there that I learned about Batmite for the first time, which certainly helped at one bit during R.I.P. But truth be told, it all blurs together now.
In any case, what is obvious to me now, after having done quite some catching up in the meantime, and especially after reading all of Grant Morrison's run in the correct order, is that he's using a lot of stuff from way back, and that this is his way of saying goodbye to Bruce Wayne. (For however long that lasts, but I'm not thinking about this right now, nuh-uh.)
I'm a bit conflicted about all this. I get the people who say that he was trying to do too much, which resulted in quite a lot of confusion. But on the other hand, there are moments of such utter brilliance and "rightness" that I'm willing to overlook that. I do have to say that the plot as such isn't as intriguing as it could have been. There are some absolutely horrifying moments, and we suffer with Bruce and the boys, but that's because it's them, not because the story is *that* terrific.
Nevertheless I'm giving this one four stars. Because of the heart-stopping moments that make you think twice about what is actually going on (does JJ have a point during her speech in the cave, for example?) and especially because of the two-parter at the end, and even more especially because of the last three pages and Alfred's speech.
Reading this for the second time, I can't believe I actually read it the first time. It's no wonder I was horribly confused back then. Then, the R.I.P. storyline was the... let me check my notes... it was the 19th Batman-related book (back then I read the individual issues but I count that as one book anyway) I'd read, if you count "Crisis on Infinite Earths". Although I have to admit that one didn't help me much with understanding anything. I think I can count myself lucky that I was reading that "Physics of Superheroes" back then, because I think it was there that I learned about Batmite for the first time, which certainly helped at one bit during R.I.P. But truth be told, it all blurs together now.
In any case, what is obvious to me now, after having done quite some catching up in the meantime, and especially after reading all of Grant Morrison's run in the correct order, is that he's using a lot of stuff from way back, and that this is his way of saying goodbye to Bruce Wayne. (For however long that lasts, but I'm not thinking about this right now, nuh-uh.)
I'm a bit conflicted about all this. I get the people who say that he was trying to do too much, which resulted in quite a lot of confusion. But on the other hand, there are moments of such utter brilliance and "rightness" that I'm willing to overlook that. I do have to say that the plot as such isn't as intriguing as it could have been. There are some absolutely horrifying moments, and we suffer with Bruce and the boys, but that's because it's them, not because the story is *that* terrific.
Nevertheless I'm giving this one four stars. Because of the heart-stopping moments that make you think twice about what is actually going on (does JJ have a point during her speech in the cave, for example?) and especially because of the two-parter at the end, and even more especially because of the last three pages and Alfred's speech.
cagebox's review against another edition
4.0
A very good Batman comic that is very trippy and hard to follow at parts but is unique and interesting. This is far more psychedelic than any Batman comic I’ve ever read with some solid plot twists and above average new villains.
jaepingsu's review against another edition
2.0
I probably would have enjoyed this a whole lot more if I'd read the comics leading up to this storyline, but jumping into this was just confusing as the plotline was pretty convoluted and really hard to follow. I liked the idea behind this, but the execution just didn't do much for me.
waywardgirls's review against another edition
5.0
The ending with the changed dreams was fantastic. Excellent, incredible art! Makes you wish they were all like that.
cokimberly's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars for story, 4 for art. It was a high concept story, with Batman losing control of his mind. Unfortunately, the story structure was a little too hard to follow. The artwork lived up to the premise, but the story itself left me more confused than caught up in the story.
bioniclib's review against another edition
3.0
Death in comics is never a sure thing. So I went into this story knowing that even if Bruce does die, there's a good chance he'll come back. The story is about a new group called The Black Glove, with the leader claiming to be Thomas Wayne. It wasn't clear at this point whether he was Bruce's dad or not. But it's an interesting twist to his history.
Speaking of twists, this was my first look at the re-imagined Joker. Taking a back from Heath Ledger's Joker in the movies, he's a much more gruesome villain. I'm not a big fan. One of the things, I love about the Joker is his macabre sense of humor. Now he seems to have the mentality of a Hollywood slasher flick bad guy. Running around with straight-edged razors slashing smiles into people's faces just seems overly violent. Not that I'm saying I don't like the Joker violent, but this new twist just didn't work for me.
Speaking of twists, this was my first look at the re-imagined Joker. Taking a back from Heath Ledger's Joker in the movies, he's a much more gruesome villain. I'm not a big fan. One of the things, I love about the Joker is his macabre sense of humor. Now he seems to have the mentality of a Hollywood slasher flick bad guy. Running around with straight-edged razors slashing smiles into people's faces just seems overly violent. Not that I'm saying I don't like the Joker violent, but this new twist just didn't work for me.
molly_collins's review against another edition
5.0
I'm just going to quote Kate's review, which begins "An excellent story told perfectly within its medium, this is one of the best superhero comics I've ever read."
Ditto. What an amazing story. I'm loving the whole Grant Morrison Batman series, but this is absolutely my favorite.
Ditto. What an amazing story. I'm loving the whole Grant Morrison Batman series, but this is absolutely my favorite.
gobbleobble's review against another edition
3.0
Rounding down from 3.5. I liked this, but I had much higher expectations.