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jakepcole's review against another edition
4.0
Deconstruction of Batman as classic Batman story, in which the most outré detritus of the comic's history becomes subliminal triggers and psychological manifestation. Batman as a creature of such rampant, justifiable paranoia that he can craft backup personalities for himself, though Morrison continues to plant seeds that Batman's greatest measure of self-preservation is the odd family he's built around himself, underscoring a humanity he too often denies. That subtle throughline gives the story a warmth that offsets and compensates for the grim text, which fits more within grimmer modern Batman tastes. That Morrison juggles and mingles both without getting lost is incredibly impressive.
fsmn36's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first Morrison work I haven't really enjoyed. I suppose I like the premise, but the execution feels sloppy and confusing - and not in a way that reflects Batman's mind as what happens in Arkham Asylum, but rather feels like a struggling narrative with a lack of editorial review. Perhaps its because I didn't read the issues leading up to it - and at least the aftermath tells us who Black Glove is, but for such a huge storyline (Batman "dying"), it reads like I was dropped into an ongoing story and again, a very confusing one. The choice of naming the woman of the moment "Jezebel" was too spot on. I mean, no one has that name and B should immediately have suspected her from that alone. Of course she was going to turn out to be a betrayer.
There's a few things I liked, like Damian showing up and Tim being Tim, Dick being hard to take down. The art was fantastic, typically, especially of the Batfam. And Jezebel. Although, again, we struggle with the aging of the Batboys. Tim looks 20 at the beginning and Dick looks maybe 27 at the oldest. Damian looks more like 15/16 than he does the 10 Morrison writes him following this. Even Jason in the memory throwback looks more like 15/16 when Batman finds him.
The variant covers are stunning...Alex Ross remains a god of art.
I also...I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but I think it'd be so much cooler if it was deliberate...the red and black checker theme, especially the page where Joker confronts Batman in front of the curtain. I get total Twin Peaks Red Room vibes. And given the Lynchian twists of insanity and otherness and dopplegangers, I find this particularly fitting for this story, even if I can't get behind its construction.
There's a few things I liked, like Damian showing up and Tim being Tim, Dick being hard to take down. The art was fantastic, typically, especially of the Batfam. And Jezebel. Although, again, we struggle with the aging of the Batboys. Tim looks 20 at the beginning and Dick looks maybe 27 at the oldest. Damian looks more like 15/16 than he does the 10 Morrison writes him following this. Even Jason in the memory throwback looks more like 15/16 when Batman finds him.
The variant covers are stunning...Alex Ross remains a god of art.
I also...I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but I think it'd be so much cooler if it was deliberate...the red and black checker theme, especially the page where Joker confronts Batman in front of the curtain. I get total Twin Peaks Red Room vibes. And given the Lynchian twists of insanity and otherness and dopplegangers, I find this particularly fitting for this story, even if I can't get behind its construction.
duskvstweak's review against another edition
1.0
This was bad. I don't know why Grant Morrison can't write a good Batman story but he just doesn't get it. This reads like like Morrison couldn't get over how clever and new he was but I don't want to read this stuff ever again.
mazloum's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic graphic novel. I received The Black Glove as a birthday present a few months ago, and it whetted my appetite for what would come afterwards. So, I picked this up immediately, and I was not disappointed.
The deconstruction of Batman as he comes under attack by the voracious Black Glove is absolutely enthralling, especially when it reaches its unexpected climax. Some might say that the book requires a certain suspension of disbelief with regards to Bruce Wayne's...let's call it paranoid nature. But, you know, this IS a comic book.
Of course, I'd be remiss to not mention the Joker, who's well into his 'Clown At Midnight' persona: a grim, murderous existence that you cannot help but fear a little. However, his monologue near the very end is nothing short of pure brilliance. Gotta love the Joker.
So, yes, pick this up as soon as you can. It's great.
The deconstruction of Batman as he comes under attack by the voracious Black Glove is absolutely enthralling, especially when it reaches its unexpected climax. Some might say that the book requires a certain suspension of disbelief with regards to Bruce Wayne's...let's call it paranoid nature. But, you know, this IS a comic book.
Of course, I'd be remiss to not mention the Joker, who's well into his 'Clown At Midnight' persona: a grim, murderous existence that you cannot help but fear a little. However, his monologue near the very end is nothing short of pure brilliance. Gotta love the Joker.
So, yes, pick this up as soon as you can. It's great.
johnnywendy's review against another edition
4.0
I thought I did a meticulous job of collecting all extras and main issues for this arc but it just felt like there were pieces missing. Outside of those pieces, I enjoyed seeing the Black Glove take down Batman. But is he dead? I can't legitimately figure out what's going on half the time.
niciy's review against another edition
4.0
Intense. Art is amazing... but more than anything, intense.
canttalknow_reading's review against another edition
3.0
A little disappointed in this effort by Grant Morrison. Although the idea of Batman preparing himself for psychic attack by building another persona? Priceless.
heartpages's review against another edition
3.0
The downside: you can guess it. It's all over the place, not just in timeline but in character and story development. Sometimes I think it's Morrison's genius but here I think it's just weak at the joints. I rarely meet a Bruce Wayne romance I like (and NO, it's not because I'm jealous of the girl). Bruce goes positively mushy here and exposes all kinds of secrets to his new love. And what do you know, she's a bad guy. Too easy.
The upside is that it does pay excellent tribute to what we expect Batman to be. He thinks of everything under the sun, and whatever villians try to do to him, he's already figured out how to beat it. This is great for a theme like mind-control, because the reader is surprised to find that Batman had a failsafe, in case his mind was ever corrupted.
The end section (that in true fashion, predates the story) where Batman undergoes an experiment is part brilliant, part lazy. Though I buy that he would attempt any mental stress that would strengthen him, I don't buy that he would expose his identity to anyone, be it goverment or not. But, the storyline of how he - and Gotham - would fare had his parents not been killed is a fabulous story (and art) to behold. And that his mental stress breaks down the later evil experiment gives you more respect for the character. So in all, the ideas are superb, but the execution flawed.
The upside is that it does pay excellent tribute to what we expect Batman to be. He thinks of everything under the sun, and whatever villians try to do to him, he's already figured out how to beat it. This is great for a theme like mind-control, because the reader is surprised to find that Batman had a failsafe, in case his mind was ever corrupted.
The end section (that in true fashion, predates the story) where Batman undergoes an experiment is part brilliant, part lazy. Though I buy that he would attempt any mental stress that would strengthen him, I don't buy that he would expose his identity to anyone, be it goverment or not. But, the storyline of how he - and Gotham - would fare had his parents not been killed is a fabulous story (and art) to behold. And that his mental stress breaks down the later evil experiment gives you more respect for the character. So in all, the ideas are superb, but the execution flawed.
daed_eskai's review against another edition
2.0
I've heard so much of Grant Morrison run in batman comics and also heard a lot about R.I.P.
But to be honest I'm disappointed. I don't get all the hype behind his works. So far, not so good. Did not like Batman and Son and did not enjoy this one either. This was too confusing and not in a good way. WTF was that "might" fellow? I mean...
The past few arcs have been disappointing in general. The stories are left unfinished and I thought maybe I'm mistaken and when I searched, I found that it's the way those stories are written... I don't like them... Just can't wait to finish the original run so I can get to new 52 and rebirth... Sorry Batman. I tried!
But to be honest I'm disappointed. I don't get all the hype behind his works. So far, not so good. Did not like Batman and Son and did not enjoy this one either. This was too confusing and not in a good way. WTF was that "might" fellow? I mean...
The past few arcs have been disappointing in general. The stories are left unfinished and I thought maybe I'm mistaken and when I searched, I found that it's the way those stories are written... I don't like them... Just can't wait to finish the original run so I can get to new 52 and rebirth... Sorry Batman. I tried!
booksnarks's review against another edition
2.0
I have a very like/dislike relationship with Grant Morrison (mostly dislike). Yes, on one hand he introduced Damien who is plain awesome, on the other hand he ruined characters, such as Talia who has been reduced to a cold psychopathic villain so far gone from her original kick-ass self. Talia was one of the most complex characters in the Betman universe! Even Batman is written so badly and OOC that sometimes I just shake my head at the things he's saying.
But above all, what bugs me are his storylines! The ideas behind them are great, but their execution is pretty meaningless. Batman and Son for instance, again Damien is great, but he was not introduced in a manner that he deserved, Arkhum Asylum again was a great idea, but I hated the way it was executed. And this story, well I finished it and I found myself asking 'what was the point of it?' No but really, I get the idea behind it, it was a good idea, but I was just genuinely so confused about everything that was presented on the page. A bit of a disappointment.
But above all, what bugs me are his storylines! The ideas behind them are great, but their execution is pretty meaningless. Batman and Son for instance, again Damien is great, but he was not introduced in a manner that he deserved, Arkhum Asylum again was a great idea, but I hated the way it was executed. And this story, well I finished it and I found myself asking 'what was the point of it?' No but really, I get the idea behind it, it was a good idea, but I was just genuinely so confused about everything that was presented on the page. A bit of a disappointment.