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digitaltempest's review against another edition
3.0
Slight spoiler warnings. I’m not even sure how to sum this one up, but don’t take that as a bad omen for this story. I enjoyed it very much, but there’s so much going on here that it’s not easy to try to sum it up in a few words. However, I’ll try. Basically, this chronicles Batman’s descent into madness and his “death.” Batman has always led a troubled existence where he’s sometimes struggled with whether his actions as the caped crusader really do more harm than good.
Those feelings seemed to have come to a head in this arc where we read about his quest to understand madness. Batman becomes obsessed with a wealthy crime organization known as The Black Glove led by Dr. Hurt—who unbeknownst to Batman implanted a trigger word deep into his subconscious that would turn him into a madman. When the trigger word is finally used against him, Batman withdraws from life, living on the streets in a seemingly mad state, leaving Gotham prey to a crime spree orchestrated by The Black Glove.
I wouldn’t recommend this for the casual reader. You need to have a little knowledge of Batman and his world before diving into this. I read a few stories leading up to this arc, and I still had to feel my way around with the story a little bit. However, even though I still have some questions about the events leading up to this arc, I enjoyed this.
I’m a sucker for this kind of psychological mind trip, and it was fascinating to watch Batman go through this madness while still trying to be Batman. And the funny thing was that Dr. Hurt kept saying that Batman was done, that with his sanity gone he was just a shell of a nightmare. However, Batman said that sanity, which he equates with his “Bruce” personality, was the only thing keeping Batman in check.
The story also centered partly on Robin and Spoiler (in a tie-in Robin #175 and Robin #176) with some supporting scenes from Nightwing and faces familiar from Batman Inc. Robin realizes that something is wrong, that Bruce has been brainwashed in some way, and he sets out on a personal journey to find out the extent of the damage in order to know what his next move should be. We learn about Batman’s 49 days of solitude leading up to these events through Robin’s story. Spoiler helps and hinders him in some ways, which she reveals her reasons for at the end, and the tension between Robin and her is palpable due to her not revealing that she was alive all the time Robin thought she was dead.
The Joker was a break out performance for me. I have to say this is one of the creepiest ways he’s ever been depicted. He reminds me of Jack Torrance from The Shining as he appeared in the picture at the end. He also seemed to be channeling Pyramid Head in some ways with his body apron and knives. In his own sick, twisted way, he seems to be Batman’s biggest adversary and his greatest advocate. He’s chillingly disturbing here, maybe even more so than he was in Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Of course, the arc ends with Batman being aware of everything that has happened to him. Part of my beef with Batman was how he just seems to know everything. I know he has to stay one step ahead of the game, especially since he’s a non-powered hero, but there was little mystery left after you realize that Batman has played the game better than The Black Glove. However, it was spun in such a way that it didn’t come off forced or silly, just typical of Batman. The arc also ends on an ambiguous note. Did Batman really die or didn’t he? We all know the answer to that question, but it still makes for an interesting read.
Those feelings seemed to have come to a head in this arc where we read about his quest to understand madness. Batman becomes obsessed with a wealthy crime organization known as The Black Glove led by Dr. Hurt—who unbeknownst to Batman implanted a trigger word deep into his subconscious that would turn him into a madman. When the trigger word is finally used against him, Batman withdraws from life, living on the streets in a seemingly mad state, leaving Gotham prey to a crime spree orchestrated by The Black Glove.
I wouldn’t recommend this for the casual reader. You need to have a little knowledge of Batman and his world before diving into this. I read a few stories leading up to this arc, and I still had to feel my way around with the story a little bit. However, even though I still have some questions about the events leading up to this arc, I enjoyed this.
I’m a sucker for this kind of psychological mind trip, and it was fascinating to watch Batman go through this madness while still trying to be Batman. And the funny thing was that Dr. Hurt kept saying that Batman was done, that with his sanity gone he was just a shell of a nightmare. However, Batman said that sanity, which he equates with his “Bruce” personality, was the only thing keeping Batman in check.
The story also centered partly on Robin and Spoiler (in a tie-in Robin #175 and Robin #176) with some supporting scenes from Nightwing and faces familiar from Batman Inc. Robin realizes that something is wrong, that Bruce has been brainwashed in some way, and he sets out on a personal journey to find out the extent of the damage in order to know what his next move should be. We learn about Batman’s 49 days of solitude leading up to these events through Robin’s story. Spoiler helps and hinders him in some ways, which she reveals her reasons for at the end, and the tension between Robin and her is palpable due to her not revealing that she was alive all the time Robin thought she was dead.
The Joker was a break out performance for me. I have to say this is one of the creepiest ways he’s ever been depicted. He reminds me of Jack Torrance from The Shining as he appeared in the picture at the end. He also seemed to be channeling Pyramid Head in some ways with his body apron and knives. In his own sick, twisted way, he seems to be Batman’s biggest adversary and his greatest advocate. He’s chillingly disturbing here, maybe even more so than he was in Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Of course, the arc ends with Batman being aware of everything that has happened to him. Part of my beef with Batman was how he just seems to know everything. I know he has to stay one step ahead of the game, especially since he’s a non-powered hero, but there was little mystery left after you realize that Batman has played the game better than The Black Glove. However, it was spun in such a way that it didn’t come off forced or silly, just typical of Batman. The arc also ends on an ambiguous note. Did Batman really die or didn’t he? We all know the answer to that question, but it still makes for an interesting read.
suziegon's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this because, on one hand, it's quite good. It's a fascinating Batman story that gets at the darker aspects of his character and the genius of his mind. It also examines the danger of his obsession with fighting crime and the separation between Bruce Wayne and Batman. It's a great character study. On the other hand, the whole story is confusing as heck - and I've already read "Batman and Son" and "The Black Glove", so I'm not starting completely without context. I get who the "bad guys" and "good guys" are, and get that Batman's trying to defeat them. I like the reveals of how he's outsmarted his enemies when I understand what he's done. But there are so many things I DON'T understand that I'm left unsatisfied.
Writing aside, the art looks great. I like the use of colours and the way everything's drawn. The art goes well with the story and makes me feel a little better when I don't get things because I can at least like the looks of it.
Overall... Well, it should be really good, and in a way, it is. But a lot of things don't make sense, and that heavily affects the reader's enjoyment of the story as a whole. If you want a character study on Batman, this is great. Just don't count on understanding what's going on a lot of the time.
Writing aside, the art looks great. I like the use of colours and the way everything's drawn. The art goes well with the story and makes me feel a little better when I don't get things because I can at least like the looks of it.
Overall... Well, it should be really good, and in a way, it is. But a lot of things don't make sense, and that heavily affects the reader's enjoyment of the story as a whole. If you want a character study on Batman, this is great. Just don't count on understanding what's going on a lot of the time.
carlosdragonne's review against another edition
4.0
Me gusta la historia. Aunque me caga Damian Wayne. Parece que no entendieron con las actitudes de Jason Todd en los 80
macpau_'s review against another edition
1.0
Hardcover, special cover art and a larger size edition for this? I really wanted to like it, but it was so hard to follow and so disjointed that it left me very frustrated. And then... Batman isn't even dead! Despite any buzz you may have heard. it was just bizarre, dizzying, and annoying.
And let me be clear here, Grant Morrison is a genius, but Batman R.I.P. however, is a debacle. You've been advised.
And let me be clear here, Grant Morrison is a genius, but Batman R.I.P. however, is a debacle. You've been advised.
lauradoesnothing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Grant Morrison brings the weird again, and I'm here for every page of it. It also makes one of my huge gripes with Batman & Son (Jezebel Jet coming out of nowhere as Bruce's latest Best Gal) make perfect sense, so while R.I.P. is perfect all by itself, this is what I was talking about when I said Batman & Son should have been a Batman by Grant Morrison omnibus. DC please, I live in hope.
jingo_mort's review against another edition
5.0
92/100 (2018 Reading Challenge)
Legend of Batman#17
This volume really kicked ass, loved the alternate Batman costume. The artwork was great throughout & the writing flowed really well. Definitely up there in the top ones of this collection so far.
Legend of Batman#17
This volume really kicked ass, loved the alternate Batman costume. The artwork was great throughout & the writing flowed really well. Definitely up there in the top ones of this collection so far.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
1.0
I did not love this book in the least. In my head....Batman is human and can be hurt, but as he is a comic book character, he does not age...he does not take a break....and he definitely canNOT be replaced. (He should be IREplaceable!!) All of these facts bothered me as I read the book.
The pictures were nice, (That sounds lame.) but the story went against the reasons I love Batman.
The pictures were nice, (That sounds lame.) but the story went against the reasons I love Batman.
scottjp's review against another edition
4.0
"Batman: R.I.P." tells the story of the apparent downfall of Batman at the hands of Doctor Hurt, a criminal mastermind who may or may not be someone from Batman's past.
When I first read this storyline as it was published in serial format, I found it confusing. But that's what happens when a month goes by between each chapter and you don't get to the comic shop regularly.
Reading it again in collected form...it's still confusing. I'm putting that down to the art, which isn't very good in a storytelling sense. Tony Daniel turns out a nice drawing now and again, but panel to panel it isn't as successful. I frequently found it hard to tell what was happening, or even in what order things were supposed to be happening.
Despite the visual confusion, Morrison turns in a pretty gripping psychological drama that references a number of crazy 60s elements (such as Bat-Mite and Zur-En-Arrh) and reconciles them with current continuity. You don't need to have read those old comics, but you should read [b:"The Black Glove"|3390159|Batman The Black Glove|Grant Morrison|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267975306s/3390159.jpg|3430026] and [b:"Batman and Son"|440960|Batman Batman and Son|Grant Morrison|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ab7IyriAL._SL75_.jpg|2189612] before taking on this volume.
When I first read this storyline as it was published in serial format, I found it confusing. But that's what happens when a month goes by between each chapter and you don't get to the comic shop regularly.
Reading it again in collected form...it's still confusing. I'm putting that down to the art, which isn't very good in a storytelling sense. Tony Daniel turns out a nice drawing now and again, but panel to panel it isn't as successful. I frequently found it hard to tell what was happening, or even in what order things were supposed to be happening.
Despite the visual confusion, Morrison turns in a pretty gripping psychological drama that references a number of crazy 60s elements (such as Bat-Mite and Zur-En-Arrh) and reconciles them with current continuity. You don't need to have read those old comics, but you should read [b:"The Black Glove"|3390159|Batman The Black Glove|Grant Morrison|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267975306s/3390159.jpg|3430026] and [b:"Batman and Son"|440960|Batman Batman and Son|Grant Morrison|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ab7IyriAL._SL75_.jpg|2189612] before taking on this volume.
mossss123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0