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rhganci's review
4.0
(4.5 stars) This is the conclusion of a longsuffering, up-and-down trip with the Dark Knight, one that is long overdue to end. Grant Morrison has had his moments with this mega arc over the years, and strictly speaking, as a follow-up to the superb-in-every-way Batman: Son of the Demon story, it really does succeed. There's a lot of chaff--a lot of chaff in the mix here--but as I was reading this last volume of the Batman, Inc. story, I found myself charmed at its ability to revisit almost all of the characters and stops on the way. It many ways, it reads a lot like Geoff Johns' Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army: a huge, final showdown between the titular hero and a longsuffering villain that reboots that hero's corner of the New 52 retroactively. I suppose it's not a coincidence that these two titles are the ones who enjoyed softer reboots when DC reset back in 2011.
Morrison gets credit here for elevating the most interesting part of this conflict to its highest point during the run: the clash between Talia and Batman over their son, their hearts, and the world itself gets all of the attention it needs, and it's great attention. There's violence, passion, heartbreak, and that genuinely sorrowful sense of lovers who cannot reconcile their differences for each other in this story. The attraction between Talia and Batman has always been one of the most robust, dynamic areas of the character, and since Mike Barr put it on the map of the DCU with Son of the Demon, it hasn't been done better than in this conclusion. Talia is every part the dark mother of myth, part the Hetzerin inciter, and part jilted lover; as the final confrontation approaches Morrison balances all three and does what great storytellers do: brings a familiar story structure to light in a new way, this telling even more impressive as it's with the Most Popular Character in the World. Morrison may be a writer that polarizes readers, but his management of this story, its huge number of elements, and the conclusion couldn't have been more successful.
Burnham's art is barely passable (the teeth still look like they're rotting and falling out of people's heads) but the only real contention I had with this collection was the overlong, two-issue wrap-up of Batman, Incorporated that featured very little substantive content and showcased a sort of string of vignettes of the international Batman community fighting crimes in various strange ways. It sort of emerged at the end of the book as a remainder to the experiment's equation, and I found myself wondering what it added to the conclusion other than a series of short epilogues to characters that were, at best, supporting functionaries.
BACKLOG PRIORITY
8/10 - Morrison wraps up his work with Batman in grand fashion with a violent, heartbreaking finale that will finally release Batman to the New 52 fully and with more than enough fire to start things like they have been running under the superb direction of Snyder, Capullo, Tomasi, and Gleason.
Morrison gets credit here for elevating the most interesting part of this conflict to its highest point during the run: the clash between Talia and Batman over their son, their hearts, and the world itself gets all of the attention it needs, and it's great attention. There's violence, passion, heartbreak, and that genuinely sorrowful sense of lovers who cannot reconcile their differences for each other in this story. The attraction between Talia and Batman has always been one of the most robust, dynamic areas of the character, and since Mike Barr put it on the map of the DCU with Son of the Demon, it hasn't been done better than in this conclusion. Talia is every part the dark mother of myth, part the Hetzerin inciter, and part jilted lover; as the final confrontation approaches Morrison balances all three and does what great storytellers do: brings a familiar story structure to light in a new way, this telling even more impressive as it's with the Most Popular Character in the World. Morrison may be a writer that polarizes readers, but his management of this story, its huge number of elements, and the conclusion couldn't have been more successful.
Burnham's art is barely passable (the teeth still look like they're rotting and falling out of people's heads) but the only real contention I had with this collection was the overlong, two-issue wrap-up of Batman, Incorporated that featured very little substantive content and showcased a sort of string of vignettes of the international Batman community fighting crimes in various strange ways. It sort of emerged at the end of the book as a remainder to the experiment's equation, and I found myself wondering what it added to the conclusion other than a series of short epilogues to characters that were, at best, supporting functionaries.
BACKLOG PRIORITY
8/10 - Morrison wraps up his work with Batman in grand fashion with a violent, heartbreaking finale that will finally release Batman to the New 52 fully and with more than enough fire to start things like they have been running under the superb direction of Snyder, Capullo, Tomasi, and Gleason.
geewhizabbygee's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
buildhergender's review
3.0
Morrison's writing sometimes leaves me confused.
It was a decent story, with a major bat character dying.
End of the series.
But with all this going on, if you can say your favorite part was the adventures of bat cow, which mine were, then I think the book failed.
It was a decent story, with a major bat character dying.
End of the series.
But with all this going on, if you can say your favorite part was the adventures of bat cow, which mine were, then I think the book failed.
captwinghead's review
2.0
This didn't have as big an effect as I expected it to. Maybe because A Death in the Family was so great (Jason's death) in terms of showing Bruce grieving for one of his sons. I just felt like that one did a better job and there's some great stuff with him talking to Clark in later comics.
This felt shortened, in a way. Perhaps it's better done across other Batman books of the time. I'm sure they mention Damian. As this was compiled, it didn't do a lot for me.
Anyway, I enjoyed the bits with Damian and Dick working together. Even knowing what was coming, the actual scene and the memorial had an effect. I remain confused as to whether Morrison likes any female characters, to be honest. They don't get great writing, from what I've read.
This felt shortened, in a way. Perhaps it's better done across other Batman books of the time. I'm sure they mention Damian. As this was compiled, it didn't do a lot for me.
Anyway, I enjoyed the bits with Damian and Dick working together. Even knowing what was coming, the actual scene and the memorial had an effect. I remain confused as to whether Morrison likes any female characters, to be honest. They don't get great writing, from what I've read.
the_graylien's review
5.0
The culmination of Grant Morrison's Batman run. The culmination of the Batman/Talia al-Ghul war. It all ends here.
This is the last book of the run, the tale, the grand, sprawling epic that Grant Morrison and so many talented artists did that really gave me a love for the character of Batman.
This book and all the others leading up to it are collectively the greatest Batman tale that I, personally, have ever read.
The art by Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn was so great that it's cemented the team of those two among my most loved comic book artists.
Simply put, the final chapter of what is one of the greatest superhero comic book epics ever done, in my opinion.
This book and the entire run: VERY highly recommended.
*-I added this book to my ”Scorpio Artist" list for artist Chris Burnham.
This is the last book of the run, the tale, the grand, sprawling epic that Grant Morrison and so many talented artists did that really gave me a love for the character of Batman.
This book and all the others leading up to it are collectively the greatest Batman tale that I, personally, have ever read.
The art by Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn was so great that it's cemented the team of those two among my most loved comic book artists.
Simply put, the final chapter of what is one of the greatest superhero comic book epics ever done, in my opinion.
This book and the entire run: VERY highly recommended.
*-I added this book to my ”Scorpio Artist" list for artist Chris Burnham.
susurrus's review
5.0
Definitely the best Batman Inc. The entire story centers around Talia and her war with Batman which ultimately ends up getting their son, Damian killed. That was heartwrenching, even though I knew it would happen. I loved the moment Damian and Nightwing shared right before, hailing back to the pre-new 52 Batman and Robins when Bruce was MIA.
I can't say I'm a huge fan of the international Batmen, possibly just because I haven't spent years building a relationship with them. However, each little story at the end was good in its own way. The art in the Knight's issue was especially great. But after reading the epicness of the first part of the book, they seemed silly and unnecessary. Except Bat-Cow. I would read an entire comic about Bat-Cow.
I can't say I'm a huge fan of the international Batmen, possibly just because I haven't spent years building a relationship with them. However, each little story at the end was good in its own way. The art in the Knight's issue was especially great. But after reading the epicness of the first part of the book, they seemed silly and unnecessary. Except Bat-Cow. I would read an entire comic about Bat-Cow.
saphirablue's review
4.0
I love Damian. I love Damian. I love Damian.
And, yeah, *sobs*. Especially considering the talk of Dick and Damian right before it.
Bat-Cow and Alfred the cat are such wonderful little things. <3
I like this part way better than the first - way less confusing and just better. :)
The art - except for the first story - I love it.
And, yeah, *sobs*. Especially considering the talk of Dick and Damian right before it.
Bat-Cow and Alfred the cat are such wonderful little things. <3
I like this part way better than the first - way less confusing and just better. :)
The art - except for the first story - I love it.
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