Good news indeed. In an interview with USA today Grant Morrison discussed Bruce Wayne's return.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-12-09-morrison-bruce-wayne-st_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip (http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-12-09-morrison-bruce-wayne-st_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip)
That in itself is interesting and exciting news BUT he also mnetions towards the end
"Q: Aside from Return, what new work can readers look forward to from Grant Morrison in 2010?
A: Mostly Batman work — I'm doing at least another year of stories with Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne in the Batman and Robin book before that book starts to dovetail with Return and we rush headlong and screaming into the next big, earth-shattering, game-changing twist in the life of Batman."
Which means hopefully at least another 12 issues to come. WAYHEY!!!!
:'(
not a fan. And Pirate Batman? Jeez, that stuff sucked when DC went all Elseworlds for their annuals one year. He might prove me wrong but I'd love them to take him off Bats for good now. Even the Batman and Robin book which I loved the first few issues of went off for me
Great news! It's my favourite book by a mile right now.
Quote from: satchmo on 09 December, 2009, 04:59:15 PM
Great news! It's my favourite book by a mile right now.
It's the only superhero book I've bought in 'floppies' since Seven Soldiers, and only the second Batman book I've ever bought that way. Each episode is a total treat, with a full repertoire of fresh imagery, mystery, revelation, action, violence, character and witty banter, usually ending in a nail-biting tease. What a monthly comic should be.
This looks fantastic. Bring on the Batman Of One Billion BC!
Certainly intriguing but somehow I find it a bit too weird. Batman B.C? Where's Raquel Welch and her minimilist clothing and how much crime and millionaires did the Paleolithic Age actually have ? ;)
That sounds absolutely brilliant. Sold!
Let's see Batman punch a dinosaur.
And the fourth artist on the series is Andy Clarke (not Frazer Irving):
www.comicsalliance.com/2009/12/09/andy-clarke-next-artist-on-batman-and-robin/
I think it would be the decent thing if the Big Two kicked back some of their profits to Tharg for doing all their hard work for them, nurturing talent ;)
Quote from: The Cosh on 09 December, 2009, 09:33:15 PM
That sounds absolutely brilliant. Sold!
Let's see Batman punch a dinosaur.
Nah. Let's see him kick a dinosaur in the face!
I want these comics very, very much.
- Trout
Batcaveman.
Quote from: The Cosh on 11 December, 2009, 09:57:06 AM
Batcaveman.
Timson is right. Where is the laughing smiley?!
More Morrison Batman news
"So will Bruce Wayne eventually be returning to "Batman" and "Detective Comics" or "Batman and Robin," or another new title?
There is a plan, but I can't talk about it yet. I was always going to move on after 12 issues of "Batman and Robin," then it went to 16 and I figured that was it, I'd told my story. I figured once Bruce came back, it would go back to the traditional Batman status quo, which is kind of where I came in. But then I had an idea that seemed to me a really exciting way to continue the story in a new direction, so I'm going to stay on for that. It's a different take on Batman and Robin, but I don't want to say too much until nearer the time. We still have all kinds of twists and turns and shocks to get through before any of that."
Full interview here
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24180 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24180)
Not seen any talk of issue 7 yet and as I read it this weekend figured this is as good a place as any to once again gush in an unoriginal style about how brillant it is. I'm delighted to see Cameron Stewart take over the art after the slightly disappointing Tan and what a fun, packed issue he and Morrison put out - even if it has one heck of a speech balloon clanger in it.
brillant brillant stuff.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 31 January, 2010, 02:59:26 PM
Not seen any talk of issue 7 yet and as I read it this weekend figured this is as good a place as any to once again gush in an unoriginal style about how brillant it is. I'm delighted to see Cameron Stewart take over the art after the slightly disappointing Tan and what a fun, packed issue he and Morrison put out - even if it has one heck of a speech balloon clanger in it.
brillant brillant stuff.
Yes.
That's how you do a cliffhanger!
Yeah, that speech balloon reversal was hilariously bad in context!
I'm afraid I didn't enjoy 7 anything like as much as the first 6. It was certainly jam-packed with ideas, but some of them didn't work for me: things like [spoiler]Damian's spine being removed Worf-fashion[/spoiler], for example. Tourist London was well drawn and extensively punned, and some of Rhyming Slang was good ('Davina's') but things like the[spoiler] King Coal's Tube train[/spoiler] felt a bit like a retread of the Guardian segments of Seven Soldiers, with 'Manhattan' crossed-out and replaced.
I also don't really get Batwoman's (is this Babs back on two feet?) involvement, but that is probably due to having had to abandon the enjoyable Darkest Night for financial reasons.
Still love Dick Grayson's Batman though.
Quote from: TordelBack on 31 January, 2010, 03:15:39 PM
I'm afraid I didn't enjoy 7 anything like as much as the first 6.
Me neither, to be honest. Not
bad by any stretch of the imagination, but a fairly hefty drop-off in quality perhaps unfairly accentuated by the standard of the previous issues.
Cheers!
Jim
Quote from: TordelBack on 31 January, 2010, 03:15:39 PM
I also don't really get Batwoman's (is this Babs back on two feet?) involvement, but that is probably due to having had to abandon the enjoyable Darkest Night for financial reasons.
Its not Babs - though she is coming back in a new series of Birds of Prey apparently by Gail Simone (yes yes yes) but some new lass the details of which escape me but I have read. Apparently her new material in Detective Comics is brillant and I may pick up at a latter date.
As for her appearence here I was totally baffled but assumed that'll be picked up in the next couple of issues?
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 31 January, 2010, 03:42:44 PM
Its not Babs - though she is coming back in a new series of Birds of Prey apparently by Gail Simone (yes yes yes) but some new lass the details of which escape me but I have read.
Its Kate Kane, based on the previous Batwoman but give a post-Infinite Crisis reboot, there was a big hoo-ha over her sexual orientation but they don't overplay it in the comics I've read. She appeared early on in 52 and has had an increasing role since - as Colin mentions she is now the lead in Detective Comics (written by Greg Rucka, who I assume was the writer for much of her appearances in 52 (and is the perfect writer for this kind of story) and she is going to be the Bat Family representative in the JLA so she is really stepping up to be the serious female counterpart to Batman she should always have been. I assume her appearance here is part of her big push with a story appearing with the current Batman (the irony being she has been Batwoman longer than he has been Batman).
A lot more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batwoman#Kate_Kane_.282006-Present.29
Cheers, Emp! I never got around to 52, so that's very helpful.
Quote from: Emperor on 31 January, 2010, 06:43:24 PMIts Kate Kane, based on the previous Batwoman but give a post-Infinite Crisis reboot, there was a big hoo-ha over her sexual orientation but they don't overplay it in the comics I've read.
Clearly I'm not reading the same Detective Comics as you, Emp - the one I'm reading has a butch, body-building, tattoed, sexually aggressive ex-marine with daddy issues as the central protagonist, whereas 52 had a socialite who happened to have gone out with someone from the Batman cartoon show and all the hoo-ha happened among fanboys.
I do also wonder how Kate Kane and Batwoman are the only two people in all of Gotham City with bright red hair and no-one who lives there has seen fit to comment on it.
Quote from: Professah Byah on 31 January, 2010, 09:47:24 PMClearly I'm not reading the same Detective Comics as you, Emp - the one I'm reading has a butch, body-building, tattoed, sexually aggressive ex-marine with daddy issues as the central protagonist, whereas 52 had a socialite who happened to have gone out with someone from the Batman cartoon show and all the hoo-ha happened among fanboys.
Well I'm not reading Detective Comics - I was going by 52. That all sounds a little... off.
I wonder why Batman should has Robin, Batman alone with all wounds, sorrow, cars and fight, is enough for me, adding super hero make batman back before it begins
Quote from: Professah Byah on 31 January, 2010, 09:47:24 PM
I do also wonder how Kate Kane and Batwoman are the only two people in all of Gotham City with bright red hair and no-one who lives there has seen fit to comment on it.
I haven't read Detective Comics, but I know of someone who is a big fan. And she mentioned that the long red hair is in fact a wig. I.e. it's part of the Batwoman costume. (Her real hair is quite short. As for whether it is red too, I don't know, but I'm thinking the change in length is quite a decent disguise.)
Edit. Okay, just seeing this wiki image...
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/KateKane52week7.jpg/140px-KateKane52week7.jpg)
Um... maybe she had a haircut later? Or maybe she's the butcher looking one on the right.... (so long but different colour.)
No thats renee montoya one of the few batman the animated series characters to make the jump to comics.
Oh and shes currently the question...
Quote from: Desiree on 08 February, 2010, 08:08:02 AM
I wonder why Batman should has Robin, Batman alone with all wounds, sorrow, cars and fight, is enough for me, adding super hero make batman back before it begins
I don't care if she is a spambot, that's the best post I've ever read on Batman.
There now, Issue 8 eliminated all my concerns with 7 - right back on track with [spoiler] insane Batman clones and snarky Robin dialogue[/spoiler]. Turns out the Damian character is a big part of the book's appeal for me, and it's good to have him back - makes up for artwork I find to be highly skilled but a little... vanilla after the style of the previous two arcs. Some nice Mazzuccheli-like panels in there though. I do like the way the 'Next Issue!' preview is incorporated into the final page of artwork, reminds us all that this is Comics we're reading, and not a 'graphic novel' or 'sequential art' - comics!
Loved the idea that a [spoiler]clone of Bruce Wayne programmed with all his experiences[/spoiler] is by default insane. Was that [spoiler]Darkseid doing the cloning - my DC-fu is weak[/spoiler]? Whoever he is, if he has access to all Wayne/Batman's experiences, doesn't that mean he knows Wayne is (was) Batman? I'm thinking too much again, aren't I. Still the best yanqui comic I'm buying, which is a good thing, as it's also now the only yanqui comic I'm buying.
Quote from: TordelBack on 14 February, 2010, 11:26:29 AM
makes up for artwork I find to be highly skilled but a little... vanilla after the style of the previous two arcs. Some nice Mazzuccheli-like panels in there though.
I was surprised to get another one just a couple of weeks after the last and was keen on the Geordie lad. I thought some of the art in this issue was pretty ropey by Stewart's standards. The extended fight with evil zombie Batman seemed to lack definition or finishing or something.
Quote from: TordelBack on 14 February, 2010, 11:26:29 AM
Was that [spoiler]Darkseid doing the cloning - my DC-fu is weak[/spoiler]?.
That is correct. [spoiler]Although technically it was Mokkari operating the whole operation. [/spoiler]
As much fun as you can have in a 22 page comic (well I've not read this months issue of Secret Six yet) AND how cool was that preview of First Wave to boot.
Winner all round.
I'm a tradewaiter, but this thread has got me interested. I'll look out for the first collection. Given DC's recent track record, that should be out in paperback around 2020 I reckon!
Three issues in four weeks?! I take it this means there wont be another one this year.
I am vaguely aware that there is some sort of crossover thing called Blackest Night. I assume this storyline has been tied into it in some way that I've missed?
Blackest Night isn't tied into Morrison's Batman and Robin.
Both are utterly brilliant though, well worth picking up the single issues instead of waiting for the TPBs.
Is it wrong that I want Morrison to have control of Batman for a couple of years? He has honestly done more for the character in around a year and a half than the last decade.
Quote from: Christov on 26 February, 2010, 12:28:02 AM
Blackest Night isn't tied into Morrison's Batman and Robin.
I just meant this specific story: Blackest Knight.
Not exactly.
Morrison's B&R is fairly isolated in terms of the DCU, unless there is some kind of reference or tie in later on. Otherwise, it's simply a similar name and the general idea of [spoiler]raising the dead.[/spoiler]
I'm 2 shitting issues behind! Gahhh!
Quote from: Christov on 26 February, 2010, 12:28:02 AM
Is it wrong that I want Morrison to have control of Batman for a couple of years? He has honestly done more for the character in around a year and a half than the last decade.
I'd say YES
But I am the only person who has hasn't loved Morrisons run on Batman. The new series started off pretty cool before becoming standard Morrison stuff and I still maintain RIP was rubbish.
That said, Arkham is still one of my all time faves and that all prose issue he brought out kicked ass. I'd just rather it be written by someone with less of strong voice. Every page scream "This is MORRISONS Batman, and dont you forget it". Puts me off.
Issue 9 wonderful - Andy Clarke next this truely is the (other) comic that keeps on giving.
Man, that was great, can't believe it was only 20-odd pages. I absolutely loved the[spoiler] DKR pastiche from Zombatman,[/spoiler] beyond brilliant. Walks a fabulously precise line between the 'silly' and 'gritty' poles of Batman. Still not bowled over by Stewart's art - it's obviously technically accomplished, but not inspiring (to me). In contrast to accusations levelled at other Morrison books this has a coherent story divided into very satisfying self-contained chunks. If all superhero books were like this, I might buy more than one.
Some previews of Andy Clarke's pages:
www.bleedingcool.com/2010/03/04/preview-batman-and-robin-10-by-grant-morrison-and-andy-clarke/
As I said over there - if you look at his early and late 2000 AD work and compare it with this you can see he has just kept improving. Even though he is doing some fine detailed work he is managing to produce a comic book a month for the last year (which puts him way ahead of folks like Brian Bolland and Frank Quitely on the pace front, despite the detail). I predict big things, I may have also done so in the past but now I know so ;)
Just had an extended catch up of 7, 8, 9 and 10 on this and my goodness I'm loving it.
Morrison still has a very much "no prisoners" approach to density; miss a panel and you may be struggling but having the luxury of reading four issues closely together helped me out. I haven't a clue who half the characters are*(batwoman, Squire and Knight?) but they fitted neatly into the context without too much needless basil.
Some great ideas packed in here (as mentioned the instantlty insane clones) some cracking dialogue and some fantastic art. As Cosh points out, there's something just off the beat about Stewarts art. It has a plumpness to it which looks fine on breasts and buttocks but not so cool on ravaged, disentegrating zombats. Andy Clarke's art on 10 was plain lovely though and was as close to Quietely as I think we'll get.
I'm loving the covers as well.
* Not really much of a DC reader; I think I've only ever collected three or four monthly titles (a World's Finest that had Dave Taylor on art, Long Halloween, All Star Superman and All Star Batman)
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 16 March, 2010, 12:58:29 PM
Morrison still has a very much "no prisoners" approach to density; miss a panel and you may be struggling but having the luxury of reading four issues closely together helped me out.
A breath of fresh air compared to some of the more, umm, decompressed books on the market, though. This is the important thing -- I think -- that some of the writers who seem to think they're writing films or TV series forget: you can maintain a
much faster pace in a comic because the reader can always go "Eh? Did I miss something?" and turn back the pages to
check.
Cheers
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 16 March, 2010, 01:20:09 PM
... you can maintain a much faster pace in a comic because the reader can always go "Eh? Did I miss something?" and turn back the pages to check.
This should be tattooed on the typing finger of all scripters. Without getting all Scott McCloud about it, this is one of the things that I specifically enjoy about comics - their ability to be enjoyed and investigated at a range of different speeds and intensities, in a way that would border on the insane if applied to a (non-pornographic) DVD (pause, rewind, frame advance, 'ah!', play, pause etc.). It's great to be able to blast through a book to gauge its shape and style while on the bus home, then later pick through it page by page or panel by panel looking for details and links, then come back to it a few months later when the current story has wrapped up and read it leisurely again, picking up a whole new depth and rhythm. Value for money if nothing else.
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 March, 2010, 01:27:00 PM
It's great to be able to blast through a book to gauge its shape and style while on the bus home, then later pick through it page by page or panel by panel looking for details and links, then come back to it a few months later when the current story has wrapped up and read it leisurely again, picking up a whole new depth and rhythm. Value for money if nothing else.
So film is
linear whilst comics are
analogue hypertext bordering on the fractal? Brilliant!!!
And here's a rather lovely cover (I assume) from Fraser Irving when he takes over to do issues 13 - 15 (I assume) as reported over at CBR http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/03/frazer-irving-joins-batman-and-robin-with-issue-13/ (http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/03/frazer-irving-joins-batman-and-robin-with-issue-13/)
(http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/batman-and-robin13.jpg)
yep that is frazer as is this bruce wayne:witchfinder general cover
(http://i.newsarama.com/images/robwcov2_02.jpg)
Those are great looking covers.
I'm not complaining about the density - it was one of the things I loved about ALL STAR SUPERMAN (and ALL STAR BATMAN is the polar goddamned opposite).
Just read #10. It really is awesome stuff.
Quote from: Whore Richmond Clements on 20 March, 2010, 08:18:53 PM
Just read #10. It really is awesome stuff.
Couldn't agree more just read it and its brillant, brillant stuff. So much packed into 22 pages its like this Morrison fella learnt to his trade writing in short chunks.
So anyway Oberon Sexton its too obvious to be... you know who... isn't it?
I'ld be shocked if it was I think its too obvious to really be that Colin
Quote from: The monarch on 21 March, 2010, 09:57:09 AM
I'ld be shocked if it was I think its too obvious to really be that Colin
That's what I'm thinking too.
gah! went to catch up this morning and realised I'm missing issue 8...
Travelling Man, you're about to enter a world of hurt :)
Has The Return of Bruce Wayne been solicited yet? I'm totally out of the loop on such things at the minute...
The return of Bruce Wayne will be out in May two issues a month
http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=14717 (http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=14717)
I agree about it being too obvious but there's a bit of me really wants it to be a double bluff? Don't think it will but...
Can anybody tell me who the guy at the end of number 11 is supposed to be?
I'm guessing it's a bit like the last page of Dead Eyes for people who've never read Indigo Prime.
Quote from: The Cosh on 09 April, 2010, 11:55:23 PM
Can anybody tell me who the guy at the end of number 11 is supposed to be?
Yeah ... No clue about that over here, either!
Cheers
Jim
Wasn't it Oberon Sexton? Or was that issue 10?
My mistake! I had issue 11 mixed up with issue 10.
The bloke at the end of issue 11 is Deathstroke.
Issue 12.
Holyfuckingshit.
That is all.
Cheers!
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 06 May, 2010, 04:52:12 PM
Issue 12.
Holyfuckingshit.
That is all.
Gah! Still at work.
Should make it back before FP shuts...
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 06 May, 2010, 04:52:12 PM
Issue 12.
Holyfuckingshit.
That is all.
Cheers!
Jim
Seconded. Holy shitballs.
Gagh! I want issue 12! Gagh!
My wife's off to Glasgow for the day on Saturday. I wonder if she'll agree to nip into FP... :)
Damnit I'm not getting this until a week on Saturday. After that how the hoopin' heck am I going to avoid spoilers now?
Wowza. This really is the best Batman comic I've seen for many, many years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trLYhFCNqfc
I just read #12! HOLY FUCK WHAT AN ENDING!
:D
Daganbbit - ok don't do what I did and read this before you've read Batman and Robin 12. Seriously it has a spoiler and not somewhere were you can just skirt round it like I naivley thought I could (the warning is at the beginning of the article so I've no complaints) BUT if you have read issue 12 this is a good interview and some interesting news that Morrison will be sticking with Batman in some form or other for the next 2 years or so now!
Seriously thought it does have major spoilers for issue 12
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26146 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26146)
Just read #12. OMFG!!!
Seriously. I went back to it a couple fo times last night.
I am just overwhelmed by it. Can't believe I didn't even suspect this was coming!
And the set up was perfect... the speech from Batman, and when I got to the last panel on the penultimate page the penny dropped at last and the turnover was... blinking hell!
Andy Clarke must have thought it was Christmas when he read this script!
And apart from the twist, the rest of what happened was utterly astounding too.
Yeah, another fantastic episode. I'm loving the fact that it's regular (and we are getting lots of issues without long waits). I'm loving the art. I'm loving the desnity and the huge re-readability that comes with this book. Really class stuff.
I was thinking this today about how brilliantly written this, and the current Judge Dredd storyline are. This here is a prime example of how to do such a reveal/twist and keep it from all but the most clued up and savvy readers.
Dredd currently being a prime example of how you take the hoary old chstnut of two former enemies "uniting" to take down another foe and make it seem fresh (Dredd doesn't even know that he and PJ are batting for the same team at teh same time as batting against each other).
Inga could be just another unrealistically sexy companion for a bad guy but at the end of the episode where we realise she's walked into the room and Sinfeld isn't there I found myself thinking "OMG! A trap! I hope Inga gets out of that?". She's meant to be a baddie and I'm rooting for her. Genius.
* I'm reading some old CASE FILES at the moment and, though good, they do suffer in comparison to BATMAN and ROBIN and current DREDD. But blimey, just about everything does.
Quite apart from the #12 twist, I have to say [spoiler]secret passages under Wayne Manor [/spoiler] is just about as cool as a Batman comic is ever going to get.
- Troutbat
The Return of Bruce Wayne was fantastic. The dialogue especially, I loved how basic it was to reflect Neanderthal language, but it did not play out how I expected it to at all.
Quote from: Christov on 14 May, 2010, 07:32:28 PM
The Return of Bruce Wayne was fantastic. The dialogue especially, I loved how basic it was to reflect Neanderthal language, but it did not play out how I expected it to at all.
Yeah couldn't agree more its bloody superb. Morrison is on fire at the moment further evidenced by having finally read Batman and Robin 12 just superb. Along with 2000ad at the moment Morrison's current Batman stuff is as good as genre comics get.
In case people haven't seen Morrison is also writing a story in Batman 700 and the whole if 701 and 702.
The man is inexhaustible; much like Geoff Johns (although, he is stretching himself rather thin lately, methinks he needs to cut back on writing such a huge chunk of the DCU).
Yeah he's also got a new book set within the world of Indian super warriors or some such from Dynamite and there's always talk of him developing film and TV stuff but I'm never sure exactly want.
Personally I'm really looking forward to his Multiverse book but I suspect that's been pushed back to 2011 now?
The Irving droid has drawn an absolute blinder in The Return of Bruce Wayne #2, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Morrison really seems to have the bit between his teeth on Batman at the moment.
Cheers!
Jim
FRAZER Irving?
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 27 May, 2010, 10:39:21 PMThe Irving droid has drawn an absolute blinder in The Return of Bruce Wayne #2, which I also thoroughly enjoyed.
He certainly has. Interesting that he got the story reminiscent of Klarion. His colouring has got even better.
It's funny. I quite like Batman and Robin, but I can't see what you guys find so amazing about it. yet, these two issues of Return of Bruce Wayne have blown me away.
Frazersinvolved - automaticbuy !
An interview with Frazer Irving discussing all things Batman... and with pretty pictures
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26541 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26541)
For those craving more Morrison Batman, check out Batman #700 for an interesting little tale.
Quote from: Christov on 11 June, 2010, 09:03:59 AM
For those craving more Morrison Batman, check out Batman #700 for an interesting little tale.
He's also writing issues 701 and 702 apparently. They're all on my pull list can't get enough of this stuff.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 21 May, 2010, 03:43:39 PM
Yeah he's also got a new book set within the world of Indian super warriors or some such from Dynamite and there's always talk of him developing film and TV stuff but I'm never sure exactly want.
The Dynamite book are the scripts for his version of the Mahabharata web series he was developing with Virgin Comics 9and now Liquid Comics who bought up Virgin) illustrated with some stunning concept art. Preview here:
http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?gid=1837
Interview here:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/18-days-grant-morrison-interview-100531.html
I suspect I'll be giving this a shot, although it'll make me feel inadequate in my stab at the Ramayana (although I did pick up Virgin's Ramayan 3392 A.D. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayan_3392_A.D.) and didn't feel too bad - it got into a bit of a mess, had to be rebooted from the start again and then the company went bust).
Well the here's the solicitation for Septembers 'Batman and Robin'
QuoteBATMAN AND ROBIN #16
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by CAMERON STEWART
Cover by FRANK QUITELY
1:25 variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
Don't miss this fantastic finale as BATMAN AND ROBIN's storyline connects with THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE! The climactic showdown between Batman and the Black Glove is finally here. It's payback time for The Dark Knight as Batman and Robin face the ultimate evil. Will Damian betray his father's legacy? Will Bruce Wayne return just in time to see Dick Grayson die? Plus, The Joker and Professor Pyg!
This is only the beginning of a startling new status quo for the Batman...
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
So finale does that mean series finale? Also I'll settle for Cameron Stewart on art.
Pete Milligan is writing Batman 703 as well which is tempting
Amazon are currently taking pre-orders for volume 1 of the hardback collection of Batman and Robin at the bargain price of £10.99 (inc free postage).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Batman-Robin-Reborn/dp/1848565380/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276599537&sr=8-2 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Batman-Robin-Reborn/dp/1848565380/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276599537&sr=8-2)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EHb60gtOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Due to all the praise here I've just ordered a copy on a whim. I know next to nothing about Batman continuity, only having ever read the usual stuff (Killing Joke, Year One, The Dark Knight Returns/Strikes Again and the Dredd crossovers) so it might all be impenetrable for me, but I really enjoyed Morrison and Quitely's run on New X Men (and I know dick all about the X Men), plus Frazer Irving's involvement has sold me on it.....
Well read Batman 700 and Return of Bruce Wayne 3 today. 700 was kinda fun but not as strong as the other stuff Morrison is doing with ya man at the moment but heavens to Betsy did I love RoBW 3 it was brillant and I almost had a fangasm with the introduction to the cowboy story when someone I'd try not to dare dream would turn up turned up front and centre of the story hopefully.
I'm a happy nerd (Still Gail Simone's 'Secret Six' is my fav non 2000ad read its just grimmy brillant)
I like the first 'Batman and Robin' arc with Frank Quitely. Beautiful work.
Vol 1 arrived from the 'Zon today. Huzzah.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 15 June, 2010, 11:10:04 AM
Well the here's the solicitation for Septembers 'Batman and Robin'
QuoteBATMAN AND ROBIN #16
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by CAMERON STEWART
Cover by FRANK QUITELY
1:25 variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
Don't miss this fantastic finale as BATMAN AND ROBIN's storyline connects with THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE! The climactic showdown between Batman and the Black Glove is finally here. It's payback time for The Dark Knight as Batman and Robin face the ultimate evil. Will Damian betray his father's legacy? Will Bruce Wayne return just in time to see Dick Grayson die? Plus, The Joker and Professor Pyg!
This is only the beginning of a startling new status quo for the Batman...
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
So finale does that mean series finale? Also I'll settle for Cameron Stewart on art.
In December last year Morrison said:
QuoteI'm doing at least another year of stories with Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne in the Batman and Robin book before that book starts to dovetail with Return and we rush headlong and screaming into the next big, earth-shattering, game-changing twist in the life of Batman
So the solicitation would take us through to #19 in November 2010 which would be in line with his estimates. The Return of Bruce Wayne ends in August so that'd lead straight into this storyline. What comes out the other side will be an interesting question and it seems it'll be settled in these issues.
The odd thing is Frank Quitely was always just about due to return and I'd have expected him to have been in on this arc but they have brought Cameron Stewart back. Also the trades have been collecting two arcs (6 issues) each and the second book has been solicited, containing #7 - 12, so you end up with only 3 issues uncollected. It is possible they are going to throw it into the Return of Bruce Wayne collection but that'd be quite a big book and seem a bit weird for anyone not following B&R (although there is going to be heavy crossover). The details of the book have just appeared and it'll be 224 pages which is more than 6 issues and could be the equivalent of 9. So.....
Quote from: Emperor on 27 June, 2010, 04:24:45 AM
The details of the book have just appeared and it'll be 224 pages which is more than 6 issues and could be the equivalent of 9. So.....
Issues of Return of Bruce Wayne are substantially longer than normal Yankee comics.
Quote from: The Cosh on 27 June, 2010, 01:34:38 PM
Quote from: Emperor on 27 June, 2010, 04:24:45 AM
The details of the book have just appeared and it'll be 224 pages which is more than 6 issues and could be the equivalent of 9. So.....
Issues of Return of Bruce Wayne are substantially longer than normal Yankee comics.
Ah ha!! Of course they are. Then that all makes sense.
That'd suggest there is at least one more three-issue arc, unless this last one is 6 issues long. They've planned this all out well in advance and it is moving along like clockwork, so I don't imagine they'll be going "whoops we don't have enough for another collection, how silly". Also the series has been a big hit and well-received so they might be wary about binning it. Keep watching the solicitations, as they are unlikely to make a major announcement that might spoil events in B&R.
Issue 13. My eyes feel like they've been bathed in a solution of wonderful. And the plot was pretty cool too.
Quote from: TordelBack on 09 July, 2010, 04:26:28 PM
Issue 13.
That was some good stuff. I have to say that it impresses the living daylights out of me that Morrison can be delivering full-on mainstream comics as good as this and 'Return', whilst also putting out something like 'Joe the Barbarian', which definitely seems to spin out of the Doom Patrol side of his brain.
That title page in B&R was a real "Whoa,
fuck!" moment, although I'm a little out of touch with the current state of Bat-continuity and am thus unclear on how [spoiler]Thomas Wayne gets to be alive again[/spoiler], but even this didn't derail my enjoyment of the issue.
Cheers!
Jim
Yeah issue 13 was a delight. Read it before before dropping off last night and was about excited about seeing a comic in a months time as I've been for an age. There's a lot in there thats so tantalising, specifically the Thomas Wayne stuff and that titl page.
As for the art. WOW!
QuoteDue to all the praise here I've just ordered a copy on a whim. I know next to nothing about Batman continuity, only having ever read the usual stuff (Killing Joke, Year One, The Dark Knight Returns/Strikes Again and the Dredd crossovers) so it might all be impenetrable for me, but I really enjoyed Morrison and Quitely's run on New X Men (and I know dick all about the X Men), plus Frazer Irving's involvement has sold me on it.....
Hmmm. Just read the book on my hols, and though I really enjoyed the first arc, the second half of the book made very, very little sense to me (I didn't get the 'cliffhanger' ending at all). I also really disliked Tan's artwork and found it lacked the clarity and strong storytelling of Quitely's pages - I was often left confused as to what was happening and found the action hard to follow.
Really wish these sorts of stories could be written to be more appealing to a mainstream audience. Hate the way most superhero books have to be so tied in to continuity. Unsure if I'll get the second book....
Quote from: radiator on 11 July, 2010, 04:55:03 PM
Really wish these sorts of stories could be written to be more appealing to a mainstream audience. Hate the way most superhero books have to be so tied in to continuity. Unsure if I'll get the second book....
Really? I haven't bought a Batman book in over a decade, and I really didn't have much of a problem with this...
Cheers!
Jim
Yeah while I agree Phillip Tan's work isn't the clearest in the work I thought the actual story was all there in the comic. While I'm up to date with DC I hadn't read a Batman title since Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle (give or take). One of the great things about this is once you got Batman and Robin have been replaced you're in and ready to go.
i think the last regular Batman issue I bought prior to B&R was The Many Deaths of the Batman, back in 1989 - a John Byrne spectacular (which i hated, despite Jim Aparo art) - bought on a short-lived wave of Dark Knight/Year One enthusiasm. Last year I had actually taken to reading Batman trades when they showed up in the library to flesh out my appreciation of B&R, and boy are they uneven and frequently ugly fare. I was particularly keen to find out more about the Red Hood/Jason Todd stuff, but honestly everything worth knowing was already there in those few Morrison issues.
Now I just assume that any villains or characters I don't recognise are 'new', and if they aren't Morrison will fill me in. Works fine.
I was going to start a new thread but I thought this was a better place to post
http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/07/13/a-brief-history-of-the-knight-and-squire/ (http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/07/13/a-brief-history-of-the-knight-and-squire/)
Evidently Cornell wants to flesh out the work Morrison's done on Knight and Squire who've been popping up in B & R. Like Cornell's Tooth reference.
An interesting quote from an interview over at Newsarama
QuotePaul Cornell: Yes. It's a very British book in a very different way to Captain Britain. On the Marvel book, I was trying to correct some of the whimsicality, and the fact that, whenever any of the major characters came to Great Britain, it was always a rather whimsical, jolly, rather strange and surreal place.
Following Grant's lead, this is exactly the opposite. It's that whimsicality and strangeness turned up to 20, but with, I think, a genuinely British ethos behind it. It's me following his lead and adding a bit of British stuff myself. And following lots of trends of British humor. There's an awful lot of Carry On and Around the Horne and The Goodies in this.
Whether this is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. Anyway full interview
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-cornell-knight-squire-100713.html (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-cornell-knight-squire-100713.html)
Well we all knew it had to end at some point but confirmation that Grant Morrison's last arch on 'Batman and Robin' will be 16 - 18 after that Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason take over.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27197 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27197)
Certainly not a bad creative line-up but you have to say they have a lot to live up to.
Does raise the interesting question. Morrison has said he'll continue to write Batman for a while yet. Its been annouced that Batman (the title) will be in the hands of Tony Daniel as both writer and artist.... so I wonder what title Grant Morrison will be having, or what he has planned?
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 15 July, 2010, 04:46:22 PMDoes raise the interesting question. Morrison has said he'll continue to write Batman for a while yet. Its been annouced that Batman (the title) will be in the hands of Tony Daniel as both writer and artist.... so I wonder what title Grant Morrison will be having, or what he has planned?
This has now been announced - sounds like fun:
QuoteMarts then turned the mic over to Morrison, who announced what's next for him in the Batman Universe—"Batman: The Return" one-shot and a new series, "Batman, Inc."
"All I'm going to tell you up front is basically it's almost a team book," explained Morrison. "I was looking at the Brave and the Bold cartoon which I love and I wanted to do that kind of thing—Batman with other people. We're come up with a structure that let's us do kind of a team book."
"This is why the book was called 'The Return of Bruce Wayne,'" he added. "This is what happens when Bruce is more in the equation and what he does with the Batman idea and turns it into a franchise."
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27400
That gets me all kinda excited. Grant Morrison on 'Brave and the Bold' sounds all kinda fun, even if it doesn't sound like the team-up book dream I have (Grant Morrison just doing straight 'Brave and the Bold' would have me all kinda excited LOVE team-up books).
Also leaves the door very much open for Dick Greyson to stay as Batman.
Great interview with Mr Morrison here. Starts off with Batman Inc but then also talks a lot about his new movie which I have to say sounds very very interesting.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=video&show_id=382286 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=video&show_id=382286)
Edited as I forgot to say he has 2 years of Batman Inc planned - WAYHEY!!!!!
Oh, dear. I actually couldn't read Return of Bruce Wayne #4 -- the artist attempts perspectives with gusto but, unfortunately, doesn't appear to have actually bothered to find out how they work. Now, he may have been attempting a hallucinatory feel, in which case he's succeeded, but the result is that any time he attempts to convey depth, the perspective is simply wrong and it makes my brain hurt.
Very rare that an art job completely interferes with my ability to read a comic, but this one has managed it.
Cheers!
Jim
Yeah, it was a pretty terrible issue. Thanks to Jim for explaining why as my analysis was: "this art's shite."
Damnit, not seen the issue yet but heard similar things from other sources to make me think there's little hope for this issue AND Batman meets Jonah Hex in it written by Grant Morrison... I mean this is set up to be the perfect comic for me and it might be blown... dagnabbit.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 07 August, 2010, 10:41:01 AM
Oh, dear. I actually couldn't read Return of Bruce Wayne #4 -- the artist attempts perspectives with gusto but, unfortunately, doesn't appear to have actually bothered to find out how they work. Now, he may have been attempting a hallucinatory feel, in which case he's succeeded, but the result is that any time he attempts to convey depth, the perspective is simply wrong and it makes my brain hurt.
Very rare that an art job completely interferes with my ability to read a comic, but this one has managed it.
He had to step in when Cameron Stewart couldn't cover the issue (which is a BIG pity), some of the comments on the announcement are worth reading:
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/06/02/artistic-change-on-batman-the-return-of-bruce-wayne-4/
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 07 August, 2010, 10:41:01 AM
Very rare that an art job completely interferes with my ability to read a comic, but this one has managed it.
Phew, I thought it was just me! I put it down thinking 'ah well, there goes my longest ever spell of enjoying Batman'. This was actually my first exposure to Jonah Hex, and I thought I must be missing something because it was incoherent bordering on the ghastly. A shame, but I do feel for the guy if he was just parachuted in at the last minute.
Quote from: TordelBack on 08 August, 2010, 07:18:59 PM
A shame, but I do feel for the guy if he was just parachuted in at the last minute.
Well, no -- you either understand how perspective works, or you don't. Doesn't take any longer to get it right than it does to get it wrong, and you only get as wrong as this guy if you didn't understand it in the first place. Short deadline? You cheat, you fudge, you draw the BGs in as silhouettes or outlines, but this chap doesn't know where to put a vanishing point, and I don't think you've got any right to call yourself an artist at all in that case.
Cheers!
Jim
Quote from: TordelBack on 08 August, 2010, 07:18:59 PM
This was actually my first exposure to Jonah Hex, and I thought I must be missing something because it was incoherent bordering on the ghastly.
If this is as bad as people are saying DON'T let it stand as your judgement of Jonah Hex as a character. This current series is an absolute joy, its the only book my wife reads regularly and is completely accessible, most stories, though not all, being done in one's. Pick it up and get a better
perspective on Jonah... see what I did there...
... oh you did...
...still not laughi...
...I'll leave via the back...
A little more about 'Batman Inc' from CBR here
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/08/morrison-on-batman-inc-team-ups-and-that-yellow-circle/ (http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/08/morrison-on-batman-inc-team-ups-and-that-yellow-circle/)
Yellow oval debate, on your mark, get set... GO
Morrison and Paquette on Batman the Franchise. This I could buy. Would every batcave look the same, like Starbucks?
Quote from: TordelBack on 11 August, 2010, 12:57:13 AM
Morrison and Paquette on Batman the Franchise. This I could buy. Would every batcave look the same, like Starbucks?
Well as long has thney have those Bat Cinnoman Rolls who cares!
Just picked up 13 and must confess, I haven't a clue what is going on in the first 3 pages with Thomas Wayne etc. but after that it's cracking stuff.
I didn't think I'd like Frazer doing Batman art but it is actually rather lovely.
Really enjoyed the Pirate Return of Bruce Wayne but not so much the bendy wild west one (not just the art, I think it works better when you see more of Bruce rather than " a dick in the shadows".
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 10 August, 2010, 07:15:34 PM
A little more about 'Batman Inc' from CBR here
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/08/morrison-on-batman-inc-team-ups-and-that-yellow-circle/ (http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/08/morrison-on-batman-inc-team-ups-and-that-yellow-circle/)
Yellow oval debate, on your mark, get set... GO
"You made it through years of shitty writing but the yellow oval is a game-breaker?"
American comic book fans commenting on change in their books should be made into a spectator sport:
(http://enterthestory.com/images/franklin_chart_01.gif)
Phew didn't dislike 'Return of Bruce Wayne' #4 as much as others here. Maybe a case of forewarned is forearmed and I was braced for the art. Have to say it wasn't good art and a shame that a series thats otherwise been so well served on the art front is a little let down but as the Emperor pointed he was a last minute adjustment. The biggest problem for me with the not so pretty pictures was a lack of consistency in how characters were drawn and really that was meant to be Vandal Savage was it! Wow.
The story still shone through though and was really enjoyable. Lots of nice little hints and clues about whats going on and overall since I was prepared for the book to look terrible I really still enjoyed it.
Just stumbled across Frazer Irving's alternate cover for B&R #15 and its a beauty:
http://dcu.tumblr.com/post/1047723279/frazer-irvings-creepy-batman-and-robin-15-cover
Wow a beauty indeed. Variant covers bug the hell out of me as a reader but they do mean you get to look at more pretty pictures.
Well #16 was fun, but I haven't really got much of a clue what was going on or who Hurt is. I guess a reread is in order once the last issue of Return of Bruce Wayne lands.
I don't think I shall be buying any more Batman comics though as there's about forty thousand in the shop today.
Io9 spoiled the end of #16 for me. Arsefuck.
Oh well. I haven't been reading it or Return of Bruce Wayne because of monetary hoo-hah, so I suppose I'll just read through it all when the hardbacks release.
I'm reading Batman and Robin plus Return of Bruce Wayne so I'm hoping that carries teh majority of the story. But you definitely get the feeling a lot is going on that you don't know about; whether it is or whether that's Morrison's typical style, I just don't know.
But cripes, the shelves of Forbidden Planet are groaning with Bat titles...
Quote from: Christov on 05 November, 2010, 12:32:12 AM
Io9 spoiled the end of #16 for me. Arsefuck.
Its been pretty hard to avoid spoilers on this one. The minute something gets national press you've had it.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 05 November, 2010, 02:36:01 PM
Quote from: Christov on 05 November, 2010, 12:32:12 AM
Io9 spoiled the end of #16 for me. Arsefuck.
Its been pretty hard to avoid spoilers on this one. The minute something gets national press you've had it.
Pretty much.
All things considered, I took it fairly well. I enjoyed the ending, even if I saw almost none of the build up.
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 05 November, 2010, 01:40:37 PMthe shelves of Forbidden Planet are groaning with Bat titles...
DC are hoping to make him the new Wolverine.
Really enjoyed Batman & Robin initially but from issue 5 or 6, it stopped being self-contained and fun and got dragged into continuity-heavy, narrative-sapping dullness. I liked Dick Grayson as Batman (we've had over 20 years of dark, introverted, morose Bruce Wayne, Grayson was having fun). I liked Robin. I liked the new Batman with the new Robin. The first arc was great fun with this new dynamic, then it just centered around the search for Bruce Wayne and became a plodding, boring read with a varying quality of art.
You'd think with all those Bat titles on the stands, they could have at least one comic for the demographic that don't give a shit about Brightest Infinity Crises.
I've said it before here this complaint always surprises me when it comes to 'Batman and Robin'. There's certainly a lot of stuff going on around the series but I always felt none of it was required to understand the story within this particualr series. Sure it adds to it but even with the Thomas Wayne stuff I felt it was all in there?
Mind to be fair I might not be the best qualified person to make that judgement as I'm pretty immersed in the DCU as a whole.
All I read is Batman & Robin and I never really knew what was happening, particularly with Thomas Wayne/Hurt/whatever. And Bruce coming back was confusing, I've actually gone and read the not-very-good Return of Bruce Wayne to try and understand what's going on but the last issue isn't out yet. The first arc was fun and crazy and made sense, everything after that was poisoned with DCU continuity.
And Morrisson seems to fluff a lot of the big reveals, like Wayne 'financing' Batman, it was almost an aside and yet it should have ramifications for years to come (I'm sure it'll reset the status quo just like all superhero comics). It's something I noticed throughout his regular Batman run (another comic that increasingly made less sense to me because I don't follow the minutiae of their continuity)
Personally, I'd really like to pick up a regular Batman comic that has a strong, consistent creative team (Azzarello/Risso please!) and is free of detailed continuity. I don't mind contextualising, like mentioning Superman's gone for a walk or Wonder Woman's costume is in the wash, but it's frustrating to spend a couple of quid on a comic who's main point seems to be to get you to buy a bunch more to make sense of things. It's like buying a jigsaw puzzle that's missing half the pieces.
Quote from: PreacherCain on 08 November, 2010, 03:19:55 PM
Personally, I'd really like to pick up a regular Batman comic that has a strong, consistent creative team (Azzarello/Risso please!) and is free of detailed continuity.
As an aside did you read their Batman story in 'Wednesday Comics' that was a beaut!
I did indeed, it was one of the best things in it! Risso doesn't get used enough if you ask me!
Speaking of Wednesday comics, I was really hoping DC might give certain of those creative teams a run at a regular monthly. Azzarello/Risso on Batman, Karl Kesel on The Flash (my favourite Wednesday Comics strip), and I quite liked Supergirl and Wonder Woman (not initially, but it was at least different and interesting) too. Obviously people like Paul Pope and Dave Gibbons might not be willing to commit to such an undertaking.
Even Strange Tales from Marvel features creators who not only understand the basics of these characters but celebrate them, as opposed to trying to make everything all dark and edgy like Dark Knight Returns. I thought Evan Dorkin hit the nail on the head recently ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkA0-qsm0MA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkA0-qsm0MA) It's about 4 mins in but the whole thing is worth watching!
I don't know why DC are so bogged down with continuity concerns (saying that, I'd probably have liked all that stuff when I was a teenager!), there must be room (and demand) for just straightforward, self-contained storytelling. At least one of those Bat titles could be used to pick up new/lapsed readers.
Rant over, sorry :-X
I've just finished a reread of the whole Batman & Robin/Return of Bruce Wayne. The early issues remain self-contained fun while the later Thomas Wayne stuff is a lot clearer when you read the two series together like this. There's still a fair bit missing (the references to "The Black Glove", the relationship between Thomas and Joker, Hurt, some rubbish about Batman's dad killing his mum) but everything you need to know about Thomas is explained or implied across the two titles, although not always at exactly the right time.
I finished off with Batman: The Return which was alright but appears to be mostly about setting up the overarching plotlines for the new Batman Incorporated series which I can't be arsed reading. Lovely art from David Finch, who I'd never heard of before.
There's one very interesting detail I spotted in RoBW which I haven't seen mentioned anywhere else. We all know Morrison likes to fill his comics with little clues about what's coming up and references to obscure corners of the DC Universe, so I've got to assume this is deliberate. When Jonah Hex first appears in the Wild West issue, he's playing with a deck of cards and flourishes a Joker as the villain's hapless henchmen make their entrance. However, in the preceding panel we see the rest of the cards he has dealt: Eight, Ace, Eight, Ace.
Clearly, the groundwork is being laid for the Batman/Viz crossover we've all been demanding.
Aces and eights in poker is the famous Dead Man's Hand, so-called because it's supposed to be the hand Wild Bill Hickock had when he was shot dead at the card table.
Quote from: GordonR on 23 January, 2011, 02:50:50 PM
Aces and eights in poker is the famous Dead Man's Hand, so-called because it's supposed to be the hand Wild Bill Hickock had when he was shot dead at the card table.
Ah. Cheers. I still prefer my explanation.
Lerruss In the Batcave ya ffffffuckin bitch :lol:
MORRISON'S BATMAN AND ROBIN GETTING AN EXTENDED RUN THREAD WILL NEVER DIE!
Get that for an excuse to necropost. ANYWAY over the last few weeks I've read Morrison's Batman run start to finish. Aside from the bloody awful, Resurrection of Ra Al Ghul its quite simply brilliant. Evidenced as such by the fact, like most Morrison stuff the momemt I finished I wanted to back and read it again, digging deeper and finding more, as I'm quite sure there's stuff I missed and its already back on my re-read list. Grant Morrison really is the type of writer that you wished had been around as a kid when you had time (and lack of other good comics) to go back to stuff time and again as with GMozz each time you do you pull out more.
Love the way the structure, a number of seperate runs each telling a seperate story, each with its only world breaking conclusion, echos the main theme of the run as a whole. All of Batman's stories have happened before and it will all happen again. Love that each can be read on their own but together then become a big mind melting meta-epic of quite glorious... in fact God like seems appropriate given GMozz's view of superheroes... magnitude and scale. And yet at their heart are simply a tale a boy who lost his parents through the quite cosmic magnifying lens of superheroes (even that theme is in a loop here!)
It really feels like its the summation of his superhero work and when you look at Zenith, Animal Man and JLA, all of which quite glorious on their own, you see how they feel like a training ground for this.
Its quite the best Batman run ever... well okay I need to read Grant and Breyfogle's again as that its probably as good and has Breyfogle's art which tops all... but really with those two runs you simply don't need more Batman they are absolutely all there needs to be.
Go on treat yourself, read all again.
Colin_YNWA, which books did you read?
Last time, I read Batman and son, Black glove, RIP, Time and the Batman, Batman and Robin, Return of Bruce Wayne, Batman Inc. I left out Final Crisis since I rather read it on it's own, and I'm thinking Batman and son up to RIP takes place Batman's head (in the machine).
RIP is my fav. part. Especially the the bit where he fries the evil factory lump and clones, using his memories as a weapon. What I consider to be the core of Batman, similarly why I enjoy DKR as much as I do. Bruce finding ways of using his pain to push on, and become better.
The black case book is also really cool. To think that Batman writing down silver age crazy stories in a book. Cases he can't explain, perhaps hallucinated. Brilliance. As is the time travel bat-god-loop thingy.
My least favorite bit of the run is some of the violence and stuff. While not Millar-esque, still felt a bit too nihilistic at times. For example the brute-batman (Batman and son) killing prostitutes, faces getting eaten or all the lobotomy bits and what not. Not that I mind the inclusion, lobotomy feels quite apt given the goth feel, but I wish there was a bit more finesse to it. Something in the lines of Damian constantly getting organs replaced due to the physical toll of being Batman's little helper. Perhaps I missed it, or can't remember. But I have similar "problems" (nothing big) with some other of Morrison's books as well.
All and all, not my fav. book/books of Morrison (those are DP, Flex and Multiversity, and sometimes Action Comics), but still very good and a testament to what kind of stories the medium can achieve.
There a great online reading list for the run, which I hadn't seen prior to my re-read but has informed my next one when, in the distant future I get to it. Bit of a pain that the writer puts all the variant covers up there, just makes it a little fussier to sort through... but then he did take the effort to do it so I've no right to whine!
http://comicsastonish.com/2012/01/04/a-readers-guide-to-grant-morrisons-batman/ (http://comicsastonish.com/2012/01/04/a-readers-guide-to-grant-morrisons-batman/)
This time I read trades of Batman and Son, Black Glove, Resurrection of Ra Al Ghul (I've since bought the individual GMozz issues to see if they do as I don't fancy reading it again as its a bit of a mess), R.I.P a few of the individual issues 700 - 702 (I think). Then onto my individual issues of Batman and Robin, Return of Bruce Wayne (which needs really to be interweaved a little with BaR for best effect, for next time!) Batman: The Return finally all the Batman Inc stuff. I think its worth removing issue 11 from the second volume from that and reading that at the end with the Batman Inc Special as it is a glaring road bump in the read!
I too skipped Final Crisis as that kinda stands on its own and has too much other stuff going on to distract from the Batman stuff and isn't really needed to understand this run. Its getting a reread soon anyhoo. I do have the 52 issues that foreshadow all this too so they will be added next time.
I know what you mean about all the violence but it does lend itself scale of things, emphasizes the horror and changing landscape from the Blackcase Files stuff (I've bought the Blackcase Files trade which reprints those old 50s stories as a warm up for next time as a treat). It also lends itself to the little loops in the run itself. The big events adding crescendo to each of the big arcs in the overall story. But yeah it does seem to delight in it all a little too much.
I also skipped the Batman INC not written by Morrison. Same way I read his Action Comics run, only his issues. Shame that the INC-thing hasn't gotten much use outside Morrison's story, other -correct me if I'm wrong- a couple of mentions here and there? Similar to Azzarello's Wonder Woman becoming the God of War. It's mentioned now and then, and in the current main book she's loosing her shit over the "burden" a page now and then...
I agree on Final Crisis. I rather read that on it's own. While I love it's "Old Man passes like a dream. Like smoke. But the fire burns forever." (Don't be surprised if you see that on my grave one day), both works --works better that way. The goings in the evil factory is perfectly summed up in the batman book, and I think it's supposed to feel a bit "loose", with Bruce's memories being transferred over to the clones and lump. Haven't really touched 52 as of yet, will perhaps give it a chance with the new collection next year. Would be cool to read followed by Seven Soldiers, Final Crisis and Multiversity (I almost want a TPB to stand next to my tbps of 7S and FC)
Morrison seem to have calmed down a bit. I even remembering him saying in an interview it hit him as well while writing The Filth (which I read today, 3rd time and no wiser). I think both Multiversity, Annihilator and Nameless managed to do much (Nameless especially) without it becoming too much. Can't wait to read his upcoming weird tales Batman :D
There's only two issues of 52 that relate to his Batman run specifically. Its great but not something I'd say is in anyway essentially Morrison, although some of his stuff does shine through. Its basically a nice explore of the DC Universe and seems to revel in its choatic creation.
His "upcoming weird tales Batman" have I missed something or am I being daft here?
I quite liked the Futures end weekly, and I'v heard good stuff about 52. Is easy to jump in, or do I need to know more about Infinite Crisis (eyed it a bit, but didn't quite like it) other than the big 3 have put their tights down? Are there some fun and inspiring Morrison stuff/stories in it? Or is it just superheroes doing superhero stuff?
I actually think Futures end had some really cool stuff going on (even if it wasn't a perfectly told story.).
The new Batman of his is called Batman Black and White. Hasn't been that much word on it, and the little he's said was overshadowed by Multiversity at the time. Seem's written some really weird Batman with some artsy L.A-based talent on art.
This is the only art I know of, as of yet. A woman -according to Morrison- who got trained till she got a six pack in order to portray Batman.
(http://i.newsarama.com/images/i/000/151/746/original/CIR-UsUUsAAzgoe.jpg?1436999401)
Outside the woman-Batman, Morrison has -if I remember correctly- hinted something about Batman's girlfriends sitting down and discussing him, as a Batmite story and one about a moon faced woman who's either happy or pissed depending on which day of month it is.
A bit more here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUf3e34ZO3A
Wow intriguing and wonderful GMozz.
As for 52 I'd say its all there, but be mindful I often say that when people say otherwise but it kinda leads off something (Infinite Crisis as you say) and so starts from a good point. By and large the team who produced it (GMozz, Rucka, Johns and Waid) do their thing so its a wonderful hodgepodge of stuff and styles that kinda beautifully gells somehow. Its superheroy on occasion, brilliantly different on others (which I'd say dominates).