Batman Incorporated #4In my review of Batman Incorporated #2 I said — in reference to the more light-hearted take here compared to the intense 16-issue run in Batman and Robin — “Perhaps this is Morrison’s way of giving us a breather or maybe this is just his light jog before the story breaks out into a sprint.” [Link] Well, it seems as if Morrison has skipped the sprint and entered into an all out run. What started out last issue as the return of thought-to-be-dead El Sombrero who had trapped Batman and El Gaucho (who we first were introduced to in Morrison’s Black Glove as a Batmen of All Nations and who Batman offered a role into Batman Incorporated) took a massive turn and has now reckoned the original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, back into continuity, filling in her gaps along the way. Which…for readers of Morrison’s entire Batman run…makes total sense.
Not every creator A) has the balls to dip into a character’s 50+ years of history or B) the kind of editorial pull to bring back into continuity things that had been left alone for years, but as long time readers know all to well (and have differed opinions about) Morrison is no ordinary creator. And the kind of move he pulls in this issue is far from uncharacteristic; Morrison has been pulling from Golden and Silver Age Batman history since first starting to write the character and makes it very clear that in his work, every Batman story ever told somehow fits – somehow it’s all one big story. So the return of Kathy Kane shouldn’t come as a surprise, in fact this isn’t even her first appearance in a Grant Morrison-penned Batman issue, but what Morrison has been so successful at doing previously (melding current continuity with that of old) felt more choppy in this issue.
In addition to following the plot from issue #3 with Batman and El Gaucho we also get the two Batwomen, both having their own stories which eventually meet up. And although all of it incorporates Morrison’s charming and witty way of colliding heavy history with his modern stories a lot of it felt unnecessarily choppy here. The three stories are spread out; overlapping each other, and at times it’s hard to know exactly where you are or what is going on. For any new reader I would imagine this left them a drooling vegetable huddled in the corner and even for committed readers I’ll bet this issue demanded several reads and maybe even some internet research or diving into older issues. Personally, I enjoy the homework, but I can understand its frustration. Morrison has been able to weave through history and jump through times more efficiently in the past.
A scene from Batman #682 that recurres in this issueAlthough, I geeked out in the Robin, Ace, and Batgirl scenes. It’s by no coincidence that Morrison incorporated a lot the “Batman family” into this issue when it’s in the 70’s Bat-title, Batman Family, that a lot of Batman’s supporting characters had spotlighted adventures. It also opens the door for a possible return of Bette Kane.
The return of Kathy Kane wasn’t the only unexpected charm of this issue though; Chris Burham’s art fits Morrison style just as well (if not more) than previous artists and its a shame he’s just now getting a full issue. Not only does his work reflect and gel with other artists featured in Morrison’s issues (Frank Quietly and J.H. Williams specifically) but watching an artist switch styles during the story is worth the price of the issue alone. The flashback/historical scenes with Kathy Kane are definitely my favorite from Batman Incorporated so far and up there with Morrison’s entire run; especially with how well he recaptured some of the Silver Age stories (Robin looked so cool!). Although he’s not in any solicitations for the next issue he’s set for issue 6 and 7. Can’t wait!
Up until this issue Batman Incorporated was still a bit of a mystery; what kind of book was it going to be and how would it all tie into Morrison’s previous Bat-work? I think these questions are partially answered now (by virtue of presenting more questions and mysteries, but keeping to Morrison’s style). Not only will we be getting new Batman from all over the world but it looks like expanding the Bat-universe will include brining the return of past characters. I say bring it on, but if DC could start a feature in the back of each issue titled, “Grant Morrison for Dummies” it sure would help.
A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATINGProsConsA return to Morrison's unique style of infusing Silver Age stories and characters on top of his already intense mysteriesConfusing for even the most serious of Bat-fans. Each Morrison issue should have a Grant Morrison for Dummies backup Rating95% You might also like...
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This post was added on 24 Mar 2011, 13:19 by John Barringer who has contributed 346 posts to this blog.
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