Comic Reviews by Walt

Batman R.I.P.: The Thin White Duke of Death

Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Tony Daniel
Inker: Sandu Florea
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Randy Gentile
Asst. Editor: Janelle Siegel
Editor: Mike Marts
Cover: Alex Ross and Tony Daniel

I have such mixed feelings on this book. It’s at once one of my favorite titles right now, and one of my least-favorite. I find myself feeling distinctly “lost” at the start of each issue–particularly the current storyline–catching up a bit midway through, and re-engaged just in time for the issue’s end. Wash, rinse, repeat.

In my opinion, DC really needs to implement some sort of recap/contextualizing/”previously” page for those who may not recall much from the previous issue–especially when it’s been awhile between issues. Such a page could then easily be omitted from a collected volume, allowing for a simple flow of story in that format while keeping the single-issue reader up to speed.

This issue opens with an introduction of a Very Rich Audience to the Black Glove’s game–a game playing with real people and real lives, for their morbid enjoyment. As we’re shown one killer’s interaction with the Joker, “the Batman of Zur-en-arrh” consults a figment of his imagination. Before long, both Batman and the Joker are working their way toward one another according to the plans set in motion by the Black Glove. As the two clash, further parts of intricate plans are revealed, as we head into the cliffhanger before the concluding chapter of “R.I.P.”

Storywise, I can tell there is a lot going on here. Trouble is, I just don’t really “get” all of it, nor do I particularly enjoy all of it. I’m sure it’ll read much better in the eventual collected-volume, but in such short, single-issue chunks with a number of weeks and numerous other things read between issues, I’m just lost. I also don’t care about the Black Glove, I don’t care enough about any of these “new” villains to even remember any names without being told in-context who they are. At the broadest, however, it’s easy enough to see that Batman’s gotta fight the Joker again, and once more, Batman’s fight is for the life of someone close to him–someone he cares about.

Visually, this issue is quite a treat. I really enjoy Daniel’s art, as he brings a certain detail and realism to his art without losing the feel that this is indeed a comic. There’s something to certain panels that also really put me in mind of Jim Lee–and while there IS a difference between the two, I believe I’m finding Daniel’s Batman to be on a very similar level with Lee’s.

All in all, this is a decent issue for the ongoing reader. As the 5th of 6 chapters in a tightly-scripted story, it’s not a particularly good point for a new reader to just jump in and “check things out.” While I’m less than thrilled at it in this format, I hold little doubt tht my opinion will likely eventually change when the story is re-read as a whole in one go.

Story: 6/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 7.5/10

Filed under: Batman, Comic Reviews 2008, DC | Tagged: Batman, Comic Reviews 2008 |