Geekscape Comics Reviews: “Batman Incorporated #1”
Welcome back to the wonderful, wacky bat-world of Grant Morrison. This week sees the release of “Batman Incorporated #1” and it’s a very welcome sight to be had. As with any Grant Morrison book, you may need a second reading to take it all in. This issue just has it all and it all works so well.
I’ll keep it light on any spoilers…
When the issue begins, we find Bruce Wayne and Alfred standing in the family cemetery, with Bruce informing Alfred that it’s all over with. Alfred asks Bruce a question, but before we get a chance to hear his response they are greeted by some surprise guests. From there the story flashes back one month and we find Batman and Robin in pursuit of a goat-headed killer. That’s right, a goat-headed killer, this is indeed a Grant Morrison book. Their pursuit leads to a pretty awesome fight in the middle of a meat-packing plant that’s filled with lots of blood.
The rest of the issue moves at a quick pace, we are treated to some ninja man-bats (oh how I’ve missed you), some great father-son banter between the dynamic duo, and a new villain by the name of Goatboy. Apparently there’s room for more than just one goat-headed killer in this town, Gotham does mean “Home of Goats” after all. There’s a few panels that show us what the rest of Batman, Inc. are up to, as well as the series main baddies Leviathan. The final page is a true cliff-hanger and will leave you eagerly awaiting the next issue.
Chris Burnham tackles the artwork in this issue and knocks it out of the park. The fight in the meat-packing plant that I mentioned earlier is a a particular standout, it all flows nicely and looks amazingly-bloody with blood splattered everywhere. Burnham also uses some really cool panel lay-outs in the issue. There’s a scene of Batman and Robin swinging through Gotham and Burnham uses the buildings in the foreground and background as additional panels and even colors them to look as if they have been painted on the side of the buildings. You’ll just have to see it for yourself, as my explanation of it can not do it full justice.
Everything in this issue just works so well together. If Grant Morrison keeps this up, Scott Snyder’s “Batman” may have some competition as the best bat-book on the shelves. Only time will tell of course. Do yourselves a favor and check this book out.
Score: 9/10
