Batman's in business
Grant Morrison continues the dark knights globetrotting adventure today in Batman Inc. #6. The latest in the critically acclaimed author’s series of Batman stories, Batman Inc. is the chronicling of Bruce Wayne’s ever growing army of batmen and their efforts to battle crime on a global level, for those unfamiliar with the current Batman status quo might want to pick up this issue to get a well rounded taste of what’s in store for the caped crusader and company.
The core of Batman Inc. is Bruce Wayne, the original Batman traveling abroad to recruit other heroes into his new network of crime fighters. Imagine the Justice League, only if everyone had to answer to Batman. Together with these new allies and some familiar faces, Bruce is building a force to combat “Leviathan” a worldwide criminal organization that is creating a villainous “ring of around the world” of crime.
This month’s issue somewhat mirrors Morrison’s single issue Batman: The Return, which set the groundwork and lead into the Inc. series of books last November. It’s not so much of an action packed adventure, as it is a series of scenes that show us that Batman Inc. is making an impact in the world.
Many fans, myself included were against Bruce Wayne’s press conference announcing that he personally funds Batman and all of his endeavors. This kind of public transparency usually doesn’t go to well for superheroes. Spiderman for example revealed his identity to the world in Marvel’s 2005 Civil War event. This lead to Peter Parker’s loved ones being put in harms way. Bruce on the other hand explains to the press that he isn’t worried about being publically associated with the dark knight. As this issue demonstrates, Wayne’s business and other properties are well protected and even defended by a squad of Bat-drones.
Another common complaint readers had during the conference, held in Batman & Robin #13 is that it was too heavy as evidence of Bruce Wayne’s identity as Batman. This gripe is also quickly settled; Bruce simply jumbles the actual truth in with the rest of the tabloid gossip that surrounds his name, making the secret identity indistinguishable from a host of crackpot theories surrounding Batman.
While the issue itself is mostly another stage of exposition, it is a welcome one. Even some characters that usually don’t get much attention from Morrison like Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain get some very deserved panel time. Batman Inc. is supposed to be the flagship Bat-book, and it’s only in issues like this where it feels that way.
Chris Burnham’s art is solid, but for an issue where Bruce is mostly without his cowl there sure are some wacky facial expressions. Not to say that it’s off putting, but I’m just not used to Batman walking around with the hood down for most of the book.
I’ll admit I was initially skeptical about Batman Inc. and before that Batman R.I.P. but after another read through I’ve seen the bigger picture that Morrison had been piecing together over the years and I can’t disagree that it’s one of the more interesting Batman saga’s in the decade or so.