Oh. My. Little. Chums. If you love Batman, you need to be reading Batman Incorporated - it is off-the-chain awesome. Waiting a month to see Batmans response after the final moment in issue #8 where we see him holding the corpse of Damian has been agony. Its been tough even knowing Batmans response - he is going to throw everything hes got left at Damians killer. Which is maybe why its so satisfying that we see that, in the coolest way possible. Batman, with bare hands and feet, takes on a guy in armour wielding a sword and gives him the everloving business! Im not saying the fight is completely one-sided but the explosive opening pages are pure adrenaline-pumping-exciting to read. Full credit to Chris Burnham as well for drawing action that feels like its moving on the page - seriously, what an artist this guy is. Wherever this guy goes after this series is over, Im going with him. Interspersed between this sequence is Damians funeral which is written really well. Bruce says something that sums up Damians character perfectly - (He was) a brief unforgettable thunderstoke. This sequence is made all the more memorable with Bruce and Alfreds exchange of words. I wont spoil it but its rare to see this kind of scene between these two characters. The funeral also proves, once again, how amazing Burnham is at drawing anything - this time its, fittingly, pouring rain and its brilliant. Yeah, even the weather in this book is great! All of this wouldve been enough for this issue but Grant Morrison manages to get EVEN MORE into this comic. We get to see what Beryls up to in the aftermath of Knights death, and I loved what Morrison did with her character. I really like Knight & Squire so I hope like hell that DC doesnt abandon Beryl after Morrison leaves - shes too good to be forgotten. We get scenes with the rest of Batman Inc, see what the Mayors response is to all of this chaos, and see whats happened to Wingman. And one of the most perfect Batman issues Ive ever read closes with a moment between Bruce and a certain character new to this series thats beautiful in its simplicity. Its silly but Morrison nails it and Burnhams expression on Batmans face made me cry. Its really that good.
Wow. This comic takes you on a journey and it is really damned emotional. Grant Morrison - I cant say enough what a loss it is that hes leaving Batman when this is the quality hes producing. I cant say enough good things about this run on Batman - pick 10 random superlatives and its that. I take it back, there is one really awful, terrible thing about this comic - its that we have to wait ANOTHER MONTH to find out whats happening next! Are you a Batman fan? Read this comic. If you ever wanted to know why Batman is the most popular superhero in the world, Grant Morrisons Batman Inc is all the reason you need. Moo.
Batman Incorporated #9 is out now at your local comics shop and online at Comixology