Batman: R.I.P.

Consider Morrison redeemed in my book.

Disclaimers: I am a fan of the bat. A very good friend of mine is a fan of Grant Morrison. This friend gave me a copy of Batman and Son for my birthday in 2013. Batman: The Black Glove nearly turned me off of the Morrison Batman run.

Now that all of that is out of the way, allow me to connect the dots. When I started to get into comics, I turned to my friend Lloyd (who has loved comics for as long as I've known him) for a little guidance. We decided to read a couple of titles together and talk about them (because we're both literary nerds) and I asked for suggestions on the Batman series. Lloyd spoke highly of Grant Morrison and his run with the character and, as noted, gifted me a copy of Batman and Son, which I really enjoyed. As such, I went on to pick up a copy of Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul and ultimately Batman: The Black Glove. The “resurrection” book was terrific and I was very much looking forward to “glove”. As I've come to realize, however, I like my Batman as largely a solo artist, and the first half of the “glove” is anything but that. The overly comical nature of the sidekicks and partners in “glove” - while well-written - left me wanting.So...not wanting to bale without giving Morrison's run a thorough chance, I moved on to Batman R.I.P.. I'm glad I did. RIP takes the themes that were initially developed at the end of “glove” and makes them highly entertaining. We all know (even if it is deep down), that Bruce Wayne is a little psychotic (or how else would he be the Batman?) and RIP puts the reader a little closer to that reality. I loved the way Morrison explored the notions of madness. Who is the true madman? Is it the Joker, who is depicted with a renewed “sinister-ness” who admits to only toying with people to see what they'll do? Or is it the Batman, who will subject himself to near-death conditions just to try to understand his foe? Perhaps the heroes need to be just as crazy as the villains.Bruce Wayne/Batman is the ultimate tragic figure. His is a life of great loss and that loss continues in RIP. His latest love interest turns out to just be playing him. (I should admit, though, that I thought the character of Jezebel Jet could have been better developed in “glove” and RIP.) By ridding Gotham of its super villains, Bruce robs himself of the ability to sustain meaningful relationships (with anyone other than Alfred). Bruce is, in effect, in a relationship with Gotham City and it's destined to fail miserably.So it's on to the next in Morrison's run with a vigor that didn't exist after “glove”. For that - and for the love of the bat - I am grateful.

I have got to admit, reading this was .... strange. I liked the artwork and the Joker is magnificent. I love the creepy, skinny, truly insane Joker best, but Zur-En-Arrh Batman? And the chubby little Batman cherub? It lost all kinds of credibility for me there.

Not to say that it wasn't good or that Batman should never be wacky because I think every once in awhile it should be a tension breaker, but this didn't feel like someone having fun, it felt like someone was trying to take it seriously.

That said it was a good read for the most part except I could have done without the last two stories which, for me, just ended up being confusing.