Batman Inc. #10

Batman Inc is winding down as is the massive Grant Morrison Batman run. The title is in a precarious place following the tragedy that happened a few issues ago. Batman has never taken Talia completely seriously until that swan song chapter. This puts the title as a whole in an interesting place, and also gives Batman Inc a sense of urgency. The stakes are truly higher than ever and Leviathan must be stopped at all costs.

The New 52 continuity has muddled this last volume of Morrison’s saga for many reasons. Bruce Wayne has only been wearing his cape and cowl for five years in the New 52 yet, Morrison’s saga has featured an established Batman for five years. A slight suspension of disbelief is necessary to enjoy this story to the fullest. The dilemma of Azreal is hard to avoid simply because the appearance of Micheal Lane in the title raises many questions. Did John Paul Valley exist in this new universe, and did Knightfall happen. While these problems seem small to new readers they detract from the book slightly for the longtime readers because they aren’t addressed. The first scene with Azreal does include some interesting back and forth between the the knight of St. John and the titular hero.

The Al Guhl family continues to be merciless villains, pulling the strings behind the scenes and manipulating Batman. Ra’s Al Guhl is portrayed as a truly irredeemable human being, with a master plan. In comics people often make villains too sympathetic, Morrison avoids this outright and lets his villains be truly evil. Talia mourning a recent tragedy in the comic is an odd touch to her character. She was the one originally pulling the strings and willed the event to happen. Her grief gives the villain more motivation, but also asks the question could she really kill Bruce given the opportunity? The answer seems to be a definitive no.

While the art in this title is handled by three different pencillers in addition to Chris Burnham, the art as a whole looks surprisingly consistent. This is a testament to the colors of Nathan Fairbairn and the other artists Jason Masters, and Andrei Bessan. A page with Nightwing and Red Robin looks incredibly rushed, which shockingly drawn by Chris Burnham.

Thanks to the Batman movies writers have started writing the character of Lucius Fox in the voice of Morgan Freeman. This is an amusing quality that gives the character a distinct personality and role in the comic. The last five pages or so raise the stakes of the series very high. Seeing Bruce put his life in danger for no real reason is amusing and plays well with his motivations.

Batman Incorporated is juggling many threads and characters at the moment. Nobody seems better served to handle this type of storytelling than writer Grant Morrison himself.  With only three issues till the end of the series, fans better get ready for some explosive storytelling!