Batman #676 Review

BATMAN #676
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea

Batman RIP officially starts with this issue and it felt very much like a prologue or teaser than an actual story. We begin with a brief introduction to the Black Glove, showing off some very Morrison-esque characters. You'll know what I mean when you see them, as they are about as conventional looking as the Authority is diplomatic.

Afterwards, we get a random chase scene that seems designed only to show off the "new" Batmobile. I say "new" only because it looks identical to just about every other standard Batmobile design we've seen except this one has, oooohhhh, red lights.

The chase ends predictably and leads to a scene back at the mansion where Bruce begins undressing upstairs as he enters his room, where his current girlfriend, Jezebel Jet, who recently learned he's Batman, is waiting for him.

As they embraced, we listen in on Alfred and Robin going over all the changes and craziness Batman's been through over the past year with his trials in 52 and the recent near death experience. It felt very much like a "hey, you guys that picked this up for the big event, but don't know anything about the current run, this is a recap" and had me wanting to just flip through the pages to until something new came up.

We then have Bruce talking with Jezebel about his parents at their grave as she shows him a letter from the Black Glove, requesting their attendance at a party, to Bruce's shock and surprise, as they are the ones he's looking for.

The issue ends with a really creepy Joker segment that has me wondering what was real and what wasn't. This is definitely the prose version earlier in Morrison's run and doesn't even try to explain how he was in Salvation Run, even though they basically say all the crazies are missing earlier in the issue, which seemed to reference said Salvation Run.

The Joker scene opened with Arkham's doors open, blood running down the steps and then switches to a more monotone colouring scheme of the interior. Joker is seen amongst blood stained hallways and dead bodies strewn about as a television talks about an airborn Joker virus killing millions. We then get a shot of his therapist talking to him before the power goes out and the Black Glove request his attendance at a party to kill Batman. As the power comes back on, we see a normal coloured version of this Joker with blood stained clothing and cell.

So, as you can tell, I have no idea if Joker was imagining all this death during his session or if the dead bodies are from the Black Glove infiltrating and if that Joker virus is even real or not. I'm pretty sure it isn't, but the scene was one of the more disturbing takes on the Joker I've read and a bit insane and confusing at the same time, which I imagine was the intent.

Verdict - Check It. The Joker scene was great, but the rest of the issue felt like filler and recaps for new readers jumping on for this event. The art was excellent by Daniels, but I hope the story picks up next issue.

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