Wednesday's Finest: 'Batman Incorporated' #1 (DC)

By Don M. Ventura

Grant Morrison had no interest in returning Bruce Wayne to the status quo. After reintroducing Bruce in Batman and Robin #16, Morrison writes a prologue in Batman: The Return and revs right into Batman’s quest to franchise himself in Batman Incorporated.

We open with the gruesome (and I mean gruesome) death of Mr. Unknown, a Japanese masked vigilante that Batman has traveled to Japan to recruit as the Japanese Batman. Unfortunately by that point he no longer has a face, hands, or a life.  Now Batman and Catwoman are on the search to locate Jiro Osamu, a young man who appeared to be Mr. Unknown’s ward.

Batman Incorporated is another highlight in a resume filled with highlights for Morrison, and a treat for readers who are open to newness in the Batman mythology. This is not a departure for the character, just an exploration of an idea that feels like a natural transition for the character. While his heroic counterparts are able to save the world time and again, it makes sense that Batman would attempt the same with a conglomerate of caped crusaders since he is unable to be at all places at once.

While Bat-books will always have a dark edge to them and the crimes within, Morrison has brought some pleasing lightness to his story. I enjoyed reading Selina make a “reeooowr” sound a few times during the issue without it being silly. And why not throw in some giant mouse robots as well? The conclusion even pays homage to the 60’s Batman series without being wince-worthy.

Morrison is also adept at creating terrifying villains who don’t recognize the boundaries of humanity in which they effortlessly cross. Professor Pyg was an eerie example of this, and in Batman Incorporated we have the reintroduction of Lord Death Man. It only makes sense that if you are going to create new Batmen you’ll have a gaggle of murderous enemies in tow.

Yanick Paquette has drawn a fantastic piece with this first issue. His thick lines and expressions are somewhat reminiscent of J.G. Jones. I liked his square-jawed Batman, but even more so enjoyed his work on Selina. Her expressions were priceless, whether she was calmly cracking a safe while Batman took out one of Dr. Sivana’s robots or coveting the enormous diamond she was enlisted to steal.

Nathan Fairbairn has colored the pages nicely hear. He had plenty of opportunities to bring an insane palette to some of the exterior scenes featuring Japan’s colorful electric skylines. The cover by J.H. Williams III is easily the most striking cover of the week and conveys precisely the tone of the series.

This next chapter of Morrison’s Bat-saga has started off strong and I’m eager to follow Batman across the globe.