Batman

• Title: Batman Beyond #4 (of 6)
• Comic Vine: link

Final panel aside, this one’s a pretty good read. McGuiness learns why Nightwing hung up the tights years ago (and why he hasn’t talked to Bruce since). That said, there are some problems. The Catwoman (or is it Catwomen?) angle seems to be get unnecessarily complicated, and for a comic with Batman in the title there’s very little of Batman in action (unless you count Bruce’s robot) in this issue.

And then there’s the final panel… Yeah. Um, yeah. I won’t ruin for it for in case you plan to pick this one up, but lets just say the final panel flushes the promise of the previous pages right down the toilet. Sigh. I doesn’t work, whether it’s real or simply yet another twist (this comic has more than a Shyamalan marathon). We’ll have to see if the series can rebound, but I have my doubts.

[DC $2.99]

• Title: Batman #703
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Fabian Nicieza
• Artist: Cliff Richards

There’s nothing really bad about this issue (with the possible exception of a wind surfing baddie), but there’s really nothing all that special about it either.

The story focuses on the return of the Getaway Genius, a villain Dick Grayson’s past as Robin, and the further snooping of Vicki Vale.

There are some nice moments between Dick and Damian (especially towards the end of the story), but nothing that would make anyone other than hardcore Bat-fans pick this issue up. Nice cover, though. For fans.

[DC, ]

• Title: Batman #702
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Grant Morrison
• Artist: Tony Daniel

The days leading up to Batman’s “death” are finally explored.

See, if you wait long enough Grant Morrison will give you an explanation. Maybe not a great explanation, but at least something. You only need to needlessly wait months until the story in question is long over and it doesn’t really matter anymore.

As it stands the story is a solid one, and downright linear for a Morrison tale, but the real question behind this “Missing Chapter” of Batman R.I.P. is where the hell has it been for all these months?

There are also a couple of really good lines describing Superman, his abilities, and his larger world, from Batman’s point of view. Better late than never, and worth a look.

[DC $2.99]