NB: there are a couple of spoilers, but this story is almost 7 years old, so don't be too surprised. Also, as the author is Grant Morrison, this book necessitates a longer review to be fair.
The main commonality amongst all the reviews here seem to be Grant Morrison's writing in RIP. This is sensible, as it is the writing, not the art, that is the most defining feature of this book. With Morrison, it is his style that tends to pull focus for the reader.
To begin, the writing is pretty much what I expected from Morrison. It is dense, complex, confusing, entertaining, and appropriately Batman. Morrison is not my favorite writer, and I struggle with reading pretty much any of his collections in one sitting. Before judging, it is not because I am not smart enough to comprehend a deeper meaning he hides, or too distracted for works without payoffs every page. No, I struggle because his work gives me a lot to think about and process what I just read. Though the reader gets this complete story collection in one book, it was not meant to be read this way. The story feels like it was meant to have the reader wait months for the whole picture. As a result, reading two or three chapters at once may reduce the drama, or overload the reader without be given the chance to digest the chapter.
The story itself is somewhat disjointed and fragmented, but that's exactly what was expected. I would say there were maybe five or six times I checked to see if two pages were stuck together, because the story shifted gears so suddenly and inorganically. Morrison was probably going for this angle, but just because this was his intent doesn't mean it is all excusable. I can appreciate waiting a long time to see answers finally revealed in a story, even in vague, uncertain terms, but I also value some degree of clarity and linear ideas. I confess, I had to head over to Wikipedia to make sure I got everything after I had read this book a couple of times, just to make sure I got everything. I am not a comics snob, but I dislike having to go to Wikipedia for summaries. So, I felt a little dumb having to read a summary of a COMIC book that I read twice. I'm not a Mensa member, but I don't feel that I am unintelligent. I am all in favor of a thought-provoking comic book, and this certainly is one. I only feel that at times it is more of a head-scratcher out of confusion, instead of big ideas.
The final not on the writing is that, as I'm sure others have mentioned, is that the actual moment when Bruce Wayne 'dies', is not included in a collection called Batman RIP. Some might say that having that moment when Darkseid blasts Batman with his Omega beams would feel really out of place in this book. They are right, sort of. The issues where Bruce is suddenly being experimented on by Darkseid's scientists are included, with zero explanation of how this whole situation came to be. I mean nothing. Not even a *see Final Crisis for the context of this bizarre scene* note. The moment of Batman's 'death' probably could have been included, with panels worked in with at least a mild sense of context. However, knowing Morrison, this idea was probably tested, and the final panel would just not have worked as well.
The art is passable. It's certainly not Daniels' best work, but he is one of those artists who have been improving over time, so I don't believe he was not trying here. Daniels has proven himself a most talented artist on the Justice League and Batman & Robin Eternal series. The only reason I mention this is that when I saw his name on the cover, I was expecting the quality of work he shows on more recent titles. His work here is not as dynamic as that of Hush, or as clean as that in Year One, but it gets the job done without ever crossing into mediocre territory. His Joker is creepy, almost to the point of being grotesque, but undeniably the Clown Prince of Crime. The covers by Alex Ross are all welcome and fantastic. I would not have wanted his particular style to tell this story, but his art was great to see and actually helped my overall view of this collection. To be fair to Daniels, having his work offset by one of my favorite artists may have accentuated the differences in artistic skill.
Thanks if you've stuck with me this far. To conclude, I like this story, but it may not be for everyone. It feels like Batman, without a doubt, but there is an alien element, something different that is immediately noticeable. While relatively inexpensive, this story almost certainly requires the reader to invest in more than one collection to gain full appreciation for Morrison's Batman.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
![Batman: R.I.P. (Batman by Grant Morrison series Book 4) by [Grant Morrison, Tony Daniel, Lee Garbett, Tony Salvador Daniel]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/415nvcxtR4L._SY346_.jpg)
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Great product, great price. The story and art are too rate. Loved the old school Batman story references throughout. Definitely recommend.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Losinglemo
Batman Rest in peace..??
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 18, 2016
Mr. A. J. Cirullo
What a head xxxx!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 16, 2021mattyH 1992
Frankly bizzare but a good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 4, 2021nafnamtab
The Dark Knight at his Darkest!Macabre and Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 31, 2013
