Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Yanick Paquette; Chris Burnham; Michael Lacombe; Scott Clark; Cameron Stewart; Dave Beaty; Pere Perez; Nathan Fairbairn; John J. Hill; Patrick Brosseau; Dave Sharpe; Sal Cipriano; Frazer Irving; David Finch; Scott Williams; Michel Lacombe; & J.H. Williams III
SUMMARY:
Published in 2012, this 264-page compilation reprints the original Batman, Incorporated # 1-8 and Batman, Inc.: Leviathan Strikes! from 2010-2011. Upon Bruce Wayne’s return, he recruits a worldwide network of Batmen at his command. Shockingly, Wayne sets himself up as Batman, Inc.’s public sponsor.
A globe-trekking Batman and numerous guest stars confront the forces of evil in Japan; France; Argentina; the American Southwest; Australia; and Africa to enforce that the real Dark Knight is back. As Bruce’s nightmarish premonition has forewarned him, his Bat-franchise seeks to save the world from the Leviathan terrorist group.
- Episodes 1 & 2: “Mr. Unknown is Dead” and “Resurrector.”
In Tokyo, Batman & Catwoman’s recruitment of Mr. Unknown sets up a showdown vs. the diabolical Lord Death Man and his skeleton-clad goons. Aquazon of DC’s Japanese super-team (the Super Young Team) makes an appearance.
- Episodes 3, 4, & 5: “Scorpion Tango,” “The Kane Affair,” & “Master Spy.”
Bruce goes solo in Buenos Aires to recruit El Gaucho. Teaming with Cimarron of Super-Malon (Argentina’s Justice League), the heroes confront two ruthless desperadoes (El Sombrero & Scorpiana), who are holding three blind children as hostages. El Gaucho’s secret linking him to the long-dead Silver Age Batwoman makes it a personal grudge for Bruce. Kate Kane’s Batwoman & the U.K.’s Hood join in against an enigmatic villain known as Doctor Dedalus.
- Episode 6: “Nyktomorph.”
In Africa, Bruce listens in as Batwing disrupts a Leviathan recruitment of children with guns. Back in Gotham City, Batman has two game plans: one re: the public’s perception of Batman Inc., and the other for his Bat-allies on thwarting Leviathan. In Paris and Australia, Batman recruits the Nightrunner and the new Dark Ranger. Meanwhile, villainous entrepreneur Joe Average schemes a counter-assault against Batman, Inc.
- Episode 7: “Medicine Soldiers.”
In the American Southwest, Native American father-and-son crusaders, Man-of-Bats and teenage Raven, need Batman’s help against covert Leviathan forces.
- Episode 8: “Nightmares in Numberland.”
Featuring Matrix-like cyberspace graphics, Batman teams with Oracle (appearing as a Batgirl avatar) to halt a terrorist takeover of Wayne Enterprises’ computer system. Might they also link Bruce’s treacherous ex-girlfriend, Jezebel Jet, to Leviathan?
- Episode 9: “Leviathan Strikes!, Chapter 1: The School of Night.”
An undercover Stephanie Brown (Batgirl) has infiltrated the overseas St. Adrian’s Finishing School for Girls, as it’s another Leviathan shopping center. With Batman’s help, Stephanie must face Johnny Valentine (aka the bloody Son of Pyg) and the school’s mastermind, Miss Hexley. A cryptic hint is dropped re: Leviathan’s identity.
- Episode 10: “Leviathan Strikes!, Chapter 2.”
As Oracle deploys some robotic back-up, Batman; Dick Grayson’s Batman; Red Robin; and Damian Wayne’s Robin are under siege at Doctor Dedalus’ base. As Batwing deduces the truth behind Leviathan, the Bat-squad realize that their attackers are brainwashed Batman Inc. operatives.
Aboard Leviathan’s orbiting satellite, the Outsiders face an explosive confrontation against Lord Death Man. The fates of Batwing and the Hood are also ultimately at stake. Declaring all-out war on a stunned Batman, Leviathan’s mastermind is revealed. Even Dick and Damian are chilled at the voice they instantly recognize.
REVIEW:
Considering that writer Grant Morrison’s epics often are wildly hit-or-miss, this one isn’t a grand slam, but it’s akin to a triple. Not only does Morrison coherently pack this saga with guest stars galore, he devises a series of plot twists that mostly make sense. The art team’s varying styles capably enhance this complex storyline, including sporadic instances of excessive gore (i.e. the Mr. Unknown caper). Even that segment’s shock value works to Morrison’s advantage.
However, Morrison’s pacing is muddled at times, as evidenced by the El Gaucho-Batwoman-Hood three-parter. In the final segment (Chapter 2 of “Leviathan Strikes!”), he crams far too much plot, back story, and ulterior motives into too little space, making it difficult for readers to keep up.
The other episodes are mostly self-contained, easy to read, and are well-played in terms of ongoing continuity — with one exception. “Nightmares in Numberland” is Batman’s bewildering answer to The Matrix and Tron films. At least its utterly dazzling artwork is consolation for a confusing story. Still, Morrison finds some neat ways to make this cyberspace tale a worthwhile entry in this collection.
Among the assorted guest stars, only Dick Grayson’s now-redundant Batman is a letdown, as he makes so little impact. Dick, unfortunately, is instantly demoted back to sidekick due to Bruce’s overwhelming presence. Not once does Dick or any of the other Bat-characters defy Bruce’s outright dominance, as only Catwoman dares to challenge him as an equal. Without prior knowledge of Morrison’s previous Batman storylines, this convoluted book would be difficult to jump into. Still, for long-time DC readers, Morrison’s complex work is worth catching, if only to witness Batman, Inc. in action.
Ultimately, this pre-Flashpoint saga delivers a vintage Batman saga, no matter how many Robins, Batgirls, and foreign-nation Batmen comprise the Dark Knight’s army.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to the covers (and variant covers), there is an additional eighteen pages, including: a picture gallery and synopses of the guest heroes and villains; sketch artwork from this storyline; and preliminary sketches of possible covers.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
