The Dark Knight is no longer content keeping his war on crime isolated to only Gotham City. He’s ready to take on the super villains and evildoers of the entire world with the help of a few friends. “Batman Incorporated” collects the first eight issues of the original 2010 to 2011 run of the monthly series. It ends with the “Leviathan Strikes” one shot which leads into the “New 52” storyline we have now.
Bruce Wayne tells the entire world he is the financer of Batman’s war on crime. He goes about assembling an army of international heroes who act as his agents in each of their international regions. The first threats he faces are Lord Death Man, a Nazi war criminal with Alzheimer’s named Dedalus, and an international terrorist group known as Leviathan.
“Batman Incorporated” is the perfect medium for writer Grant Morrison to spin his intricate mysteries. He does an excellent job of blending an old-school detective yarn with the non-stop action Batfans know and love. He also successfully weaves old and new characters from the Batman universe to keep things exciting and giving readers a sense of nostalgia that will leave them smiling.
Several artists contribute their talents to “Batman Incorporated.” Most of the art is handled by Yanick Paquette and Chris Burnham. Michael Lacombe, Scott Clark, Cameron Stewart, and Dave Beaty’s illustrations add variety to the book. Their art is all different but it doesn’t distract readers from the storylines. My favorite artwork is by Scott Clark for the techno-thriller “Nightmares in Numberland,” which takes Batman and Oracle into cyberspace. The penciling and coloring is reminiscent of what we see in the “TRON” movies and TV show.
Batman enthusiasts will be very excited to see a special “Paperwork” section that features some bonus goodies. There are descriptions and history given about the different team-ups, characters, and villains utilized in “Batman Incorporated.” Preliminary cover art by J.H. Williams III, Yanick Paquette, and Chris Burnham are showcased as well.
“Batman Incorporated” does a fantastic job of establishing the groundwork for the monthly series that continues to please in the “New 52” world. Its variety of different heroes mixed with the head honcho everybody reads this for in the first place makes for a gratifying experience. You can’t help but yearn for more as you turn the last page of the book.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
Batman, Incorporated Issue #1 Comic Book Review
Batman Incorporated Comic Books Reviewed
“Batman: Bruce Wayne – the Road Home” Graphic Novel Review
