Batman RIP Off
Dustin Christian | November 27, 2008
| 12:30 am
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First of all, I should warn you that this post contains some spoilers of Batman 681 and the Batman RIP storyline if you’ve yet to read these issues and/or you hate having anything spoiled, you should probably stop reading now and come back when you have everything read.
As for the rest of you, I just finished reading the final issue of Batman RIP and… I really don’t know how I feel about it. If this hadn’t been hyped up with Morrison’s statements about “the ultimate betrayal” and “a fate worse than death”, I think I would be satisfied and maybe even feel like this was a pretty damn good story, but promises were made and those promises were not kept and for that… I feel more than a little betrayed and ripped off.
There was no betrayal that I could see, unless he was talking about Dr. Hurt’s claims that he was Thomas Wayne and Alfred may have been Bruce’s real father, but did anyone ever really believe that they were true? There was no “fate worse than death” for Bruce, either, as far as I could tell. In fact, there’s an insinuation that Bruce’s fate at the end of this issue may have actually been death, though I doubt anyone thinks that we’ve seen the last of Bruce Wayne.
In fact, there are no real answers here, which makes it hard for me to really consider RIP “over”. Some things are resolved – Bruce apparently knew that an attack was coming all along, though he wasn’t sure exactly where it would come from until it was almost too late. Nonetheless, he did make some preparations and claimed to have seen through Jezebel Jet almost as soon as he fell in love with her. Ultimately, those preparations were enough to give him the edge needed to take down The Black Glove, which was never a person, but rather a group of persons, and their leader Dr. Hurt, who may have been Thomas Wayne (Bruce denies this claim), Mangrove Pierce (Bruce’s theory), the Devil wearing the “skin” of these other men (Hurt’s final claim). The Devil is strongly hinted throughout the book, but this seems a bit too over-the-top, even for Morrison. Honestly, my money’s on an insane Mangrove Pierce who believed he was the other two, but any of these answers is ultimately unsatisfying and we never really get a firm answer on what the truth really is.
In the end, Morrison’s claims that this would be the “end of Batman”, along with his other grandiose statements, turned what could have been a very good cliffhanger leading into a hiatus for Bruce Wayne (while he went away to figure out who he really was and what his mission really is) into a disappointing story that fell short of its promises.
…or maybe I’m griping too much. This actually was a very good story, and even an acceptable end, just not what we were promised.
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That sucks that it didn't end up how Morrison promised.
Tim_H | November 27, 2008 | 12:48 amThat sucks that it didn’t end up how Morrison promised. Personally I skipped it because I’ve never been a huge DC fan, and it struck me from the start as being something that was going to be overhyped and underdelivered. That said, I did have my hopes for it.
On a side note, I just posted something at Your Comic Relief about how I know jack about the Green Lantern, and many of my friends maintain that it is/has been one of the best things in comics for a while. I wondered if you had any suggestions about where a good jumping off point for GL would be?
It frustrates the hell out of me because (in case
Dustin Christian | November 27, 2008 | 12:55 amIt frustrates the hell out of me because (in case you haven’t noticed) I kinda love Batman. Oh well, they could still go interesting places with all of this. Like I said, I don’t think I’d be half as annoyed if Morrison hadn’t been spouting off shit that had me expecting something else from this story.
ANYway, if you can get ahold of back issues, they just finished a retelling of Hal Jordan’s origin in Green Lantern that would be a great jumping on point. That arc just finished, so now is an okay point to get on, too. I’d also recommend Green Lantern Corps, since that tells the story of the rest of the Green Lanterns and is very good. They’re right in the middle of a story right now, but that will be true probably for the rest of the year. I’d just start picking it up and feel free to hit me up with any questions you may have. All of my contact info is on the about page and I check my e-mail all the time – I’m also on AIM and Yahoo more often than not.
Also, there’s always Wikipedia for catching up with what’s going on.
Also, I seem to recall that Marvel is more your
Dustin Christian | November 27, 2008 | 12:59 amAlso, I seem to recall that Marvel is more your thing, so I’ll throw out Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy as damn good books right now.
Basically, the space stuff that doesn’t have much to do with the earth-bound crossovers is pretty good right now, but Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps are probably the superior ones between the four we’ve mentioned.
There is Wikipedia, but honestly, it's more wordy than the
Tim_H | November 27, 2008 | 1:34 amThere is Wikipedia, but honestly, it’s more wordy than the comics themselves. Nothing on wiki is concise anymore. Thanks for the help, I’ll definitely be picking those up on Friday.
I concur, I was suggesting Wikipedia more as something to
Dustin Christian | November 27, 2008 | 8:13 amI concur, I was suggesting Wikipedia more as something to fill the gaps left by comics you couldn’t find.
I have been pimping out Nova and GotG for a
Robert Parizek | November 28, 2008 | 2:41 pmI have been pimping out Nova and GotG for a while now. I have to agree with you and I love space opera stuff and they are doing a great job of it! I am curious on how War of Kings will be.
I'm less than hopeful for War of Kings, but I
Dustin Christian | November 28, 2008 | 3:42 pmI’m less than hopeful for War of Kings, but I could be surprised.
Dustin, my friend, I have to disagree. Granted, Morisson
MidKnight | November 28, 2008 | 4:33 pmDustin, my friend, I have to disagree. Granted, Morisson did not follow through on everything (Still has yet to be seen, the Last Rites arc starts soon) but you have to admit when there was no way to prove Bruce died or not you breathed a breath of relief. I know you are as much of a Batman fan as me. All in all I have to give this issue high marks because it did not kill my childhood hero. We all know he is still alive and will be back so let’s take this and look forward to his return. Also wtf man? They’re canceling Nightwing and a huge list of other insanely good titles, what’s going on over at DC?! I’ll get some more info on it when I can and I’ll do a post for ya man.
"have to give this issue high marks" - So because
Robert Parizek | November 28, 2008 | 5:49 pm“have to give this issue high marks” – So because they did NOT kill the character that the entire run, rumours and teasing was about, that alone should be enough to give this book high marks? Like a gold star for effort? So just forget the lackluster storytelling and vague ending, golf clap everyone.
No. This book is a RIP off in so many ways. When is Grant Morrison going to write a book like the comics that he used to love, crave and rave about? A solid fricken ending to RIP, why do the fans now have to suffer/read through yet ANOTHER storyline “Last Rites” to get any idea of WTF happened in the issue?!
That makes no sense to me other than to sell more books. In that sense, I prefer Knightfall where Bane actually BREAKS Batmans back. No vague shit, no guessing, just the actual event HAPPENED. A solid ending.
I am sick to death of all this vague crap that are in the books these days. Final Crisis especially!
I enjoyed Morrison’s work up to FC & Batman RIP, no I am left cold in the rain with his stuff. Let’s hope that new Seaguy series brings back his magic ’cause lately its been very miss and no hit for me.
Let me add Death in the family where Jason Todd
Robert Parizek | November 28, 2008 | 5:51 pmLet me add Death in the family where Jason Todd first died. It actually happened. Batman held onto the torn body of Todd and cried. No vague shit.
Ever since Black Mask “killed” Stephaine/Spoiler/Robin III off-screen, it seems that DC is happy with all the vague / off camera plot points. Blah.
I'm not going to go as far as Robert with
Dustin Christian | November 28, 2008 | 8:09 pmI’m not going to go as far as Robert with this one, but I’m going to have to agree with him on his basic premise. Morrison has said all along that Batman won’t die, but would suffer a “fate worse than death” and we would see “the ultimate betrayal in RIP, not in Last Rites or Final Crisis or whatever the fuck else he pulls out of his ass. Failed promises = rip off.
Nightwing, like Robin, was likely cancelled to make way for thir new status quo of Dick Grayson as Batman and Tim Drake as Robin in Batman and Robin and Jason Todd in Red Robin.
Why don’t you write a dissenting post about Batman RIP? All viewpoints should be represented.
Hmmm.... I'm detecting anger....
MidKnight | November 28, 2008 | 8:50 pmHmmm…. I’m detecting anger….
From me or from Robert? Robert's just old and cranky and
Dustin Christian | November 28, 2008 | 8:59 pmFrom me or from Robert?
Robert’s just old and cranky and I’m just…disappointed.
Robert, the old fart. =P
MidKnight | November 28, 2008 | 9:11 pmRobert, the old fart. =P
[...] “I feel more than a little betrayed and ripped
Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Quote, Unquote | November 29, 2008 | 12:25 pm[...] “I feel more than a little betrayed and ripped off.” Dustin Christian [...]
I don't want you guys to misunderstand me; I
MidKnight | November 30, 2008 | 8:43 pmI don’t want you guys to misunderstand me; I realize that it was a complete and total rip off but my point was more of the fact that they didn’t truly kill Bruce. In some aspects I’m happy that the story didn’t live up to the hype.
Dustin: Yeah, I know the whole back story to Nightwing. He was just an example of DC Canceling Titles. Blue Beetle is also being canceled, Legion of Superheroes is another one. Catwoman has already been canceled, and rumor has it that Superman will be taken out of Action Comics altogether. Do you see where I’m going with this?
I get what you're saying, but they've been fairly clear
Dustin Christian | November 30, 2008 | 9:00 pmI get what you’re saying, but they’ve been fairly clear from the beginning that Bruce wouldn’t die, but instead would “face a fate worse than death”. My best guess for that is that he’ll doubt himself and his mission and will spend the next year trying to get his head straight.
Also, DC is going cancel happy and trying to recreate 52 by having the big three disappear.
I agree that this was a total RIP Off.
gohomelefty | November 30, 2008 | 11:13 pmI agree that this was a total RIP Off. As a recent fan to comics, Grant Morrison has consistently disappointed me with titles like, “Final Crisis”, “52″, and now “Batman RIP”. If there’s one thing I hate most in comics, it’s being jerked around & strung along for the soul-purpose of selling more comics and worthless tie-ins–Never mind writing and putting forth good quality stories for fans to enjoy!
Am I bitter? Hell yeah! And with good reason–This was a big waste of my time. Yes, promises were made and as usual of late, not kept. To be honest, it seemed as if Batman didn’t even appear in the comic enough–Basically the comic focused on everybody else, looking for him or worrying about his sanity. When he was around, he was either in a cave or he just was not himself. A story about Batman without Batman is a pretty boring story, and for me to have to wait ’till the end for our guest of honor to appear is just too little too late–The same thing goes for the Joker’s appearances.
I’m glad Batman didn’t die, because it simply wouldn’t have done him justice to die in such a boring, lackluster series. I’ll be even more let down if he ends up retiring though.
There was no big death as promised, no answers, and I’m guessing the big betrayal Morrison had referred to was made by Jet….But, it’s not much of a betrayal if Batman had already seen it coming. Honestly, though, I believe the ultimate joke & betrayal was on us.
[...] Batman RIP Off Posted on Thursday, November 27th, 2008
In Case You Missed It.. | For The Love of Comics | December 1, 2008 | 8:02 am[...] Batman RIP Off Posted on Thursday, November 27th, 2008 in DC – Comments: (18) First of all, I should warn you that this post contains some spoilers of Batman 681 and the Batman RIP storyline if you’ve yet to read these issues and/or you hate having anything spoiled, you should probably stop reading now and come back when you have everything read.As for the rest of you, I just finished reading the final issue of Batman RIP and. [...]
Yah I am the old fart, cranky and miserable...
Robert Parizek | December 1, 2008 | 2:45 pmYah I am the old fart, cranky and miserable…
[...] the time about books! Hehee… we all know
The Hartley Show Returns! | Between The Staples | December 1, 2008 | 2:54 pm[...] the time about books! Hehee… we all know Hartley is wrong ’cause RIP was as For the Love of Comics blogged about how it was more like Batman RIP-Off (Kudo’s to Dustin for being round up on the last of the [...]
Robert, you're like the grumpy old uncle that everyone feels
MidKnight | December 1, 2008 | 7:39 pmRobert, you’re like the grumpy old uncle that everyone feels bad for around the Holidays and they invite you to Christmas or Thanksgiving; Knowing full well that by the end of the night you would have made children cry, told other people’s secrets, and called someone gay. Sound about right? lol
Shuuuuure! Sounds good to me. :P
Robert Parizek | December 1, 2008 | 8:52 pmShuuuuure! Sounds good to me.
...except the Dread Pirate Robert would be more likely to
Dustin Christian | December 1, 2008 | 8:58 pm…except the Dread Pirate Robert would be more likely to call someone “Cylops Lover” than “gay”