Batman #675 – Review

By Grant Morrison (writer), Ryan Benjamin (pencils), Saleem Crawford (inks), Guy Major (colors)

I’m not sure how this issue will prelude into the big Batman event coming next month (Batman R.I.P.), but one thing’s for certain, Bruce Wayne is acting quite erratic. For those who haven’t been following, Bruce did some experiments with death a few issues ago and hasn’t been the same since. Not helping matters are the recent events of his son, Damien, the return of Ras Al Ghul, and those crazy Batmen. All of this is coming to a head, and Bruce’s odd behavior has been picked up by a few of his friends, including Robin, who’s suspicions are ever growing.

Batman #675’s story acts as an amplifier for Bruce’s behavior as he finally disregards his secret identity and takes things too far. What ramifications will follow from this will most likely be revealed later. But one person has now made the connection that Bruce is Batman. Bruce is digging himself into a hole (no pun intended), and it seems like things will only get worse from here on out.

I can’t say this is a spectacular issue as it feels more of a precursor to something terrible. Much of the dialogue seems mundane at first, but as the reader draws near the end of the book, it becomes abundantly clear that Grant Morrison is sending a message: all is not right in the Batman Universe. As erratic as Bruce acts, Ryan Benjamin’s art unintentionally matches. His art style is just all over the place and Bruce Wayne seems to have a completely different face every page. As a one-time fan of Mr. Benjamin’s work, the work displayed here is mediocre and disappointing. Thankfully we’ll be getting Tony Daniel back on pencils next issue. (Grade: B-)

– J. Montes

A Second Opinion

Following the amazing and concluding issue to the “Batmen” story arc, we are sadly treated to a weak start for the highly hyped “Batman R.I.P.” Everything is a little sketchy with this issue, from the writing to the art. What makes Grant Morrison “Grant Morrison” unfortunately leaves us with an issue that miserably fails to be nothing more than a head-scratching story filler. And as for the art… It’s bad. Borderline “Rob Liefield” bad…

Ever since Morrison took over writing duties for Batman, he’s given us some amazing stories that explored the character and psychology of Batman and Bruce Wayne. But along with that, he has also given us some pretty weird stuff— like the “prosey” short story in issue #663. So don’t be surprised if you catch yourself thinking that this issue “doesn’t makes sense.” Scenes like Batman’s identity being almost easily figured out by an unimportant (and undeveloped) character, and Bruce Wayne snapping into a sadistic and laughable vengeful creature of the night, make this issue a not so engaging read. It’s awkward and it’s simply weak.

With scenes throughout the issue not really meaning anything or serving a purpose, Morrison’s prelude to “R.I.P.” fails to sell its supposed profound moment in the end. On top of all that, the dialogue has fallen. The “sadistic” words, “Vegetable oil at 350 degrees. You should have let the waiter cancel the tempura,” should never come out of Batman’s mouth. We’re supposed to be reading Grant Morrison’s Batman here; not Frank Miller and Jim Lee’s, All Star Batman.

With the writing not exactly on top of its game in this issue, Ryan Benjamin’s art fails to be somewhat decent in replacing Tony Daniel. The action sequences are weak, and the detail on the men’s faces throughout the issue look ridiculous. Nightwing, Robin, and Damian look like either aging men, or characters from Youngblood from the 90’s, and Bruce Wayne somehow ends up looking like a bulky savage vigilante that’ll remind you of Dale Keown’s, Pitt in the last pages.

All in all, Batman #675 is like that mandatory pick-up that you don’t want to make; because like every issue in any story that Grant Morrison’s writing, this book has the potential to be reread another time in the future for some reference. It’s disappointing though that there isn’t any in depth exploration of Batman’s character in this issue or any exciting moments. (Grade: C)

-Ray Hilario