Scans: Batman Inc. #7
Batman Inc. #7: Written by Grant Morrison, art by Chris Burnham
Batman Inc. #7 stands alone surprisingly well (all you need to know to get the plot is that Leviathan is an evil organization out to destroy Batman and his allies), and it has a really good story and social commentary combined with some very nice art! Batman doesn't play a huge part in it, all of the focus is on the Native American hero Man-of-Bats and his sidekick-son Raven, and the Noble Savage concept is pretty thoroughly shattered from page one.
(Warning note: this issue had a lot of blood in it as well as a scene of animal abuse, although all works out okay in the end!)
The issue opens with Man-of-Bats going around the neighborhood from door to door, checking on people. Man-of-Bats is, like Knight, open about his civilian identity and is a doctor in the local hospital.
Man-of-Bats and his son, Raven, find a woman with a small child who's committed suicide in a really depressing sequence. It becomes clear Raven is not so sure they're doing any good in the community, although Man-of-Bats is undaunted.
That night, on patrol, they come across the local gang leader abusing his dog:
Man-of-Bats insists that Black Elk is peddling drugs, but the police show up and find only "peppermint wafers" on him. The police take Black Elk into custody and ask Man-of-Bats to come with them, but the whole thing is clearly suspicious. Raven, however, has had enough:
Raven goes home and finds Batman waiting for him:
I love those last two panels, the contrast of Bruce's delight and Raven's cynicism. Also, Man-of-Bats headquarters having a giant wooden nickel is a great detail!
Meanwhile, to no one's great surprise, the police are working for Leviathan and turn on Man-of-Bats, beating him badly.
Okay, I just love that the dog turns on him. I was kind of nervous it wouldn't, which would have sent a MUCH more depressing message here.
Ahhhhh, I am such a sucker for "the community comes together and fights for its heroes" scenes, they get me every time. All of those civilians, of course, are the ones from the opening scene (including the awesome guy in the Superman t-shirt!)
Seeing the dog there in the top panel makes me so happy! Dog-of-Bats is ready to spring into action and fight evil!
Anyway, I really enjoyed the tone of this issue, the mix of gritty realism and optimism (this is exactly why I see Batman as a symbol of hope--not pie-in-the-sky hope, but the grim determination to make the world better one day at a time, even if it looks like nothing is improving). In theory I'd love to see a Man-of-Bats ongoing title, but in reality I think it's a concept that works only in a one-shot, because it would be hard to walk the tightrope between idealism and despair for very long.
Batman Inc. #7 stands alone surprisingly well (all you need to know to get the plot is that Leviathan is an evil organization out to destroy Batman and his allies), and it has a really good story and social commentary combined with some very nice art! Batman doesn't play a huge part in it, all of the focus is on the Native American hero Man-of-Bats and his sidekick-son Raven, and the Noble Savage concept is pretty thoroughly shattered from page one.
(Warning note: this issue had a lot of blood in it as well as a scene of animal abuse, although all works out okay in the end!)
The issue opens with Man-of-Bats going around the neighborhood from door to door, checking on people. Man-of-Bats is, like Knight, open about his civilian identity and is a doctor in the local hospital.
Man-of-Bats and his son, Raven, find a woman with a small child who's committed suicide in a really depressing sequence. It becomes clear Raven is not so sure they're doing any good in the community, although Man-of-Bats is undaunted.
That night, on patrol, they come across the local gang leader abusing his dog:
Man-of-Bats insists that Black Elk is peddling drugs, but the police show up and find only "peppermint wafers" on him. The police take Black Elk into custody and ask Man-of-Bats to come with them, but the whole thing is clearly suspicious. Raven, however, has had enough:
Raven goes home and finds Batman waiting for him:
I love those last two panels, the contrast of Bruce's delight and Raven's cynicism. Also, Man-of-Bats headquarters having a giant wooden nickel is a great detail!
Meanwhile, to no one's great surprise, the police are working for Leviathan and turn on Man-of-Bats, beating him badly.
Okay, I just love that the dog turns on him. I was kind of nervous it wouldn't, which would have sent a MUCH more depressing message here.
Ahhhhh, I am such a sucker for "the community comes together and fights for its heroes" scenes, they get me every time. All of those civilians, of course, are the ones from the opening scene (including the awesome guy in the Superman t-shirt!)
Seeing the dog there in the top panel makes me so happy! Dog-of-Bats is ready to spring into action and fight evil!
Anyway, I really enjoyed the tone of this issue, the mix of gritty realism and optimism (this is exactly why I see Batman as a symbol of hope--not pie-in-the-sky hope, but the grim determination to make the world better one day at a time, even if it looks like nothing is improving). In theory I'd love to see a Man-of-Bats ongoing title, but in reality I think it's a concept that works only in a one-shot, because it would be hard to walk the tightrope between idealism and despair for very long.