REVIEW: Batman RIP Conclusion

(This post contains *spoilers* for the Batman RIP story arc. So, if you're still reading it - don't read this!)

Last week I finished reading the Batman RIP arc which I have been following since May. (You can read my other RIP related post here).
In this conclusion, Batman escapes after being buried alive by members of a secret worldwide crime syndicate known only as the Black Glove. Despite the Black Glove using both physical and psychological torture to try and defeat him, he overcomes their trap and heads back to their new headquarters at Arkam Asylum to deliver some long needed ass-kicking. As a beaten and mentally tired Batman confronts the leader of the Black Glove, a man masquerading as Bruce Wayne's father, a final fistfight in a helicopters results in the inevitable fireball and the death of Bruce Wayne as Batman....apparently.

I say apparently as the ending is ambiguous. A huge explosion and no sign of a body is more than a little frustrating way to end this arc which promised so much, and has so far only delivered another "comic book death".

To say the RIP storyline has been confusing at times would be an understatement. Batman, in his infinite knowledge of the criminal mind, decides that as well as having to prepare for every physical attack he could receive to his body, decides to prepare his mind for an attack by creating a "backup personality" that could be activated to save himself - think "system restore" for the mind. This was realised as the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, a yellow and purple suited Batman from another planet! You'll really have to read it for it to make sense.

Overall it has been enjoyable, with interesting plot twists and turns, and artwork that moves the story at a film-like pace, making you read each issue cover-to-cover. Moreover, Grant Morrison's portrayal of the Joker is worth the price of admission alone.

Despite it's highlights, I still feel slightly cheated. While heroes die, legends live forever - and the panels suggest that the legend of Batman will fall to Dick Grayson to dawn the cowl. But to find out the fate of Bruce Wayne, I'll have to follow another DC series (Final Crisis) which will truly determine what will happen to the Batman character.

But as everyone knows, in the world of comics books - no-one ever really dies (with the exception of Uncle Ben and Thomas and Martha Wayne), and I think this 'death' of Bruce Wayne is only symbolism of a new era for Batman.