Batman #672
© DC

Mania Grade: A-
Issue: 672
Authors: Grant Morrison, Tony Daniel, Jonathan Glapion
Publisher: DC
Price: $2.99

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The Ghost of Batman Future

Grant Morrison opens his newest Batman arc with an obscure introduction – namely, the introduction of another Batman-imitating police officer. Morrison has already suggested the existence of a group of Batman imposters, which he has seemingly modeled on the ghosts of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. In this case, we see the third incarnation, which appears to be the same version that fought Damian Wayne in the very bleak future of Batman #666 – hence, the Ghost of Christmas Future. Yes, I read this in Wikipedia, but it makes a lot of sense. Regardless, the new incarnation bursts into the Gotham City Police Department station demanding to speak to someone named Commissioner Vane. Ultimately, the real Batman confronts him after stealthily departing from Bruce Wayne’s base jumping date. Without giving away too much, the next few issues may see the Batman endure some kind of reflective inner journey. But, we’ll have to wait and see.

The monthly format almost impedes Morrison’s work, because he often begins his story with a situation almost completely removed from any familiar context. He leaves the reader bewildered, but almost always answers the questions he forces the reader to ask. Then again, he also sometimes leaves you thoroughly confused. Let’s not kid ourselves. This issue concludes on a similarly bewildering note, but it seems to fall in with the larger story Morrison has told in his run on Batman – that of Damian Wayne and three haunting Batman imposters – that will lead to a conclusion that only he knows, leaving a run that will, like his turn on New X-Men, read like a self-contained work. But, judging this issue on its own merits remains difficult without having read any of those that will follow. However, given the relative success of the work Morrison has already turned in on this series, it seems assured that the arc will merit your time. Tony Daniels turns in some nice, crisp artwork that allows for some pleasingly visceral excess without going into 1990s Image territory. This issue, like his others on this run, is a pleasure to look at.

Batman #672 begins a new arc in the series, but it builds on the last few. Anyone interested in jumping on with the title should probably read the issues preceding it. Still, it’s recommended. 

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