A few weeks back, this column highlighted Batman #17, the final chapter in a storyline entitles “Death of the Family”. If you missed it, you can read about that particular issue here.
Now, it’s not really a spoiler to say that no one really died in the Batman family (Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, etc.) in that issue – but they were left quite distraught and distrustful of their patriarch hero.
Batman Inc. #8, perhaps the most amazingly wacky and fun series that still somehow seems to exist within regular DC “New 52” continuity, without giving too much away, may have an entirely different kind of ending.
Let me help you get caught up.
Batman Inc. #8
Written by: Grant Morrison
Illustrated by: Chris Burnham
Published by: DC Comics
First things first: Damian Wayne is the love child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, the daughter of Batman’s fieriest enemy, Ra’s al Ghul.
Originally created within the confines of the 1987 graphic novel, Batman: Son of the Demon, which was written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by Jerry Bingham, it was always an argument whether Damian was in or out of DC continuity. Grant Morrison ended that question when he brought him into a starring role within a long run on the Batman monthly comic book title in 2006. Here, he was a young, precocious brat – one with ninja-like skills and a thirst for killing his enemies, trained by his grandfather’s League of Assassins since birth.
Not every fan was enamoured with the son of Batman. In fact, most wanted him written off the series. But as the Dark Knight took him under his week – and specifically as Dick Grayson, the original Robin, took him in as a brother – Damian grew in the hearts and minds of readers.
And now, within the pages of Batman Inc. #8, fighting alongside his father against his mother and her terrorist organization called Leviathan, Damian may vey well see his demise.
It’s, well, it’s kind of been promised. And revealed.
On Monday, The New York Post revealed Damian Wayne’s death and the news has circulated quickly. But there’s a trick.
Grant Morrison has written, on two separate occasions, stories that detail Damian in the future, fighting crime in Gotham City as the Batman. As a lover of all things continuity, whether they be forgotten story elements of comics published in the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s or, elements still to be published, you know that Morrison will be leaving clues as to this character’s ultimate end. It may not be in Batman Inc. #8!
But we should be there to, at the very least, read the story and, at most, decipher those clues.
Make the run today and pick up Batman Inc. #8. However vested you are in the story of Damian Wayne, the comic will be a high-octane, outrageous and enjoyable read!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
I grabbed a handful when my LCS opened their boxes! Talk about perfect timing. I picked the best copy when I should had purchased a couple more. Now, every copy is sold out the next morning! 🙂 Wild, ridiculous prices are registering at ebay, much like the way Batgirl 13 came out initially. 🙁
Hey Joe! Yeah, I’ve been watching those crazy prices myself. There’s truly an element of speculation in the comic book market again – reminds me of the early 90’s. The prices of some of the Image Comics titles have gone through the roof – probably because they’re generally not printed in the same quantities as the big two…and everyone is looking for the next Walking Dead. Peter Panzerfaust #1 is going for nutty prices! And Dark Horse’s Mind Mgmt #1 went crazy when it was announced that Ridley Scott’s production company bought the production rights. Hmmm…might be a future article there… Thanks for reading!