Batman #676

I think reviewing a single issue of a Morrison comic can be a tricky thing. They are often deceptively quick reads, and his transitions from scene to scene can be jarring. My first impression of this issue fell right into line with that statement. But then when I flipped back through it, I was taken back with just how much Morrison accomplished with this initial issue of the RIP storyline. There was the brief introduction of at least eight intriguing new villians, a set up of how powerful and competent this Club of Villains can be, a quick takedown of a minor villain, a new batmobile, and character moments from Batman, Robin, Alfred and Jezebel. There were also callbacks to such disparate elements of his Batman work as the 52 issue, the Joker prose issue and the introduction of Damien that make me feel comfortable he is indeed crafting an interesting overall arc on the character that will hopefully live up to his work on Animal Man, Doom Patrol and Seven Soldiers when it can be finally enjoyed all at once.

Tony Daniel's art continues to improe with his sharp, clean lines. Overall, this was a solid beginning issue to this RIP storyline.