Batman #680: Batman RIP Review

The Revolution continues to enjoy Morrison’s Batman RIP. This has been such a strange ride and I am curious to see how Morrison is going to wrap up this tale. Batman #680 is the penultimate issue so I expect Morrison to deliver an intense read. Let’s not waste any time and go ahead and hit this review.

Creative Team
Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Tony Daniel
Inks: Sandu Florea

Art Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with all of the rich and powerful guests arriving at the Black Glove’s Danse Macabre at Arkham Asylum. Batman of Zur-en-arrh watches from the roof of Arkham Asylum. Dr. Hurt welcomes the guests to a giant round table surrounded by multiple video screens. Dr. Hurt says that he has in store for them a gamble of life and death.

Dr. Hurt points to one screen where we see Jezebel Jet tied up with a ball gag in her mouth. Dr. Hurt says that they have the damsel in distress. And they have the broken, but not yet defeated hero. And they have the hero’s ultimate nemesis. Dr. Hurt asks the guests if they are willing to bet that good triumphs over evil.

We cut to Le Bossu standing in front of Joker’s cell. Le Bossu strips off his clothes and slips into his costume and puts on his mask. Le Bossu comments how the Joker is so perfect and so complete. That the Joker is the product of random circumstance. Le Bossu says that he envies Joker.

Le Bossu says that he is a respected neurosurgeon with a wife and two beautiful daughters. That no one knows the ugliness inside of him. No one knows what he does to others or what he dreams about doing to his family. That polite society does not allow him to be the man he truly is. In order to express the true person that he is, Le Bossu is forced to wear an elaborate disguise. Le Bossu says that inside he is broken, perverse, grotesque and violent.

Le Bossu states how many of his peers have been inspired by the Joker. That they all revere the Joker’s flamboyance and his dedication to his art. Le Bossu is thrilled to be by the Joker’s side on this night. Le Bossu tells the Joker to pick his partners. That the Dance of Death begins. Joker stifles a small yawn at Le Bossu’s long winded soliloquy.

We cut to Blue Venom in a hot nurse’s outfit demanding to know where Le Bossu is. She tells the gargoyle thugs to go find Le Bossu so that they can begin the lobotomy on Nightwing.

We shift to Batman of Zur-en-arrh on the rooftop of Arkham Asylum. Bat-Mite reminds Bruce that the Batman of Zur-en-arrh was only designed for a short period of time and that Bruce cannot run at this speed all night. Bat-Mite comments that Bruce’s Technicolor outfit is probably unwise. Bruce responds that it worked for Robin all these years. Bruce says that the colors demonstrate total confidence.

We see Sombrero outside on a balcony looking through binoculars at Batman. Sombrero informs Dr. Hurt that Batman is at Arkham. Dr. Hurt tells Sombrero to come and join the party. Suddenly, Joker appears on the scene and kills two of the gargoyle guards standing with Sombrero. Joker then comments how there is something about sombreros that makes them naturally funny.

We slide back to Bat-Mite telling Bruce that all of the hired muscle outside of Arkham is just a warm-up for Bruce. That the really dangerous villains are all inside of Arkham. Bat-Mite counsels Bruce to save his energy. Batman of Zur-en-arrh responds that it is the Black Glove who he is after. Batman of Zur-en-arrh then attacks the thugs guarding Arkham.

Batman of Zur-en-arrh enters Arkham Asylum. At this point, Bat-Mite says that this is as far as he can go. Bat-Mite says that he is the last fading echo of the voice of reason. And that reason will not fit through this door. Bat-Mite says that Bruce will have to face it on his own.

Bruce then asks for one straight answer. Bruce asks Bat-Mite if he is a figment of Bruce’s imagination or if Bat-Mite is really an alien hyper-imp from the 5th Dimension. Bat-Mite responds that imagination is the 5th Dimension. Bat-Mite says “They hurt you and they’re not done yet. Batman. Beware!”

We cut back to the round table where all the guests are watching Batman of Zur-en-arrh viciously plow his way through all of the gargoyle thugs inside of Arkham Asylum. Some of the guests complain that this is not the real Batman. They accuse Dr. Hurt of hiring an actor to pose as Batman.

Dr. Hurt replies that they are all looking at what is left of the Batman. Dr. Hurt reveals that it has taken years, but that his carefully prepared scenarios and post-hypnotic suggestions have split apart the Batman’s already fragile psyche. Dr. Hurt states that he owns the keys to the Batman’s mind.

Dr. Hurt asks if the ultimate noble spirit can survive the ultimate ignoble betrayal. Dr. Hurt tells the guests to place their bets now.

Suddenly, Sombrero comes crashing through the window. The Joker then steps through the window and introduces himself to Dr. Hurt. Dr. Hurt tells Joker how extraordinarily inevitable the Joker is. Dr. Hurt says that he knows the Joker will be disappointed to hear this, but that Robin has managed to elude them up to this point.

Dr. Hurt then asks the Joker to allow him to introduce himself and to explain to the Joker what they plan to do to the Batman at midnight. Dr. Hurt adds that he knows that the Joker will want to stay and watch.

We shift to Wayne Manor where Commissioner Gordon has managed not to set off any of the Black Glove’s booby traps. A voice says that it is time for a challenge. That Batman’s red phone at the top of the stairs is a hotline to the police. That the police have been alerted to a call. That the phone will ring exactly five times and if Gordon fails to pick it up by then a bomb will go off and destroy Wayne Manor.

The phone begins ringing and Gordon breaks into a run. In doing so, Gordon sets off one of the booby traps. A suit of armor springs to life and points a gun at Gordon. Suddenly, an arrow hits the armor and blows it up. We see Damian and Talia on the scene along with several ninjas. Talia mentions how her beloved has spoken warmly of Gordon. Talia asks Gordon if he will team-up with her to find the Batman.

We cut back to Arkham Asylum where Batman continues to plow his way through the gargoyle thugs. One of the thugs radios Dr. Hurt and screams that they did not get their shipment and that they are out of ammo. Bruce makes his way down a padded hallway full of video screen. The Joker appears on the screens and comments that some very rich people got together to throw Batman a party and the Batman arrived dressed like a clown. Joker says that Batman looks vulnerable.

Bruce responds that he is the Batman of Zur-en-arrh. And that maybe he is playing with the Joker. That maybe Batman has everything worked out. Joker responds for Batman “to play with this for a little while.” We then see Jezebel Jet on the video screens. Jezebel screams out in terror for Bruce to save her.

Bruce responds that he is coming for Jet. We see a secured door at the end of the hall. Bruce inserts a security card and opens the door. Bruce then tears off toward where Jet is being held captive.

Bruce yells out to the Joker “Diamond and clubs, rich people. Hearts and spade, love and death. The joke and the punch line, the harlequin’s motley, red and black. Cupid and the Devil.” Bruce yells that Joker gave it all away in the dead man’s hand. Bruce then says “But, that’s not it, is it? That’s not it, at all!”

Joker replies that the real joke is that Batman’s stubborn and bone-deep conviction that somehow, somewhere all of this makes sense. Joker adds that it cracks him up every time. Batman of Zur-en-arrh arrives in a room with black and red curtains and a black and red square tiled floor. The Joker is standing holding a knife and waiting for the Batman.

Joker comments that love really is blind. Joker adds that it is not her. Not yet. That it is only the Joker. Joker asks if the Batman remembers him. The Joker says that they had a special arrangement. A yin/yang thing. Holmes and Moriarty, Tweety and Sylvester. But, then Batman shot the Joker in the face.

Bruce responds that Batman does not use a gun. That it was one of the Black Glove’s men who shot the Joker. Bruce yells for Joker to tell him where Jet is being held.

Joker replies that Batman might be thinking that this is the point where he joins forces with Batman to turn the tables on these upstart newcomers. Joker spits “But, you shot me. Batman shot the Joker. And then I find out who Dr. Hurt is and why he hates you.” Joker then slices the end of his tongue with one of his razor knives so it looks like a snake’s tongue.

Joker adds that these are very bad and very rich people whose attention Batman has attracted. Joker says that they told him that Batman got himself into this mess because he wanted to understand what it was like to be the Joker. Joker snarls that the Batman thinks all of this breaks down into symbolism, structures, hints and clues.

Joker continues that Batman thought all it would take is a few chemicals, a couple of days of drug induced isolation and a cheap nervous breakdown and then Batman would have the Joker all figured out. Like there was some rabbit hole Batman could follow Joker down to understanding. We cut to Le Bossu stumbling down the hall crying look what he did to my face!

We snap back to the Joker telling Batman “Welcome to where your soul dies.” Batman of Zur-en-arrh attacks Joker and grabs him by the throat and demands to know where Jet is being held. Batman screams that he will kill the Joker.

The Joker coughs that he only wants to help Batman understand. Joker says “See, it’s everything, mom, dad, the job. Oh, Batman…Batman…let it go…it’s so simple…life…death…it’s all a big joke. A dead man’s hand. And I hold the winning card.”

Suddenly, the curtains pull back and we see Jezebel in a straight jacket and tied to a chair. She is behind a thick glass wall. Jezebel is crying and screams out “Bruce!” Jet asks why are they doing this to her. Batman is stunned and says “No. Not Bruce. I’m Batman.”

Jezebel cries that she does not want to die. Jezebel asks Bruce to save her. Bruce takes off his mask and whispers “I am the Batman of Zur-en-arrh.” Joker stands up and comments that Batman is smart enough to know that the red and black rose pedals are harmless by themselves. But, that once they come together that a deadly neurotoxin is released.

We see the black and red pedals falling over Jezebel. Jezebel screams out that it hurts. Batman takes a knife and tries to break through the glass wall. Bruce yells “No, don’t do this to her.” Joker asks if Batman really wants to know that it feels like to be the clown at midnight. Where there is only ever one joke and it is always on you? Joker says that “Well, here you are. Now do you get it?” We see the clock about to strike midnight.

Dr. Hurt then appears and tells the Joker to stop there. Dr. Hurt calls Joker his good and faithful servant. Dr. Hurt says that Bruce is now in the grip of the Black Glove. Dr. Hurt says that this is Bruce failing Jezebel. Dr. Hurt said that all of his guests who bet on Bruce surviving this are going to be very disappointed.

We see Batman of Zur-en-arrh holding the bat-radia and collapsing to his knees in front of Jezebel and whispering “Sorry. I’m so sorry.” Batman begins laughing due to the neurotoxins. Bruce says “Red and black floor tiles.” Joker comments “Now do you get it?”

Bruce stammers “…and black…and red…” Bruce loses consciousness and falls to the floor. We then see Jezebel Jet slipping out of the straight jacket and freeing herself from the chair. Jezebel Jet slides on a pair of black evening gloves and gets an evil look on her face. Jezebel comments “Look. Look at his eyes. Now he knows…Batman finally gets it.”

Everything fades to black and the Joker yells “NOW DO YOU GET IT?”

Comments
The Good: Batman #680 was fantastic. Morrison delivers a particularly intense read. We get just enough action to keep the issue lively. However, Morrison does not use action in order to make this issue a gripping read. Instead, Morrison employs powerful psychology that creates plenty of tension in the reader.

Batman #680 is a psychological thriller that creates a frantic nervous feeling in the reader as they quickly flip to the next page. Morrison is able to create an issue that slowly builds momentum and then gradually increases exponentially in intensity until the story comes to a crescendo with a powerful chilling final scene.

Morrison relies on the heavy black and red imagery that runs through this issue in order to form the spine for this story. The striking visuals cue the reader’s mind into the message that Morrison is trying to send to the reader. This is very similar to a David Lynch movie that relies more on colors and visual cues rather than dialogue in order to convey the story to the viewer.

We see the black and red theme in the rose pedals, the floor tiles, the round table setting, Dr. Hurt’s wine, the roulette table in the main party room, the picture in Wayne Manor, Le Bossu’s tie and Jezebel’s skin and hair. This creates a powerful visual theme that strengthens the message that the Joker has been trying to convey to Batman.

The black and red imagery began with the dead man’s hand that Joker revealed to Batman in DC Universe #0. In that issue Joker told Batman that his cards told him that someone is after Batman and that they want to hurt the Batman so bad that he will never recover. Batman reveals that he has figured out what the cards in the dead man’s hand represent. In the end, the red and the black of the cards represent Cupid and the Devil. However, Batman comments that this is not the complete answer to what Joker was trying to tell him.

Joker agrees that Batman still does not understand what Joker is trying to say. Cupid and the Devil could be a hint from Joker that Cupid represents the love that Batman has for Jezebel and the Devil is Jezebel herself. Jezebel being a temptress who is intent on using “love” to lead Bruce down the path of his own destruction.

I enjoyed how Morrison continues to use Joker to drop hints to the reader about the identity of the Black Glove before the dramatic reveal in the final scene. Joker states that love is blind. This hints to Batman’s love for Jezebel clouding his normally rational and brilliant detective mind. That this love prevents Batman from seeing that Jezebel is the Black Glove.

Joker then comments that both he and Batman enjoy jet-black irony. Again, the black and red theme re-surfaces as Joker hints that Jezebel Jet is the Devil from the dead man’s hand. That the irony is that Bruce actually finally opening up and allowing himself to be human and to love another person is what has led to his ultimate downfall.

By this point, the reader is properly clued into the fact that Jezebel Jet is not who she appears to be. The final scene with Bruce trying to save Jezebel was perfect. At this moment, Bruce finally breaks. Jezebel calls him “Bruce” which prompts him to responds that he is Batman. Then he changes his answer to Batman of Zur-en-arrh. And then Bruce begins talking in his normal voice and not his Batman of Zur-en-arrh voice. Bat-Mite hinted that Bruce could only operate as Batman of Zur-en-arrh for so long. That moment arrives in this final scene.

Bruce mentions the black and red floor tiles which makes me think that the rose pedals must have been a swerve. That in actuality, the neurotoxins are in the floor tiles. The Joker continues to ask Batman “Now do you get it?” over and over. At this moment as Batman is either falling unconscious or actually dying, we see Batman finally “getting it.” The reader sees what the Joker has been trying to tell Batman all along: That Jezebel Jet is the Black Glove. Jezebel stands before Bruce in a black dress with a face that looks demonic. And to re-enforce the point, Morrison has Jezebel literally slipping on a black glove.

Now, it is absolutely no surprise that Jezebel appears to be the Black Glove. I think most readers knew that Jezebel was going to end up being connected with the Black Glove in some form or fashion. After all, her name is Jezebel. And in the Bible, Jezebel was an evil character who was a Phoenician princess who became the Queen of Israel. Jezebel Jet is a queen of a small country in Africa. The similarities are obvious. And Jezebel’s physical looks continue the black and red theme.

I have no problem with Morrison not trying to swerve the reader with Jezebel Jet. There is no need for everything to be a stunning surprise. What matters is how Morrison pulled off this revelation that Jezebel is the Black Glove. The manner and method that Morrison performs this literary feat is exceptional.

Even though the reader had a bad feeling about Jezebel, the revelation at the end of this issue was fantastic. Morrison did a fine job pulling all the different plot clues together for this final scene. And having the Joker screaming “Now do you get it?” was the perfect punctuation mark for this scene.

I thoroughly adored Morrison’s Joker. This is exactly the version of Joker that I wish DC would give us from now on. Morrison treats the reader to a Joker who is delightfully twisted and evil. Morrison’s Joker is a fascinatingly grotesque character. Morrison understands that the Joker is not a criminal. He is not a super villain. The Joker is not a man. The Joker is a force of nature. He is chaos personified.

I loved the moment when the Joker slices the end of his tongue with one of his razor knives. That was such a powerful scene for two reasons. First, it had the obvious overt effect of making the reader realize that Joker is truly a sick and deranged character.

But, secondarily, the act of slicing his own tongue gave the Joker a tongue that looks clearly like that of a serpent’s forked tongue. This could have been Morrison cautioning the reader to not believe everything that the Joker rants about in this issue. That since the Joker is chaos personified that there is quite often no sense or meaning to anything that he says.

This theme is carried on in the wonderfully crafted dialogue between Batman and Joker. The Joker’s contempt for Batman’s attempt to understand the Joker is palpable. The Joker finds Batman’s desire to place meaning and symbolism to the Joker’s mind and his actions to be laughable.

The Joker reveals that there is no knowledge or secret meaning to what the Joker does. The comment that searching for the symbolism in everything the Joker does is for Wikipedia. That was a pretty humorous comment about all the internet speculation (including my own ramblings) trying to decipher every single aspect of Batman RIP.

Joker emphasizes this when he tells Batman why Joker does what he does. The Joker first gives the clichéd excuses of bad parents or a bad job. These are the typical motivations that many criminals possess. However, for the Joker, it is simply that life and death is just a joke. That Joker’s absurdist view of life compels him to follow the laws of chaos. That Batman’s constant searching for meaning behind Joker’s actions has been a pointless endeavor.

Morrison does a splendid job handling the dynamic that exists between Batman and Joker. These two characters are different sides of the same coin. They are both more forces of nature than men. Joke is chaos, excess and a lack of control. Batman is logic, order and absolute control.

These two characters are locked in some primordial battle in which both man needs each other in order to have a purpose to their existence in this world. This mythical relationship between Batman and Joker is re-enforced nicely by Dr. Hurt’s statement that the Joker’s appearance was “extraordinarily inevitable.” It seems that if anything is going to occur with the Batman that the Joker must also be present.

I liked that Joker comments that their engagement has rules and that Batman broke them. That Batman used a gun to shoot the Joker. I enjoyed the Joker’s anger over Batman breaking the rules of their game by using a gun to shoot him in the head is enough to get the Joker to play along with the Black Glove. And that is rare since the Joker is not a team player.

I enjoyed the meeting between Dr. Hurt and the Joker. Morrison does a nice job contrasting the meticulous and patient planning of Dr. Hurt with the Joker’s chaotic nature. I found it particularly interesting that in the final scene Dr. Hurt calls the Joker a “good and faithful servant.” Joker had a less than pleased look on his face at that statement. Even though the Joker has joined in with the Black Glove, the fact is that the Joker is forever a wild card and the reader has no idea what the Joker is going to do next.

I loved the scene where Le Bossu reveals himself to the Joker literally and spiritually. Le Bossu explains the duality of his character. Le Bossu’s compulsion to wear a mask in order to be who he truly is mirrors Batman’s compulsion to wear a mask in order to be himself. Morrison continues the theme that Batman is more like the villains that he battles than he would like to admit.

I enjoyed how Morrison used Bat-Mite in this issue. The reader has been unsure if Bat-Mite is a mere figment of Bruce’s imagination of if he actually exists. Morrison plays coy by having Bat-Mite say that the 5th Dimension is imagination. However, we see both Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite both appear over on Superman/Batman #52. Therefore, it appears that Bat-Mite truly is an imp from the 5th Dimension.

I dig that Morrison has Bat-Mite serves as Bruce’s voice of reason. It is neat to see the all-mighty and all-knowing Batman having to rely on another person for guidance. Bat-Mite’s inability to enter the halls of Arkham Asylum re-enforces the fact that reason does not exist inside of Arkham. This reminds me of how Morrison handled the insanity that reigned inside of Arkham in the graphic novel Arkham Asylum. In that graphic novel Batman is nearly driven to his breaking point by the Asylum itself.

Once again, Morrison has Batman enter Arkham Asylum on a path to madness that Bruce must walk on his own. Morrison strips Batman of his trademark logic and reasoning that he always relies upon in battling villains like the Joker. All that is left is Batman’s insanity as he goes up against his old nemesis.

Batman #680 was a well plotted issue. For a fleeting moment the reader sees the various plotlines coming together before it all slips away from them with this bizarre ending. Morrison continues to impress me by reaching back to his previous story arcs during his run on Batman and tying them to the Batman RIP story.

Morrison continues to move the various players into place for the grand finale in the next issue. In the last issue, Morrison mobilized the Club of Heroes. In this issue we see Morrison uniting Talia, Damian and Gordon. It appears that all the heroes are in place to stage a dramatic rescue of the Batman in the next issue.

With the ending to Batman #680, the reader is left wondering if Batman is actually dead or just unconscious. I have a hard time believing that Morrison is going to literally kill the Batman. At one point in this issue, Joker tells Batman “Welcome to where your soul dies.” This could be a hint to the reader that Batman’s “death” will be a mental and spiritual one and not an actual physical one.

Tony Daniel’s artwork was simply exceptional. Batman #680 was a gorgeous issue. Daniel does such an impressive job breathing life into Morrison’s story. Morrison’s tale is such a strange and complex tale that it is not an easy one for an artist to bring to life. Daniel is more than up to the challenge as he delivers another phenomenal issue.

Daniel’s art matches the mood of Morrison’s story perfectly. Daniel injects so much intensity and emotion into Morrison’s story. Daniel’s Joker is by far and away my favorite version of the Joker. This Joker is perfect. Daniel is able to make the Joker incredibly menacing and twisted.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention the part of this issue that made a huge smile break out on my face. The appearance of the red Bat-phone from the 1960’s Batman TV show. I loved it.

The Bad: Again, the same criticisms of the previous issues of Batman RIP apply to Batman #680. If you do not like Morrison’s style of writing then you probably will not enjoy this issue. Batman #680 is also a strange and complex tale that may not appeal to some readers. This is also a rather dark and twisted issue that just may not be the type of story that some readers enjoy. Readers who prefer a traditional version of Batman will be better served to read Dini’s Detective Comics.

Overall: Batman #680 was another excellent installment of Batman RIP. This issue was a riveting read as Morrison continues to deconstruct the Batman. This issue certainly will appeal to readers who enjoy dark, perverse and weird stories. There is definitely plenty of substance in this issue to keep readers who desire complex reads happy. Batman #680 is a balanced issue that offers up a fine combination of quality writing and strong artwork.