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Grant Morrison
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Batman: R.I.P. Deluxe HC Hardcover – February 17, 2009

by Grant Morrison (Author), Tony Daniel (Illustrator)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 885 ratings
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Tying into his other blockbuster stories of 2008 Final Crisis and Batman: The Ressurection of Ra's Al Ghul, the legendary Grant Morrison confronts readers with the unthinkable...the death of The Dark Knight.
The troubled life of Bruce Wayne seems to spin out of control when his releationship with the mysterious Jezebel Jet deepens. Soon Bruce Wayne drops out completely, having seemingly become the victim of mental illness and abandoning his Batman identity for a life on the streets of Gotham City. Capitalizing on the fall of their greatest foe, the Club of Villains begin a crime spree through the streets of Gotham that threatens to bring the city to its knees.
Previous page
  1. Part of Series
    Batman (1940-2011)
  2. Print length
    208 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    DC Comics
  5. Publication date
    February 17, 2009
  6. Dimensions
    7.42 x 0.57 x 11.13 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1401220908
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1401220907
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Batman is pushed past the edge of sanity in this spectacular story that mixes icy mind games and passionate outbursts. A club of criminal masterminds, the Black Glove, has an elaborate plot to make Bruce Wayne/Batman self-destruct by convincing him that all his friends and lovers have betrayed him and that his most trusted memories are false. As clever in their scheming as the villains are, however, they have no idea how thorough Batman has been in planning ways to protect his obsessions; consequently, the action is fractured between scenes of what is really happening, what might be happening, what probably isn't happening, etc. This premise gives scriptwriter Morrison and principal artist Daniel a chance to review key episodes and images from the Caped Crime Fighter's long career—including, of course, numerous encounters with the Joker, who's too chaotic to be happy in any organization like the Black Glove, but who struts through the action wielding sardonic humor and two straight razors. Whether Batman winds up (or ever was) totally sane is unresolved, but he's a fascinating protagonist in this sweeping, emotionally draining saga. (Feb.)
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From Booklist

Having largely abandoned the outré projects (e.g., Doom Patrol, The Invisibles) that made his reputation for chronicling DC’s big superheros, Morrison here gives us the caper that puts the lid over the Caped Crusader. Dr. Simon Hurt, leader of the international criminal associates known as the Black Glove, has devised an elaborate psychological trap for Batman. The scheme succeeds in breaking Batman’s sanity, long established as being dangerously fragile, and leading him to adopt a psychotically violent persona, the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, who squares off in Arkham Asylum against Dr. Hurt’s new ally, the Joker. Batman’s delusions are likely to be as confusing to readers as they are to him. Morrison uses elements from seven decades’ worth of disparate and contradictory versions of the character, and only the most dedicated fans will recognize most of them. Tony Daniel’s art grounds the complex proceedings with clarity and verve. Batman’s apparent demise at the saga’s end leads into an arc in which various would-be successors vie for the right to wear his cowl. --Gordon Flagg

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DC Comics; Deluxe edition (February 17, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401220908
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401220907
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.57 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.42 x 0.57 x 11.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 885 ratings

About the author

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Grant Morrison

Grant Morrison

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Grant Morrison is one of comics' greatest innovators. His long list of credits includes Batman: Arkham Asylum, All-Star Superman, JLA, Green Lantern, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, The Invisibles, WE3 and The Filth.

The TV series of his graphic novel HAPPY! is showing on SYFY and Netflix.

Photo by PDH (File:Grant_morrison.jpg) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
885 global ratings
Great book
5 Stars
Great book
Great product, great price. The story and art are too rate. Loved the old school Batman story references throughout. Definitely recommend.
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Top reviews from the United States

Brent Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Different, But Good!
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2011
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This volume doesn't chronicle the actual death of Batman, but it comes pretty close. He actually dies in a big DC crossover that happens just after this collection. Regardless, it does tell the story of the planned death of Batman by the Black glove that comes close to ending our hero.

The Highlights: Great writing by Grant Morrison, although it does get a little weird as the Black Glove tries to destroy Batman's mind. Morrison also modernizes two obscure bat characters: Bat Mite, and the Batman of Zur En Arrh. The art by Tony S. Daniel is brilliant--not too out of the ordinary, but very polished and beautiful. The Joker and his creepy new look are also a big part of this story, and I really like what they have done with him visually. There's also a small art gallery at the end of the paperback version, that showcases some fantastic pencil and ink work.

Things to Consider: Warning to the squeamish--this volume does contain some blood and disturbing images. And the Joker is really creepy. The story is great, but a little complicated. If you want a simple super hero story, don't start here.

This was an exciting read, and I recommend it to any who want to know some recent Batman history.
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Al Jordan.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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Batman is in pursuit of the mysterious Back glove organization headed up by a doctor that knows all his secrets and intends to break him.
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Stuart S
4.0 out of 5 stars Morrison delivers excelent, confusing material
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2016
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NB: there are a couple of spoilers, but this story is almost 7 years old, so don't be too surprised. Also, as the author is Grant Morrison, this book necessitates a longer review to be fair.

The main commonality amongst all the reviews here seem to be Grant Morrison's writing in RIP. This is sensible, as it is the writing, not the art, that is the most defining feature of this book. With Morrison, it is his style that tends to pull focus for the reader.

To begin, the writing is pretty much what I expected from Morrison. It is dense, complex, confusing, entertaining, and appropriately Batman. Morrison is not my favorite writer, and I struggle with reading pretty much any of his collections in one sitting. Before judging, it is not because I am not smart enough to comprehend a deeper meaning he hides, or too distracted for works without payoffs every page. No, I struggle because his work gives me a lot to think about and process what I just read. Though the reader gets this complete story collection in one book, it was not meant to be read this way. The story feels like it was meant to have the reader wait months for the whole picture. As a result, reading two or three chapters at once may reduce the drama, or overload the reader without be given the chance to digest the chapter.

The story itself is somewhat disjointed and fragmented, but that's exactly what was expected. I would say there were maybe five or six times I checked to see if two pages were stuck together, because the story shifted gears so suddenly and inorganically. Morrison was probably going for this angle, but just because this was his intent doesn't mean it is all excusable. I can appreciate waiting a long time to see answers finally revealed in a story, even in vague, uncertain terms, but I also value some degree of clarity and linear ideas. I confess, I had to head over to Wikipedia to make sure I got everything after I had read this book a couple of times, just to make sure I got everything. I am not a comics snob, but I dislike having to go to Wikipedia for summaries. So, I felt a little dumb having to read a summary of a COMIC book that I read twice. I'm not a Mensa member, but I don't feel that I am unintelligent. I am all in favor of a thought-provoking comic book, and this certainly is one. I only feel that at times it is more of a head-scratcher out of confusion, instead of big ideas.

The final not on the writing is that, as I'm sure others have mentioned, is that the actual moment when Bruce Wayne 'dies', is not included in a collection called Batman RIP. Some might say that having that moment when Darkseid blasts Batman with his Omega beams would feel really out of place in this book. They are right, sort of. The issues where Bruce is suddenly being experimented on by Darkseid's scientists are included, with zero explanation of how this whole situation came to be. I mean nothing. Not even a *see Final Crisis for the context of this bizarre scene* note. The moment of Batman's 'death' probably could have been included, with panels worked in with at least a mild sense of context. However, knowing Morrison, this idea was probably tested, and the final panel would just not have worked as well.

The art is passable. It's certainly not Daniels' best work, but he is one of those artists who have been improving over time, so I don't believe he was not trying here. Daniels has proven himself a most talented artist on the Justice League and Batman & Robin Eternal series. The only reason I mention this is that when I saw his name on the cover, I was expecting the quality of work he shows on more recent titles. His work here is not as dynamic as that of Hush, or as clean as that in Year One, but it gets the job done without ever crossing into mediocre territory. His Joker is creepy, almost to the point of being grotesque, but undeniably the Clown Prince of Crime. The covers by Alex Ross are all welcome and fantastic. I would not have wanted his particular style to tell this story, but his art was great to see and actually helped my overall view of this collection. To be fair to Daniels, having his work offset by one of my favorite artists may have accentuated the differences in artistic skill.

Thanks if you've stuck with me this far. To conclude, I like this story, but it may not be for everyone. It feels like Batman, without a doubt, but there is an alien element, something different that is immediately noticeable. While relatively inexpensive, this story almost certainly requires the reader to invest in more than one collection to gain full appreciation for Morrison's Batman.
9 people found this helpful
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David Swan
5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Masterpiece
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2009
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My first experience with Grant Morrison's writing was during his very successful stint helming the JLA. After I bought several compilations, a friend of mine who was much more knowledge of comics than myself, informed me that Morrison was a huge star among comic writers but I found the stories highly unimpressive. Of course my buddy had also once gushed over Rob Liefeld so his taste could sometimes be questionable. Over the years, however, I have grown to realize that Morrison is the real deal not some overrated flash in the pan but like his cohort at DC, Geoff Johns, his quality can vary dramatically. Neither have the consistency of Alan Moore. So is R.I.P a boom or a bust? It is most definitely the former.

Batman R.I.P. is an absolute stellar achievement by Grant Morrison. With the release of R.I.P. and All-Star Superman this has been an incredible month for the prolific writer. One complaint I've heard about R.I.P. is that it's very stream of conscious and disorienting and I'll admit that this kind of story if done wrong can be very taxing. The story is a continuation of the previous collection with the Black Glove unleashing a psychological attack on Batman the likes of which the Dark Knight has never seen. Morrison puts the reader into the mind of Batman as he spirals downward into a dark abyss leaving us nearly as disoriented as Batman himself. Problems occur in these kinds of surreal story when the writer leaves no lifeline for the reader but Morrison skates that fine edge leaving just enough for a reader to latch onto to produce a coherent story. The Joker also plays a fairly substantial role in the story as well as a group of international villains collected by the Black Glove.

The last big event comic from DC I read was the Sinestro Wars which was quite good but in my humble opinion R.I.P reaches an even higher level. Sinestro Wars was more sound and fury while R.I.P really gets into the readers head. R.I.P. reaches such a fevered crescendo with Batman charging around in a raggedy red and yellow Batsuit taking advice from Bat Mite screaming that he is the Batman of Zur En Arrh, it just feels as if nothing can even return to the way it was. So many stories have delved into the psychology of Batman but this one seems to take it all the way. The conclusion actually opens far more questions than it answers particularly related to the event that created the Batman, the murder of his parents. Grant Morrison takes everything we know about Batman and turns it on its head.

This collection delivers in both writing and visuals and I now put it among the best stories I have read in over 30 years of collecting. Do not pass it up.
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Top reviews from other countries

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MaxwellXX
5.0 out of 5 stars Batman’s Darkest Hour
Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2022
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Very interesting story that kept me as the reader to the edge of my seat. A lot of great writing and artwork contributed to this amazing story about Batman saving everything that he holds dear.
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MaxwellXX
5.0 out of 5 stars Batman’s Darkest Hour
Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2022
Very interesting story that kept me as the reader to the edge of my seat. A lot of great writing and artwork contributed to this amazing story about Batman saving everything that he holds dear.
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Omar
5.0 out of 5 stars Para la Batmateca.
Reviewed in Mexico on January 15, 2020
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Excelente. Entrega impecable.
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WQ
5.0 out of 5 stars Prima.
Reviewed in the Netherlands on September 28, 2020
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Knappe tekeningen.
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Swapna
5.0 out of 5 stars #longlivebat
Reviewed in India on January 2, 2020
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U batman fan ? Then stop right there, buy it. This is THE story which says the true potential of the bats. After u read it, u will know what and y batman is powerful in dcu. And ya. The quality and packaging is good. Thumbs up.
3 people found this helpful
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Dune21
5.0 out of 5 stars Très belle édition format couverture souple (en anglais)
Reviewed in France on March 15, 2018
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Agréable surprise, cette édition en format softcover, à un prix raisonnable, bénéficie d'une belle impression sur papier glacé. Quand on compare l'impression de cette version à nos albums DC / Urban, on se rend compte que la qualité d'impression n'est pas toujours au rendez-vous dans nos éditions françaises...

Quant à l'histoire elle-même, de nombreux critiques l'ont commentée et encensée, elle fait partie du run de Grant Morrison sur Batman (après le gant noir) et mérite aux moins deux lectures pour être pleinement appréciée. Globalement, une édition de bonne qualité, comme on aimerait en voir en Europe et surtout en France, et un classique à conserver.
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