Just Finished Reading Batman Incorporated Vol 1 And...

[Knight of DC]

...I have a really unsettling thought on this book, not to mention the concept of Batman Incorporated.

Let's ignore the question as to why Bruce hasn't been arrested for Aiding and Abetting Vigilantism. I can just pass that off as "He's rich as hell." No, what nerved me is that...Bruce is even closer to being like Ra's Al Ghul than ever before.


Think about it:

An extremely wealthy and highly intelligent male utilizes both those aspects to create a world-spanning organization that dedicates itself to shaping the world into such that male believes should be right. He utilizes highly skilled, efficient, and motivated agents to aid in his quest.

Now, who did I just describe?


Am I saying that Bruce will become evil? Well, no. That'd be stupid. I'm just saying that it's a slippery slope. It's even more nerve racking when you combine it with images like this one from Issue #6:



If I knew nothing about Batman, I would think that the guy in that image was the villain.


Don't take this as me hating Batman Inc. or Grant Morrison and please let's not start that here. I did enjoy it, and will be picking it up again come the end of May, but I feel this idea could be explored further.


Thoughts?

[FHIZ]

My thoughts are that I'm tired of talking about the first volume. Is it May 23rd yet?

[Captain Jim]

Well, his discussion isn't really restricted to just volume one; it touches on the whole concept. I thought it was an interesting observation and probably worthy of some discussion.

[MajorHoy]

Sometimes I just wonder when the nice men in the padded truck are going to take Mr. Morrison on a nice "vacation".

[El Sombrero]

I think that was intentional on Morrison's part to parallel the Al Ghul family / legacy / mission, what-have-you.

Where even is Ra's these days? I can't remember the last time we saw him, or if he's even alive. He was rumored to be the shadowed character at the end of Justice League 6's main story, but beyond that I can't remember.

[LoneNecromancer]

I think that was intentional on Morrison's part to parallel the Al Ghul family / legacy / mission, what-have-you.

That would be the obvious conclusion with Leviathan turning out to be Talia.

[ffritts]

Well look at it this way.

Its not Ras Al Ghul on the helm its Batman. While I hope power doesnt corrupt him there is always that possibility. I do think you are on to something I have not seen this mentioned anywhere else.

Now with all this I feel that Wingman = Ras Al Ghul.

[MajorHoy]

Well look at it this way.

Its not Ras Al Ghul on the helm its Batman. While I hope power doesnt corrupt him there is always that possibility.

=cough!= Brother Eye =cough!=

[ffritts]

=cough!= Brother Eye =cough!=

OMAC projected messed up, Batman didnt let power go to his head.

Anyone think about wingman being a young (20-30's) ras al ghul?

[tylenoljones]

I definitely got the same vibe from issue 6 in particular. Bruce had a big brother 'we're always watching you' thing going on.

A few months (maybe a year) ago there was an interview with Morrison where he addressed the question directly of whether Batman was being a bit super-villainy. I beleive his response was something along the lines of - "I hadn't really seen his actions as villainous because he's Batman. I just trust that he's always doing what's best for us." Of course i'm paraphrasing.

[Cavemold]

I agree with that concept

[Dr. Hurt]

Morrison said that Inc wont go very well for Batman. So take that as you will. In any case it's a new and interesting concept. I'm tired of reading about Batman fighting thugs in alleys, or new secret organizations taking him by surprise (OWLS OMG). I want more of Batman teaming up with Mr Unknown, Man of Bats, Gaucho, etc. More Lord Death Man and Otto Netz, etc.

[darkseidpwns]

Bruce has always been like Ra's,first he imposed himself on Gotham and now he's imposing himself on the rest of the world.What difference does it make?

Btw cant wait for INC,thats where I agree with Dr Hurt.

[Retro315]

Bruce is quite villainous. He's not a traditional hero at all, and he's more than happy to change the world on a scale that Superman feels uncomfortable doing. He's been contrasted against guys like Lex Luthor for years. He has evil eyebrows and a widow's peak. He recruits children to fight in wars. The only thing keeping him a hero is practically his "no kill rule" and faith in justice, and society.

[bkey313]

Batman should for started a group like Inc long before Morrison came along. In the 70s he attempted to take the fight to Ra's but he was outnumbered. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Looking foward to see how Inc ends up.