Batman Incorporated #1

Grant Morrison, grand poobah of all things Dark Knight, brought us the newest chapter of the saga of Bruce Wayne this week. Batman, Inc. is the latest ongoing series, and probably the most talked about this year. Bruce Wayne revealed to the world last week that he is the Batman's "mysterious benefactor," and as such he believes the mission driving the world's finest detective should be taken global. Now Bruce travels the globe, training foreign crime-fighters up to be their countries' "Batman". 
  

The first issue introduces us to the globe-hopping theme that should hold throughout the series. Bats and Catwoman are in Japan to train Mr. Unknown, the top crime-buster in the land of the rising sun. However, the Dark Knight is surprised to find that his promising pupil has been taken out by none other than Lord Death Man. Now, the duty of protecting Mr. Unknown's partner falls to Batman. 
 
Before I  say anything, I must say that this first issue is certainly fun. Morrison and DC have a story here that smacks of classic superhero themes and a touch of camp, but it all stays very modern. The ideas driving Batman's latest crusade makes sense - when you're the world's greatest detective AND you just crawled your way through time AND you killed a New God, why NOT train more superheroes to be like you? I mean, if you weren't the baddest man in town before (and Batman was) then you certainly are now. 
 
The story is straight-forward, which I like, with an ending that will have every comic-culture enthusiast thinking "Adam West Batman" (in a good way), but there is an problem - this isn't the greatest "jump on the bandwagon" first issue. If you haven't been reading Batman comics since before Batman R.I.P., then I'm not sure if you'll "get" Batman, Inc.
 
Secondly, yes, the story is clear and concise, but it's all Batman and very little Bruce. Bruce Wayne just made a life-changing announcement that he was backing Batman's mission, and that he plans to franchise the Batman name, so why isn't Bruce scrutinized a bit more on the news reports? Why does he need a cover story when he gets to Japan? Bruce's whole life will be under the microscope at this point, and it just doesn't reflect here. 

         

This is the first time I've seen Yanick Paquette's art. It's certainly not the supreme, hands-down-greatest art I've seen in comics to date, but it's better than what I can do. I do love the look of Mr. Unknown, Lord Death Man, and his menions. Very simple and believable, with a taste of both scary and corny.  

Paquette's action sequences are solid, but his figures can be a bit awkward at times. If I had to rate the art in this book, I'd probably give it a 7 out of 10 - if he spent as much attention on Bats as he did drawing Catwoman's... assets... then maybe I'd give it an 8 or a 9. 
 
Batman, Inc. is definitely a good read and well worth your time and money. If you don't normally read Batman comics, but are looking to jump in now, I'd suggest reading Batman and Robin #10-16, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne, and Batman: The Return #1 to get a sense of what is going on first - or just check the interwebs.