Batman Incorporated: Special #1

Remember those original issues of Batman, Incorporated that had Bruce hopping the globe, teaming up with heroes in Japan, Brazil, etc? If you missed that element from the second volume of Inc, like I did, you'll no doubt love this. As I said, this issue scratches that weird, goofy, globe trotting itch that was largely absent due to the personal Bruce/Damian/Talia story that had to be told in the second volume. While it wasn't as grand as Morrison's goodbye to the series, it was very supplemental to that, offering a different sort of goodbye... but is it really a "goodbye?" I certainly hope not. Read Full Review

BATMAN JAPANWritten by Chris BurnhamArt by Chris BurnhamBurnham follows up his absolutely delightful issue #11 with a short tale he writes and draws featuring both Jiro and his gal Friday, Shy Crazy Lolita Canary who frankly could become my new favorite heroine with a canary cry if Burnham keeps it up. Its a little bit gross, its a whole lot tongue-in-cheek, and everything youd want in a big action tale that blends the best of Japanese pop culture and the Wests biggest name super-hero.The Read Full Review

Wildly fun and with a high re-read value. No, there isn't anything essential to the Batman Incorporated story found here. Some tales could take place before or after issue #13, but it really doesn't matter. This is just about having a good time with some of the most odd and campy characters to be introduced (or re-introduced) to the Batman mythology in the past 10 years. Yes, it's a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I had a great time. It's both well written and beautifully drawn and has enough variety to keep you entertained all the way through. Read Full Review

And finally, this issue is rounded out with a silent tale from Dan DiDio and Ethan Van Sciver about the most important Batman incorporated member of all -- Bat Cow. If that doesn't justify a purchase, I don't know what does. Read Full Review

Unfortunately, while it ends with a whimper instead of a bang, this issue works more than it doesn't. It gave much welcome focus to characters that had unfortunately been sidelined for some time and allowed the creators show off their talent in a compressed space. If this was DC's last hurrah for "Batman Incorporated", it could have been much worse and it's thankful that it wasn't. Even though that $4.99 price tag seems steep for three out of five stories, Faribairn and Leon's Raven Red story is worth it alone. Fare thee well, Incorporated, you did well. Read Full Review

This was a very fun special, with the exception of the Bat Cow story. Don't get me wrong, I love Bat Cow, but I also love good story telling. I really hope that since this issue is numbered we will be getting more Batman Incorporated Specials along the way, and if we don't it was a very fond goodbye to the characters we have come to love. Read Full Review

Batman Incorporated Special #1 is a good time worth the price of admission. It comes with 3 great stories, 1 good story, and 1 very underwhelming story. When it comes to collections, that's actually pretty good. Read Full Review

This isn't essential reading for Morrison acolytes (especially given his lack of involvement) nor Batman fans, but there are certainly worse things to spend your money on. Read Full Review

With a good tale about the Squire and her attempt at moving on, as well as fan favorite Batcow, Special #1 has something to please most fans of Morrison's run. Even if the grand ideas may have gone with their creator. Read Full Review

It's a nice issue overall, but one that isn't essential. Hopefully these characters won't disappear from continuity, though, as I'd like to see some of them get more focus in the future. There's certainly potential for more mini-series involving the members of Batman Incorporated, and I think this comic proves just that. Read Full Review

Interesting collection of Bat-related stories.Strong, varied art.Fun little tales.If you aren't already a fan of the characters, this probably won't sell you.$4.99 price tag. Read Full Review

Batman Inc. Special wants to be that issue of Superman/Batman so badly it hurts, but it lacks the conviction and clarity of purpose to be anything other than an overpriced distraction. We don't need to keep redefining Batman or snowcloning him across the world " we just need better Batman comics and more of them. This is not one of them, but it could be much worse. Seriously, it's just that " fine, safe, boilerplate. I'm not expecting Christmas and birthday rolled into one every time I open a comic book, but at least give me something worth getting excited about. Read Full Review

GreyMouser

Aug 31, 2013

. . $5, 38pgs+! Cluttered C- Cover. Some interrupting ADs. . . This issue is a collection of shorts focusing on international characters. It does a good job of a wrapping up the series, for those characters even if the biggest part has moved on to the other bat-books. I enjoyed see to these characters, and how they move on grow and kick ass. I think these are solid stories even for those who did not read the series, but it probably hold the same impact that they will for those who did.

El Chapulin Colorado

Mar 28, 2015

Of all the short stories, the only worth reading is the one with Squire overcoming Knight's dead