Batman Incorporated: Grant Morrison, Chris Burnham, Nathan Fairbairn, Dave Sharpe, Andy Clarke

Wow, this was fantastic. I mean really, really good. I keep saying how surprised I am at this title, and how much I continue to love each issue that comes out. There was only one little thing that I thought was strange…but, other than that, I did really enjoy this issue. Let’s get to this.

Last issue saw Damian masquerading as a new hero: Redbird, with a costume that reminds me of Red X a little bit. Also, Matches Malone (Bruce Wayne) was in the clutches of Leviathan goons intent on killing him. We also learned previously that Leviathan is headed by Talia al Ghul herself. She’s the creepy skull-faced leader. So anyone who may have forgotten, and is wondering what she means by Batman taking her “son” away from her, will suddenly understand she means Damian.

So Matches is able to free himself and calls in practically all of Batman Incorporated (the main guys, at least) to put the attack on Leviathan. It was, to put it colloquially, AWESOME. We got El Gaucho, Azrael, Knight & Squire, Nightwing, Red Robin (Yeah, that’s right- Tim!), Batwing, and the mysterious new Wingman…whose identity has yet to be revealed. Remember, Wingman was killed on Mayhew’s island, and a new person has stepped in since. I thought it was Dick before I saw Nightwing come crashing through the window.

Damian’s also curious about who’s under the Wingman mask, and spends much of the issue questioning it, saying he recognizes the fighting style and voice. Meanwhile, Batman’s tying up loose ends within the Leviathan mansion, and calling out Talia, gloating that they’ve won. Talia says it’s not over, and that only when Batman reveals Wingman’s identity to Damian will they talk.

What’s this? Wingman is someone Talia knows as well? Why, yes, they know each other quite well, in fact. If that doesn’t give it away, well I won’t say anything. But this was the one thing I mentioned being a bit iffy on. I never thought this person would be so willing to fight alongside Batman, and so it didn’t make a whole lot of sense. But it was nice to see, I suppose? Damian didn’t agree too much, though. It makes their pairing on the cover as “the new dynamic duo,” and the fact that they fight together so well pretty funny.

In fact, Batman starts talking to Damian, then, and tells him something earth-shattering. It’s actually something a little upsetting for me, too, as I don’t want this to happen (trying not to spoil it). But part of me thinks it’s a ruse, a put-on for Talia. I get this idea it’s going to be like when Damian went off and fought with Nobody in Batman and Robin, only this time Batman’s in on it.

I have to say, also, one reason I like this book so much is that it’s really cool seeing all the Batmen fighting alongside each other. Azrael with El Gaucho, Wingman and Batman. It’s just a lot of fun. That’s a huge draw. All the best fighters Batman could find and they’re all working together to take down the world’s deadliest assassins.

I’m very excited to see what Morrison brings next. I’m also curious as to what’s going to happen to the book after Morrison leaves. Will Chris Burnham take over completely? They’ve been working together for some time, it seems obvious that he’d work closely with the title after Morrison goes.

Batman Incorporated #4, the verdict: I really like this title. It’s a lot of fun, and there’s a lot of great action. The artwork is still weird to me, but I’m getting used to it. I thought the identity of the Wingman, once unmasked, looked too similar to another of Batman’s long-time allies, and that was a little strange to me. I like it when they’re made to be very different, like Tyler Kirkham did. Whoops, did I give it away? Anyway, I’m still intrigued by this Leviathan thingy, and I’m anxious to see where it goes in future issues. I’m actually intrigued enough to want to read that one-shot “Leviathan Strikes!” issue. That’s a first.

(Photo Source: DC Wikia)