"Batman Incorporated" by Grant Morrison

Book cover, courtesy of DCentertainment.com

"Thanks to Batman Incorporated, I can tell you exactly where Batman is."

"Batman is EVERYWHERE."

                This bold statement by Bruce Wayne, better known as the Batman, manages to summarize what "Batman Incorporated" by Grant Morrison is all about. After been thrown through an interdimensional roller coaster, Batman has returned to Gotham City and has become driven by a vision of the future to expand his war on crime to the entire world by recruiting crime fighters across the globe. An old enemy...and lover...of Batman's is also preparing for a war, this one against the Caped Crusader himself!

                For long-time and hardcore fans of everything Batman, this book is the perfect story. It features Batman fighting alongside other heroes across the globe, solving mysteries, and finding time to visit the ladies. Unfortunately, even as Batman stops evil at every turn, casualties amongst Batman Incorporated members begin to mount as their new enemy, Leviathan, is as dangerous a foe as they have ever battled.

                Readers who are new to Batman or don't like extreme gore will want to avoid "Batman Incorporated." The story relies heavily on the reader knowing what has happened in previous storylines, Batman's interdimensional trip is only given a brief mention when he explains his reasons for founding Batman Incorporated, though there is a helpful character guide at the back of the book explaining who the characters are and how they came to be included in Batman comics. This book is also extremely gory and includes graphic imagery that some readers may want to avoid, such as a man having his hands melted and countless people getting stabbed and impaled.

For good, clean Batman fun, check out the opening to Batman: The Animated Series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5nB2OJnCko

Morrison, Grant, Yanick Paquette, Michel Lacombe, Chris Burnham, Scott Clark, Cameron Stewart, Dave Beaty, Pere Pérez, Nathan Fairbairn, and Bob Kane. Batman, Incorporated. New York: DC Comics, 2012. Print.