DC Comics
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1
By Dan Horn
May 13, 2010 - 22:27

DC Comics
Writer(s): Grant Morrison
Penciller(s): Chris Sprouse
Inker(s): Karl Story
Colourist(s): Guy Major
Letterer(s): Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Artist(s): Adam Kubert and Chris Sprouse
$3.99 US




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Adam Kubert cover
It seems to be a bit out of left field, but things will add up in time, ostensibly. The original and at first presumed deceased Batman, Bruce Wayne, has taken the Steve Rogers time trip back to the Stone Age. Though, Captain America Reborn had beat The Return of Bruce Wayne to the convoluted time-traveling punch, the latter trumps the former on all accounts: better scripting, better artwork, and better sense of direction (not claiming that Brubaker's Cap miniseries had any direction whatsoever, only that Morrison's newest Bat-epic seems to have one and is doing a fantastic job of following it thus far).

There's not much to say about this issue other than Bruce is discovered by a Cromagnon clan after Darkseid's Omega beams blast the Dark Knight into the past, and this first issue, though not entirely explanatory or elucidating, is very entertaining. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1 tells the story of the discovery of Bruce Wayne from the perspective of the cavemen who have found him. Their confused conversations and bafflement over Bruce's origins and language is often times funny as hell. Grant Morrison is definitely in fine form in this book.


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Chris Sprouse variant cover
Chris Sprouse, the first of several artists that will tackle this six-issue jaunt through time, portrays this ancient period classically, as only a student of greats like Jack Kirby and Joe Kubert could.

This issue doesn't do a whole lot as far as answering questions or tying up loose ends, but it's a great comic nonetheless. You should definitely pick this up. I have a feeling this is just a very good introduction to what will be a very good miniseries.
Rating: 9/10

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