So coming into this, I know it has been a while since the Batman RIP event ended. I don't feel like I am late talking about this because the story was so complicated and led directly into Batman's role in Final Crisis.
Batman RIP was an even that crossed between the comic titles Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, Robin, and Batman and the Outsiders. Orchestrated by masterful writer Grant Morrison, the event called into question exactly what exactly RIP referred to in the title. Unfortunately I cannot find the reference at the moment, but Morrison even stated that RIP could have other meanings. I'll discus the meaning I have drawn from it in the end of this brief (considering the complexity of this story) write-up.
Ultimately, RIP was the big conclusion to the all out emotional roller coaster that Bruce Wayne has been through since Morrison started this run on the title. With the three impostor Batmen, the Joker being shot in the face by one of the impostors, the introduction of Damian the son of Bruce Wayne, the mystery of the Black Glove, and falling in love with Jezebel Jet; Batman has run most of the full spectrum of emotions in a fairly short time.
Then comes the Detective Comics tie-in to RIP which is a prelude featuring one of the most personal attacks on Batman to date. Former childhood friend, Thomas Elliot, returns as Hush. Elliot recalls memories of his youth in contrast to the life of Bruce Wayne, and plans to destroy his rival thoroughly. His main target is Selina Kyle, the object of many previous emotional Bat-roller coasters. As Catwoman, Selina is the forbidden fruit so to speak for Bruce who truly loves her but can never let himself be with her. Hush's plan is a sick and brilliant metaphor; by stealing Catwoman's heart literally, he has stolen Bruce's heart as well.
Batman comes through the encounter and saves the day as the hero should. During all of this, however, it is revealed that Hush has been giving himself plastic surgery to look like and attempt to replace Bruce Wayne, another truly personal attack. As for being an RIP tie-in, their is a subtle moment when Hush reveals that he knows the Black Glove is gunning for Batman and intends not to let anyone beat him to the punch.
Then, in Batman proper, the main RIP story takes place. The Black Glove strikes as Dr. Hurt uses a code word planted in Batman's mind to wipe his mind. In one swoop, they take the mansion and the cave and leave a memoryless Bruce on the streets pumped full of dangerous street drugs.
But, Batman is always prepared as we see when it's revealed that Bruce programmed himself with a version of Batman as sort of a default personality if Bruce's mind is ever wiped. As this Batman of Zur-En-Arrh he continues his pursuit of whoever has wronged him. While Batman is missing, mindless on the streets Nightwing has his tie in issues as an encounter with Two-Face before being captured by the Black Glove. Also during this time, Robin, who had suspected that Batman was close to losing his mind (though not quite as literally as was the case,) is trying to unravel the mystery of where Batman has gone.
Now, I want to take a moment to identify the source of a lot of confusion in this story. These other titles had more brief tie-in stories than the six month run in the Batman title. After the Robin issues, specifically, we see Robin beginning to mature quickly as he is dealing with a long set absence of Batman that can be taken out of context to imply that RIP indeed spells the end of Batman. These issues are, as I just said, out of context and should be left as more of a prelude to the upcoming Battle for the Cowl.
And now, back to RIP. While Batman is missing, Dr. Hurt begins to claim to be Thomas Wayne, Bruce's late father. At the same time, a detective reveals evidence to link the late Waynes to other illicit activities including the eventual murder of Martha Wayne arranged by Thomas who also fakes his own murder in the event. Ever faithful Alfred denounces Hurt's claims as he knew Thomas Wayne.
The Black Glove takes over Arkham and attempts to use the Joker, always a fatal mistake. They lure Bruce to their trap at Arkham with Jezebel Jet as bait. In attempting to save her from one of the Jokers devices, Jet is revealed to be part of the Black Gloves schemes. Bruce has to deal with the final emotional attack of the story when Hurt begins to address him from his Thomas Wayne persona and challenges his stint as the Batman. Hurt tells Bruce that his next case as Batman will be his last. In the final showdown, Batman chases Hurt to a helicopter, crashing it into the bay, and leaving everyone on the shore watching.
In the final pages, we see scenes that seem to tie back to the first page of RIP. These tie to six months after the Black Glove strikes. In the beginning, Batman and Robin declare that their team will never die. In the end, Batman apparently confronts another member of the Black Glove who is surprised at the appearance of Batman after a long absence.
This is by no means the end of the story that was being told in total, but it was the story of Batman dealing with more personal and viscous attacks than he has even been through before. This includes the attack on the character of his father and the image and memory of Thomas Wayne. In the end, I believe the RIP in the title does indeed mean Rest in Peace. It is a wish as Thomas Wayne's legacy is defended and lain back to rest.
And in this, I wish Thomas Wayne all the peace he deserves.
The Point Blank Critic
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