Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5

Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Ryan Sook Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: October 13, 2010 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 7 User Reviews: 13
7.6Critic Rating
8.0User Rating

Batman finds himself in the hard-boiled streets of Gotham City's past. Will his adventure as a private investigator help him take one step closer to the present day? All-star artist Ryan Sook joins Grant Morrison for the penultimate issue of Bruce Wayne's journey home!

  • 10
    Comics Bulletin - Danny Djeljosevic Oct 16, 2010

    As Bruce Wayne gradually reaches the present, we get increasing ties to Morrisons entire Batman run--the Black Glove, Barbatos, the conspiracy surrounding the Waynes and even Carter Nichols, the obscure time travel-obsessed scientist reintroduced in Batman #700. These moves in issue #5 make the series more than just an examination of Batman or an obligatory event comic to resurrect a character that we knew was going to come back. More than that, The Return of Bruce Wayne is a vital part of the huge Bat-story that Grant Morrison has been telling since he took over the book. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Weekly Comic Book Review - DS Arsenault Oct 14, 2010

    Run out and buy this issue. If you haven't been following the Return of Batman, what are you smoking? Do what you have to do to get ready for next month, because DC's patient, 2-year Bruce Wayne saga is about to come to a head. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Weekly Crisis - Kirk Warren Oct 17, 2010

    Great issue that pushes the Return of Bruce Wayne back to its roots with a noir tale and then rockets us towards the end game with an excellent cliffhanger ending. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Resources - Chad Nevett Oct 13, 2010

    "The Return of Bruce Wayne" #5 uses the detective genre to position Bruce Wayne closer to his true identity than ever before and draws upon everything that's come before in Morrison's Batman work. Morrison balances between Bruce as detective and the larger picture very well, making sure each part is given adequate space and focus. Though Ryan Sook doesn't draw the entire issue, Pere Prez manages to replicate his style remarkably well. This issue was definitely worth the wait. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    IGN - Dan Phillips Oct 13, 2010

    As elusive and implicit as Morrison has been while telling this story over the past few years, it's absolutely thrilling to see him begin to pull everything together in a way that answers critical questions while still leaving plenty of room for interpretation. I'm not sure where exactly we'll encounter his big climax – Return of Bruce Wayne #6 or Batman and Robin #16, both or someplace else entirely? – But that's part of the fun. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Eye On Comics - Don MacPherson Oct 15, 2010

    Ryan Sook's art is effective at capturing the noir, Sam Spade-esque atmosphere that the writer endeavors to use as the backdrop for this issue. It would seem Sook didn't have the time to render all 32 pages of art, as Pere Perez fills in for pages 22-31. The shift in styles isn't too jarring, as Perez clearly tries to maintain a consistent tone. Still, there are panels in which the divide between the two artists' storytelling abilities is apparent. Once again, Andy Kubert offers up an image for the regular cover that isn't reflected in the interior art, which is a bit disappointing. I love that three-piece suit with the bat-vest. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    The Weekly Crisis - Ryan Schrodt Oct 16, 2010

    I'm sure there will be several anonymous posters that complain about me hating Morrison (which, for the last time, I don't), but I can honestly say that every other Morrison comic I have complained about looks Eisnerworthy in comparison to this mess. This is easily the word comic I've seen from Morrison since the Joker prose story that should have never seen the light of day. The worst part is that Morrison could've phoned this story in and nailed it. Bruce Wayne would be perfect in a noirstyle detective comic, but instead we get a piss poor conspiracy comic that highlights all of the ridiculous retcons that Morrison has been jamming down our throats for the last several years filled with simply horrendous dialogue. I had high hopes for this comic, but its lack of clarity, cohesion, and quality killed those. Read Full Review

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