It's that weird sense of fourth-wall crossing self-awareness that makes Batman RIP – and much of Morrison work – so utterly unique. As in the case of Final Crisis, this arc will no doubt find a number of critics who hate the fact that they're being kept on the outside of Morrison's grand plans. I, for one, love inching closer and closer to the dark truth behind this story, and can't wait to find out what other horrors Morrison has in store for the Dark Knight. Read Full Review

I found Batman #678 to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. Morrison continues to deliver a mind blowing story that is unlike anything else on the market. To be sure, Morrison makes the reader work. Morrison's writing challenges the reader's mind. This is not mindless brain candy like many of the titles currently on the market. Read Full Review

The issue also features the heaviest allusions yet to Batman #113, "Batman - Superman of Planet X," a 1950s Batman story in which Batman visited his counterpart on the planet "Zur En Arrh." The "Zur En Arrh" motif is one that has been employed by Morrison ever since the start of his run on the book (as background graffiti in several issues, and last issue as a trigger phrase to incapacitate Bruce). However, this issue takes things further, making several references to specific elements of Batman #113 (such as the "Bat-Radia" which appears to be a transistor radio as seen through the lens of Batmans madness), and culminating with a final image that shows Bruce adopting the persona of the Zur En Arrh Batman as the Bat-Mite (presumably a figment of his imagination) floats above him. Although some people might find it to be a strange and unsettling image, I got the impression that Morrison is trying to show that the essence of Batman's character will always shine through, even when g Read Full Review

"Batman" under Morrison has been a strange hodgepodge of old elements from the book over the years. The International Club of Heroes, the three imposter Batmen, Damian al Ghul, even the strange phrase "Zur-En-Arrh" are all call-backs to much earlier stories in "Batman". At the same time, though, I don't feel like I'm missing anything by having not read those earlier comics. This is what I expected a Morrison "Batman" to read like; fun, and crazy, and unpredictable. I've got my own theories about the Black Glove (who doesn't?) but somehow I suspect that Morrison's ending will have its own surprises. And that's the way I like it. Read Full Review

Perhaps my only beef with this issue is the lack of resolution with Alfred. Though we see him for just a brief moment latter half through the issue, nothing new is explained on his past dealings with The Black Glove nor of his fate. Anyway, this issue is weird, but perversely fun? Read Full Review

Overall, I think this story is okay. I think there are too many flaws to be overlooked, and I think the "shock value" of Morrisons eccentric story may cause some people to miss them. I think as a whole this story may have much more of a lasting impression; however, I do not feel that it is epic nor has the real clout to change the Batman mythos forever. I am definitely excited for the Joker's involvement in this storyline to see how he plays into the Club of Villains or the Black Glove. However, I don't feel a great sense of mystery or threat from the Club or even the Black Glove, and I think that this is where the story falls flat for me. Read Full Review

Seriously, this makes no sense, relies on Silver Age stories that have no place in current continuity with as little effort as Morrison has put into fleshing them out and does nothing to further the RIP storyline. At this point, I can't see how any amount of drugs or future issues could possibly make this story make any sense and it will most likely be retconned or forgotten the minute it ends. Read Full Review

A little hard to comprehend without advanced knowledge of Silver Age Batman or a wiki on hand, but when read correctly, Batman 678 is one of the best Batman stories ever

Frustratingly paced