Originally published on Patreon
I remember reading and enjoying the first volume of Batman Inc when Grant Morrison created the idea of a group of international heroes inspired by Batman working under him. It was a great concept, a chance to bring in and modernise some of the older, odder characters that had appeared before, and to introduce some new stuff.
This latest volume is trying something a bit different with the concept, by ditching Batman. With Bruce busy with things in Gotham, his family, and the Justice League, he just doesn't have time for Batman Inc anymore; so he's handed over the reigns to Ghost-Maker, a long time rival/friend of his who can step in and fill that Batman shaped void.
However, as we saw in this years Batman Annual, not every member of the group is sold on the idea of Ghost-Maker taking over, and there have been a few grumbles within the group. The annual also introduced a new character, Gray Wolf, and set the team onto an investigation of Lex Luthor's labs.
This first issue picks up where that left of (though still feels like it stands on its own without the annual) with Ghost-Maker and his main team searching labs for evidence Luthor left behind. Whilst this is happening, Knight (who didn't make the cut for the main team) gets called to a crime in Ireland where a skilled knife fighter is found cut to pieces and nailed to a wall.
Knight calls Ghost-Maker in onto the case, and it's revealed that the man was once a tutor for him and Batman, one of the people who taught them the skills they needed to become their vigilante alter egos. Realising that other people from his past are in danger, Ghost-Maker sends the team out to try and protect as many of his old teachers as they can, but those that are still alive assume Ghost-Maker is the one behind the killings, and resists the help.
This is a pretty decent intro to the series, especially if you haven't really read any of the stuff leading up to this. The concept of Batman Inc is laid out well, several of the main characters get small moments in which to shine and demonstrate what their main motivations are, and there's enough intrigue to make you want to come back for a second issue.
There are some good moments of tension between the members of the team, and it already looks like cracks are beginning to form, and sides are being taken as some members of the group dislike Batman's decision over who their new leader should be. It's nice to see a team where not everyone gets along, where even though they'd follow each other into battle they're not friends. It feels less like a team of individual heroes coming together to do good, and more like a bunch of people who have to work together and don't really get along. It's like working any job in that way.
I also like that since the annual the decision has been made to bring Knight into the team. She's a decent character, especially we've watched her grow from a sidekick into the hero she once worked alongside; but it's also good to get a woman on the team. This is something that is even addressed in the book, as she asks Black Mist to think about joining the team too, to help get another woman in there with her.
The book's art, by John Timms, and Rex Lokus, is really nice, and all of the characters look distinct and easy to tell apart. This is especially useful as these are pretty minor characters in the DC lore, and remembering who's who is easier said than done with this group. So even if you're not quite sure of the names you always at least know who they are visually.
This felt like an interesting start to the new series, and seems to be going into the backstory of Ghost-Maker for this first arc. It feels like this can either make or break the team, and I wouldn't be surprised to see some changes in the cast come the end of it.
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