13 Great Moments from Grant Morrison's BATMAN Run

Listing down the top 5 best moments from Grant Morrison's run on BATMAN in spirit of the release of last week's BATMAN INC # 13. Of course this wouldn't be original since IGN also did their take.

13. Ninja Batmen

Ain't nothing like ninjas getting a dose of the Man-Bat formula to become Ninja Batmen. Totally made my list just for being that. Repeat after me - NINJA BATMEN.

12. The Resurrection of Ras Al Ghul

Ras Al Ghul is a key figure throughout Grant Morrison's run on the Bat-books. And it's not just him but it's actually everybody in his bloodline including daughter Talia and grandson Damian (who also became the new Robin). Resurrection was one of those weird stories which was still fun to read IMHO. Plus we do get to see Batman wearing chainmail and brandishing a sword for a little while.

11. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Another solid story created by the death of Batman in Batman R.I.P. This one brings in Neil Gaiman to the fold as we're offered a variety of character POVs regarding the life and times of then very dead Batman.

10. Dick Grayson Becomes Batman

Batman and Robin # 1 picks up with a new Batman (Dick Grayson) together with a now solid Damian as Robin; Tim Drake goes solo as Red Robin around this time. What's better is that the new dynamic duo is anything BUT dynamic. Morrison in some weird way gave us a bookend to Dick's career as Nightwing for a little while and also proves to be a unique Batman. Really good read.

9. Batman and the Bat Rocket

Sticking to his Golden Age and Silver Age quirks, Batman has a Bat-rocket hanging around the Batcave. It's the same rocket that him and Robin use when they try to stop Talia from taking over the Straight of Gibraltar. Makes you kinda wish you were a billionaire playboy as well.

8. Damian Becomes Robin for the First Time

It was such a great moment for Grant Morrison the moment his Damian Wayne toyed with Tim Drake and called himself the 'true' Robin. Yeah, Morrison was probably smiling when he saw that panel where Damian wore Jason Todd's uniform.

7. The Death of Damian Wayne

Ugh. Can we not talk about the death of Damian Wayne please? Let's just park this entry. If you want to know how the little dude died, here's the SPOILER

6. Talia Al Ghul is Nefarious

Not only is Talia smexy and cunning, she's also the real brains behind "Leviathan", a criminal organization bent on destroying Gotham City once and for all. The reveal was also interesting as it changes the whole dynamics between Bats and Talia. More importantly, it left their son in a very confused state of mind.

5. Bruce Wayne Unveils Batman Inc.

Shortly after his return to the land of the living, Wayne assumed control of Wayne Industries and in a stroke of genius made the startling revelation that he has been funding Batman's operation and that he is also creating Batman Incorporated. This of course leads to a new book with Morrison and various artists. It also expands the Batmen of ... concept by introducing new or revised characters. 

4. Batman Dies at the Hands of Darkseid/ Batman R.I.P.

Batman is revealed to be held captive by Darkseid's henchmen after the near fatal crash of Doctor Hurt's helicopter at the end of Batman RIP. The events of Final Crisis transpire and when all hope is lost, Batman re-emerges once more with a gun that can be used to destroy gods. Darkseid's last act before dying is to shoot down Batman with his Omega Effect instantly killing the Dark Knight...

3. Damian Wayne is Batman in Batman # 666

Another awesome moment during Morrison's run was the solo story in Batman # 666 where we find Damian Wayne as the Batman in a very twisted Gotham City. Mayhem and lots of blood letting ensue.

2. The First Appearance of Damian Wayne

So many Damian references in this list. The little scrapper did grow on me. It was a glorious cliffhanger, that issue. Damian getting introduced to his beaten father all the while holding his dad at the pointy edge of a sword. Looking back it was a shared journey between Damian and Bruce during Morrison's run. No wonder we all liked Damian by the time he died.

1. Batman Escapes Death

The old Pinoy adage 'Bahala na si Batman'  (translation: It's up to Batman now) is reinforced once again as Bruce Wayne travels forward in time while literally avoiding to getting bitten in the ass by his past (which was Darkseid's parting gift to the Dark Knight).

There you have it. Thank you Grant Morrison for the great stories. BATMAN AND ROBIN WILL NEVER DIE!