This is going to look like Grant Morrison fandom soon enough. It's just by chance I promise you that I just so happen to have decided to read this most recently though. Return of Bruce Wayne is a 6 Issue limited series covering the events that happen to Bruce Wayne after Final Crisis (You know when he died).
It has to be said though, anyone who 'mourned' the death of Bruce Wayne, must of been reading comics for about a week. Though I must admit that it was written well enough that I did feel bad, I knew he'd return. I just did not expect a Return as epic as this one. Darksied's attack sent Bruce back in time to the dawn of man, erasing his memory. Now it is time for Batman's greatest escape, through history and amnesia. Each issue covers a different period of time, and even has a different art style.
The first issue starts from where Final Crisis leaves off, Batman's arrival in the prehistoric era with Anthro now dececed of old age. This portion of the story is amazingly well written. For starters we do not understand anything Batman says, for we only see this from the stone ager's point of view. This makes Batman mysterious and forces us as readers to genuinely wonder what is going on. We see a space craft, we see Batman gain a prehistoric style costume, a prehistoric analouge for Robin. We even get to see him take down Savage, which must of messed with that guys head some what. Very little is answered and alot is left to question, which is a perfect opening chapter in what should be one of the greatest events in DC history. We learn that Superman is leading a team through time to find Bruce. We also learn that if Batman returns to the 21st Century, everyone will die. The greatest element of this is, we aren't told how or why. Perfect series writing as We immediatly go on to the next chapter.
The second chapter has Batman propelled into the age of witches, as he dons the disguise of Mordacei, Witch Hunter. It must be said that the costume in this one is brilliant. I could see an entire Batman; Witch Hunter series being quite sucessful. This is mostly because he is so out of place. He is still Batman, he doesn't blindly believe in witches or the devil. He also won't blindly accuse the innocent. In this chapter we get to see even with amnesia he is a master detective, and that he can use those skills in any time period. We also get to see a lighter side of him, as he allows himself the company of a young woman. Though not in the romantic sense, it is a reminder that he has always been lonely. The only down fall of this chapter is he does not save the victim. I personally feel that Batman should be capable of saving anyone, though I suppose with out his memories it would be quite difficult. That and the series over arching plot is his escape from Time itself. Hard to decide what his prioirty should be so I will still give that one to Morrison.
By the end of the series, Batman becomes a Pirate, a Cowboy, a Noir Detecive and even has adventures in the future! There are obviously moments that feel off, i.e. Jonah Hex beating Batman on the draw?! But overall this is one of the most epic Batman stories ever. You have most of the JLA admitting that if Batman was to come back they'd be screwed. Even admitting that they wouldn't be able to put him down easily, and not because he's a friend! This story is simply a way of screaming to the world how awesome Batman is, and the ending is even better. This is Batman's greatest escape and his greatest victory. Now proving even the Gods cannot stand against him!
Be sure to check out Grant Morrison's 'The Return of Bruce Wayne.'
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