I’m hoping editorial caused the last half of this series to seem disjointed because my patience for a magnificent payoff was rewarded with disappointment. It isn’t just me either, as it appears to be a common feeling. This final issue makes the last 11 issues either an ending that’s all meta without sufficient exposition, or a convoluted story with such a simple ending that the journey became meaningless.
After hearing Morrison talk about this post New 52 Batman Inc. in interviews, I have to believe it was the later. I think I’d be more satisfied if the story felt like it was supposed to mean something significant rather than a long winded divorce metaphor. Batman isn’t the best lens to tell such a tale but if anyone could have pulled it off, it was Morrison.
And with that in mind, I’ve reconsidered my opinion of the entire story. The let down feeling I have, with fond memories of past issues before it turned sour, and the pointless destructive ending where life still goes on, means I got the exact message Morrison was going for. Morrison did pull off the meta tale of divorce and it’s consequences in Batman’s world and I think it’s brilliant. I just don’t like it.