The final part of Batman R.I.P. has arrived. Has the conclusion of Grant Morrison’s epic lived up to its billing? Read on and find out.

When last we left the Dark Knight at the end of Part 5 of Batman R.I.P., it seemed that the Black Glove had finally succeeded in breaking the Dark Knight, with the Joker’s help. It also seemed as if Jezebel Jet had been revealed as the Black Glove. Wrong on both counts. Though Jezebel is definitely a member of the Black Glove, she is not it’s leader. The finale of R.I.P. begins with Batman six feet under, having been redressed in his signature blue and grey costume and buried alive on the Arkham grounds. The Black Glove plans to dig him up soon, when the poison the Joker infected him with has completely destroyed his mind to delivedr the final blow. Unbeknowst to them however, Batman has regained his full faculties and is already planning his escape and retaliation. It is revealed in flashback that Batman has known about the Black Glove since he underwent the Thogal ritual in the pages of 52.

In fact, the only one who does suspect this is the Joker, who despite the fact that all of the Asylum’s doors are opened, has remained in Arkham. He actually bets the Black Glove that Batman is fine and coming for them, using his vast experience with Batman as a basis. He asks them if they examined the Bat Radia, a notion Jezebel scoffs at. When one of the guests fiddles with an unusual component of the device however, it triggers Arkham’s security lockdown signal. At this point Batman, risen from the grave, begins his final confrontation with the Black Glove.

Meanwhile, in Gotham, the International Club of Heroes has arrived in Gotham. They meet up with Robin and inform him that they will take care of the Black Glove’s crime wave while Robin heads for Arkham.

Le Bossu, now disfigured by the Joker, makes it back to the Operating Room as the Security override is tripped. As he tries to rush the operation, Nightwing wakes up and fights his way out of the operating room.

Batman is fighting the Black Glove’s henchmen and he confronts Jezbel, spelling out her history while revealing his revenge, and the fact that he had deduced her alliegence to the Black Glove. Jezebel states that she has Diplomatic Immunity and she and the rest of the guests leave. Nightwing joins the fray as Batman goes after Hurt, who is exposed as a production assistant on John Mayhew’s movie “The Black Glove” and the leader of the Black Glove. “Hurt” reveals that the documents smearing Alfred and Bruce’s parents will be released unless Batman becomes the Black Glove’s servant. After Batman’s refusal, “Hurt” boards a helicopter, which Batman leaps onto. As Batman’s fist crashes through the windshield in front of “Hurt’s” face, the helicopter explodes. Nightwing is left holding Batman’s cape and cowl as Robin, Damian, Talia, Alfred and Gordon arrive on the scene. Robin explains to Gordon that a plot to discredit Bruce Wayne’s family had been uncovered. Talia says she will take care of vengeance.

Jezebel is on a private jet back to her country when a loud screeching is heard. She gets a call on her orivate cell # from a mysterious unknown person. When we see the plane from outside, we see it is beseiged by Ninja Man-Bats.

Le Bossu is torturing a Police Officer talking about the death of Batman. Suddenly, the Bat Signal illuminates the scene. This brings us full circle, as it leads to the first panel of R.I.P. Part 1.

Morrison has one final surprise for us, the origin ot the “Zur-En-Arrh” trigger phrase. On the fateful night that Bruce’s parents were murdered, they went to see the movie “Zorro.” Just before the meeting with the robber that would kill them, Bruce asked his father what would happen if Zorro came to Gothem. His father said they would put Zorro in Arkham, which young Bruce interpreted as Zur-En-Arrh.

Batman R.I.P. was an amazingh narrative. The ending is ambiguous, although Morrison has said that the final fate of Batman will be revealed in Final Crisis. There are several moths of “wrap-up” issues to come. I loved watching Morrison spill out all the pieces and then slowly assemble them and I loved the fact that the story literaly came full circle. This is a can’t miss story for not just Batman fans, but fans of good comic writing.

Next Up is Batman #682, Last Rites Part 1

Batman #681 gets 5 Capes and Cowls out of 5