Welcome to Day 3 of Dark Knight Week, as we count down to the July 18th release of The Dark Knight in theaters. Yesterday, I reviewed part 2 of Grant Morrison’s epic Batman R.I.P. comic storyline. This week, part 3 arrived on shelves and I have that review for you today. After 2 perfect 5’s in a row, can Morrison possibly capture a third? Read on and find out. Batman # 678 is the mid-way point of Grant Morrison’s 6 issue epic: Batman R.I.P. and already the storyline has teased alterations to Batman’s mythos that were previously unthinkable, most notably the suggestion that Bruce Wayne’s Father may still be alive. Last issue saw the Black Glove finally make their move against Batman, taking him down with a trigger phrase emplanted years ago by Doctor Simon Hurt years ago. Now, with Batman fallen and Alfred neutralized, teh Black Glove’s focus turns to Batman’s allies. But, what is to become of Bruce Wayne? Will Batman rise again or has the Black Glove truly done what so many other villains could not? The answers lie within these pages.

The isuue begins with a narration from the pages of the black casebook, concerning the Bat-Radia, that was missing from the files in the Batcave. As the panels pull back we see that it is Robin, Tim Drake, who is reading the casebook, which we learn was written five years after Bruce became Batman. Tim is sitting in the guest house in civilian clithes next to his motorcycle as he reads the casebook. Meanwhile, one of the memebers of the Club of the Villains, Pierrot Lunaire, is watching from the trees, planning his attack, while another member prepares to break through the door. Suddenly, Tim crashes through the door on his bike, knocking over the waiting attacker. Lumaire vaults from the tree, landing on the back of the bike and procedes to begin strangling Tim. Tim rides towards a low branch, forcing Lumaire to jump off the bike. Lumaire orders the other thug, who now has his own bike to follow Tim.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the slums of the city, a man named Honor Jackson kicks a man lying unconcious on the street. It’s Bruce! He slowly stirs. Honor tells him to walk off his grogginess. As he does, we are treated to flashbacks of Bruce’s drugging at the hands of Doctor Hurt. He has beenm dosed with weapons grade Crystal Meth and Street Heroin. Honor takes to calling him Soljer, on account of his muscular build and takes him on as a bodyguard.

Next we catch up with Nightwing, who has just dispatched a group of crooks in Centurion costumes. Robin makes contact with Nightwing, who says he hasn’t spoken to Batman for a couple of days. Robin asks Nightwing to meet him at a secret rendezvous checkpoint and tells Nightwing about the Club of Villains. as the thug on the bike fromt eh forest pull sup to the diner where Robin is, a Female member of the Club of Villains steps up behind Nightwing.

Back in Gotham, Honor and Bruce continue their cross-city trek. They pose as panhandlers and Honor tries to reward Bruce with two dime bags of dope. They are accosted by thugs, but Bruce fights them off with ease. Bruce begins doing some deductive reasoning to piece his identity together. Honor gives Bruce an item wrapped in checkered handkerchief. Honor reveals that he and Bruce have walked all teh way across town so Honor could buy booze. Hnor says to come back at 11pm and ask for Lone Eye Lincoln. Honor and Bruce sit on a wall near the Harbor and look at the city. When Bruce turns, Honor is gone. Bruce goes back to see Lone Ye Lincoln. Lincoln tells him Honor died Yesterday when he took $100 worth of Heroin. Bruce discovers Honor has led him back to Crime Alley.

Robin has arrived at Checkpoint 5 and cannot get in touch with Nightwing. Nightwing meanwhile, has been captured and taken to Arkham Asylum, where they believe he is Pierrot Lumaire. The doctors have taken his mask adn we see him inside the cell in a straightjacket, foaming at the mouth.

The Black Glove have decuided to use the Batcave as their new Headquarters and Doctor Hurt, wearing a bat costume that Bruce’s Father wore to a party, holds court.

Bruce is sewing a new costume for himself repating Doctor Hurt’s trigger phrase over and over. The cowl on the suit is purple and he says the item Honor gave him is the Bat-Radia. He puts on the new suit,which is colored red, yellow and purple and declares himself the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh as Bat-Mite floats above him.

Again, I am excited, intrigued and a little afraid of what Morrison will do next. has Brice truly lost it? Will he ever be able to come back? Will Batman ever rise again? Next issue promises to be equally action packed as The Club of Villains begins their assault on Gotham, Robin and Damian meet again and the Joker enters the fray. The next issue is only weeks away, and if the quality stays the same this could go down as one of the best Batman storylines ever.

The wriiting is amazing, the art superb. I really can’t say any more than what I have already said in my previos reviews. Every Batman fan, from the casual to the hardcore, in fact any fan of well written comic book stories, owes it to themselves to read this storyline.

Batman #678 gets a 5 out of 5.

Tomorrow, the Dark Knight toy reviews begin.

5 DAYS UNTIL THE DARK KNIGHT HITS THEATERS!!!