Batman: R.I.P. by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel

I read "Batman: R.I.P." a month ago. All I can say is that the work is very cerebral. One has to read this book more than once, as each reading will allow the reader to see certain details that he or she has missed during the first reading. I plan on reading this book once again after a few months. For those who like to read a straightforward linear story, this book may turn them off and make them walk away uttering to themselves, "What the heck was this? Was Grant high when he wrote this?" But if you like to read literature and serious works full of hidden meanings, symbols, metaphors, and other things that make you think while reading a book, this is for you. It may be hard to believe that a comic book character can be compared to serious work like literature, but Grant Morrison definitely took a chance at his work on this title.

The middle part of the book with Bat Mite and Bruce as The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh was like a walk in The Yellow Brick Road of drug induced acid trip. There is no memory, and you have an imp from another dimension talking to you, and you are an aggressive lunatic Batman on the prowl against crime. Tony Daniel at times draws The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh almost as insane looking as The Joker with the zealous of inflicting pain and enjoying it. But the best part was definitely Bat Mite as his conscience of reason. Perhaps we all have that inner conscience that helps us reason things when things are so confusing. Unfortunately, we just don't really hear that "Bat Mite" in us.

I definitely have to read this graphic novel again. I may have missed certain details that would add to my understanding of the story.

Incredible Hercules: The Mighty Thorcules by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente

This is one of the most entertaining books I've read that made me laugh. Greg Pak has crafted a very funny story and was illustrated to show the humorous situation, and how the characters reacted and worked in their given situation. The switching of roles between Hercules and Thor was very interesting. Greg wrote great dialogue between the two, and Fred's art absolutely captured the essence of each of the two characters during their battles. You then throw in Zeus in the guise of a young child, and you have one comedic situation which shows the son as an older person and the father as the young child, albeit with the powers of the most powerful Olympian god.

I have never seen Thor portrayed as one with such "dirtiest player in the game" type of humor in both words and action. I hope that Greg get's to write The Thunder God sometime in the future.

This graphic novel, has piqued my interest, and I look forward to reading more of the Incredible Hercules in the future.