Cameron Stewart’s awesome variant cover for “Batman Incorporated #2″
The origin of Talia al Ghul has never been touched upon directly in any Batman comic up to this point. It has only tried to shed light on few details over time. However for the first time, Batman Incorporated is the comic that reveals the past of the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul.
The issue begins at a concert where Ra’s al Ghul and Melisande, Talia’s mother, meet. They discuss the millions starving in Africa, and the imperial aristocracy of Africa. He tells her the whole system is corrupt, and the children of tomorrow need the two. This leads to Melisande going through child labor, and having Talia. The next part revolves between Ra’s in the mountains with baby Talia and Talia herself confronting her father. Ra’s shows the young child the mountains telling her the world will be her’s one day. Ra’s congratulates Talia on the Dark Knight never seeing her coming. She replies most underestimate her, and discusses where the imagery and symbolism her organization has comes from. Ra’s says he will not allow her war with Batman to continue, and then the comic moves to the young Talia growing up. She trains with ninjas, and suffers her first taste of what the Lazarus Fever can do to someone including her father. Talia makes clear Ra’s never gave her the things she actually wanted; only the things he perceived she wanted. She was a horse, education in chemistry, and a hot air balloon. She eventually slips away one day, and goes to a fortuneteller. She explains the stars and astrology, and begins Talia’s education in the symbolism that would define her campaign against the Batman. She tells Talia of Medusa, and hints that she, herself, might be Talia. However, Ubu then strikes the woman down after she tells Talia that to survive in this world she must appear helpless. Talia then appears to be doing ballet as Ra’s and Ubu watch. Next, Talia is given her own secret headquarters underneath London. However, men threaten them in there, and the three fight back. One day, Talia gets angry at her father, and questions him greatly. However, he remarks that her mother has always been dead. Talia is next seen having been at a college in what seems to be Egypt, and she is walking with men who attempt to formally kidnap her. They are a part of the League of Assassins who has declared their independence. Talia and Dr. Daark (who kidnaps her) discuss herself and her father, and then he takes her with him. However, she is rescued by Batman, and then Talia moves back to her first meeting Batman. She reminisces about her testing him. After Ra’s and Bruce fight, Talia and Bruce have sex after he realizes she poisoned him. Damian is then shown training along with Talia’s alliance with different men in the International Super Crime Community. The flashback concludes with Batman: The Black Glove and Batman and Son being referenced. Talia leaves her father in suspense as she almost has her henchman hurt him. She also says before that Damian is just a pawn.
Grant Morrison writes one giant flashback throughout the story. He gives the reader a definitive version of whom and what Talia was, and how it all defined her up to the current day. Along with her relationship with Ra’s, Morrison remains one of the best writers of the Batman mythos ever. With his partner in crime Chris Burnham, things couldn’t be better. Burnham is giving us the best work of his career, and defines every character with nicely-detailed art. Hopefully, Morrison keeps the surprises in store……
