Batman Incorporated #11 (2012) variant

Batman Incorporated changes Bat-channels this month, with regular artist Burnham(!) taking on writing duties, and whisks us away to far Japan to catch up with Jiro, the BATMAN OF JAPAN! ...also known as "Mr. Unknown". Titled "A Bird in the Hand", referring to Jiro's diminutive sweetie Canary, #11 recalls the lighter fare of the pre-New 52 Incorporated, with kooky premises, colorful action, and off-center humor. Lucas's art pairs well with the flavor of Burnham's ode to Japanese pop culture, and emphasizes the drastic shift in tone from the program already in progress. I will be recommending this odd one-off to everyone looking for "something manga" this week. While Morrison devotees might be disappointed with a brief jaunt to the Orient, Bat-manga fans will be tickled.