The Meaning of "Zur-En-Arrh" (Batman R.I.P.)

[The Toyroom]

In the latest issue of "Batman:R.I.P." (Batman #677), there's graffiti throughout the story (Zur-En-Arrh)...when Batman is piecing together clues on the Batcomputer monitors he notices the repeated theme and, upon saying the phrase aloud, triggers some sort of post-hypnotic suggestion.

It was bugging me that I've come across Zur-En-Arrh before in a Batman-related capacity but I couldn't recall. So I went to my trusty Batman Encyclopedia (by Michael Fleisher) and looked up "Zur-En-Arrh". Sure enough it was there, the last entry in the book...

Zur-En-Arrh was the home planet of Tlano, the man who was secretly the "Batman of Planet X" from Batman #113 (Feb. 1958).

Grant Morrison has said that he considers everything is part of continuity...and it appears that he's focusing in on a certain time period to draw story elements from, as witnessed by the recent reappearance of Bat-Mite and the Club of Heroes.

So I wonder what connection the R.I.P. story has with the Batman of Planet X? Morrison could have picked any mumbo-jumbo phrase to be the catalyst for the post-hypnotic suggestion...but he didn't. He picked one that has some meaning. Know if I only knew what it was....

[thunderbolt]

Maybe he's the new Batman? Or, even better, the current Batman isn't even Wayne, he's the Batman from Planet X. Perhaps the new Batman will be the returned from Planet X Bruce Wayne.

[EMCE Hammer]

Maybe he's the new Batman? Or, even better, the current Batman isn't even Wayne, he's the Batman from Planet X. Perhaps the new Batman will be the returned from Planet X Bruce Wayne.

So maybe the return of the first Batman refers to this Planet X guy?

[The Toyroom]

I thought the return of the first Batman referred to Thomas Wayne, who wore a similar Bat-costume to a masquerade ball before the murders. According to the old-school origin, he rubbed gangster Lew Moxon the wrong way and Moxon hired Joe Chill to put a hit on Thomas and Martha Wayne.

The Batman from Planet X was influenced by the early Silver Age Earth-1 Batman, not the other way around...

But you never know with Morrison's crazy mind...anything is possible.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Well, they could go with the original plan for the "Clone Saga". Bruce Wayne goes to Planet X. He doesn't return to Earth, but the Planet X Batman does, living out Wayne's life. Then the REAL Bruce Wayne returns in this storyline, thus the Original Batman returning.

It's nuts, insane, and it could very well be where Morrison is going, or where he wants you to think he's going.

Chris

[EMCE Hammer]

Well, they could go with the original plan for the "Clone Saga". Bruce Wayne goes to Planet X. He doesn't return to Earth, but the Planet X Batman does, living out Wayne's life. Then the REAL Bruce Wayne returns in this storyline, thus the Original Batman returning.

It's nuts, insane, and it could very well be where Morrison is going, or where he wants you to think he's going.

Chris

Yeah - I knew the initial rumor was TW. Maybe misdirection, who knows. I found out my brother is buying the storyline, so I get to read it for free.

[thunderbolt]

Well, they could go with the original plan for the "Clone Saga". Bruce Wayne goes to Planet X. He doesn't return to Earth, but the Planet X Batman does, living out Wayne's life. Then the REAL Bruce Wayne returns in this storyline, thus the Original Batman returning.

It's nuts, insane, and it could very well be where Morrison is going, or where he wants you to think he's going.

Chris

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. The old switcheroo.

[jwyblejr]

Maybe everything has really been happening on Planet X? Just another idea being thrown out there.

[thunderbolt]

^^^ OOOOOh, that is a even better twist.

[mitchedwards]

Synopsis for "Batman - The Superman of Planet X"

The Batman of the planet, Zur En Arrh, teleports the real Batman to his homeworld. On Zur-En-Arrh, Bruce Wayne has powers equitible to that of Superman. He assists the alien Batman in fighting off a horde of robot invaders. After the robots are destroyed, the alien Batman sends Bruce Wayne back home. He gives him his Bat-Radia device as a keepsake.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Maybe everything has really been happening on Planet X? Just another idea being thrown out there.

Now that would be wild. I may have to pick up the TPB of this provided it ends well, and not with a "whole new beginning until a new creative team undoes everything".

Chris

[thunderbolt]

Thanks guys, now I'm thinking about doing a custom Batman from Planet X.

[thunderbolt]

OK, I was reading one of the DCNation columns at the back of a new comic, and DiDio mentions that RIP doesn't stand for the traditional meaning. What could it be? Really is Pennyworth???

[The Toyroom]

^ I read that too and was wondering what it could be...Because of the possible Batman-X connection I was thinking the "IP" part could be "Inter-Planetary" but have no clue for the "R".

[EMCE Hammer]

R.I.P.(off)?