Batman: Year One
by David Mazzucchelli, Frank Miller
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Book Reviews of Batman: Year One
Book Review: The Greatest Graphic Novel ever created
Summary: 5 Stars
After Crisis on Infinite Earths. DC felt it was time to revamp their characters' origins, without the convoluted continuity issues from past comics. And they figured the best place to start would be with DC's Big Three: Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman. While Superman and Wonder Woman's origins were completely revamped, Batman's origin remained relatively unchanged, but added in extra elements to give it more depth. So now the question next was who was going to work on it. Enter: Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli. Considered one of the greatest writers in the comic industry, Frank Miller was no stranger to Batman, having worked on 1986's The Dark Knight Returns. And David Mazzuchelli, while still somewhat new in the comic book industry, had some great works under his belt. Both Miller and Mazzuchelli were no strangers to each other, both having worked together on Daredevil's Born Again Storyline. So both volunteered to work on Batman's origin story. Tne end result would be Batman Year One
A 4 part storyline that ran through Batman #404-407, Batman Year One chronicles The Dark Knight's first year of crimefighting. From Bruce Wayne's determination to fight crime, to James Gordon dealing with corruption in Gotham Police Department, and also including Bruce Wayne's first encounter with Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Batman Year One is everything a graphic novel should be. Great writing, detailed artwork, perfect characterization. Batman Year One is the benchmark that all Batman stories have to measure up to. And it also served a major influence on Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins.
Book Review: Jim Gordon, Year One -- and that's OK!
Summary: 5 Stars
Batman: Year One is probably my favorite Batman trade paperback. The book itself pays more attention to James Gordon (future comissioner) than it does the Batman, and that's OK.
Gordon goes through so many ups and downs--his introduction to the corrupt underbelly of Gotham, his developing friendship with Batman, his family coming under attack, and his budding feelings for his female partner... you really see how much inner strength he has. And you totally understand why Batman comes to trust him implicitly later on.
Never fear, though... there is enough Batman in here to keep you going. Of particular mention is a showdown with the police that no doubt provided at least some inspiration for the endgame that went down in the recent film rendition of The Dark Knight.
The classic style artwork ties it all together. This rendition of Gotham is gritty and realistic, but not in that overly-techie or overly-exaggerated style that many of the other popular Batman tales depict. It hits home because this Gotham COULD exist.
Above all, this book isn't hampered by pop-culture references, historical events, or the "crossover of the month" mentality that has caused other Batman trades and graphic novels to lose their luster over the years. You don't need to know what's going on in the world or in the DC universe to digest this story. Whenever you read it, you feel like it's happening NOW.
And the ending... man... Jim Gordon is an A-1 bad mamma jamma. He doesn't need a costume to bust some heads.
Book Review: GREAT!! But.. to short...
Summary: 4 Stars
First off I've got to say this is the first batman title I've read in years.
Only recently getting back into comics I decided that I wanted to check out a batman title and found this low priced used on amazon. Since it covers the origin I thought it might be a good place to start. Plus I've heard so much about frank miller I was very excited to read something by him.
Well after finishing the book I can honestly say every good thing I've heard about Frank Miller and about this book were definantly true. He delivers a deep exciting story with out the over need for all the bad guys we tend to see in most batman titles. It also shows us that Bruce Wayne didn't start out doing everything perfect. Matter of fact far from it. Which is nice, it adds a level of realism that we rarely see in comics.
The art work was very nice for the time, but doesn't exactly hold up to current comic's art.
But still not bad.
Now for the one major short comming, which is the length. It was super short, so short that they put in stuff like letters and sketches to fill pages it seems.
Plus for the life of me I cannot find any direct continuation of the story.
If anyone out there knows of one please let me know[...]
But over all I highly recommend this to all comic book fans and especially batman fans.
Only deducted one star due to the length to what would other wise be a five star rating.
Book Review: Frank Miller's brilliant re-imagining of the early days of the Dark Knight
Summary: 5 Stars
Before he would write Sin City and 300, Frank Miller first achieved fame by his reinvention of Daredevil for Marvel before taking flight to DC. In 1986, he crafted the masterpiece that is the Dark Knight Returns, and a couple years later, he would lend his talents again in his re-imagining of the origin of Batman with Year One. The story centers around Bruce Wayne, who has just returned to Gotham City after spending twelve years honing his skills, as well as Lieutenant Jim Gordon who is new to town and apparently the only clean cop in the city. Both have rude awakenings as they cross paths in their efforts to fight in this lawless, decaying, urban wasteland. What really makes Year One so good is that Miller shows us a rookie Batman who has more than his share of troubles on his first forays in the costumed hero business, which in itself is entertaining. His depiction of Gordon is effective as well; humanizing the stalwart cop to great effect. You'll see plenty of familiar characters as well here in Year One, including Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle and her transformation into Catwoman; as well as many elements that were used in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins film. David Mazzucchelli's art is dark and dreary, which suits Miller's tone superbly and is wonderfully done. All in all, if you've never read Batman: Year One, you have been missing out, and it more than deserves a place in your graphic novel library.Book Review: Batman, The Way He Should Be
Summary: 5 Stars
For a while, people forgot where Batman's dark roots, letting the T.V. show of the Sixties define who the character was. Dennis O'Neil and Frank Miller helped bring Batman back to the dark, where he needed to be. O'Neil still contributes to the character, still writing with the comic at times and writing novels that involve the character, but Miller is a unique contributor, adding, three graphic novels that have come to bring in a modern intrepretation of Batman to life.
"Year One" recreates the origin of Batman and Bruce's plans and problems along the way. Miller parallels the story of Batman with that of Jim Gordon, our favorite cop, who tries to clean up a city even though that city is fighting back tooth and nail. Batman has much more problems than he expects which often leads to incredibly dangerous and stressful situations for him . This is where, in my opinion, Batman truly shines. Most heroes are so incredibly tough that so few things hurt them. Batman is one of the few that actually has watch his back so he can get home alive. This is the trait that makes him so special to comic fans. This story along with most other Batman graphic novels, comics, and movies define Batman and all those that surround him.
This is a must have for any comic fan, and should be read in conjunction with Jeph Loeb's take on the Batman's second year.