Batman: Year One
by David Mazzucchelli, Frank Miller
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Book Reviews of Batman: Year One
Book Review: A good summary, but just that
Summary: 4 Stars
I was excited to read this graphic novel since it is considered to be one of the top Batman stories to be printed. However, when I finally got to read it, the story felt rushed, and the whole thing seemed to be from Sparknotes rather than the actual text. With a day being one panel on a page, I began to find myself wishing I could see more of what happened. Especially towards the end, everything seemed to fall into place too easily. The friendship between Batman and Gordon seemed to pull a 180 between the two last pages.
Even though the story had it's problems, I enjoyed that we got to see both Batman and Gordon start their careers, and both of their hardships and emotional strain that each of them go through. We finally get to see the Gotham Police truly corrupt, rather than simply being told. This is the only part of the story Miller shows us what is needed to make a great story.
Check it out or borrow it from a friend, it may grow on you. It was a quick read, had good writing, nice artwork, decent, but known story, and never really quite fit all into a nice little package for me.
Book Review: Batman Year One REMASTERED
Summary: 5 Stars
The trade paperback edition of Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli's four issue Batman Year One run is like a remastered CD.
Colorist Richmond Lewis completely repainted the entire artwork because the original comics came out on cheap newsprint and could support just 60 different color palettes.
This trade paperback edition is on slick, glossy high quality paper and also boasts a great 40 page Mazzuchelli sketchbook and original Miller scripts.
Now that we've addressed the form, what about the content? Thematically, Year One bookends The Dark Knight Returns. DKR represented a future Batman while Year One goes back to the beginning to explore Batman's origins.
Miller bucks convention by pitting Batman against corruption, greed and lethargy. Rather than trotting out garish supervillains, Miller uses the grime and grit of Gotham City to humanize Batman.
I own both the original comics, which I bought and read as a child, and this great newly remastered version.
I love 'em and so will you.
Book Review: It was OK.
Summary: 3 Stars
I neither loved nor hated this book. After having it recommended to me from various friends, I decided to get it. To be frank, (no pun intended) it wasn't spectacular on any level. The art was decent, but not that great. The writing was alright, and overall plot was enjoyable, but just not that interesting. It seems like Batman Begins - great movie- was highly inspired by this book, and yet, the book version just didn't quite feel so rivetting. The ending, was simply unsatisfying. I understand why it ended the way it did, but it just left me caring a lot less about the character and his exploits. It's actually so plain to me to make me wonder whether Begins would've been anywhere near as enjoyable without such a superb score(soundtrack).
I thought Catwoman's involvement in the story was completely pointless. She did have one good line but that's not really enough to justify her being thrown into this story.
Ultimately, I can't think of much to say because it wasn't memorable enough for anything to really stick with me. It was just.. ok.
Book Review: From a Spider-Man fan
Summary: 5 Stars
Normally, I tend toward the lighter-hearted comics of the Marvel genre where the government may be idiotic, but not entirely corrupt, so perhaps it's partially because of this drastic change of views that I enjoyed this comic so much.
The origin of Batman, who is not only not invincible, but he's fairly easily injured and doesn't just bounce back. Similarly, although he's not part of the traditional law-enforcement he works in tandem with Gordon at least in order to bring change to the corrupt system.
Similarly, I'm not generally a fan of the art style that people consider to be more realistic than the traditional comic book but it does complement the writing of Miller in this instance and I don't think a Bagley or a Jim Lee would have done so well to illustrate the story. This is certainly the best DC book I have ever read (though, as mentioned at the beginning of this review, I am primarily a Marvel fan).
The interviews and such with the artist at the end were entertaining as well if not greatly enlightening.
Book Review: Who Better to Write the Origin than Miller?
Summary: 5 Stars
As far as I know, Frank Miller and Alan Moore were the best people ever attached to a Batman novel. Batman: Year One is amazingly written. I believe any Batman author should read this 10 times at least, before touching ink to paper.
It is a perfect display of: James Gordon angst, Batman's thoughts going into superheroism, and a tragic dystopia called Gotham City. This novel is so acclaimed mainly for these reasons. Other reasons include: The amazing artwork(should be in an art museum if it isn't), and Frank Miller's fight scenes. All artist drawing fists and kicks should take note from Millers fights. I may be repeating what other people have said on the book's sleeve reviews, but I agree that Miller has an incredible take on action. It is very refreshing for me.
If you like the gritty Batman we have seen in recent films, BUY this novel. It's really short, but it packs a dirty punch. Miller will most likely remain the best Batman scribe in the business.