This is an awesome continuation of the Batman persona we are first introduced to in "The Dark Knight Returns" (read my epinions review), which I consider to be the greatest graphic novel ever. "Batman: Year One" is not far off from that high rating. It is not a sequel, but instead a prequel in that this is the 'new' origin of Batman. Frank Miller didn't do any of the artwork here, and instead handed over that chore to David Mazzucchelli (who did the excellent artwork in a Daredevil miniseries, also with Miller). This was considered more than just a little surprising since Miller's artwork was so heralded with "The Dark Knight Returns". However, Miller has an unusual style, and Mazzucchelli is perhaps a better artist when it comes to drawing realistically. If Miller wanted this series to have an old film noir look, Mazzucchelli certainly achieved it.

Oddly, while "The Dark Knight Returns" was released in a very high quality, thick paper, glossy cover, type of format, this series was not. Even though "The Dark Knight Returns" sold extremely well, and met with some of the highest critical praise ever, this series was simply four issues in the regular Batman run, and printed like any other comic at the time.

There are really two origin stories here. One of Bruce Wayne creating his Batman identity, and the other is of Jim Gordon, just starting out in the Gotham city police force. Both stories parallel their attempts at cleaning up the city. What is interesting here is that Jim Gordon's story is possibly the more interesting one. Batman's origin is such common knowledge to our culture that hardly anyone doesn't know it, even non comic-book readers. Batman's origin has some unusual twists and details, but is still primarily the famous one of his parents being killed by a petty criminal causing Bruce Wayne into spending the next twenty years of his life perfecting himself in mind and body in order to fight crime.

The 1st issue is by far the best, with a Jim Gordon we have never seen before, and Bruce Wayne failing at his initial attempts to cleanse the city. We see Bruce Wayne wandering the seedy streets of Gotham studying, but repulsed by, all the filth, disease and rampant criminal activity. He tries to help a young (around 12 years old) prostitute, and when he gets in a fight with her pimp, he cannot believe that he is first attacked and stabbed by his older prostitutes, but he is then shot by cops, who steal the money from his wallet while they discuss leaving his corpse on the streets somewhere. He almost feels it is hopeless until he is later inspired to fight crime as the caped crusader.

With Jim Gordon, we watch him try to ignore the corruption all around him, but he cannot. When he starts to make trouble some of the other cops savagely beat him, only half-heartedly hiding their identities. It is his revenge that not only is amazing and surprising in the writing, but it sets us up for a rather interesting confrontation we know is coming. We realize that Jim Gordon is situated in a police force where even the corrupt chief wants him gone, because he is bad for business. He is in an even more difficult situation than Bruce Wayne is!

Miller gives us a real believability behind the motives and methods to wearing a bat costume. We actually see what sort of primal fear a criminal experiences when faced by a man wearing a bat suit. Bruce Wayne describes this outfit as one that inspires fear, and promotes confusion. During Batman's first attack from above on three criminals on a fire escape, he begins with the thought "The costume works perfectly. They freeze and give me all the time in the world. I give them a growl brought all the way from Africa". He wears his large cape to hide his form and confuse his opponents. While a thug is describing shooting right through him at point blank, we see a side view showing that the bullets passed harmlessly through his cape that was billowing above his form.

One thing I notice each time I read this is how 'efficient' the editing of this series is. An amazing amount of story takes place in these four standard size issues. One example that keeps coming to mind of an efficient means of story telling is the single shot of the crashed Porsche in front of the Wayne Manor, with bloody footprints in the snow leading inside. The voice over is talking about something else, but realize that he is horribly wounded, and crashed the car coming home, before practically crawling inside.

Another interesting advance in the language of graphic novels is the use of the lettering. Most comics simply strive to have lettering that is as legible and plain as a typewriter. Miller uses various 'fonts' here, some to differentiate which characters are saying what, but they seem to do more. All of Batman's thoughts are done in cursive script, giving us the impression that he is keeping a journal. This actually fits his writing as well. Some of the other characters are given such distinct lettering as well.

We are given an early look into the Catwoman, before she became that person. Here she is a dominatrix prostitute, which is another image I don't think I had seen in a comic book before. This actually explains so much about her character, that I wouldn't be surprised if this was the person all the previous writers knew she was, but were never willing to show before.

Although it is never mentioned, we see a lot of Harvey Dent, who later became Two-face and never regained control of his sanity. We see him trying to fight crime as a D.A. in a system so corrupt that he has surely already committed political suicide. But it is the fact that "all the right people seem to hate him" that makes him an early suspect as the man underneath the Batman outfit to the corrupt powers that be.

This book is wonderful for many of the same reasons that "The Dark Knight Returns" is. I get an adrenaline rush every time I read it. It gives me the impression that an average person can make a difference.


Recommended: Yes