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Batman: Year One (Batman)

by Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli (Illustrator), Richmond Lewis (Colorist), Dennis O'Neil (Introduction)

4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 · rating details · 44,133 ratings · 828 reviews

A New York Times Best Seller!

A deluxe trade paperback edition of one of the most important and critically acclaimed Batman adventures ever, written byFrank Miller, author ofTHE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS!

In addition to telling the entire dramatic story of Batman's first year fighting crime, this collection includes reproductions of original pencils, promotional art, script pages,...more

Paperback, 144 pages

Published January 10th 2007 by DC Comics (first published May 1987)

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Nov 11, 2010 Keely rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: capes, comics, reviewed

This is one of those books that's been absorbed into the public consciousness so fully that, reading it now, it can be hard to see what was revolutionary about it. This book has come to define the way we think of Batman today and was influential on the darker, grittier cape comics of the eighties and early nineties.

But it is also instrumental in introducing what made that period of comics so ridiculous. It's been praised for its gritty realism, but like any Miller book, it's more sensationlist t...more This is one of those books that's been absorbed into the public consciousness so fully that, reading it now, it can be hard to see what was revolutionary about it. This book has come to define the way we think of Batman today and was influential on the darker, grittier cape comics of the eighties and early nineties.

But it is also instrumental in introducing what made that period of comics so ridiculous. It's been praised for its gritty realism, but like any Miller book, it's more sensationlist than realist: a hard-boiled patina over an idealized superhero core.

Sure, Batman screws things up a few times in this, and seems to get shot, beaten, and burned in every attempt to stop a crime, but these are primarily to push the melodrama, not to enforce realism. We'll get a classic Miller line about a bullet's 'searing-hot flash of metal numbing my leg', but then Batman gets up, runs around, kicks through a brick wall, and at one point, takes a ski vacation to rehabilitate.

The wounds aren't there to make Batman human, they're to make him totally manly and awesome. It's an eighties action movie where our hero gets shot in the shoulder just so he can wrap it up, grit his teeth, and take out some armed men with karate.

But Miller's a good writer. He has a strong voice and a compelling sense of pacing, and if this story brings realism to Batman, it's in the small human moments, particularly Gordon's story, though he scraps like a Sin City tough, too, quipping to himself "it's been years since I had to take out a Green Beret".

The way Batman takes death-defying risks every few pages isn't a sign of greater maturity or realism, it's just a switch to a different kind of ridiculous, epic melodrama. Sure, it's much more bloody and grim, but if adding blood and sex to a story was all it took to write mature, realistic stories, film critics would spend their careers analyzing slasher movies.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Frank Miller story without whores, which is where we get to his rewrite of Catwoman: she's a leather-clad prostitute with a child prostitute sidekick. She doesn't have as much character as the men, in fact Gordon's monologues run right over her scenes, denying us insight.

But even with the mandatory prostitutes and Die Hard injuries, it's a fun book, with character and story and some well-crafted dialogue. More than that, it's a vision of how to create male fantasies without catering to preteen boys. It forms a part of that influential, genre-shifting period defined by 'Wathcmen' and it stands as an integral part of the modern Batman character.(less)

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Nov 17, 2012 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, batman

Batman: Year One is a great Batman story...
Batman: Year One is also a great Gordon story.
In many of the Batman stories I've read Gordon is depicted as an innefficient cop who needs to rely on Batman to get "his" job done.
Not so in this story, Frank Miller paints a picture of Gordon as a 3-dimensional human being with all the faults that come with being human. And with all the strenghts a human being posesses.
Gordon is a very good cop and deserves the respect and humanization he gets in this book...more

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Sep 29, 2008 Keith rated it 2 of 5 stars

Okay... I guess I don't like Frank Miller much. Batman: Year One has less of the fascistic feeling that I got from the movies Sin City and The 300, but I found it sketchily put together and not well characterized. I think that Nolan's Batman Begins film effort actually did a better job covering the first forays into costumed crimefighting by our caped crusader. Perhaps were I more informed by reading a lot of Batman comics I could fill in the story better on my own. Maybe Miller was too close to...more

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Matt I must slightly disagree with you on this. While I love Batman Begins, one of the things I wish it had done would have been showing him make more mist...more
Mar 04, 2010 04:02pm

Mike Clooney I'm struck by the irony of your comparison, because without "Year One" there would BE no "Batman Begins," which is clearly based heavily on this story...more
Mar 11, 2013 05:28pm

Dec 13, 2007 Adam rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics

I'm not a big fan of superhero origin stories, so I avoided reading Batman: Year One for awhile, but I'm really glad I finally picked it up and gave it a try. This four-issue series totally blew me away. It got to the heart of everything I've always loved about Batman, while giving equal time to Commissioner Gordon (still a lieutenant in Year One). Gordon has always been one of my favorite supporting characters in Batman's world, and I think he rarely gets his due, so it was nice to read a story...more

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Oct 13, 2008 Rick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Pretty well written and drawn the story itself seems kind of rushed though. The end just seemed to come rather abruptly and Catwoman's presence seemed rather pointless. Miller's take on Catwoman was interesting but she didn't really seem to have much to do with the story.

Also this really seems to be more about Gordon's story than it is about Batman's. Not that that is a bad thing, seeing things from Gordon's point of view is fairly interesting. I would have liked more Batman though.

I think ove...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Federiken Masters rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Zeta, que la acaba de marcar como "to-read".

Recommended to Federiken by: Bajo precio y buena merca.

¿Vale la pena comprar por tercera vez esta obra? A 20$, sí, de cabeza. No porque sea un coleccionista compulsivo, ni porque la genial Año Uno sea una de mis obras favoritas, sino porque es la manera más barata de coleccionar "Los Hombres Monstruo", obra de la que me hablaron muy bien pero que jamás leí. No sé si me la devoraré entera o iré directamente al capítulo final, lo seguro es que cuando lo termine le escribiré su correspondiente reseña. De todos modos, lo dejo leído (aunque sea mentira q...more

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Dec 09, 2008 Zero Restrictions Alfonso rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dont-mess-with-the-kitty-mofo, mucho-macho

ok… this one I love, I was angry went it was over and I had to go back to my crappy book… and batman kick the shit out of some dude who tried to kill a kitty!!! I love it!!! I love it I say!!

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Mar 11, 2013 Mike Clooney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

What can I say that hasn't already been said about "Batman: Year One"? When people speak of Frank Miller's Batman, it's always "The Dark Knight Returns" that comes up, but THIS is the story that truly redefined the character and his motivations. Younger fans might think it reads like just-another-Batman-origin-story, but it needs to be judged in the context of how groundbreaking it was in its era. Every modern interpretation of The Dark Knight, from Grant Morrison to Christopher Nolan, is firmly...more

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Jan 08, 2009 Carolyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this slim volume in an hour or so, because I've long heard good things about this take on Batman's origins and earliest days, and I heard it was a source of inspiration for Christopher Nolan's Batman films, for which my appreciation has only grown after seeing them both again recently.

One of the biggest pleasures of the films for me is Gary Oldman's portrayal of Jim Gordon, and easily my favorite thing about Year One is Jim Gordon. In his review of The Dark Knight, Peter Travers said tha...more

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May 22, 2013 Aaronrd rated it 4 of 5 stars

After recently deciding to collect classic Batman TPB, it didn't take me long to find out where I should begin. Frank Miller is a revolutionary writer who's stories have now become legend among the comic book community. His plot and character development are intoxicating and addictive and his ability to submerse his audience in the thickness of Gotham's underworld is defiantly an attractive aspect of this comic. The rich story is combined with flowing illustrations that are coloured using a limi...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Bagus Hendy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

when you want to starts reading batman's books, this book will be perfect choice.

the times when bruce wayne comeback to gotham city after his journey around the world to training and improving his skills to face "evils" in his town, gotham city

this book told us story about the worst condition in gotham city, while the city is corrupted by criminals, mafias, and inside the gotham government itself (include gotham police department)

there are 2 men that wants to change this: Bruce wayne and jim gor...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Rory Wilding rated it 5 of 5 stars

Frank Miller's follow-up to his seminal graphic novel 'The Dark Knight Returns' has a special place in my heart, as it was the first Batman comic I've ever read, as around the same time I also bought 'The Killing Joke', after watching (and many times since its release) Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight'.

Influenced the first of Nolan's trilogy: 'Batman Begins', 'Year One' follows the first year of Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham City as the caped crusader to fight the criminals, as well as Lt....more Frank Miller's follow-up to his seminal graphic novel 'The Dark Knight Returns' has a special place in my heart, as it was the first Batman comic I've ever read, as around the same time I also bought 'The Killing Joke', after watching (and many times since its release) Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight'.

Influenced the first of Nolan's trilogy: 'Batman Begins', 'Year One' follows the first year of Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham City as the caped crusader to fight the criminals, as well as Lt. James Gordon's first year in law enforcement in a city ruled by the corrupt. As Batman and the only good cop are initially aganist one another, during the progression of the story, the two realise they can't fight this war on their own.

While 'TDKR' is so jam-packed with so memorable moments from an aging Batman fighting the Mutant gag, his unhealthy reunion with the Joker and the climatic battle between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel; 'Year One' takes a more subtle and grounded approach to the first year of Batman and Gordon's uneasy alliance. As there are no outlandish villains, there are just the mobsters and the dirty cops, while the realistic characterisation of the two protagonists is the heart of the story, with their traditional Frank Miller-written inner monologues gets you inside the heads of these lone heroes.

Whilst Miller's art in 'TDKR' looks rough but still great in today's standards, David Mazzucchelli's work on 'Year One' is stunning as ever, as he presents the grim-looking Gotham City, as shown best shown in Bruce Wayne's surveillance mission to the seedy East End, where he fights a violent pimp and a bunch of prostitutes including the teenaged Holly Robinson and the dominatrix-turned-Catwoman Selina Kyle. When it comes to action, Batman isn't shown as a superheroic figure who can take out six-hundred, as here he barely survives a fight with a group of thieves and comes out as he says in his inner monologue: a "lucky amateur". He's not a superhero, or as initially seen a giant Bat-creature, he is only human.

While there have been great stories of the Dark Knight facing such colourful villains from the Joker to Ra's al Ghul, 'Year One' is the best Batman story of all time, which is simply about the birth of a partnership between two men who are about to fight a war that will define them both. On Page 38, a large panel showing a shadowed figure reveals himself from the thick smoke and sinisterly says to his enemies: "Ladies. Gentlemen. You have eaten well." That's when you know the orphaned millionaire becomes a symbol.
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Jan 31, 2013 Matija Katić rated it 5 of 5 stars

As I am not familliar with Frank Millers work it could have been a bad decision to start with Batman, or so I have thought. First few pages were a little bit confusing (I would say that my inexperience in comics was cause of that) but instead of quitting, I focused and started all over again. I wasn't only focused on the storyline which is a good thing rather then what Marvel and other straightforward comics thaught me. Instantly I figured what I was missing in a lot of comics. Analizing drawing...more As I am not familliar with Frank Millers work it could have been a bad decision to start with Batman, or so I have thought. First few pages were a little bit confusing (I would say that my inexperience in comics was cause of that) but instead of quitting, I focused and started all over again. I wasn't only focused on the storyline which is a good thing rather then what Marvel and other straightforward comics thaught me. Instantly I figured what I was missing in a lot of comics. Analizing drawings as symbols brought me to whole new level of enjoyment and I'm happy that Batman was the first comic that I dived deep into.

So what I found out? Pure awesomeness. Intepretations in so many ways that my mind imploded by the sheer power and vastness of this approach. And that was just the beginning. Soon I found what minimalistic style of drawing was. Only the important details were presented and were placed so good that I found myself looking at only one panel for 3-5 minutes at least. Examining what every detail means left me speechless and so connected with the story that after these first few ventures into unknown I was dragged into it so vividly that the scenes of Gotham city were imprinted in my mind for several weeks later. Inspiration started to flow at very moment as I read the comic and I wanted to make my own Batman storyline. Explosion of inspiration was ignited from a lot of moments in the comic; the atmosphere, characters, drawing style, colors, sense of desolation and loneliness in the world of the strong, the clenching hand of law which spreads its fingers but a little, enough for those who were forsaken by any sense of compassion driven only by the vehicles of destruction formed by power and greed. And the whole town, families, ordinary people are left to make their best in the world of chaos to which they turn a blind eye and show only socially acceptable levels of compassion with no emotional driveforce.

All of this was presented to me through drawing tangled with storyline in such fantastic weave which, I think, I will never see again.(less)

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Jan 20, 2013 usaking rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Batman fans

Batman: Year One, as the title suggests, tells about the first year of Batman and how he is able to do what he must to make sure Gotham is safe and sound. Certain villains and other familiar characters appear throughout the story. Of course, this comic book mainly revolves around Bruce Wayne himself. Batman: Year One is the first comic book, or graphic novel, I have ever read. It definitely opened up my eyes to the world of comic books and have amazing they can be. The illustrations that are dra...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Sophia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like to consume Batman one graphic novel at a time, because there's so much to glimpse. So much to question. Miller says -- quoted in the bonus material -- that Batman is a hero who wishes he didn't have to exist. I was about to say he reminds me of the American Dream, but he starts his life rich, and keeps himself there by staying industrious, yet...has the world convinced he's a manchild. But isn't he, in another sense? A child hiding behind a child? It's 4am, so I'm confusing, I know.

I mea...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, graphic-novels, superheroes

A famous Batman reboot from the 80s. Uses the typical story of Bruce Wayne's parents' murder and Bruce going away for years to train in combat. I loved the complexity of what was going on in Gotham City politics, and how Jim Gordon began to work his way up in the police force by having morals and taking down corruption despite imperfections in his personal life. I almost felt like Gordon was the show-stealer in this story arc.

I don't tend to prefer the less-realistic artwork that comics used to...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Antonio rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sin lugar a dudas, este Batman: Año Uno es uno de esos comics sobre el caballero oscuro que hay que leer sí o sí. Es más, debe ser la primera historia que se lea al acercarse por primera vez a Ghotam City. Frank Miller nos narra el punto de partida en que todo comenzó para Bruce Wayne: el cómo llega a convertirse en Batman y esas primeras dificultades tanto por no estar del todo preparado como por el montón de impedimentos que le ponen las autoridades de Gotham.

Pero no es lo único que nos cuenta...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Gemma rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this to see if I liked Batman, or just Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.

As it goes, I might just like the movies. Or maybe comics aren't my thing. Or maybe Year One just wasn't for me.

I'm a little disappointed, as this has been paraded on various sights as one of, if not the best, "most important" Batman comics ever written. And honestly, I didn't think it was super special.

Year One is partly about Bruce Wayne deciding to dress up like a bat and fight crime, but the main focus is...more I read this to see if I liked Batman, or just Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.

As it goes, I might just like the movies. Or maybe comics aren't my thing. Or maybe Year One just wasn't for me.

I'm a little disappointed, as this has been paraded on various sights as one of, if not the best, "most important" Batman comics ever written. And honestly, I didn't think it was super special.

Year One is partly about Bruce Wayne deciding to dress up like a bat and fight crime, but the main focus is on Lieutenant Gordon, an idealist cop who is new to Gotham and disgusted by the city's corruption, particularly in the police force.

Gordon's okay. It took me three movies to work up an attachment to him, but by Dark Knight Rises, I started caring whether or not he made it out alive. He's endearing, I guess, with the dorky glasses and idealistic views and continual ignorance of Batman's true identity. Year One elaborated on Gordon's character more than the movies did; he's less likable, but more interesting. But I don't know that he's interesting enough to boost an entire book about him.

Really, neither is Bruce Wayne. He's angsty and rich and presumably intelligent, but not a lot of fun when compared to other superheroes like, say, Tony Stark. Year One doesn't give him much characterization that I didn't already know from watching the movies. His parents were killed when he was little; he left Gotham for an extended period of time; he dresses up like a bat and fights crime. Honestly, I was hoping for a little more; if I hadn't had prior knowledge of the character, I would know very little about him by the end of Year One.

What this book needed was a central villain to carry the story. You know how the main story of the Dark Knight is just the Joker blowing stuff up and knifing people and giggling? Well, Year One is just stuff getting blown up and people getting knifed (though very little giggling), but without a central character to link it together. It was just random crimes committed by random people. I suppose that's accurate and realistic, like this book is trying to be, but at the very core of Batman is a man dressing up in tights so he can beat up thugs without getting arrested. There's a certain level of fantasy to that element that should be reflected elsewhere in the story. In the movies, that was done through fantastic villains. In Year One, it's ignored and pushed aside.

As a result, it wasn't a lot of fun. I get it; it's not supposed to be. And it's not like the Dark Knight movies were all that fun either, but at least they were exciting at times, with chase scenes and disappearing pencils and mass hallucinations.

I dunno. I get that a lot of Christopher Nolan's movies were inspired by Year One, and I get that a picture on a page cannot provide the same visual affect as a scene in a high budget movie. I might reread Year One someday, and I'll probably look into more Batman comics. But as someone who has only seen and loved the movies, Batman: Year One just wasn't as good. (less)

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Aug 20, 2012 Mark rated it 3 of 5 stars

Having seen all of Nolan's films, I checked this out after I read that it was one of several of the most influential comics on Nolan when he made his Batman movies (by the way I abuse the Omaha Public Library's hold system). What I had hoped to find wasn't completely fair of me to hope for: a fully fledged, realistic portrayal of how a billionaire heir might become a ninja and independent law enforcer, which is what I think is so cool about the latest movies. It did have some of that, which I gu...more

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Aug 18, 2012 David Green rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels-are-cool, adventure, naa-naa-naa-batman

Frank Miller became such a punchline after his abysmal "All-Star Batman" series, sometimes it's hard to remember that he was once considered one the greatest comic-book writers ever. But five pages into the sublime "Batman: Year One" is enough to show why the name Frank Miller used to command so much respect.

One of Batman's most famous quotes is "Criminals are a cowardly, superstitious lot", and Batman :Year One gives them a very good reason to be afraid! This retelling of Batman's origin fills...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Bob Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars

Is there anything to even say here? This is the best Batman story ever, in my opinion. It's better than Batman Begins (which clearly drew a lot of inspiration from Year One), better than the Killing Joke, better than Arkham City.

Batman is given the Noir treatment for (maybe?) the first time. Year One chronicles Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham from years abroad, and the slow birth of the Batman we all know and love. Even better, though, is the fact that Batman is kind of treated as a background ch...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Evan Leach rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1980-1989, comics-graphic-nov, dc

25 years later, Frank Miller’s Year One is still the definitive origin story for modern-day Batman.

img: Batman

In 1987, DC Comics decided Batman was due for a reboot after 48 years. They chose Frank Miller, whose superb standalone story Batman: The Dark Knight Returns had enjoyed both commercial and critical success, to do the honors. Just as he had done in The Dark Knight, Miller presented a grittier version of Batman and his world. Gotham City is a true hellhole when Bruce Wayne returns after years away. Eager to clean up the streets and exorcise some demons from his past, Wayne becomes a vigilante, eventually disguising himself as the Batman. Not only street criminals get the business, but dirty cops and corrupt politicians too, earning Batman the enmity of those in power. By the end of Year One, Gotham is…well it’s still pretty much a hellhole, but some of its worst citizens have tasted justice. Year One spends nearly as much time on Jim Gordon as it does on Wayne, outlining his rise from a rookie officer to Captain. Gordon initially views Batman as a common vigilante, but by the end of the year has begun to see him as an ally.

At under 150 pages, Year One doesn’t describe Batman’s first year on the job in minute detail. A lot is left in the dark, to be filled in later by series like Legends of the Dark Knight. But Miller nailed the tone that would influence future Batman stories and movies. Christopher Nolan’s movie trilogy, particularly Batman Begins, were clearly influenced by this story (it borrows one famous scene nearly wholesale: (view spoiler)).

Lord knows that DC has tweaked and retconned the history of their heroes over the years, but this story has endured. Not only has it been very influential, many people think it is the best Batman story ever written. While it’s not my personal number one, it’s easy to see why this book gets as much love as it does. Great writing, great art, great ending. 4.5 stars, highly recommended.(less)

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Jun 29, 2012 Michael (Tattoogirl Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really, the only Batman exposure I have is the Michael Keaton and Christian Bale movies; and Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. Soooo, I was a little surprised by some of the differences and really what this installment in the epic Batman tales was about.

First Off: Gordon
To me, this really wasn’t about Batman but more about Gordon with a little bit of Batman’s beginnings. It shows his ups and downs, and his faults along with praises. I love him. He’s a great character with a lot of depth. This reall...more

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May 12, 2012 Tanner Jensen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, graphic-novels, suspense

I have been in a Batman mood lately. I’ve been watching the incredible animated series released in the 90’s and want more. So I checked out Frank Miller’s critically acclaimed Year One to feed my Batman hunger. I now understand why Frank Miller is regarded so highly.

The story is about Bruce Wayne’s first year as Batman. It is also about Jim Gordon’s first year working in Gotham City. That’s the comic.
Flat out, my favorite character is James Gordon. He is the only good cop in this city. The firs...more I have been in a Batman mood lately. I’ve been watching the incredible animated series released in the 90’s and want more. So I checked out Frank Miller’s critically acclaimed Year One to feed my Batman hunger. I now understand why Frank Miller is regarded so highly.

The story is about Bruce Wayne’s first year as Batman. It is also about Jim Gordon’s first year working in Gotham City. That’s the comic.
Flat out, my favorite character is James Gordon. He is the only good cop in this city. The first day he arrives in Gotham, he is shown how corrupt their system is. He could have easily fallen to their ways, accept the bribe or beat the innocent citizen, but Jim remained honorable. The other cops don’t respect his integrity and continually threaten him and his wife, but he would not fall. My favorite part in the whole comic is when Jim negotiates during a hostage situation. The commissioner wanted to send in the SWAT team and head in guns drawn but, due to the teams trigger happy attitude, that would have resulted in the death of the family held hostage as well. James would not let them in and risked his own life to save the family. He is so cool and handles it so well. Bruce is also a pretty cool guy. It is interesting seeing him find his stride. Trying to figure out what he should do and how he is going to make a difference. My second favorite part is Bruce’s first attempt at roaming the streets for crime. It was also cool when he was Batman for the first time.

What I really like about Frank Miller’s writing is how he has their thoughts in the book. Hearing what they are thinking is interesting especially for Bruce. Hearing him strategies is so cool. I do have to complain that the story skips around in depth lot. I want to know everything that happened, not just parts of his life. Still incredible, but I just want a little more please.

The art is also deserves praise. David Mazzucchelli and Richmond Lewis crafted a beautiful, dark atmosphere that is absolutely stunning.

This is an incredible book that all Batman fans need to read. It is a great insight into how he grows into the man the world now knows. The character depth is so fascinating and to see these men start off so small is very cool. Batman Begins took several themes from here to apply to the film but it does not compare to how amazing this book is. My biggest complaint about this comic is that it is too short. I wish it could have been longer and, as I said, a tad bit more in depth.
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May 08, 2012 Melki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, graphic-novel

I've never been much of a super hero fan. And to me, Batman will always be Adam West's campy TV show of my youth. Bap! Zammm! Kapow!

BUT...there's something about beginnings that appeals to me. I like watching a guy discovering and honing his powers. I'm remembering my favorite parts of two super hero movies I was forced to sit through - Spiderman on a rooftop, trying to figure out how to get his web thingamajig to work - "Um, Shazam?" and Iron Man crashing through his grand piano. Once they've g...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Adam rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm about at the point where the internet would label me a fan of Batman. Something like 65th percentile, at least. I've read through Hush and Dark Knight Returns and seen the movies and wished capes actually worked like that. I've done my homework. Which may be the problem.

This is the Batman you know and love, in his first year of the job. The main difference from other famous works is that we get to be inside Bruce's head, even while he's in the cowl, and it's not very pretty in there. Frank g...more I'm about at the point where the internet would label me a fan of Batman. Something like 65th percentile, at least. I've read through Hush and Dark Knight Returns and seen the movies and wished capes actually worked like that. I've done my homework. Which may be the problem.

This is the Batman you know and love, in his first year of the job. The main difference from other famous works is that we get to be inside Bruce's head, even while he's in the cowl, and it's not very pretty in there. Frank glosses over his thoughts, and even then we can feel the sheer repetition, the simple fright that goes into making Batman. The man is barely keeping himself alive here. It helps immensely that there are no supervillains, because there simply isn't yet a Batman, and what is here wouldn't yet stand a chance. The few moments he does manage to perfect his persona, the devil in the night, are absolutely terrifying. You do not want to be in Gotham from here onwards.

We also follow Mr. Gordon's own journey into Gotham, which is by necessity centered around Bruce's, but it still manages to imbue him with sympathetic character. They are brilliant foils for each other here, both having found their breaking point and lucky us getting to see the natural consequences of their small revolutions. Selina is given the cursory glance that happens when Frank's writing style is shortened to a few pages of plot. It's an action comic, and Catwoman fills that precisely, but mercifully avoids the pure pin up doll. She's a person here, but having no real resolution plotwise, she ends up being something of a simple fable about creating your own character. And then to another rooftop.

I've always been impressed by Gotham's ability to make you forget there's other cities around. Batman could be doing better work elsewhere, getting a job with the government or simply hiring better policeman with his wealth, something better than punching in faces one by one. This story adds reasoning behind that masculine silliness. Gotham is Bruce's cage as well as his home. This is not the sort of man you secretly want to be equal to. This is the man who knows no other way to live. A much more interesting person to read about, I think. And for every bullet he takes with nary a grimace, I can't help but root on for his impossible battle.(less)

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Mar 30, 2012 Ronyell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, american-hero-or-heroine, best-books-of-2012, books-i-want-to-own, cult-classic, drama, fantasy, favorites, graphic-novels-comics, mystery, read-in-2012, reviewed-books, sexy-bad-boy-hero, strong-hero, young-adult-teen-books, dc-comics, frank-miller, ronyell-s-epinions-reviews, my-blog-reviews

Brief History:

To be honest, I have actually first heard about Batman through the 90s cartoon series “Batman: The Animated Series,” which apparently, I have actually had my first exposure to the world of comics through so many animated series throughout the 90s. Since I have been reading a lot of comics lately, especially the “X-Men” comics, I wanted to try a different comic book series and that is where I started reading up on “Batman.” So, the first “Batman” comic I have actually came upon re...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf, comics

Batman: Year One has become an revolutionary book during the Renaissance of comics (aka the 1980s in which books like The Dark Knight Returns, V for Vendetta, and Watchmen were created). Batman: Year One became a seminal book because it laid out Batman's origin during the course of a year. This book has affected many comics to come, as many story arcs take cues from Batman: Year One. Batman: The Long Halloween and its sequel Batman: Dark Victory take seeds from Batman: Year One and use them to d...more Batman: Year One has become an revolutionary book during the Renaissance of comics (aka the 1980s in which books like The Dark Knight Returns, V for Vendetta, and Watchmen were created). Batman: Year One became a seminal book because it laid out Batman's origin during the course of a year. This book has affected many comics to come, as many story arcs take cues from Batman: Year One. Batman: The Long Halloween and its sequel Batman: Dark Victory take seeds from Batman: Year One and use them to drive their plot. Even Scott Snyder's Batman: The Black Mirror takes cues from this seminal book. It was such a fan favorite that recently, Warner Brothers animation made a animated adaptation of the story. Films like Batman Begins and the Dark Knight take a couple of cues from the book.

Now, that I've established how important this book is, let's talk about what made it so important. First, it was made by Frank Miller, who at this time was a legend for his work on reviving Daredevil and bringing Batman to gritty roots in The Dark Knight Returns. Whether fans hate him or love him, he had a major influence during this era, which led to him writing this story arc in Batman #404-407. First of all it wasn't a graphic novel, Batman's definitive origin was going to be laid out in the comics. Frank Miller showed the murder and described Bruce's origin in great detail, with many great scenes such as his parents murder and the night Bruce chose to become Batman. Bruce doesn't come off as too cocky because he doesn't become Batman right away, he evolves into Batman as the story goes. Batman: Year One shows the challenges Batman would have to face when he starts to fight crime. He not only has to fight criminals, he has to fend himself from the cops, and dirty mob bosses and politicians. The greatest thing about Batman: Year One is that it's not just a Batman origin, but also the origin or evolution of Jim Gordon, who has to learn to trust Batman and figure out how to survive in Gotham City.

If a new reader just wants to read a superhero or a Batman story with great depth of characters and plot, Batman Year One is a great choice.(less)

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Feb 12, 2012 Tony Goodwyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally posted on my blog, The Comics Cove, not too long ago...

I've seen many takes on Batman's origin story--hell, I've privately tried writing my own, just to see if I could do a good job--and it's always a titanic undertaking. You have to have the character down cold before you can really move along to plotting and interpreting everything else. Batman: Year One, while not my absolute favorite re-telling of the Dark Knight's initial forays into crime-fighting, is nevertheless one of the mil...more

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Dec 30, 2011 Blue rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: comic book readers, Batman fans, DC fans

Shelves: graphic-novels

I'm relatively new to comic book reading because of the scarcity of comic book stores here in the Philippines, but I got an opportunity to read this because I knew someone who had a copy and shared it with me. I really like this comic book because I always wondered how Batman started out. I mean, I knew how movie-wise, but really reading them on the actual comics they were based on is a whole other experience. There is also an animated movie of the same name released just this year. I haven’t wa...more I'm relatively new to comic book reading because of the scarcity of comic book stores here in the Philippines, but I got an opportunity to read this because I knew someone who had a copy and shared it with me. I really like this comic book because I always wondered how Batman started out. I mean, I knew how movie-wise, but really reading them on the actual comics they were based on is a whole other experience. There is also an animated movie of the same name released just this year. I haven’t watched it yet, but I heard it is faithful to the comic book.

You’ll find in Batman: Year One Batman at the infancy of his planning stage. Eighteen years after his parents’ death, the business empire heir thinks that he is now ready to “clean up a city that likes being dirty”, the infamous Gotham City. The city really needed a hero at this time since it was wrought with crime and danger everywhere. This book also chronicles the life of Lieutenant Gordon, a detective, after his arrival to Gotham City and his interactions with the Dark Knight. (view spoiler). I really liked the story since it provides a good, solid background for people who want to know more about Batman. This is the first comic book I’ve read that was written by Frank Miller, and I can’t wait to read more.

As I advanced through the pages, I couldn’t help but admire the graphics as well. I mean, it’s a comic book! I love the old-school feel of David Mazzucchelli’s illustrations, reminiscent of the superhero comic strips in the comic sections of newspapers that I religiously followed as a child.

Even if it’s more than two decades old, this book is a must-read for everyone, not just DC or Batman fans. It’s easy to follow for new comic book readers, and if I’m not mistaken, I think this comes first if the Batman comics were to be read chronologically. I’m seriously considering buying the physical version of this book, not the digital comics, and hopefully the 4 issues instead of the compilation. I don’t think it will come cheap though. Then again, for such a brilliant series, it deserves it. Let’s support the comics industry! Not much people buy anymore, and it would be a shame if the industry died out.(less)

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About Frank Miller

Frank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.

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Quotes from Batman: Year One

“Ladies. Gentlemen. You have eaten well. You've eaten Gotham's wealth. Its spirit. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on...none of you are safe.” — 18 people liked it

“Alfred: Hmf. I suppose you'll take up flying next, like that fellow in Metropolis.” — 11 people liked it

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