By: Frank Miller Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 144 Publication Date: January 10, 2007 Release Date: January 10, 2007
Product Description: A new deluxe trade paperback edition of one of the most important and critically acclaimed Batman adventures ever, written by Frank Miller, author of THE 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, unseen David Mazzucchelli Batman art and more.
Amazon.com Review: Whether you grew up reading Batman comics, watched the campy television show, or eagerly await each new movie, this is the book for you. A retelling of the events that led to Bruce Wayne's becoming Batman, this book combines Frank Miller's tight film-noir writing with David Mazucchelli's solid artwork.
Must read for seasoned Batman fans. Frank Miller is very good at making human characters. Never before have you seen this Batman. This tells the tale of when Batman first dons the cowl. This is Batman who makes a lot of mistakes, who is looking to find his path, and is beginning to make his mark on Gotham City. It also tells of how James Gordon gets his start in Gotham. A very intriguing story from beginning to end.
Watch Batman Begins instead I bought the comic because I read a lot of reviews about how good was this comic. Well now I can't say I disagree. It's not a masterpiece at all. Perhaps I'm trying to compare it with the great film Batman Begins or just with the antiheroe master piece Watchmen. But it's not only this.
There is no any real story. Gordon and Bruce Wayne come to the city and they start to push criminals. Gordon's story is very good, but Batman's isn't. It's funny and realistic to see Batman in his origins, as a rockie, avoiding the Police, being wounded... But then what? The film showed us how he started to train, to improve his suit and then the story goes on. There are main enemies and Batman wins over them. Here it's not that way. Batman just didn't confront any main anemy and send him to jail. He only appears to save Gordon child and everything is over. You turn the page and there is no more. "What? Isn't Batman going to rock any bad guy?" No, e isn't. It's over.
So, the art is good. Gordon story is good. But ther is no really an argumental line to foloww. The problem presented at first (criminal mobs) is not resolved. I know Batman can't triumph over all the criminals forever and not in a single comic. But least I hope it's see his origins, and a criminal boss as a main enemy, who is presented and defeted at the end of the story. Even if he returns in the future. But I want to see progresion.
And yes, it's funny to see a rockie and a Dark Batman. But not THAT funy. I still want one story to follow over the pages. Please, watch the film if you want to see Dark Knight origins and Watchmen if you want to now the darkest aspects of heroes.
Over-Hyped Only four issues long, this is meant to tell the story of Batman's formative year. I went into this riding high on the wave of adulation for this work and came away feeling cheated and like I'd gotten screwed with my pants still on. There are some inspired moments but mostly I was asking the question, "Yeah, okay, interesting - but when's the freaking story gonna start??!" Its not enough to say "It's Millar, shut up" or "Its untouchably masterfully brilliant!!" cos it really isn't. Compared to other Batman stories - basically anything Denny O'Neill wrote, Venom, Long Halloween, Hush etc - Year One falls down. Over-hyped with some good ideas but no real payoff.
Batman REALLY begins A book that Ive looked for a while. I've always said when the ROOTS aren't ignored, it makes for a better story. Also i heard through the pipeline that this was the book that helped Chris Nolan iron out the story that would become the movie "Batman Begins." A side that attracted Christian Bale to the role.
A side of the story that hasn't been explored a lot. His actual hardship well before he donned the cape and cowl. The making mental notes to make sure his mistakes aren't made a second time. The learned processes put through the paces on petty thieves, before being honed on crime bosses.
The artwork's crudeness (or for lack of better word) matched perfectly the beginnings of hero! I was never a big fan of Frank Miller, but this made me give Frank another looksee!
Miller does Wayne Completing his visualization of the alpha (year one) and omega (dark knight returns) of the caped crusader's career, miller's delicate and thoughtful rendition of batman manages to blend the innocence and simplicity of the 1960s character colored by the context of all we've learned about him in the decades since. If you have a place in your heart for batman, and nostalgia for a rememberance perhaps not quite accurate, but nonetheless valid and real, year one will nurture those memories like chicken soup.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
