- Paperback: 144 pages
- Publisher: DC Comics (10 Jan 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1401207529
- ISBN-13: 978-1401207526
- Product Dimensions: 16.9 x 0.7 x 25.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
238,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #46 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Authors > Miller, Frank
Batman: Year One
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known recently for his excellent Sin City series and, previously, for his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the supreme contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. In his introduction the great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argues that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.
Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, streetgangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
From master storyteller Frank Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City) comes the most incredible Batman story of all...one that at last reveals the truth behind the Dark Knight's very first year as a crimefighter! Batman's origin is re-told, as only Frank Miller can. Lieutentant James Gordon takes up a new post in the crime-ridden and corrupt city of Gotham, while billionaire Bruce Wayne returns to the scene of his parents' deaths, intent on punishing the criminal element. Each faces trials and challenges of their own, only for their lives to become irrevocably and potentially tragically intertwined. And as the shadow of the bat falls on Gotham, so a legend is born.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Gotham City. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Gotham City. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Following the time after I read Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns", whenever I hear the name "Batman", my mind immediately conjures up a vision of a lonely, troubled, ordinary man who, night by night, uses his detective skills to apprehend the criminals. He moves in the shadows and strikes fear into all those who are guilty and he. Never. Smiles.
Thanks to Miller, comic book writers proceeding after "Dark Knight Returns" have, for the most part, remained true to this vision. "Batman: Year One" is such an example and is truly a seminal body of work in the Batman canon.
"Batman: Year One" introduces us to two main characters, one being the aforementioned Dark Knight and the other being his most trusting friend and ally, (Lieutenant) James Gordon. The story is interwoven between these two men of Gotham City. Bruce Wayne has returned after having spent twelve years abroad with only one thing firmly rooted in his mind: to catch the bad guys. This desire runs parallel to (new cop in town) Gordon's own, in his case with addition to dealing with a corrupt police force.
Which is the beauty of this story. We see two men, one working for the law, and the other outside it, trying to come to terms with what they have to face. Gordon hates his job and corrupt superiors, regrets that his wife is bringing a child into this godforsaken city and has an affair to forget his troubles. Bruce Wayne/Batman on the other hand, has to come to deal with how he can strike fear into the hearts of men and maintain the image of a social elite at the same time. Something tells me they will get the hang of it.
Mazzuchelli's artwork is beautiful. Although I have always been a comic book fan, I've never really cared for the art unless it fails to help the story along. In this case, it does so much more. The art makes me feel totally uneasy with Gotham City, like I'm in Jim Gordon's place. It is perfect.
The most astounding feature of "Batman: Year One" is that it reads like a detective story and not a blockbusting special effects bonanza. Batman has always been a detective first and a "super-hero" second. He doesn't work like Superman, a character with whom comparisons are constant. It reminded me why I like him more than Superman: because he is, to all ends and purposes, only human. Miller keeps him that way which makes this a gritty and thrilling read.
I liked this book because it revived my interest in the Batman. I hear the film will be based on some elements of this story - I hope that the final script remains true to the detective aspect of "Batman: Year One", because it works best like that. The last two Batman movies were guilty of making Batman less mysterious. I want the real Batman back and if you read this book, you will too.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The other reviewers have done a fine job touting Frank Miller's skills and so I won't waste time going over that again. If you haven't done so already buy this book and his "The Dark Knight Returns". Read them both as they respectively mark the beginning and end of the Batman. Though, bearing that in mind you don't have to read them in that order (though I would), as Frank Miller did write "Year One" after "Dark Knight".
What needs to be said is how good David Mazzucchelli's artwork is. Frank is a damn good penciller but his inks though atmospheric are a bit scratchy. Mazzuccchelli's was the right choice as his lines are much strong. Batman looks like a guy in a suit and when we are rethinking Batman in ultra-realistic mode, that is just the feel that is needed.
In short, buy it. I used to read standard Batman comics and enjoyed them. It wasn't until I read Frank Miller and Alan Moore (see "The Killing Joke") that I really recognised the character for who he is: the most important entity in American comic fiction.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Frank Miller's stunning tale of an young Bruce Wayne's first attempts to dispense justice in the dark and seedy streets of Gotham City. Along with the startlingly compelling account of a Batman who is not quite the highly skilled vigilante that he will one day become, is a sub-plot that bri ngs a young James Gordon (Lieutenant Gordon at this point in time...) to Gotham, a James Gordon who is willing to bend the rules to see justice served...
Characterisation is second to none, with possibly the most well rounded characters I have ever seen in the medium, and the art brings a neo-noir feel with washed out colours reflecting the cloudy morality on display. In short, this is an awesome companion piece to Miller's more highly regarded classic, The Dark Knight Returns, an exceptional tribute to the Dark Knight that lurks within us all...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
should be called jim gordon year one and its got a real bad non ending...
One of those over rated graphic novels that spring up every now and then
and suddenly become "must haves"
there are some commendable points
gordon's arc is... Read more
and suddenly become "must haves"
there are some commendable points
gordon's arc is... Read more
Published 11 months ago by dregj
Greatest Batman tale ever?
Being new to the world of graphic novels I bought this book based on the reviews of Amazon customers. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2005 by Donald McPhee
The Dark Knight Begins ...
In the comics biz , Frank Miller ( the author ) is respected for his work throughout the years and his campaigning for the industry . Read more
Published on 24 May 2004 by DocBhoy
This is one of the best.
Frank Miller wrote an introduction.
"For me, Batman was never funny."
I think so.
And I think this book proved it. Read more
"For me, Batman was never funny."
I think so.
And I think this book proved it. Read more
Published on 17 April 2004 by Sakiko
A great buy!
It's January 4th, and Gotham City witness two arrivals: the arrival of Lieutenant James Gordan, and the return of millionaire Bruce Wayne. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2004 by Kurt A. Johnson
What can you say?
Frank Miller returns with his graceful, japanese inspired line work to create something even more special than Ronin. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2003 by "vindice2"
The reason adults still buy comics
5 stars is simply not enough to get over how good this book really is. Without a wasted panel Frank Miller etc drag you through the Batmans genesis in all of Gothams gothic glory,... Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2002 by spoon_lamp
Millers finest Batman
To be honest, ive never been satisfied with DARK NIGHT RETURNS, its never sat right with me. But this is superb, easily Frank Millers finest work with DC, and almost on a par with... Read more
Published on 22 April 2001
A Classic.
People who don't read comic books often scoff at the thought of Superheroes. "Grown men poncing about in tights," they think, "how silly. Read more
Published on 7 July 2000
Pretty good, but...
This is great story from Frank Miller and company. I bought it mainly because I was impressed by The Dark Knight Returns, and have to say that I was a little disappointed. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 1999
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