Batman: Year One by Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Batman: Year One
Book Review: Frank Miller's brilliant re-imagining of the early days of the Dark Knight
Summary: 5 Stars
Before he would write Sin City and 300, Frank Miller first achieved fame by his reinvention of Daredevil for Marvel before taking flight to DC. In 1986, he crafted the masterpiece that is the Dark Knight Returns, and a couple years later, he would lend his talents again in his re-imagining of the origin of Batman with Year One. The story centers around Bruce Wayne, who has just returned to Gotham City after spending twelve years honing his skills, as well as Lieutenant Jim Gordon who is new to town and apparently the only clean cop in the city. Both have rude awakenings as they cross paths in their efforts to fight in this lawless, decaying, urban wasteland. What really makes Year One so good is that Miller shows us a rookie Batman who has more than his share of troubles on his first forays in the costumed hero business, which in itself is entertaining. His depiction of Gordon is effective as well; humanizing the stalwart cop to great effect. You'll see plenty of familiar characters as well here in Year One, including Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle and her transformation into Catwoman; as well as many elements that were used in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins film. David Mazzucchelli's art is dark and dreary, which suits Miller's tone superbly and is wonderfully done. All in all, if you've never read Batman: Year One, you have been missing out, and it more than deserves a place in your graphic novel library.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: GREAT
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a fan on the Batman movies, the comics, or the batman mythos at all then this book is a must read. I have always been a fan of the batman series since I can remember. This book offers a great history of the caped crusader. Not only does it introduce the hero of the story but a few of the major supporting characters and how they came to be. It really shows how far gotham has fallen into corruption and crime. It is a very good read.Book Review: GREAT BOOK TO FRESHIN UP MEMORY OF BATMAN
Summary: 5 Stars
GRETA BOOK TO GLANCE BACK AT THE EARLY DAYS WHEN JIM GORDAN FIRST COMES TO GOTHAM AND STRUGGLES WITH THE CROOKED DEPT AND BRUCE WAYNES EARLY DAYS AS BATMAN
GREAT READ
Book Review: GREAT!! But.. to short...
Summary: 4 Stars
First off I've got to say this is the first batman title I've read in years.
Only recently getting back into comics I decided that I wanted to check out a batman title and found this low priced used on amazon. Since it covers the origin I thought it might be a good place to start. Plus I've heard so much about frank miller I was very excited to read something by him.
Well after finishing the book I can honestly say every good thing I've heard about Frank Miller and about this book were definantly true. He delivers a deep exciting story with out the over need for all the bad guys we tend to see in most batman titles. It also shows us that Bruce Wayne didn't start out doing everything perfect. Matter of fact far from it. Which is nice, it adds a level of realism that we rarely see in comics.
The art work was very nice for the time, but doesn't exactly hold up to current comic's art.
But still not bad.
Now for the one major short comming, which is the length. It was super short, so short that they put in stuff like letters and sketches to fill pages it seems.
Plus for the life of me I cannot find any direct continuation of the story.
If anyone out there knows of one please let me know[...]
But over all I highly recommend this to all comic book fans and especially batman fans.
Only deducted one star due to the length to what would other wise be a five star rating.