Batman: Year One Review
There really is no better place to begin The Ultimate Batman Chronology than with Batman: Year One. Written in 1987 by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, Year One includes the following issues: Batman #404, Batman #405, Batman #406, and Batman #407. After Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC’s mega brand-wide reboot in 1985, Miller was tasked with writing Batman’s canon New Earth* origin story.
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The result was a masterful work of comic book genius. To this day, Year One holds up as not only as one of the greatest origin stories, but also as one of the best trades ever produced, period.
Let’s begin with the artwork. David Mazzucchelli crafts an eye-pleasing display of everybody’s favourite Gotham City locations and characters. Additionally, Richmond Lewis provides the perfect colour palette for the themes in this collected edition. Personally, I found the artwork to be exceptionally well done for a comic released at the end of the 1980’s. I tend to prefer the modern style of art in comics but the artwork here has aged very well.
Normally, I would point to what type of readers may or may not enjoy this style of art. However, I really can’t see anybody not enjoying what Mazzucchelli brings to the table here. Some of the still-shots of Batman and Jim Gordon are the best I have ever seen.
Since I presume everybody who picks up this trade will love the artwork, let’s get into what exactly you’d be reading and what you can expect. As this is an origin story, you get introduced to a lot of key locations and characters within the Batman mythos without toomuch fleshing out. That being said, Miller still manages to provide a lot of awesome moments that you are bound to remember long after you finish reading.
The entirety of Miller’s story takes place in Gotham City, 18 years after the death of Martha and Thomas Wayne. The following are some of the key locations you can expect to see throughout the trade: Gotham City, GCPD Headquarters, Wayne Manor, East End, Batcave (mentioned).
The story is told through the eyes of Bruce Wayne and James Gordon. Interestingly enough, we get a lot of Jim Gordon in this trade. That may not sound very interesting at first, you are probably interested in this collection for Batman after all, but I can assure you that this is a positive. Jim Gordon’s rise through the GCPD ranks from Detective to Lieutenant to Captain, his relationship with his wife and Batman, and his struggle to transcend the corruptness in the Gotham City PD is truly captivating. The character development of Gordon is definitely one of the highlights in this trade. If you’re interested in learning more about Jim Gordon, this trade is for you. If you’ve never quite cared for Jim before, this trade will surprise you. Either way, it’s a win and I would highly suggest checking it out for this reason alone.
The other primary protagonist of this story is Bruce Wayne. We see him return to Gotham 12 years after leaving to travel abroad. He has returned determined to make the city of his parents a better place. We get to see him as an amateur Batman, still learning how to utilize the training he received abroad. I will note, that we do not see any flashbacks to Bruce’s training, nor do we receive any indication of where he has been the past 12 years in this story. It focusses solely on his first year inGotham. Being his first year, and first attempts at fixing Gotham, we see him make many mistakes. Keep this in mind before picking up this trade… Batman isn’t quite ready to take on Superman yet.
In addition to Bruce Wayne/Batman and James Gordon, this trade includes the following appearances:
Alfred Pennyworth: The valet of Wayne Manor and guardian of Bruce Wayne.
Arnold Flass: James Gordon’s corrupt new partner.
Barbara Gordon: James Gordon’s wife. Following Jim and his new job to Gotham City.
Carmine Falcone: Gotham City’s major organized crime boss.
Gillian B. Loeb: The GCPD’s commissioner and personal friend of Carmine Falcone.
Harvey Dent: Gotham City’s Assistant DA.
Sarah Essen: a detective working for the GCPD.
Selina Kyle/Catwoman: A prostitute, living in the East End, turned jewel thief. Guardian of Holly Robinson.
In the following section I will provide a brief synopsis of each issue included in this trade. This section may contain some minor spoilers so if you would like to avoid any potential risk of having a minor plot-point spoiled just scroll down to the final rating.
Batman #404: Who I Am. How I Come to Be
The first issue of Batman: Year One begins with Jim Gordon taking the train into Gotham City and contemplating the ramifications of moving there for a job as a GCPD detective with his potentially pregnant wife, Barbara. Mirroring this, Bruce Wayne is arriving within the city by plane after spending 12 years travelling abroad. He seems determined to change the city. In this issue we see Gordon coming to terms with his wife living in Gotham and realizing what it is going to take to be a “good” cop in Gotham after his corrupt partner Arnold Flass turns on him. Bruce checks out the East End of the City (the most crime stricken area) to assess what kind of work needs to be done. We meet Selina Kyle and Bruce realizes that he needs the criminals of Gotham to fear him.
Batman #405: War Is Declared
In this issue we see that Jim Gordon is slowing becoming a hero in Gotham for his effort in cleaning up the city streets. When Batman makes his first costumed appearance, Gordon is tasked with catching the masked vigilante. In this issue we also meet Assistant DA Harvey Dent and learn of his intent, with the secret help of Batman, to send Internal Affairs after Detective Flass. While James Gordon and Detective Essen are working together, Jim witnesses Batman in action for the first time.
Batman #406: Black Dawn
After being pursued and trapped in a presumed empty and abandoned building by the GCPD’s double dealing police force, Batman must take a desperate stand. This issue is filled with action. We see Selina get an idea that allows her and Holly to leave the prostitution business behind for good. Gordon struggles with how he should feel about Barbara, Batman, and his job at the GCPD.
Batman #407: Friend In Need
Batman and Harvey Dent finally make their move against Flass bringing an Internal Affairs case to the GCPD. Gordon is threatened by a secret that he should have never kept and must make a tough decision. The newly masked Catwoman makes her presence known the Gotham. In an exhilarating climax Gordon sees Batman’s true nature come to light and takes the ultimate leap of faith.
Conclusion
The artwork in this trade truly is second to few, if any. Miller manages to tell an origin story that feels fresh and engaging. The character development in James Gordon is top notch and you get a good introduction to many of the other characters who will dictate the plot in future Batman titles.
Final Rating: Essential
This trade deserves an Essential rating. Not only is it significant to the Batman mythos, as an origin story and introduction to some of the major players in Gotham, but it is also one of the most well-crafted stories I have experienced in reading Batman.
If you’re interesting in purchasing this trade, it can be found here.
If you would like to see how I review and rate trades, you can find that here.
Finally, if you are interested in viewing The Ultimate Batman Chronology (for trades) that I am putting together, click here.
