Batman: Year One

Batman fascinates me and Frank Miller's ability to capture the Caped Crusader is unsurpassed. This work features great storytelling and terrific illustration work. This is not to be missed by Batman fanatics.

I neither loved nor hated this book. After having it recommended to me from various friends, I decided to get it. To be frank, (no pun intended) it wasn't spectacular on any level. The art was decent, but not that great. The writing was alright, and overall plot was enjoyable, but just not that interesting. It seems like Batman Begins - great movie- was highly inspired by this book, and yet, the book version just didn't quite feel so rivetting. The ending, was simply unsatisfying. I understand why it ended the way it did, but it just left me caring a lot less about the character and his exploits. It's actually so plain to me to make me wonder whether Begins would've been anywhere near as enjoyable without such a superb score(soundtrack).

I thought Catwoman's involvement in the story was completely pointless. She did have one good line but that's not really enough to justify her being thrown into this story.

Ultimately, I can't think of much to say because it wasn't memorable enough for anything to really stick with me. It was just.. ok.

You'd think there'd be a way to rotate the screen for zooming in or be able to enlarge it somehow. I can't give an accurate description of the contents because I can't make out the print.

the store needs to review this and fix it- this is a Kindle problem that has nothing to do with the contents of the book.

It's my first comic-reading experience, and I am lucky that it has started from such a brilliant classic. The storytelling is amazing, the characters are deep, and the illustrations are pure art. A great reading experience for Batman fans who watched a bunch of superhero movies and played numerous videogames, but have never read the original comic that the movie/video game industry is building on.

Just received my copy of Batman: Year One and couldn't be happier. It arrived on time and was such a great read. There are clear differences in text when speaking and thoughts are being expressed. The artwork was awesome and the story left me wanting more.

Those were the exact words running through my mind upon finishing this underwhelming and meandering story.

Jim Gordon is a self-righteous putz, Bruce Wayne is aloof and unremarkable, and Batman is made out to be such an inept klutz in his beginnings that any subsequent heroic feats seem disingenuous, absurd and aided heavily by luck. How one can go from nearly getting his ass kicked by three teenagers to decimating a police death squad after a few months training is beyond me.

I know, I know, it is just a comic. Suspension of disbelief is a prerequisite. But if that is the case, then I expect to be entertained and rewarded for my investment. Instead, I read a rather ordinary story framed by cheesy, expository dialogue lifted from a Raymond Chandler novel, sans the wit and social criticism.

Been a huge Batman fan since childhood, but wanted to solidify myself as a true fan by reading the comics and graphic novels. Miller's "Year One" is a great place to start. Well written origin story. No question why it is considered the quintessential Batman comic.

While the artwork is beautiful, the story is ridiculous. Batman does the impossible and wins out over a swat team. He calls Bats to come his rescue. From Batman's superhuman abilities to the ineptitude of the police officers, this does not make sense. Batman is not Superman.

I'm changing my initial review to 4 stars... Here's what I initially wrote... I'm 52 and grew up with the great silver age classics. I used to read Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-man and the other outstanding Marvel comics. I loved the stories and the artwork and the way the layout was organized. When Watchmen came out I read a review of the book and figured I'd give it a try. I enjoyed it. Since then I've been looking for something similar but have been disappointed with most of the new stuff. This one was ok but the artwork isn't as good as the classic style and the story wasn't great either. If you want good comics pick up some of the editions of Marvel Masterworks...

The comics themselves are a 10/10 - just perfect, but the edition is terrible.

Mr. Mazzuchelli himself said (about this "Deluxe" 2012 edition): And now David Mazzucchelli has entered the fray talking about next week’s deluxe edition reprint of Batman: Year One to the Comics Journal;

"DC just sent me this book last week, and I really hope people don’t buy it. I didn’t even know they were making it, and I don’t understand why they thought it was necessary — several years ago, DC asked me if I’d help put together a deluxe edition ofBatman: Year One, and Dale Crain and I worked for months to try to make a definitive version. Now whoever’s in charge has thrown all that work in the garbage. First, they redesigned the cover, and recolored my artwork — probably to look more like their little DVD that came out last year; second, they printed the book on shiny paper, which was never a part of the original design, all the way back to the first hardcover in 1988; third — and worst — they printed the color from corrupted, out-of-focus digital files, completely obscuring all of Richmond’s hand-painted work. Anybody who’s already paid for this should send it back to DC and demand a refund."

Damaged front cover. The entire bottom front cover is bent and crinkled. All collectible value is gone from this item. Very disappointed. Great story and Frank Miller is an all time favorite of mine. Too bad I must buy a copy from somewhere else to have a decent quality product.

I bought this book for two reasons. Firstly, it's because I've always been a big Batman fan. Secondly, I was greatly influenced by a lot of the reviews out there, in particular, IGN's `25 greatest Batman graphic novels' list, which I think could do with a serious reshuffling.

The storyline of Batman: Year One, I felt, was pretty mediocre. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.

For those who don't already know, Batman: Year One tells of the challenges that face Jim Gordon as he climbs up the ranks of the crooked Gotham City Police Department; and Bruce Wayne as he returns from years of training and takes up the role of a vigilante to clean up the streets, and how their lives become intertwined with each other's.

The storyline takes place throughout the course of one year (hence the title). Though I'll admit that it had its good moments, the storyline felt disjointed and confusing in most parts.

The biggest letdown, I felt, was the artwork, and this just ruined the whole book for me. Not sure if it was intentional, but the graphics seemed very amateurish and sloppy.

For instance, from start to end, I couldn't tell if Catwoman was black or white (in terms of ethnicity). She looked brown / tan for most parts. Her hair was short but I couldn't tell if it was afro or just plain short.

Sure, it doesn't matter what her ethnicity is, but the fact that you can't tell from just looking at her shows that the artwork has issues. The same problem applied to other characters as well.

In my humble opinion, I feel that this book has been seriously overrated, and did not deserve the No. 1 spot on IGN's list. To me, it's the artwork that really makes a graphic novel (hence the term GRAPHIC novel), even if the storyline's crap.

Still, many have high regard for this book and if you're a big Batman fan, than get it for your own personal collection. If you're just into comics and want to know what the buzz is about, rent it or borrow it from a friend first.

Sure, this book's a classic, but there are a lot of other Batman graphic novels that are classier, in my opinion.

I like Batman, I like Sin City, so I should like this. But I was just bored. Now, I'm not much of a comic book reader, so maybe that may have something to do with it. I think the main problem is that this felt like it should have been called Gordon, Year One, Batman almost takes a back seat. At least it's a quick read.

It might've been a great story when it was first written - but I don't think it stood test of time. It is a retelling of what everybody knows anyway. Miller does good storytelling but that doesn't help when the story is weak.

I've been a Bat fan since the fifties, following his comic books whenever I could lay hands on them. Bob Kane (Batman's creator) was still one of the story writers and the plots were easy to follow. The artwork was great even though some of the action panels showed Bats throwing punches in rather stiff, stilted postures. Luckily, some not all. And then...WHAM! DC decided to go Picasso--to quote another reviewer. The drawings became rather hard to decipher and the plots ambiguous and hard to follow. There seems no continuity at times. Frames jump from one situation to another disjointedly and without apparent flow. And his new sidekicks (periodically changing) are no Robin. Maybe the idea behind this all was to create Modern Art, meaning: ambiguity breeds respectability. And if you don't understand it, it's your fault, pal. Sorry folks. I did study fine art and I can tell the distinction between the real and pretentious. I also read the heaps upon heaps of accolades heaped on Year One before rushing to buy it. My reaction? One star, because I'm feeling generous today.

Batman: Year One is a look at Bruce Wayne's first year of being Batman. He learns the ins and outs, what works and what doesn't, and how to be more discrete. There are some familiar faces in the book - Jim Gordan (as a lieutenant), Selina Kyle (cat woman), Falcone (the mobster). The story is very well scripted and drawn. You really get a feel for how Bruce is in over his head in a lot of situations. He isn't a one man army right off the start, it takes him some practice.

The package is an absolute must have for Batman fans. You get the hardcover book, a dvd of the movie adaptation, a bluray of the movie, and digital codes for the movie and the comic. There is a lot of value in this product. Along with the main story, the book also has a look at rough layouts and Frank Miller's script pages. Very interesting to see how the comic evolves.

The movie is very well done and an extremely faithful adaptation. The movie is basically a beat for beat recreation of the book. The only differences I recalled were very minor (1. When Bruce gets picked up in East Town, he breaks his cuffs in the book while in the movie he slips them under his legs to choke the driver, 2. The drug dealer that informs on detective Flass is doing coke in the book, but in the movie he is simply counting money) Bryan Cranston was good as Gordan, but the guy who played Batman was not what I would imagine a young Bruce Wayne to sound like. Maybe I am too hung up on Kevin Conroy as Batman (who can blame me?)

Highly recommended.

“Batman: Year One” collects “Batman” nos. 404-407, written by Frank Miller with art by David Mazzucchelli and color by Richmond Lewis. Following the events of “Crisis on Infinite Earths”, which helped clean up DC’s complicated continuity, Miller and Mazzucchelli had to reintroduce Batman’s origin by returning to the tone of the earliest Bob Kane/Bill Finger stories from the late 1930s or the later tone of Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams. Having previously written Batman’s end with “The Dark Knight Returns”, Miller set out to give him an origin befitting that gritty future.

Batman is again a creature of the night who speaks in staccato sentences while Jim Gordon works his way from newly-arrived police lieutenant to the only man to take on Gotham’s corruption. Miller likewise re-introduces introduces Catwoman, one of the earliest Batman adversaries (she first appeared in “Batman” no. 1 [1940]), and District Attorney Harvey Dent, ending the story with Batman, Gordon, and Dent working more-or-less together to save Gotham. Furthermore, the story successfully addresses how Bruce Wayne manages to maintain his secret identity, especially against Gordon’s detection skills. Finally, Miller reintroduces the crime families of Gotham that later stories, like Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s “Batman: The Long Halloween”, used as fuel for their narratives. Mazzucchelli’s art and Lewis’s colors saturate this world with the look and feel of a film noir, enabling “Batman: Year One” to compete with the bleakest worldviews found in crime fiction.

Less a reintroduction of Batman as a condensing of his essential parts into a single story, “Batman: Year One” remains the Batman’s canonical origin and set the stage for future writers to further explore Batman’s origin in stories like “Batman: Year Two – Fear the Reaper”, “Batman: Year Three” (never collected in TPB format), and the New 52’s “Batman: Zero Year”. This story also served as the basis for Christopher Nolan’s film, “Batman Begins”. This volume includes Mazzucchelli’s illustrated afterword, promotional artwork, early scripts from Miller and the artwork Mazzucchelli drew to illustrate it, a look at Lewis’s coloring process, the covers of < i>Batman” nos. 404-407, and Miller’s afterword.

So, I'm a lifelong Batman fan, but this was always mostly from television, movies and animation. I have always been a comic book fanboy, but I read from a specific genre, and not necessarily the superhero one. I am just now starting to dabble, and Batman is certainly my favorite superhero, so I'm happy to finally have read Batman: Year One, one of those particularly legendary graphic novels about the Dark Knight.

This is the book where Frank Miller solidifies a more fleshed out origin story for the Batman. Or at least, a at the point when he returns from training around the world to finally become whatever it is he will become. At the start of the book, he isn't totally sure yet, but by the end, he is the Gothic figure we all know and love. The film is equally about Commissioner Gordon's first year in Gotham as a new police lieutenant and potentially a child on the way. Through the course of his first year, he comes into his own as he begins to clean up the department, but not without getting a little of that Gotham sludge on himself and his family. Becoming Commissioner Gordon proves to be a bittersweet journey. Then again, these aren't happy people. They are enjoyable to watch anyway though, because they are extremely passionate about what they do. They like to get their hands dirty trying to keep evil under some level of control, which is as much as they can hope for.

We also get a glimpse into Selina Kyle's dark beginnings and first steps at becoming the Catwoman. This particular character's backstory I didn't love, nor did I love the design of Selina here, but then I more often don't and just focus my attentions on Barbara Gordon. Of course, in this book, Barbara is not even born yet. The fascinating stuff here is experiencing the first hurdles and ideas, the characters' first interactions, awkward stumbles and moments of strength and inspiration. It's a gritty story, sleazy and not overly complicated. Just a good read for those who like origin stories. It IS a good read, and it IS well drawn, despite my preferred Catwoman style (well, hey, with DC women, Bruce Timm is my guy; I'm very into animation, though I also love Babs Tarr's Batgirl). I also found it interesting to read while this Gotham TV show is... I'm assuming going strong. It's had two fantastic seasons. Though a lot of people don't care for it, it could be my favorite television show at the moment. Even slightly above Walking Dead. But, yeah, it clearly has its own version of these characters and their backstories are completely different (at least Gordon's, and I suspect Catwoman's will be too), but it has that same shared origins theme going on, and you should check it out if you like this book. Of course, the closer comparison would be to the film, "Batman Begins". In fact, there are clearly scenes borrowed right from these pages, though changed up a bit. Great film. There is also, of course, an animated feature of Batman: Year One available on Bluray now. I have a nice stack of the excellent direct-to-video DC animated features, but I still need to add that one to it. Looking forward to it very much now.

The book is beautifully done and includes some awesome extras, like illustrator David Mazzucchelli's personal history with the Bat, done in comic form, and a great script to art comparison. As someone who has illustrated comics myself (for independents) and is working on his own graphic novel, it was neat to see just how similarly the process is done in the world of DC writers and artists. This is an essential title for the Batman fan's shelf and a great starting point for new readers. Highly recommended!

This is the first graphic novel I've picked up and it is a good read, albeit pretty short and could be expanded on even more. I like how we learn about Batman's origins mostly through Jim Gordon's rise through the ranks upon his move to Gotham, since it helps add to the shadowy mystique of the Dark Knight and helps to make Gordon stand out as a compelling character in his own right. I feel like some of the thought bubbles can be a little gratuitous sometimes and get in the way of the imagery when I just want to be shown something rather than told, but it's not a big deal. The animation is also a little too "grainy" for my liking, but that's just my personal taste. Overall, a good starting point for your Batman comic collection.

There is nothing that I can add to any of the other reviews other than my glowing praise for another version of the Batman mythos. I am a sucker for comic book hero origin stories.

This book starts on January 4 when Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City after 12 years overseas, at the same time as we find Gordon showing up as a lieutenant starting to work for a police department that is more crooked than honest. It isn't until after the events of March 11 until Bruce gets the inspiration to become the Batman.

Along the way, Bruce meets some of his future enemies, first as his secretive individual self, then later as the scary costumed vigilante. Meanwhile, Gordon is learning to deal with corrupt officers and romantic temptations.

Some people don't like it when new authors and artists change the stories around, but I enjoy the new versions. I'm glad that I read this book (graphic novel).

This book is also available in a Deluxe Edition, and the same review is posted for both editions. Be sure you know whether you are going to be able to enjoy the extra artwork that is added after the end of the story.

NOTE: I borrowed this book from the Public Library.

This may be the best Batman story ever told; it has certainly been the most influential since the 1930s in terms of setting up a mythos and tone for the entire Batman series. Frank Miller wrote this 1989 four part story in his trademark noir style honed on "Daredevil" and "The Dark Knight Returns," but the series doesn't go in for the kind of baroque excess that Miller began to indulge in more and more since leaving "Daredevil." Undoubtedly it was the influence of the fantastic artist Dave Mazzuchelli (whose own work recalls Miller's earliest work for "Daredevil") that brings a kind of realism to this story. It follows an entire year in Gotham City as its favorite son, Bruce Wayne, returns from years abroad after his parents' murder, and a new police officer, Jim Gordon, is hired by the corrupt police commissioner Gillian Loeb; over the course of the year, Wayne will begin his new identity as the Batman, the vigilante obsessed with cleaning up crime, and set in motion a series of events that will result in the creation of the Catwoman, the kidnapping of Gordon's infant son, and the overthrow of Loeb's administration. The series also features heavily the Falcone crime family (and its boss, "The Roman") that figures so heavily into two of the later great Batman long stories, "The Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory."

The emphasis on realism in this story (which Mazzuchelli comments upon and even questions in a smart little coda he draws for this edition) is its strong suit; its narrated alternately by both Gordon and Wayne, and the world they move in seems completely believable, despite the presence of a man dressed up as a bat who fights crime (and a prostitute who dresses up as a cat to steal). The art is some of the best I've ever seen in a Batman book, and certain panels (such as of the young Gordon trapped in traffic during a rainstorm) linger long in the memory. So much of what later happened with Batman in multiple media (including the new "Gotham" series on television) depends heavily on what Miller and Mazzuchelli established here; its almost indispensable if you're interested in the character and his various incarnations.

There is very little I can say that hasn't already been said about this legendary Batman tale. Frank Miller changed comics forever since the 70's with his reinvention of classic characters like Daredevil and Batman and Batman Year One represents his finest accomplishment with the Dark Knight. The mood and feel of the story is very much something out of Miami Vice or some other 80's detective show, with romance, anger, confusion and raw violence. All of this accompanied and backed up by some of the most beautiful artwork that you'll ever see in comic books. David Mazzucchelli's Batman is one for the books in his sharp, shapely drawings that lend a strong sense of realism to Batman and his universe. This is probably my favorite of Miller's Batman stories. Anyone wanting to explore Batman cannot ignore this modern classic.

Originally written 10-1-11

Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City after being away for over ten years. He returned with a mission to wage war against the criminal element. He has the will and the training but something is missing. Lt. James Gordon is a transfer cop from Chicago and he must fight his own battles. However, his fight is not exactly with the easy to see street level hoods. These two kindred souls are fighting for the same cause. But will their different methods turn them into bitter enemies or into trusted allies? -summary

In 1986 an event of epic proportions took place in the DC mythos called Crisis on Infinite Earths. This event reshaped the DC universe, thus changing the status quo and bringing new life to characters whom were thought to be outdated. The top hats felt it was time to remake their characters for a more modern audience, and one of those characters was Batman. The character needed very little change in way of his background, plus there was a darkness within him people saw and they wanted to expand upon it. Frank Miller was tasked for this reboot due to his success with Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, which was written only a year earlier. Miller already knew what the character was about and lightening struck twice when the book first hit shelves, and as they say, the rest is history.

Batman Year One is a four part series that retells the Dark Knights origin. Miller's approach is once again magnificent here as he mainly brings out the best in the main characters through solid development. This is one book that I remember finding very hard to put down.

The reader will see Bruce Wayne during his amateur beginning. He's hellbent on taking down the criminals of the city, but he's faced with the problem that they don't fear an average man. He realizes this when he assaults a pimp and his hookers aren't afraid to tackle him. This is when he understands that he must become more than a man, he must instill his enemies with unspeakable fear.

Bruce continues to grow inside of the costume and he gets to battle test his equipment. There are numerous sparks of that tough to kill aspect of the character which would soon become his trademark. It's fun watching him barely escape those near death moments, as he slowly ascends into being more than a mere mortal. James Gordon is every bit a main character as the secondary plot involves him trying to take down the crooked cops of Gotham City. He's very well developed as a true cop that will uphold the law, even if it means to die trying or sacrificing his marriage.

The artwork is done by David Mazzuccheli, and although it's not as captivating as The Dark Knight Returns. It heavily compliments the gritty feel of the city. There's a nice color palette going on, and it helps establish that film noir setting. However, for some reason, the artwork just doesn't seem to jell right for me. It doesn't speak to me, and tell me things about the city like the artwork in Dark Knight Returns did. This may have something to do with the bland backgrounds. Still, there are some moments that grab me.

I enjoyed the overall style of the story, but it could have been better had Catwoman been left out of it. I found her full costumed presence a bit conflicting in a way; there was no point in a second costumed character. Things would've been better had the focus stayed on average criminals and crooked cops. In any case, I was still entertained.

Batman Year One is a great place for newbies and non comic fans to begin at if they're interested in the character. His origin story is pretty much intact, plus the story is very well paced and linear. It isn't the least bit complex since it isn't littered with too many subtle messages. The book has also been a great influence to future Batman works in both animated and live action. Definitely recommended to Batman and comic fans.

Pros: Solid and straight forward narrative

Cons: Backgrounds can be kind of bland

This is a reinterpretation of the origins of Batman, and I must say it is awesome. I loved watching both Bruce Wayne and James Gordon come to Gotham. What each of them had to deal with. The city, the police force is corrupt. Which is worse- a possibly crazy vigilante or a bad cop? Where is that line that one cannot cross?

Other names are popping up here too. Selina, Harvey Dent. It's all here. I loved seeing these iconic characters like this. Add to that, the plot was fantastic and the artwork was just amazing. Five Stars!

While adults will love this book, I feel like most comics are geared toward the youth. There is a lot of violence and some cursing here.... but I would not think twice seeing this in the hands of a 13 year old or older. Parents, just understand that these comics are violent and can often be disturbing.

I really can't stress enough the impact that Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" had on me and my continuing fascination with comics. I've stumbled upon it sometime during mid-nineties (yeah I'm young, so kill me) in some translated version parts of which somehow came to be in my possession. I don't remember details like these anymore, all I do remember is how I felt afterwards. In mid-nineties all I could say about Batman was that I knew of it (Croatia was never big on US superhero scene). I watched Burton's movies, television broadcasted that Adam West show from the 60's which I was a big fan of at that time, I've known about key points of the character and that was about it. As far as I was concerned, Batman was all about a guy fighting colorful criminals while wearing weird costume (to this day, one of the better short descriptions of the main topics of Batman is "wealthy man assaults mentally ill") and having cool gadgets whilst doing so. Even in Croatia, there were constant arguments amongst school-going crowd about who would win in a Superman vs. Batman situation. In every scenario we could think of, Superman always emerged as a victor. I mean, guy is made out of steel, and Batman can't even fly. That's how much lore we were aware about at that time.

Anyway, Miller's DKR came to be before my eyes and I was astounded. I couldn't really grasp what was going on (main reasons being age and the fact that these pieces that I had weren't a whole book) but I could feel the power. I could feel that there is something different about that comic (I mean, old Bruce Wayne, dark, noir-ish atmosphere in total contrast with Adam West show which served as a key source for all our Batman related knowledge) and when I think of it now, I think that reading those few pages of DKR was the singular moment in which my subconscious mind understood that comics could be more than adventure stories about exotic places and guys fighting crime. I understood this in a more rational way at the later point in my life, but at the time that was a revelation. Rather important one as it turned out.

In following years, despite the effect of DKR, I never became a Batman fan. You know the type - the one that obsesses about continuity, key points of the character, storylines and whatnots. I've conditioned myself to read every Batman (and every superhero story) as a singular event, as if nothing ever existed prior to this or that story, and as if nothing will ever come after it. Every Batman comic is a universe for itself and if that universe works on its own terms than I couldn't care less what it does to continuity. Instead of becoming Batman fan I became a Miller fan. Still am, despite that craziness that "Holy Terror" is.

I was telling you all this so you can better understand where I come from when I say that I was neither inspired nor excited by Batman: Year One. It's a rather straightforward narrative which borrows from the cult of Batman, just like DKR did, and tries to build upon it. What has been built though is nothing more than an origin story which is fine if you like that sort of thing but is utterly bland if you're not big fan of maneuvers like that. Where DKR used his characters and setting in a symbolic manner that reflected time, space and an entire discourse in which it was being done, Batman: Year One does nothing of the kind. Gotham is corrupt, and here comes the avengers that'll do something about it. Marvel at them and clap your hands if you recognize them. Mazzucchelli's art perfectly captured this kind of disintegrating Gotham, but Mazzucchelli is no Moebius and his art couldn't take you away from Miller's story which - if you read it now of course (it might have had a different effect at the time it was published) - turned out to be rather simple. There are few crowning moments of awesome (as TV Tropes would put it ) I must say but apart from that there's not much here that would appeal to someone who isn't a Batman fan already. I sincerely doubt that Batman: Year One would have the same impact on me as DKR had if I have read it in mid-nineties. So, dear reader, be advised - despite what you might've heard, despite various laudations and cries of excitement - Batman: Year One is much more fan-oriented, much more "core-superhero-style-done" and much more insignificant than his more famous predecessor is. By reading Batman: Year One you're emerging yourself into just another Batman story. If that works for you, than that's fine. There are far worse of those out there.

I wish I had read this book YEARS ago! This is a beautifully told Batman origin story. This also contains quite a bit of content for officer James Gordon. in fact Some may consider Gordon to be the center of this story. This shows the dark knights first year as Batman, fighting crime in Gotham City. Meanwhile, Officer James Gordon has been transferred to Gotham. The art work has a classic, timeless quality to it and there are a lot of great inner monologs throughout the story. This book is on the short side and will not take long to finish. Since I found this story to be very entertaining, it was hard to put the book down, and finished it rather quickly. Keep in mind, this book has a mature tone to it, so I don't recommend giving this to young children (This isn't the Adam West Batman). If you are a Batman fan, this is a MUST read! After reading this, my passion for Batman grew. Thank you for reading my review!

First published in 1987, the author and illustrator wanted to retell the story of Batman with more realism; which is a refreshing contrast to the silliness of Batman in some of the older comics I’ve read and which is characteristics of the 60s TV show. From what I understand from reading other people’s review before reading this book, Batman: Year One is now accepted as the “canon” of Batman’s origins and beginning. I enjoyed the plot. I also enjoyed a Batman that didn’t know it all and was trying to figure things out, unlike the TV version of Batman played by Adam West. I suppose that is why I like Batman more than any superhero because he’s a man and not someone with superpower. This is a Batman volume that I finished through in one sitting.

As usual with great graphic novels, I'm late to the party again.

BATMAN: YEAR ONE is as the title states, the beginning of Batman's origins.

But, and this is a big but, this is also a deep look into the life of Gotham City's new police chief, Gordon, his wife and new baby, the corrupt city he's now charged with policing and the complicated relationship he has with his lieutenant officer.

This is not the kiddie Batman of my youth.

****

Frank Miller writes in very complex but intriguing terms. The story is understandable by human terms and not supernatural in comic book terms. Batman is equal in terms of his complexity as Gordon and Gotham City is. Bruce is conflicted and tormented by the events of his youth and you see clearly how he fights off his demons.

You also follow how the events of the city and its corrupt officials try desperately to hold on to the mechanisms that keep them in power but puts them at odds with Gordon and subsequently Batman.

The illustrations are one that I'm most relieved with. Having recently read, "The Dark Knight Returns," and being GREATLY disappointed with the illustrative work of Klaus Janson, YEAR ONE has an illustrator who gets it: David Mazzucchelli gets it. (If it weren't for the masterful storytelling of Miller, DARK KNIGHT would have been an epic fail.

This was a perfect collaboration to say the least.

BATMAN: YEAR ONE is a stellar piece of work and most definitely a work of art.

Over three decades old it might be, but still the definitive Batman origin story. Actually, it is also the definitive James Gordon origin story as well...as he is just as much of a primary protagonist here as Batman is. This is vintage Frank Miller at the peak of his powers, ably supported by the art of his partner-in-crime from the seminal Daredevil storyline 'Born Again' (which was written one year previously and is quite possible the greatest Daredevil/Kingpin story ever told), David Mazzuchelli.
No self-respecting Batman fan's bookshelf should be without this book...and Year One remains the de facto starting point for any new or casual Batman fan. Miller might now be a pale shadow of the legend he once used to be, but Year One is a stark reminder of what he once was.

Where do I begin to praise "Batman: Year One"?

Let's start with the cover. I judged it by the cover. The cover's cool. Moody. Sets the tone.

The story. I'm not going to give you a book report. If you are fan, there's nothing new I'm going to tell you. But if you are a fan and haven't read this, get on with it. Get two copies. One for reading, and one to lend out. Maybe get a third for the archives.

The art. It finds the balance of minimalism, film noir, abstraction and detail.

What's wrong with it? One thing. Yeah, too short. I want another 100 books following the progress of Bruce Wayne and Batman.

Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, "Batman: Year One" is graphic novel perfection.

Anthony Trendl
anthonytrendl.com

Frank Miller opens this absolutely must own graphic novel classic from 1987-88 by telling us that if the only Batman we remember was Adam West on Saturday mornings, then we do not know the Batman he once met, a much darker batman, a more real batman, the kind of Batman that Tim Burton would succeed somewhat in bringing to the screen in 1989, but Batman: Year One is just so much better in so many ways, and probably will remain better than any movie or television program you can expect to see or have seen. If you want to know Batman, then you should really be meeting him right here.

I especially like the Batman: Year one story. It is an excellent beginning, lots of in-jokes and capturing moments, even on-the-edge of the seat suspense, almost 100 pages of intense artwork. It is about the beginning of Batman like you have never seen it before, but also and probably more importantly, includes the beginning of Commissioner Gordon, a Lieutenant Gordon here, with a pregnant wife, who comes to Gotham City and finds his whole department on the take. The millionaire Bruce Wayne, has been training to become a vigilante since his parents where murdered by a gang of thieves. It is a psychological condition of revenge. He is trying to find the right formula to scare his victims. When he does, he goes up against the same criminals and kingpins that Lieutenant Gordon finds himself up against, no Jokers or Penguins here, but regular underworld types making it all the more level-headed, and thus a more accepting Batman and story. Batman fails in first few attempts, but manages miraculously to survive and continue on, both Gordon and Batman building their careers as crime fighters in Gotham City throughout the pages, a surprise bonus Catwoman introduced in the final act which sees the new crime-fighting duo of Batman and Gordon finally meeting up, without any sign of Robin among the 96 pages, this is certainly an alternative Batman and probably the best one. Miller's look is a murky color bleeding hard edges and smears, resulting in a Batman graphic novel that takes your breath away. The action sequences are better than any movie I can think off to date, your eyes go wide open from frame to frame as this is the kind of animate Batman you have always wanted to see in action. It is not the kind of high quality artwork you see in advanced graphic novels, this was a series character that had to meet publication dates, but is still gloriously presented none the less. Just check out the sequence with Batman in the burning building fighting the SWAT team. It is the end of Chapter Two and most of Chapter 3. That is some of the best action sequences you have ever seen committed to the page.

I would suggest that you also try and get "Batman: The Dark Night Returns" as that was the other Batman graphic novel and "Batman: The Dark Night Strikes Again", totally different types of art to Year One, as these are both Frank Miller's work, the sequels to Batman: Year One, are mostly other artists, DC comics has a list at the back, very interesting ones at that also, like Alan Moore's Batman: Killing Joke, but get all of Miller's Batman before you try any other Year One or Year Two books. I would also recommend that you actually try a BEST OF GRAPHIC NOVELS before you venture down any path. And for those who are hearing that they must read and see some graphic novels to get to know Batman, let me ask you this. Do you like to read? Do you like movies? Then why don't you try Graphic Novels? Comics you say? Don't say that. This stuff is art. Do you like to read? Then why not Graphic Novels? Do you like movies? Then why not Graphic Novels? Why not? Why? Because it can be... "More fun than going to the movies" - Kevin Smith, Director Clerks. **At this time of writing I do not believe that the movie Batman: Begins is related to this classic piece of art**

After Crisis on Infinite Earths. DC felt it was time to revamp their characters' origins, without the convoluted continuity issues from past comics. And they figured the best place to start would be with DC's Big Three: Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman. While Superman and Wonder Woman's origins were completely revamped, Batman's origin remained relatively unchanged, but added in extra elements to give it more depth. So now the question next was who was going to work on it. Enter: Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli. Considered one of the greatest writers in the comic industry, Frank Miller was no stranger to Batman, having worked on 1986's The Dark Knight Returns. And David Mazzuchelli, while still somewhat new in the comic book industry, had some great works under his belt. Both Miller and Mazzuchelli were no strangers to each other, both having worked together on Daredevil's Born Again Storyline. So both volunteered to work on Batman's origin story. Tne end result would be Batman Year One

A 4 part storyline that ran through Batman #404-407, Batman Year One chronicles The Dark Knight's first year of crimefighting. From Bruce Wayne's determination to fight crime, to James Gordon dealing with corruption in Gotham Police Department, and also including Bruce Wayne's first encounter with Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Batman Year One is everything a graphic novel should be. Great writing, detailed artwork, perfect characterization. Batman Year One is the benchmark that all Batman stories have to measure up to. And it also served a major influence on Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins.

Since Frank Miller wrote and illustrated the ultimate final Batman story in "The Dark Knight Returns," great attention was paid when he penned a new version of the first Batman story with "Batman: Year One," leaving the artistic duties to David Mazzucchelli (with Richmond Lewis painting the colors). Miller came up with several great moments in "The Dark Knight Returns," most notably when the Joker snaps his own neck, but the part that stood out for me was when Batman explains to Superman the different lessons they learned from the example of their respective parents. Stephen King once said you were either a Batman person or a Superman person, and Miller came up with a nice way of capturing their inherently oppositional natures. The four issues of "Batman" (#404-407) that made up this mini-series are not part of the constant debate as to the greatest graphic novel of all time (still "Watchmen" for me), but all things considered I think "Batman: Year One" is the better story.

If "The Dark Knight Returns" comes down to Batman versus Superman and the world's finest realizing they must be on opposite sides, then "Batman: Year One" from start to finish is about Batman and Jim Gordon coming to the realization that they need each other. Miller and Mazzucchelli develop stories that are not really parallel, but which are heading to the same end point. Gordon arrives in Gotham City for the first time by train while Bruce Wayne flies back home after twelve years abroad, each thinking they should have picked the other mode of transportation. Goron is a cop and Wayne wants to be a vigilante, Gordon is married with a pregnant wife and Wayne's only real relationship is with Alfred, and Gordon is learning how things work in Gotham City while Wayne is simply waiting for the missing piece, the one thing he can use to make the criminals afraid of him.

Miller and Mazzucchelli tells the story in four acts. In this deluxe edition Chapter One, "Who I Am, How I Come to Be," is captioned: "He will become the greatest crimefighter the world has ever known...It won't be easy." The point is to get to the pivotal moment when Bruce Wayne declares "I shall become a bat," but leading up to it having Wayne experiencing familiar that put his mission in doubt. Meanwhile, Gordon shows that he will not submit to the corrupt or violence inherent in the system in Gotham City. His final line in the story is equally importan when he thanks bad cop Flass by saying, "You've shown me what it takes to be a cop in Gotham City."

"Chatper Two: War is Declared," notes: "He had trained and planned and waited eighteen years. He think's he's ready..." The implication is that he is not and there is a key scene when Batman appears in costume and stands there on a balcony holding on to a fifteen year old burglar while a couple of others whale on him because he refuses to be a killer. Batman and Gordon cross paths for the first time, and the lieutenant is told to bring in the vigilante or else. But before Gordon can do that, the commissioner decides to fire bomb the slum building that Batman is hiding in.

"Chapter Three: Black Down" is where the power shifts: "They've got him CORNERED. They've got him OUTNUMBERED. They've got him TRAPPED. They're in TROUBLE..." Significantly, Gordon has been ordered to stay out of it while the Gotham City P.D. tries to take Batman, who has clearly become a hero to the common people. But the character development of Gordon in this chapter is more important, because he comes to have reason to hate himself equally in his professional and personal life. By the end of this one Gordon has framed the equation: Batman is a criminal and he is a cop, but a cop in a city where the mayor and commissioner use cops as hired killers and the criminal saves an old woman, a cat, and pays for a suit he has technically stolen. However, what is key is that Bruce Wayne has already come to the conclusion that he needs an ally and an inside man. That is to say, he needs Jim Gordon on his side.

"Chapter Four: Friend in Need," declares "He's out to clean up a city that likes being dirty. He can't do it alone." The question is simply what will be the event that brings Batman and Jim Gordon together. Miller and Mazzucchelli come up with something that is at the nexus of several of the key subplots that have been developed in the story, and although Selina does don a Catwoman costume for the first time, that fact that there the story avoids villains in costume until a telling bit of foreshadowing in the final panel helps keep the emphasis on Batman being a new idea as far as the denizens of Gotham City are concerned.

In the back of the deluxe edition you will find Mazzucchelli's four-page comic book afterward, promotional and early drawings, marked-ed up copies of Miller's script paired with rough layouts, and looks at the final results. All told there is over 40-pages of such sketches and art in the back of the book. Denny O'Neil writes the introduction and Miller has a postscript of sorts at the end, so there are plenty of reasons to have this even if you already have the original four issues of "Batman" salted away in your comic book collection.

A young police detective James Gordon has just transferred from Chicago, with his pregnant wife on the way, to begin his life anew in Gotham City, a rotten hellhole of a town where crime runs rampant, not just in the streets, but in the police force and political offices, too, and everyday life is like a hurricane. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne, a millionaire in his 20s, flies into Gotham after twelve-years abroad, no doubt training for the famous force of hooded justice he is destined to become. While Detective Gordon struggles to adapt to the corrupt police force he now works for, Wayne, who's inspired to become a winged vigilante after an "inspiration message," takes to the skies as the "Bat-Man."

Again, Frank Miller uses his prodigious, noir-style writing talents to demonstrate first hand, Batman is the most human, most believable, and generally the greatest, modern-day superheroes even though he possesses no powers. Miller, who previously placed everyone's favorite hero in his most defining of moments (fighting the NYPD, defeating Superman in personal combat, etc.) in his acclaimed masterpiece "The Dark Knight Returns," now writes what exactly drove Bruce Wayne to leave his childhood behind to carry out a promise he made on his parents grave the night they were murdered by an unidentified mugger. This is the Dark Knight at his very core--he's just beginning to get used to his future lifestyle, and is still uncertain to what exact directions he is to take. We also see the Batman through the eyes of Detective Gordon, which gives the story an all the more realistic and human feel, in addition to Dave Mazzucchelli's dark and gritty artwork. It's tough to imagine a better story that defines the Batman character in such a way as "Year One" does. I advise anyone new to the mesmerizing pleasure of reading "modernized" graphic novels, and any Bat-fan, to find this book and give it try, along with the other two runs Miller has done on the dark avenger--"The Dark Knight Returns", and the vastly underrated "The Dark Knight Strikes Again."

In 1986, Frank Miller sent a ripple through the comic book industry with the release of "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns." In this, his follow-up, Miller opted to go from telling of Batman's 'ending' to his beginning. With artist David Mazzuchelli on board and the use of a very specific color palette, the results are mesmerizing. In a very concise story that features nearly no "Rogues Gallery" villains, we see young Bruce Wayne battling a corrput police force, as well as waging war on organized crime as he figures out who he is underneath it all and becomes The Batman. Mazzuchelli's Bruce Wayne is identical to a young Gregory Peck - one wonders how Peck might have portrayed him, given the opportunity.

The beauty of Miller's work, both here and elsewhere, is that his writing style gives the world his characters inhabit a realistic edge. This is true here. All of the characters are deeply flawed, and at times many of them become less than savory for a brief period. But they all feel human, and fit into the fabric of what we see and read here. Bruce Wayne is indeed the central character, and his path is rife with trial and error as he reaches that point of becoming Batman, and even after. Jim Gordon was previously never as fleshed out in the comics as he is here. Perhaps the next Batman movie will give him more story, because he's a great character. He's used well by Miller throughout this work.

If the above plot description brings to mind the second and third act of Batman Begins, that's because the filmmakers admit to having been influenced heavily by this work. Even the most casual Batman fan will enjoy this story, especially in this excellent edition.

As someone who read most (almost all) of Millers works, the first thing I have to admit about this book (which collects Batman #404-407) is that this is not the best thing he ever wrote, for "the un-trained eye" (His "Daredevil" run and "Dark Knight Returns were better for that purpose for example). Meaning, the things that happen in this book are great for people who've been Batman fans for a longer period of time (and I mean really good. It sheds a new light on what drives the characters), but for people who aren't that 'loyal' to Batman and who are looking for a story that's a great single story, this is not the best example.
About the story: It's been 12 years since Bruce Wayne's parents were killed and he left Gotham. Now the time has come for him to return to the mansion were he used to live when he was young. Soon sightings will be reported of a man in a batsuit hunting the night, beating up smalltime criminals. On the same airplane is James Gordon, a man who has accepted a job as a lieutenant on the Gotham police force. He soon learns how corrupt the force is in Gotham and what it takes to make it there. Gordon has to show what kind of man he really is. The current commissioner doesn't care about right or wrong, just if there's any profit in it for him. It's up to Gordon and Batman, without knowing they have the same goal, to 'clean up' the city.
Several good things need to be mentioned in my opinion: It's really great to see Batman making errors and screwing up things as that's how it should be with a newbie, to anything. Here he is not portrayed as the Batman who comes to save the day in a heartbeat, but rather as a man who is struggling to become what he is today, by falling and getting up. He's learning from his mistakes. With that it's nice to see that Miller thought of giving him his silver age suit, not the modern one he wears now. That really comes to the good of the 'feel' of the story. What's also very good is that it's not your typical superhero book, but that the main focus is on James Gordon, who is not only the man Batman comes to report to but also a vital point in his crime-fighting carreer. Without Gordon Batman would have never succeeded for all this time, and that gets some much deserved attention here. Over the course of the book we see the two men, Gordon and Batman, grow towards each other and starting to understand and accept that they both need each other. A little minor point I have to make is the art by Mazzucchelli. Don't get me wrong because it's not bad. It tells the story sufficiently, is clear and expresses the mood how it should. Only when compared to his previous work on Daredevil it comes off a little bleak. Next to that my only 'complaint' (for lack of a better word) is that, like I said, it's mainly great for people who've known the character Batman for a longer period of time and now want to see how it all came to what it is today. For people who aren't that up-to-date it's a good story, but not really exceptional (better get "Dark Knight Returns" or "The Long Halloween" in that case). All-in-all not a bad choice to get.

This was Frank Miller's most ambitious book ever. This series brought the Dark Knight out from under the, campy 60's and lame 70's, blanket that was smothering the Batman. This book brought gritty reality and a hard new Batman into the light. I think this shines as it brings readers into the lives of the greatest hero ever and the people that he touches. If you are looking for a good entry point or are a modern reader looking for good back stories this is a great place to start. I'm sure old fans are familiar with Frank Miller and his work but I want new readers to find a great writer to add to their library. I really recommend reading this in book form.

I have never been much of a Batman fan since the TV show went off back in the late sixties; however, this collection from the late eighties shows a lot of the promise the character has always contained, but seldom realized. Frank Miller is certainly one of the finest writers to emerge from comics in the last generation of so, and this is a fine example of his work. His conception of Batman and the entire body of Bat-lore is unique, while remaining respectful, if not cloyingly faithful, to the years of prior continuity. This story within is of parallel obsessions: Bruce Wayne's passionate promise on his parents' grave to rid his city of the criminal element and James Gordon's equally ardent impulse to do much the same, only through traditional law enforcement means. The portrayal of Selina Kyle as the incipient Catwoman is particularly poignant and gripping as is the long-suffering portrait of Barbara Gordon, the quintessential cop's wife. While the art is interesting in a primitive, naive mode, David Mazzuchelli and Richmond Lewis seem an unfortunate choice of artists for the work that relaunched the entire Batman franchise. Perhaps, however, it is a testament to the strength of Miller's writing, that the art neither detracts nor distracts from the story.

Considered by nearly everyone (at least in the world of comics) as the gold standard of the Batman origin story. This is where I would start my journey through Batman in comics if I could do it all over again. Among the DC Animated films I would say Batman: Year One is one of the best, staying incredibly true to the novel through frame cels and dialog alike.

If you are familiar with any of Frank Miller's other work, most notably the Sin City series, 300 and the Dark Knight Returns among others, then you are aware of his absolutely incredible command of the narrative in as few words as possible. To sum it up READ THIS BOOK, it directly influenced Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy and if you read the novel and then watch the films you will see how.

One of the best Batman books writen by Frank Miller. It is a both a retelling of the Batman origin and a 'prequile' to DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. This book is often unjustly underated.

With BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETUNS Miller first gave us his veiw of Batman. I liked that book. As with anything with Miller it is dark, but it works here. the only thing I did not like was the fight between Superman and Batman. those two are suposed to be bestfriends not enemies. yet Miller makes Superman a pawn of the system. however dispite that DARK KNIGHT was a good read. (The Joker makes a chilling apperance in this book.) BATMAN DARK KNIGHT STRICKS BACK is not a favorite of mine. art is much more sloppy and the story line just does not interest me.

Any way BATMAN YEAR ONE is very interesting. it takes the Batman orgin story, updates it, and retells it for the modern day.

over the past years Batman's orgin had become watered down. at first he is a orphen whose parents where both shot by a mugger. then it is his father who is shot while his mother dies of a 'weak heart' from seeing her husband die. then still it is a crime boss who has the shooter pose as a mugger to kill mr. Wayne in revenge for Wayne putting him in jail. over time these things made the story less of a mere chance a deadly twist of fate. Miller restors the orignal version with both parents being killed by a mugger. he adds that all three were coming back from a movie. miller names the movie as MARK OF ZORRO. which is a tribute to Bob Kane, creater of Batman. it is the silent MARK OF ZORRO with Douglas Fairbanks that first influenced Kane in the creation of Batman. (just as the silent movie THE MAN WHO LAUGHES played a part of the creation of the Joker.) this i felt was a nice touch on Miller's part.

Bruce Wayne is a man driven by revenge and a need for justice. he has spent 12 years abroad training to be the best fighter he can be. he only lackes the means to fight crime. (as you will notice the movie BATMAN BEGINS is hevily influenced by this book.)after a faled attempt to face the enemey on their own ground Bruce silently askes for aid from his father. he knows that he needs the 'fear of God' to frighten criminals. then crashing threw the window comes a large bat which had frightened Bruce as a child. thus Bruce becomes a bat. (in DARK KNIGHT RETURNS the large bat seems to almost take posetion of Burce.) Bruce starts fighting crime as Batman. facing small time crooks at first. yet he almost blows it on his first time. (here Miller shows that Bruce is just a man like any one. capable of faults and failings like any man.) later Bruce takes on the corupt system which is run by the mob. yet he soon sees he can not do it alone. he needs a friend.

Most interesting of all is that this book made James Gordon a much more interesting charture. Any nay sayers against this book should remeamber that. before this Gordon was just a foil a means of introducing the crime, and was usly set into the background. Grodon is merely there as a point of exposition. explianing the plot etc.

Remember Gordon was there from the begining, when Batman first appeared in DETECTIVE COMICS. he was simply the police comishiner who fought crime and who later sought the aid of the Dark Knight Detective. During the 70's and 80's the charture was fleshed out a bit. yet it is here that Gordon becomes a much more intresting chature. after this book other writers follow in Miller's footsteps in showing just how good a charture Gordon can be. in this book Miller shows Gordon as a flesh and blood human being. with as much faults as virtues.

In fact much of the book focuses on Gordon rather then Batman, not that batman is not given enough scean time. Gordon is a man with morals and good jugment. yet in a city like Gotham such cops are very unwelcome. the police office is rife with graft and seedy officers. Miller compares the swat team to Nazis. one of the officers, Flass, decides to teach Gordon a 'lesson' and beats him up. yet Gordon pics himself up and is not so easily beaten. he takes out Flass and leaves him naked on the side of the road in handcuffs. Gordon reflects "Thanks Flass, you've shown me what it takes to be a cop in Gotham.' gordon is also a man who must deal with raising a child in a crime filled city, and a job which often takes him away from his wife. most of all Gordon is even tempted by a fellow femal cop, and breifly has an effair with her. here Miller shows Gordon at his most human. gordon reconciles with his wife in favor of raising his son. yet he must lern that when raising a child he must face the burden of protecting him from harm.

Again this is the best thing about the book that Miller can show Gordon as an average man with all the good and bad a normal man has.

other chartures that appear are Alfred, who here raised Bruce as a seragat father. Miller makes Alfred a rather sardonic charture which I found to be amusing. Harvey Dent (who would later become Two Face) appears. here he is a strugling assitant distract atterny attempting to fight a corupt system. Catwoman apeares here as a hooker who takes to stealing in a cat suit. (the spin off CATWOMAN HER SISTERS KEEPER deals with Catwoman's story. it is one of the better spin off stories from BATMAN YEAR ONE.)

over all i found BATMAN YEAR ONE to be a good read. some typical Miller stuff but it is the human chartures that are the most interesting.

Miller is currently doing a new BATMAN series. yet here i found his Batman to be more driven like some army general in a war. which in some ways i am not sure i like, but can understand. allthough i find it a bit to Nazish making the charture that way. at any rate as i stated this is the best of Miller's Batman.

this book serves a good retelling of the Batman orgin for the modern day.

also look out for such books which follow almost along the same lines such as ROBIN YEAR ONE, BATGIRL YEAR ONE, and NIGHTWING YEAR ONE. each which show the early years of the title chartures. each are good reads.

fans of the BATMAN BEGINS movie should pic up BATMAN YEAR ONE as well as BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN. (it is LONG HALLOWEEN that deals much mure with the Roman, a chariture which Miller only dealt with rather breifly.)

This story first came out back in 1988 in standard comic format. Frank Miller had just done the Dark Knight Returns a couple of years earlier and returned to Batman for this series although he turned the art chores over to Dave Mazzuchelli who produced a very noir-ish look to it, much like Miller's Sin City. At the time I wasn't crazy about the more stylized art but I've come to appreciate it now in the 17 years since.

As the title suggests the story revolves around Batman's troubled first year as Batman and how The death of his Parents drove Bruce Wayne to take on the Batman persona and fight crime in Gotham. His early attempts were failures as he was thought a worse criminal than even those he sought to bring to justice. This is not the confident, even cocky Batman we know today as he is very much trying to find his way.

As interesting as this is, it's Miller's story involving a young cop Jim Gordon that is really enthralling and detailing his early days, going up against corrpution in the police force as well as his early relationship with Batman. Gordon is at first assigned to bring this costumed vigilante in no matter what it takes. The two eventually come to a meeting of the minds and Gordon would generally begin looking the other way knowing what Batman was really all about.

Miller also takes a crack at re-defining Catwoman and putting forth the idea that it was Batman who influenced her to get out of prostitution and take up burglary as a new profession.

The book is very dark. Heavily inked and washed out colors. Certainly not like many of today's blind your eyes with color comics. This is one that still holds up well all these years later and helped cement Frank Miller as one of the greatest writers in comics.

Batman is one of the most iconic literary characters of this or any other age so the fact that such a pitch perfect origin story took 50 years for DC to release comes as quite a shock. Looking back on this book 20 years after its release it seems obvious that this is the way Batman should have been done from the word 'go' but better late than never.

Frank Miller's Year One starts with Lieutenant James Gordon's transfer from the Chicago police department and the simultaneous return of 25-year-old millionaire Bruce Wayne from his training stint around the world. Gordon is quickly learning that he will have to struggle to maintain his morals while being a cop in Gotham City and Bruce is realizing that he needs more than training in order to take on the crime that plagues his city. As the story unravels, the pathes of Gordon and Batman become increasingly intertwined and we get the beginnings of their lifelong friendship. The story focuses more on Gordon's point of view for character development as his problems are far more personal than those Bruce goes through during the book. The shift in focus to Gordon works because it plays up his importance in making Batman the success that we know him to be today. Another interesting spin on Batman here is that he starts out fighting organized crime and there isn't a supervillain to be found; this makes Batman's origin all the more plausible and psychologically interesting as Joker is just briefly mentioned towards the end implying that the extreme measures taken by Batman have a huge impact on the changes Gotham will go through in the next few years.

Frank Miller's writing is superb and his dialogue has never seemed more natural than it is here. If you're a fan of Frank Miller's art as well, you may be disappointed when you first get the book to find out that he doesn't illustrate. A few pages in, though, and you'll agree that no one other than David Mazzuchelli could have made it work as well; his character renderings are all classic interpretations and his pencils and inks are simply flawless.

In every aspect, Batman: Year One is a classic story. Not only is it the best interpretation of Batman's beginnings but it is one of the best tellings of a legend's roots in comics or any other medium and a must own of any Batman fan, comic book fan, or fan of timeless stories.

I just started reading Batman and this was my first foray into the medium. I enjoyed this book a lot and it was a great way to flesh out the origin of Batman and Jim Gordon with what is widely considered to be the canon origin for both characters. The art in this book is different from what I expected, but I came to appreciated the style. This book is a pretty quick read. I think it took me about two hours to finish it. Highly recommended.

During the late nineties the Batman comic was in trouble. The character lost almost all its dark appeal it had when Bob Kane conceived it. Batman was blue and had this bright yellow sign on his chest. The character had lost all its sharp edges. He became basically an easy going guy, the kind that tells corny jokes but is entertaining enough to take out for a couple of pints.

Enter Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. Within a few years after this classic comic the character was completely revamped. Batman was dark and edgy again, too serious to be your buddy, but great comic book material. Had Batman been a write off before, now everybody remotely creative in the comic book industry wanted to lay their hands on him, Batman year one even spawned a the Legend of the Dark Night series which was in it's first years complete dedicated to year one related stories.

Year One features a Gotham City turned nightmare yet told with a very good sense of realism. Gotham's state doesn't differ too much from the state a lot of the American inner cities were in at the time. Year One didn't need super villains to keep it afloat. Here we find Batman up against corrupt politicians, crooked cops, hardened business men and the mob. Divisions blur between them, all of Gotham seems to be corrupt. It takes an outsider like Jim Gordon to bring some humanity into Gotham.

Batman Year One is as much Gordon's story as it is Batman's. We watch his struggle with corruption, his faltering relationship and we watch him trying to figure out what to make of this vigilante in his city. At the same time we see Batman more humane than we've seen him in years. Batman is still struggling to find his methods to become the cities protector, trying to find alliances, building his myth. Alfred & Bruce Wayne once again take the much necessary comic relief on their account. A role they lost when Batman was still such a friendly guy. This new Batman is merciless, determent and brooding, just as he should be.

First off I'd like to say that Batman Year One is a MUST for Batman fans but is also very entertaining if you are not a die hard Batman fan.
If you are looking for a superhero/villain face off you will be disappointed. This isn't a story about a villain, it is a story about Batman. This is the origin of Batman and how he started out crime fighting. When I began reading I expected to be kind of bored because we all know the story of Batman's origin. But surprisingly it didn't linger on anything too long. It moved pretty quick although it all made sense and kept you captivated. It didn't skip anything important but it also didn't linger page after page with stuff every Batman fan already knows.

The story itself is a page turner and makes you wanna know what's going to happen next. There's action but nothing too exciting(no insane villain ect.) But if you take the story for what it is(a story about Batman's origin) then you will be able to enjoy the action it does have alot more. Though I went into it expecting much villain type action but I was still very pleased.

The art is amazing. It keeps you enthralled in the story. It's not the best I've seen but by far not the worst. Though with every comic book there will be people who don't like the art and people who do like the art. It's all a matter of peoples tastes. I could write 20 paragraphs about how awesome it is and some people will still dislike it. Or I can bash it and some people will still like it. It's really all up to the person. But I for one feel like the art was done very very well.

I would suggest this book for anyone looking to get into Batman as well as someone well versed in the Batman universe. I think the reason some people didn't like it is because it's a story we all know and it wasn't anything new. But for a story that everyone knows, Frank Miller did a wonderful job in making it seem like a new experience.

Undoubtedly inferior compared to "The Dark Knight Returns", but even then deserving nothing less than 5 stars in my humble opinion. Perhaps the origin of the "Batman Begins" storyline can be more closely linked to the events portrayed in this novel (again, nothing less than this weighty word should be used to describe this piece of work), but this novel is more special in terms of giving us the second most admirable character in the entire franchise. I am not talking about Alfred, but the loyal and honest, fallible-yet-brave Police Officer Gordon. This is the book where you watch Bruce Wayne take his first steps from being a cub to becoming a Panther, but this book also shows how a mortal man can keep his head high amidst all that is going against him, including his own loneliness. No, nothing less than 5 stars would do, and vehemently recommended.

I'd have given this 5 stars, except I did not like Mazuchelli's art. Matter of taste, so I'll say no more other than I found it unappealing.

This is a dual story that is as much Jim Gordon as it is about Batman. Jim Gordon starts as a good cop transferring to Gotham after a mistake. Gordon won't muddy himself with the unethical behavior of the police department, nor will he ally himself with the Batman whom he considers a bad guy as well. Jim's black/white ethos slowly changes as he first beats a fellow police officer(after he himself was beaten), has at least the beginnings of an affair and comes to realize that maybe Batman isn't the one he should be against and comes to terms with allowing the Batman to do the work the police department cannot. Gordon's change and domestic story was the best part of the book.

On the Batman side we see the first incompetent gropings towards superherodom as Batman hits the streets, first in disguise, then in costume and generally gets his head handed to him by making mistakes. We also see how he inspires one Selina Kyle to become Catwoman.

Though Bruce's struggles are shown to the reader through internalized monologues more than Gordon's, it is still Gordon's struggle that takes over the story, and that is a strength rather than a weakness. It shows Gotham as an organic being, with the dirty cops, the mobs, the judges, the Batman, the D.A. and Jim Gordon reacting to one another and changing. Showing that not even Batman is big enough to effect the kind of change he wants on his own.

I've always considered Batman the greatest super-hero creation of all time. Anyone can create a truth-justice-american-way charcter (and many did), but in Batman Bob Kane gave us a tragedy, and a protagonist that borders on the obsessive. No super-powers, just an aray of martial arts skills and "those wonderful toys". Probably my favorite aspect of the character is how he considers his persona to be Batman and not Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne is the mask he wears. Being Batman is simple for him, it's altering his personality and mannerisms that challenges him.
This graphic novel is a trade paperback that originally consisted of four issues published in 1986. It places Bruce Wayne at age twenty-five and before he became "the bat". Returning to Gotham City after years of travelling through Europe and Asia aquiring various skills, Bruce is anxious to begin his great work that he has been focused upon since he was a child. He knows exactly what he must do, but the problem is he doesn't know exactly HOW he must do it.
What's more important regarding this book, it's written by Frank Miller.

"If I were to introduce someone to comic books, I'd take him into a comic shop and buy him everything I could find written by Frank Miller." ---Samuel L. Jackson

I have never been much of a Batman fan since the TV show went off back in the late sixties; however, this collection from the late eighties shows a lot of the promise the character has always contained, but seldom realized. Frank Miller is certainly one of the finest writers to emerge from comics in the last generation of so, and this is a fine example of his work. His conception of Batman and the entire body of Bat-lore is unique, while remaining respectful, if not cloyingly faithful, to the years of prior continuity. This story within is of parallel obsessions: Bruce Wayne's passionate promise on his parents' grave to rid his city of the criminal element and James Gordon's equally ardent impulse to do much the same, only through traditional law enforcement means. The portrayal of Selina Kyle as the incipient Catwoman is particularly poignant and gripping as is the long-suffering portrait of Barbara Gordon, the quintessential cop's wife. While the art is interesting in a primitive, naive mode, David Mazzuchelli and Richmond Lewis seem an unfortunate choice of artists for the work that relaunched the entire Batman franchise. Perhaps, however, it is a testament to the strength of Miller's writing, that the art neither detracts nor distracts from the story.

Considered by nearly everyone (at least in the world of comics) as the gold standard of the Batman origin story. This is where I would start my journey through Batman in comics if I could do it all over again. Among the DC Animated films I would say Batman: Year One is one of the best, staying incredibly true to the novel through frame cels and dialog alike.

If you are familiar with any of Frank Miller's other work, most notably the Sin City series, 300 and the Dark Knight Returns among others, then you are aware of his absolutely incredible command of the narrative in as few words as possible. To sum it up READ THIS BOOK, it directly influenced Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy and if you read the novel and then watch the films you will see how.

One of the best Batman books writen by Frank Miller. It is a both a retelling of the Batman origin and a 'prequile' to DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. This book is often unjustly underated.

With BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETUNS Miller first gave us his veiw of Batman. I liked that book. As with anything with Miller it is dark, but it works here. the only thing I did not like was the fight between Superman and Batman. those two are suposed to be bestfriends not enemies. yet Miller makes Superman a pawn of the system. however dispite that DARK KNIGHT was a good read. (The Joker makes a chilling apperance in this book.) BATMAN DARK KNIGHT STRICKS BACK is not a favorite of mine. art is much more sloppy and the story line just does not interest me.

Any way BATMAN YEAR ONE is very interesting. it takes the Batman orgin story, updates it, and retells it for the modern day.

over the past years Batman's orgin had become watered down. at first he is a orphen whose parents where both shot by a mugger. then it is his father who is shot while his mother dies of a 'weak heart' from seeing her husband die. then still it is a crime boss who has the shooter pose as a mugger to kill mr. Wayne in revenge for Wayne putting him in jail. over time these things made the story less of a mere chance a deadly twist of fate. Miller restors the orignal version with both parents being killed by a mugger. he adds that all three were coming back from a movie. miller names the movie as MARK OF ZORRO. which is a tribute to Bob Kane, creater of Batman. it is the silent MARK OF ZORRO with Douglas Fairbanks that first influenced Kane in the creation of Batman. (just as the silent movie THE MAN WHO LAUGHES played a part of the creation of the Joker.) this i felt was a nice touch on Miller's part.

Bruce Wayne is a man driven by revenge and a need for justice. he has spent 12 years abroad training to be the best fighter he can be. he only lackes the means to fight crime. (as you will notice the movie BATMAN BEGINS is hevily influenced by this book.)after a faled attempt to face the enemey on their own ground Bruce silently askes for aid from his father. he knows that he needs the 'fear of God' to frighten criminals. then crashing threw the window comes a large bat which had frightened Bruce as a child. thus Bruce becomes a bat. (in DARK KNIGHT RETURNS the large bat seems to almost take posetion of Burce.) Bruce starts fighting crime as Batman. facing small time crooks at first. yet he almost blows it on his first time. (here Miller shows that Bruce is just a man like any one. capable of faults and failings like any man.) later Bruce takes on the corupt system which is run by the mob. yet he soon sees he can not do it alone. he needs a friend.

Most interesting of all is that this book made James Gordon a much more interesting charture. Any nay sayers against this book should remeamber that. before this Gordon was just a foil a means of introducing the crime, and was usly set into the background. Grodon is merely there as a point of exposition. explianing the plot etc.

Remember Gordon was there from the begining, when Batman first appeared in DETECTIVE COMICS. he was simply the police comishiner who fought crime and who later sought the aid of the Dark Knight Detective. During the 70's and 80's the charture was fleshed out a bit. yet it is here that Gordon becomes a much more intresting chature. after this book other writers follow in Miller's footsteps in showing just how good a charture Gordon can be. in this book Miller shows Gordon as a flesh and blood human being. with as much faults as virtues.

In fact much of the book focuses on Gordon rather then Batman, not that batman is not given enough scean time. Gordon is a man with morals and good jugment. yet in a city like Gotham such cops are very unwelcome. the police office is rife with graft and seedy officers. Miller compares the swat team to Nazis. one of the officers, Flass, decides to teach Gordon a 'lesson' and beats him up. yet Gordon pics himself up and is not so easily beaten. he takes out Flass and leaves him naked on the side of the road in handcuffs. Gordon reflects "Thanks Flass, you've shown me what it takes to be a cop in Gotham.' gordon is also a man who must deal with raising a child in a crime filled city, and a job which often takes him away from his wife. most of all Gordon is even tempted by a fellow femal cop, and breifly has an effair with her. here Miller shows Gordon at his most human. gordon reconciles with his wife in favor of raising his son. yet he must lern that when raising a child he must face the burden of protecting him from harm.

Again this is the best thing about the book that Miller can show Gordon as an average man with all the good and bad a normal man has.

other chartures that appear are Alfred, who here raised Bruce as a seragat father. Miller makes Alfred a rather sardonic charture which I found to be amusing. Harvey Dent (who would later become Two Face) appears. here he is a strugling assitant distract atterny attempting to fight a corupt system. Catwoman apeares here as a hooker who takes to stealing in a cat suit. (the spin off CATWOMAN HER SISTERS KEEPER deals with Catwoman's story. it is one of the better spin off stories from BATMAN YEAR ONE.)

over all i found BATMAN YEAR ONE to be a good read. some typical Miller stuff but it is the human chartures that are the most interesting.

Miller is currently doing a new BATMAN series. yet here i found his Batman to be more driven like some army general in a war. which in some ways i am not sure i like, but can understand. allthough i find it a bit to Nazish making the charture that way. at any rate as i stated this is the best of Miller's Batman.

this book serves a good retelling of the Batman orgin for the modern day.

also look out for such books which follow almost along the same lines such as ROBIN YEAR ONE, BATGIRL YEAR ONE, and NIGHTWING YEAR ONE. each which show the early years of the title chartures. each are good reads.

fans of the BATMAN BEGINS movie should pic up BATMAN YEAR ONE as well as BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN. (it is LONG HALLOWEEN that deals much mure with the Roman, a chariture which Miller only dealt with rather breifly.)

This story first came out back in 1988 in standard comic format. Frank Miller had just done the Dark Knight Returns a couple of years earlier and returned to Batman for this series although he turned the art chores over to Dave Mazzuchelli who produced a very noir-ish look to it, much like Miller's Sin City. At the time I wasn't crazy about the more stylized art but I've come to appreciate it now in the 17 years since.

As the title suggests the story revolves around Batman's troubled first year as Batman and how The death of his Parents drove Bruce Wayne to take on the Batman persona and fight crime in Gotham. His early attempts were failures as he was thought a worse criminal than even those he sought to bring to justice. This is not the confident, even cocky Batman we know today as he is very much trying to find his way.

As interesting as this is, it's Miller's story involving a young cop Jim Gordon that is really enthralling and detailing his early days, going up against corrpution in the police force as well as his early relationship with Batman. Gordon is at first assigned to bring this costumed vigilante in no matter what it takes. The two eventually come to a meeting of the minds and Gordon would generally begin looking the other way knowing what Batman was really all about.

Miller also takes a crack at re-defining Catwoman and putting forth the idea that it was Batman who influenced her to get out of prostitution and take up burglary as a new profession.

The book is very dark. Heavily inked and washed out colors. Certainly not like many of today's blind your eyes with color comics. This is one that still holds up well all these years later and helped cement Frank Miller as one of the greatest writers in comics.

Batman is one of the most iconic literary characters of this or any other age so the fact that such a pitch perfect origin story took 50 years for DC to release comes as quite a shock. Looking back on this book 20 years after its release it seems obvious that this is the way Batman should have been done from the word 'go' but better late than never.

Frank Miller's Year One starts with Lieutenant James Gordon's transfer from the Chicago police department and the simultaneous return of 25-year-old millionaire Bruce Wayne from his training stint around the world. Gordon is quickly learning that he will have to struggle to maintain his morals while being a cop in Gotham City and Bruce is realizing that he needs more than training in order to take on the crime that plagues his city. As the story unravels, the pathes of Gordon and Batman become increasingly intertwined and we get the beginnings of their lifelong friendship. The story focuses more on Gordon's point of view for character development as his problems are far more personal than those Bruce goes through during the book. The shift in focus to Gordon works because it plays up his importance in making Batman the success that we know him to be today. Another interesting spin on Batman here is that he starts out fighting organized crime and there isn't a supervillain to be found; this makes Batman's origin all the more plausible and psychologically interesting as Joker is just briefly mentioned towards the end implying that the extreme measures taken by Batman have a huge impact on the changes Gotham will go through in the next few years.

Frank Miller's writing is superb and his dialogue has never seemed more natural than it is here. If you're a fan of Frank Miller's art as well, you may be disappointed when you first get the book to find out that he doesn't illustrate. A few pages in, though, and you'll agree that no one other than David Mazzuchelli could have made it work as well; his character renderings are all classic interpretations and his pencils and inks are simply flawless.

In every aspect, Batman: Year One is a classic story. Not only is it the best interpretation of Batman's beginnings but it is one of the best tellings of a legend's roots in comics or any other medium and a must own of any Batman fan, comic book fan, or fan of timeless stories.

I just started reading Batman and this was my first foray into the medium. I enjoyed this book a lot and it was a great way to flesh out the origin of Batman and Jim Gordon with what is widely considered to be the canon origin for both characters. The art in this book is different from what I expected, but I came to appreciated the style. This book is a pretty quick read. I think it took me about two hours to finish it. Highly recommended.

During the late nineties the Batman comic was in trouble. The character lost almost all its dark appeal it had when Bob Kane conceived it. Batman was blue and had this bright yellow sign on his chest. The character had lost all its sharp edges. He became basically an easy going guy, the kind that tells corny jokes but is entertaining enough to take out for a couple of pints.

Enter Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. Within a few years after this classic comic the character was completely revamped. Batman was dark and edgy again, too serious to be your buddy, but great comic book material. Had Batman been a write off before, now everybody remotely creative in the comic book industry wanted to lay their hands on him, Batman year one even spawned a the Legend of the Dark Night series which was in it's first years complete dedicated to year one related stories.

Year One features a Gotham City turned nightmare yet told with a very good sense of realism. Gotham's state doesn't differ too much from the state a lot of the American inner cities were in at the time. Year One didn't need super villains to keep it afloat. Here we find Batman up against corrupt politicians, crooked cops, hardened business men and the mob. Divisions blur between them, all of Gotham seems to be corrupt. It takes an outsider like Jim Gordon to bring some humanity into Gotham.

Batman Year One is as much Gordon's story as it is Batman's. We watch his struggle with corruption, his faltering relationship and we watch him trying to figure out what to make of this vigilante in his city. At the same time we see Batman more humane than we've seen him in years. Batman is still struggling to find his methods to become the cities protector, trying to find alliances, building his myth. Alfred & Bruce Wayne once again take the much necessary comic relief on their account. A role they lost when Batman was still such a friendly guy. This new Batman is merciless, determent and brooding, just as he should be.

First off I'd like to say that Batman Year One is a MUST for Batman fans but is also very entertaining if you are not a die hard Batman fan.
If you are looking for a superhero/villain face off you will be disappointed. This isn't a story about a villain, it is a story about Batman. This is the origin of Batman and how he started out crime fighting. When I began reading I expected to be kind of bored because we all know the story of Batman's origin. But surprisingly it didn't linger on anything too long. It moved pretty quick although it all made sense and kept you captivated. It didn't skip anything important but it also didn't linger page after page with stuff every Batman fan already knows.

The story itself is a page turner and makes you wanna know what's going to happen next. There's action but nothing too exciting(no insane villain ect.) But if you take the story for what it is(a story about Batman's origin) then you will be able to enjoy the action it does have alot more. Though I went into it expecting much villain type action but I was still very pleased.

The art is amazing. It keeps you enthralled in the story. It's not the best I've seen but by far not the worst. Though with every comic book there will be people who don't like the art and people who do like the art. It's all a matter of peoples tastes. I could write 20 paragraphs about how awesome it is and some people will still dislike it. Or I can bash it and some people will still like it. It's really all up to the person. But I for one feel like the art was done very very well.

I would suggest this book for anyone looking to get into Batman as well as someone well versed in the Batman universe. I think the reason some people didn't like it is because it's a story we all know and it wasn't anything new. But for a story that everyone knows, Frank Miller did a wonderful job in making it seem like a new experience.

Undoubtedly inferior compared to "The Dark Knight Returns", but even then deserving nothing less than 5 stars in my humble opinion. Perhaps the origin of the "Batman Begins" storyline can be more closely linked to the events portrayed in this novel (again, nothing less than this weighty word should be used to describe this piece of work), but this novel is more special in terms of giving us the second most admirable character in the entire franchise. I am not talking about Alfred, but the loyal and honest, fallible-yet-brave Police Officer Gordon. This is the book where you watch Bruce Wayne take his first steps from being a cub to becoming a Panther, but this book also shows how a mortal man can keep his head high amidst all that is going against him, including his own loneliness. No, nothing less than 5 stars would do, and vehemently recommended.

I'd have given this 5 stars, except I did not like Mazuchelli's art. Matter of taste, so I'll say no more other than I found it unappealing.

This is a dual story that is as much Jim Gordon as it is about Batman. Jim Gordon starts as a good cop transferring to Gotham after a mistake. Gordon won't muddy himself with the unethical behavior of the police department, nor will he ally himself with the Batman whom he considers a bad guy as well. Jim's black/white ethos slowly changes as he first beats a fellow police officer(after he himself was beaten), has at least the beginnings of an affair and comes to realize that maybe Batman isn't the one he should be against and comes to terms with allowing the Batman to do the work the police department cannot. Gordon's change and domestic story was the best part of the book.

On the Batman side we see the first incompetent gropings towards superherodom as Batman hits the streets, first in disguise, then in costume and generally gets his head handed to him by making mistakes. We also see how he inspires one Selina Kyle to become Catwoman.

Though Bruce's struggles are shown to the reader through internalized monologues more than Gordon's, it is still Gordon's struggle that takes over the story, and that is a strength rather than a weakness. It shows Gotham as an organic being, with the dirty cops, the mobs, the judges, the Batman, the D.A. and Jim Gordon reacting to one another and changing. Showing that not even Batman is big enough to effect the kind of change he wants on his own.

I've always considered Batman the greatest super-hero creation of all time. Anyone can create a truth-justice-american-way charcter (and many did), but in Batman Bob Kane gave us a tragedy, and a protagonist that borders on the obsessive. No super-powers, just an aray of martial arts skills and "those wonderful toys". Probably my favorite aspect of the character is how he considers his persona to be Batman and not Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne is the mask he wears. Being Batman is simple for him, it's altering his personality and mannerisms that challenges him.
This graphic novel is a trade paperback that originally consisted of four issues published in 1986. It places Bruce Wayne at age twenty-five and before he became "the bat". Returning to Gotham City after years of travelling through Europe and Asia aquiring various skills, Bruce is anxious to begin his great work that he has been focused upon since he was a child. He knows exactly what he must do, but the problem is he doesn't know exactly HOW he must do it.
What's more important regarding this book, it's written by Frank Miller.

"If I were to introduce someone to comic books, I'd take him into a comic shop and buy him everything I could find written by Frank Miller." ---Samuel L. Jackson

Frank Miller will always be best known for The Dark Knight Returns, and many people (myself included) regard Batman: The Killing Joke to be the greatest single Batman story ever. But this is a very close second.
The story begins with recent Gotham City Police Department hiree Jim Gordon arriving for the first time in Gotham. Coincidentally, it is the day that 25 year old multimillionaire Bruce Wayne returns to his hometown after many years of mysterious travel abroad. The story takes us through a year to see how Gordon reacts to corruption and graft in the Police Force, and how Bruce Wayne will become the Batman. It is also told through Gordon's and Wayne's point of view, which was a nice touch. It climaxes when Police Commissioner Loeb orders Batman to be taken down, with a really spectacular ending.
David Mazuchelli's artwork is dynamic and gritty. He draws the Dark Knight and his world beautifully. Frank Miller's words are simply marvelous. I was captured from the first page, and didn't put it down until I had read it.
Overall, this is a great place to start if you're looking to become a Batman fan. The story isn't complicated, but is still riveting. If you don't read this, you're missing out on some of the best comics literature there has ever been. I can't recommend this book enough.

The very first Batman grapic novel I ever bought was The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Why not start off with what everyone says is the best? But once I read it and realized it takes place years after Bruce Wayne Retires as Batman, I figured I'd better start back at the beginning. I get a copy of Batman: Year One and once again it's by Frank Miller.

It surprises me that both of these were written only a year apart, and that he wrote this one second. While Dark Knight is definitely the darker of the two, it's also a much different kind of Bat story. Of course the different artistic styles will be the first thing you'll notice seeing as Miller drew Dark Knight but left Year One to David Mazzucchelli, which in some ways I prefer over Miller's Sin City style.

But enough about Dark Knight. Year One was great. I must admit I read this after Batman Begins came out. I wish I had read it first, I would have appreciated it more. What I'm saying is Begins borrows heavily from this. The novel starts once Bruce returns to Gotham. Cut out the entire Ras Al Ghul, Bruce training back story. Replace Scarecrow with Catwoman and you pretty much have the same thing.

But what really makes it stand out from Batman Begins is Year One concentrates a lot more on James Gordon's struggles against his corrupt police department and almost makes him a main character by giving him the love interest instead of Bruce Wayne. I can only hope we'll be seeing this side of Gordon in the next Bat movie, The Dark Knight. Very appropriate title.

Funny thing-- I was waiting for a copy of Batman: Dark Knight Returns to arrive in the Philippines for about 3 months now, and today I finally bought one. After all, that book is a certified classic. My buddy Lance lent me his copy about a year ago and it totally changed my view on comics; no, it changed my view of Batman. The story, the art, the whole synergy of comic book lore and human force, all in those crisp pages. Frank Miller has got to be a storytelling powerhouse. I've been obsessing about Dark Knight Returns so much that I had my sister buy it in the store two months ago, but decided I just couldn't wait any longer and bought it today.
Anyway, right beside DK Returns was a copy of Batman Year One. I was intrigued because I heard about this from my friend who said that he read it and it was good and Darren Aranofsky was set to direct the film version sometime next year. Ok, I got overly curious so I bought the damn thing. In fact, I was halfway out of the mall when I decided, "Hey, now's a great time to concentrate on Ol' Bats, why not?" So I ran back and got the last copy.
I just finished reading Batman Year One. Here's my take: Frank Miller is definitely good. Very unique take on the characters of the comic, i.e. Bruce Wayne's harrowing thirst for justice, Jim Gordon as a true human being, and Gotham City's political and social ennui providing the reader with a relative understanding of the surroundings of Batman. So Year One is a more practical, if not hyperbolical type of comic. On the whole, it's like watching Deep Impact when you could be watching Armageddon. It's the thinking man's Batman. In terms of the storyline, I have to admit there was nothing all too remarkable about Miller's reintroduction of the Dark Knight's origins... Perhaps if we were to talk about Jim Gordon Year One, then this reviewer would be a little more enhtusiastic about it. But hey, I guess we're all human.
On the whole, Batman Year One is still a must have for Batman lovers everywhere. I'd still recommend this book to any weary soul tired of having to put up with a Joel Schumacher-inspired slop shop of a Gotham City. This book IS Gotham City, with all its dirty little secrets gaping at you like a fresh wound.

With some older comics like this (Year One was originally published in 1987), time has not been friendly with them. They were good when they were published, sometimes because they were groundbreaking or shocking. That was my experience with Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, which I found poorly paced and with a Batman that I both didn't like and didn't see as appropriately characterized.

Year One, on the other hand, is just a good, solid story of Batman when he was first starting out and Commissioner Gordon when he first joined the GCPD as a Lieutenant. The story is well-paced and doesn't seem to be looking for excuses to throw needless action in (as can often be the case in comics). Batman is very human and capable of making mistakes (though perhaps rather inhumanly capable of overcoming injuries). Gordon is more well-fleshed out as a character, though, and much of the story focuses on him and his reaction to both Gotham City (which is teeming with corruption and crime) and Batman himself.

This particular edition also has some nice bonuses at the back, which is always nice to see.

If I have any complaints it's that there isn't much of an overarching plot other than "how Batman and James Gordon came to know each other" and the art isn't the best. The latter isn't completely the artists' fault, as some of the bonus features demonstrate (evidently the "newsprint" comics of the time were limited to a pallet of only 60 colors, though the coloring was later redone).

If you're looking for a classic Batman story that's held up well, or just looking for some of the inspiration for Batman Begins, Year One is well-worth reading.

This is a classic graphic novel that shows the brilliance of Frank Miller's writing and the incredible artwork of David Mazzucchelli.

Originally published in the mid-1980s, the opening pages juxtaposes Lt. James Gordon arriving and Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham City, which is haunted by a corrupt police force and essentially open for plundering 24/7/365.

As an early the description of Wayne explains, "He will become the greatest crimefighter the world has ever known...It won't be easy." This is the start of a journey for Wayne and Gordon in a vicious venue where even the strong may not survive.

There is also 40 pages of developmental material, which places the work in a solid historical context. Ultimately, it is a classic (new) look at the beginning, but with a style that fondly remembers this iconic story from the past.

If 1986, DC Comics asked writer Frank Miller to reboot Batman for them. Miller, of course, is also responsible for "The Dark Knight Returns" and its sequel; this gem here is basically the prequel to those stories.
This classic is kinda told from a dual perspective. It's about Batman, and it's also about Detective Jim Gordon. It's effectively an origin story for both characters. Over time, the two men - the Dark Knight and the white knight - become allies, and receive plenty of character development along the way.
Readers with a shorter attention span might get bored by this story in some of the slower scenes. But those slow scenes are few and far between. If you like fast-paced action scenes with guns and parkour, you will love "Batman: Year One".
This is Batman at his very finest, I dare say. A hardcore Batman fan shouldn't be able to resist it. And even if that description doesn't apply to you, remember that this is a reboot, a "modern retelling" of the Batman tale. So whether you're a diehard or a casual Batman fan, you should pick this masterpiece up and read it. You won't be disappointed.

Gotham City.

Let's say you're a teenage girl, born in the teeming, drug-addicted, crime-ridden slums of Gotham's East End. Let's say your name is "Kitty", your daddy ran off when you were 5, and your mama doesn't get home until 2 in the morning, if she gets home at all.

Let's say one night last week you were down the 75th, with Vera and Hopie and Star, and you meet the pimp everybody calls "Stoolie". Stoolie wants you to turn tricks for him, and---hey, it's a living---but you don't like the way he looks at ya.

So you say no, and he gives you a nasty purple scar across your cheek: from then on, all the other whores call you "Scarface". You don't dare tell the cops, not the Gotham cops, because Stoolie pays them early and often in greenbacks.

Or let's say you're a young cop: freshly minted Gotham police lieutenant Jim Gordon, hired sight unseen into Gotham's Finest, with a worried wife and a baby on the way. You're a smart kid: it doesn't take long to realize *everybody* is on the take: the Mayor, Commissioner Loeb, even your partner, Detective Flass.

Especially Flass.

So maybe you go along to get along, right, Lt. Gordon?

Let's say you're Bruce Wayne: scion to the Wayne Industries fortune, international playboy and jet-setter, happy wanderer, Gotham's Native Son returned home from traveling about the world. You give good interview, you wine and dine starlets and models, you donate early and often to Gotham charities, you support the Mayor & Chief of Police and then retire behind the machiolations and high walls of Wayne Manor---because even if you can't spread a little of the virtue out, you can keep the Evil from getting in, right?

Wrong.

You spend some downtime on your knees before the twin tombstones of your parents' graves. You ask yourself what you could have done---in that alleyway, so many years ago, practically smelling the chordite off the gunman's muzzle---to have saved them.

And then you figure: f*ck it, there are others I can save. You don tights. You get a cape. You hone to perfection the martial arts you've picked up in Kuan-Tikal, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Kansas City. You invest a chunk of the fortune you hold in a vast multi-national conglomerate into your utility belt, into razor-tooth bat-a-rangs, into handy-dandy thermite, into grappling hooks.

You plan to move in quick, dark, lethal, and scary: because Evil may run Gotham, but in running the City it has grown fat and lethargic and complacent. Time for a little shake-up.

You became the Night made Flesh: you become Justice, shrieking from the moon-haunted sky, Terror from the Shadows.

You become The Batman.

Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" makes a delicious little book-end to "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns": written about the same time, Frank Miller ceded artistic duties to David Mazzuchelli, who brings a kind of pulpy, old-school heft to The Batman's freshman year. "Year One"---though it's fraught with issues that strike to the core of Batman: innocence lost, death, corruption---is the Dark Knight with all of the burning, ferocious idealism and none of the baggage: it's "Dark Knight Returns" without the bitterness and arthritis.

It really rocks.

For one thing, the Deluxe Edition---hardbound, with paper that really showcases those gorgeous inks and nice interplay of light and shadow---is a thing of beauty. Miller knows when to delegate, and his decision to let Mazzuchelli take the artistic helm was a stroke of genius: his Batman, all muscled sinew and sharp, hard, dark edges, works against the rush-hour cess of downtown Gotham. It recalls the edgy pulpiness of David Lloyd's work in "V for Vendetta": it exudes a pulpy nether-world of few options and open-air corruption. It's gorgeous work.

But it gives Miller some breathing room: "Year One" is very much a companion piece to "DKR", and the by-product of that freedom is the depth given to Batman's forever ally, Jim Gordon. Gordon gets the rich characterization demanded---and denied---in Chris Nolan's recent "Batman Begins", emerging as a creature just as driven by justice and integrity as Batman, but one working from a position with much more to lose.

The world of "Batman Year One" is one in which the vigilantes are just men who are forced to take the law---what little is left of it---into their own hands: the one, to prevent the horror that was done to him as a child, the other, to prevent that same horror from devouring his own child. If men were angels, no laws would be necessary: but they're devils, so let us salute the Batman---and Jim Gordon.

JSG

I've been introduced to Frank Miller's 'Batman' stories namely by hype alone, and the hype is more than warranted. Miller writes 'Year One' the way Batman needs to be portrayed - gritty, dark and murky; all buzz-words that have become cliches for Millers work, and for the right reason. This is a crime story, true and simple.
Batman here is hardly the invincible super-hero steroetyped by our culture. Here he is just a man, one who's committed to the task of cleaning up Gotham City of the criminal element. He can be wounded, he can make mistakes, but he also gets the job done. The book also focuses on the young Jim Gordon, who would one day become Gotham's police commissioner and Batman's confidant. Here he's a young cop with all the failings and imperfections of a man striving to do whats right. Miller writes the dialogue with stark realism, and I felt like I was reading about true multi-dimensional characters.
With this book and his seminal 'Dark Knight Returns', Miller takes the icon of Batman out of the garish hands of the neon-lighted buffoonery of Hollywood and back into the shadowed streets where he was meant to be. Buy this book.

Frank Miller wrote and illustrated what's widely considered to be the apex and the ending of Batman with the "Dark Knight Returns." And now he bring us Batman's beginning with "Batman: Year One" (which has been used as inspiration for the latest Batman movie.) The introduction explains that DC in the 80's decided to reboot it's three big franchises and redefine where they came from. But Batman's beginning was perfect. But they decided his beginning could be fleshed out a bit and that's what we find out in this novel. Where Batman came from. Where Gordon came from. And how together they began the team that is taking back the streets of Gotham from the criminals.

Miller concocts a brilliant story that makes the characters human. We don't meet the Joker or any of the other slightly crazed villains of Batman in this book. Instead it's the type of characters that you can imagine meeting in real life. Corrupt politicians and cops are the villains in this story allowing Batman and Gordon to be the heroes that they are, not because of theatrics. But because they are human. They admit their faults and come close to admitting defeat on occasion, but they get back up again and continue the fight.

Dave Mazzucchelli is the illustrator on this venture with Miller and his pencils are fantastic, especially when you look at the drawings in the back. He captures the gritty nature of Batman perfectly and how the characters move. The colors though leave a bit to be desired. I know they aren't as over the top as some of the other works produced in this era, but it seems like they obliterate a lot of detail that the pencil drawings had or should have. The artwork still works with the story, I just wish the colors had been less over powering.

If you're a fan of Batman or wanting to introduce people to who Batman is then this is a great introduction and I highly recommend it along with Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns."

After deconstructing Batman in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and changing the way comics are written in the process, Frank Miller tackled the history of Batman by examining Bruce Wayne's first year as Batman in BATMAN: YEAR ONE. Personally, I enjoyed this novel much more than DKR. Gotham is a gritty place, full of corruption and slime. However, it is redeemable. Lieutenant Gordan (not yet the commissioner) and the new vigillante Batman illustrate that through the work they accomplish. However, though Gordan and Bruce Wayne are heroes, B:Y1 points out that they are only humans too: Gordan has an affair with another officer during his wife's pregnancy and Wayne is almost killed in his first attempt at crime fighting. The book is full of emotion and character and much more humanity than some of Miller's other work, and it makes for great reading.

Created by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, the story of Batman's beginnings is told not only from the perspective of the Dark Knight but that of policeman Jim Gordon, his eternal ally and friend, as they take on Gotham's criminal underbelly and a corrupt justice system. Though it goes as far into Batman's origin as it has to, what really sets "Year One" apart is that it's as much Gordon's story as it is Batman's, which sheds more light on how their unusual partnership begins. As an added bonus, the story also tells of the birth of Catwoman. With Miller going back to the Dark Knight's dark roots, if "Year One" doesn't wipe away your memories of that 1960s TV show, nothing will.

This comic is unrated: Violence, Adult Situations.

Great story, wonderful art, definitive Batman. There aren't too many things I can say that hasn't already been said about Frank Miller's take on Batman's first year on the job. It is an essential piece of work that belongs to any Batman or Comic book lovers collection. It's super hero literature at its finest and remains a relevant story after all of these years.

If you'd ask me, this one tops all other Batman stories I've read so far. Of course there's the excellent `The Long Halloween' which is no less than amazing, but it lacks something - it's too much to the style.

This story portrays Batman first year, or, even more to the point - a very specific part of his first year in the costume, and how he came to be The Batman. And it does this beautifully through the eyes of Commissioner Gordon, who just came to Gotham, and then only through our hero's eyes. So what we get is not only how the world around Batman sees him, but we get the same thoughts we once did when we really thought about - what is Batman all about. We get Batman from a place rarely explored in the DC Universe - we see what stands behind Batman for the reader and moreover - he is not the bright detective who does no mistakes.

The art is one of the most fitting and beautiful in concept I've seen in the mainstream genre, while all tend to blazing our eyes with tricks this one is simply and dark - just as a Batman story should be, with the twisted and sick darkness here and there.

I love the artwork. I love the tale. I see it as one of the best.

Many "Classic" Batman stories don't live up to the hype and Frank Miller's work is not always 100%, but this tale definitely is.

I don't see it as a re-telling of the Batman origin as it is often touted to be, since the story mostly focuses on Jim Gordon and his introduction into the world of the GCPD. Batman is only seen in brief glimpses.

Miller's often extreme tendencies are toned down a bit in this book, although it still has plenty fo rough edges and he does a good job of non-chalantly mixing in recognizable characters with new plot points.

Definitely worth a read, it's just too bad it seems so short. Although the sign of a good book is when it leaves you wanting more, so I guess that means they did their job!

Another example of a great comic book that definately isn't for kids.
After the success of DARK KNIGHT we saw the sequel BATMAN YEAR ONE. I remember this one flying off the shelves at the comic store when the issues came out.
We see a two new arrivals in Gotham. One a police lieutenant with a bit of a past who finds corruption rampart in the force and a fellow officer who he falls for creating corruption in his marriage.
We also find a rich playboy who thinks he is ready to begin his revenge on the underworld for the lives of his parents, starting with the corrupt police force.
Several things in the Batman mythos are re-written. Gordon is a thirty something cop, Selina Kyle is a hooker instead of a jewel thief, it is a darker and gritter story, more in the genre of the Japaneese style of comics for adults. Considering the direction Miller took daredevil it is no big shock.
It was the second step on the road to comics no longer being something for kids. It was a great story, and a fine plot. The artwork was done well, the style fit the story well, but save it for when the kids hit 15.

This is probably the first Batman graphic novel I ever read, and it raised my expectations to possibly too high a level for the rest of my experience with the genre. It is one of the three best graphic novels I have ever read, and you should get it now. Anybody who claims to be a fan of comic-books and hasn't read this is a liar.

It tells the fascinating story of Batman's career beginnings, from his errors to his triumphs and the start of many many injuries to come. I won't sum up the story here, since other reviewers do that, but suffice to say its the grittiest crime drama I've read or seen in a long time. With no extreme villains, its clearly a Batman story, with a heavy dose of Comissioner Gordon, who, normally a plot-device at best, is a deep and fully-fleshed character in his own right who shares the story equally with Batman, to great effect. The two play off each other beautifully, and you really get the feeling of a partnership in development.

Mazuchelli's artwork is concise and descriptive yet moody and incredibly gritty, and I couldn't imagine a better fit to Frank Miller's dark 'adolescent' tale of the masked vigilante. The two elements of story and art never clash, and always work hand in hand to best effect. This is the movie Batman Begins should have been.

After you buy this (and you should), check out Miller's Dark Knight Returns, a tale of a disenfranchised middle-aged Batman who comes out of retirement to wreak havoc and fight a corrupt Gotham (and America). Year One and Dark Knight couldnt be more different, but somehow form perfect companion pieces and are the most satisfying takes on Batman in any medium.

Also check out Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb's 'The Long Halloween' and 'Dark Victory' which take place near immediately after Year One and are great mystery pieces in their own right.

this, along with "the dark knight returns" and "the killing joke", is not only one of the best batman stories ever written, but is probably right up there with some of the greatest art and literature ever produced in terms of profundity and reflection on the human condition and the problem of evil. bruce wayne, a tormented and obsessed man, struggles to find a way to put 'sense' back into his life after an unimaginably traumatizing event in his childhood--the gunning down of his parents by a two-bit mugger, with young bruce as the only witness. this horrendous crime and the dark shadow of absurdity and senselessness it casts over his existence forces him to become an avenger of sorts, a vigilante who, while knowing his task to be impossible, has no basic choice but to become a one man war on crime, using his inheritance and his willpower to become batman. this is a beautiful, haunting read and no batman devotee will ever forget it.

Is batman: year one extremely important and help establish ideas that continue to influence batman today? Yes. Does it fill in some gaps and expand on the origin? Yes. Are there any amazing moments that really jump out at you as brilliant? I didn't think so. In one word, I find it overrated. In fact I find all of frank miller's work on batman to be overrated. It's definitely worth you're money and essential to a batman fan, but it's really nothing special (in the narrative sense).

So many wonderful reviews have been written here that little comment is needed. Suffice to say that this new edition probably didn't rate the "Absolute" treatment from DC mainly due to the story's brevity. Still the extras included in this new edition make it worth it. David Mazzucchelli's afterword is wonderful, not to mention his sketches, preliminary artwork gives the reader a glimpse into the makings of a comic classic. The inclusion of several pages of Frank Miller's script and Mazzucchelli's breakdowns and Richmond Lewis's new coloring have given a timeless story new life.

Maybe DC will release this work as an "Absolute," edition. Failing that, this is the closest we will come to. 5 stars.

This is a MUST READ. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Gritty crime noir style, Frank Miller is an absolute genius, the artwork is really good, great old school look, great use of flat colors and negative space. I don't understand how anyone can possibly give this less than 5 stars, this is the epitome of greatness in the comic book world. I can't think of one thing to complain about. Its perfect. In every sense. Perfectly done.

Written by Frank Miller and hauntingly illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, YEAR ONE was serialized in Batman #404-407.

It tells of the first calendar year in which Batman emerged in Gotham City, beginning with Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after studying martial arts abroad. Wayne becomes a vigilante, at first without the Batman outfit, at first fumbling a bit. The sequence in which he conceives of the outfit takes the old cliché from Batman history of a bat crashing through the window and transforms it into a moving moment; YEAR ONE gives similar treatment to flashbacks showing the murder of Wayne's parents. In a city dominated by gangsters before the ascent of insane costumed criminals, Batman encounters Catwoman, here depicted as a whore who takes to the street with frustrations about gender, her sadomasochistic elements heightened. James Gordon becomes a fully-realized character for the first time, adjusting from his move from Chicago to Gotham, where the police force is dominated by corruption. He investigates Batman, suspects Wayne, has an affair, and ultimately has his child kidnapped and rescued by the vigilante he sought to bring down. In a tough city, he goes from crusader against Batman to the first stages of his relationship with Batman.

A masterful work, BATMAN: YEAR ONE possesses a level of realism greater than perhaps any Batman tale and, with a breakneck pace, does the hard work of describing the humble beginnings of Batman's career, performing in the process a remarkable process of infusing Bruce Wayne, James Gordon, and Selina Kyle with true character, personality, and history.

This is the second best Batman story ever made, second only (perhaps) to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.

-- Julian Darius, Sequart.com (for sophisticated study of comic books and graphic novels)

Following up on his 1986 renovation of the Batman myth with "The Dark Knight Returns", Frank Miller teamed with David Mazzucchelli to produce "Batman: Year One", a novel retelling of how Bruce Wayne came to don tights to fight crime.
Miller's Gotham City is a corrupt and festering cesspool, much as he would later depict in his Sin City series. Two good men come to town to clean things up: Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon, a new detective on the Gotham police force fresh from his role in cleaning up another police department.
Wayne himself has returned to his hometown after a long absence, during which he trained himself to become a vigilante. Wayne's first foray into crimefighting nearly ends in disaster, but leads him ultimately to adopt the Batman motif to frighten criminals. Gordon becomes his unlikely ally as he strives to clean up Gotham's police department.
The writing remains more mature and gritty than the typical comic book fare of the time. Batman is not the invincible denizen of the dark we've come to know and love, but an awkward guy in a goofy costume who seems always to be within an inch of death. Gordon is no paragon of virtue either; the main subplot deals with his affair with another cop while his wife waits to give birth to his son.
The result is a gripping, gritty, and ultimately redeeming tale which once again reinvents the familiar figure of the Batman.

It was on okay read. I don't read much DC at all, so I don't really know how it compares to its contemporaries. Also, since most of my Batman exposure is from the movies and Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, it seemed pretty much the same as the rest. Nothing really to make it stand out. Compared to The Dark Knight Returns, the artwork is much more enjoyable. It's not really in the same vein as most current books, but it's not as... childish/cartoony as some other big Batman books.

Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining read, but it all seemed like I'd seen it before. One review I saw mentioned something like, this is where the modern Batman started. That could explain why it didn't seem too special. It's what we've come to expect from Batman in general.

Frank Miller opens this absolutely must own graphic novel classic from 1987-88 by telling us that if the only Batman we remember was Adam West on Saturday mornings, then we do not know the Batman he once met, a much darker batman, a more real batman, the kind of Batman that Tim Burton would succeed somewhat in bringing to the screen in 1989, but Batman: Year One is just so much better in so many ways, and probably will remain better than any movie or television program you can expect to see or have seen. If you want to know Batman, then you should really be meeting him right here.

I especially like the Batman: Year one story. It is an excellent beginning, lots of in-jokes and capturing moments, even on-the-edge of the seat suspense, almost 100 pages of intense artwork. It is about the beginning of Batman like you have never seen it before, but also and probably more importantly, includes the beginning of Commissioner Gordon, a Lieutenant Gordon here, with a pregnant wife, who comes to Gotham City and finds his whole department on the take. The millionaire Bruce Wayne, has been training to become a vigilante since his parents where murdered by a gang of thieves. It is a psychological condition of revenge. He is trying to find the right formula to scare his victims. When he does, he goes up against the same criminals and kingpins that Lieutenant Gordon finds himself up against, no Jokers or Penguins here, but regular underworld types making it all the more level-headed, and thus a more accepting Batman and story. Batman fails in first few attempts, but manages miraculously to survive and continue on, both Gordon and Batman building their careers as crime fighters in Gotham City throughout the pages, a surprise bonus Catwoman introduced in the final act which sees the new crime-fighting duo of Batman and Gordon finally meeting up, without any sign of Robin among the 96 pages, this is certainly an alternative Batman and probably the best one. Miller's look is a murky color bleeding hard edges and smears, resulting in a Batman graphic novel that takes your breath away. The action sequences are better than any movie I can think off to date, your eyes go wide open from frame to frame as this is the kind of animate Batman you have always wanted to see in action. It is not the kind of high quality artwork you see in advanced graphic novels, this was a series character that had to meet publication dates, but is still gloriously presented none the less. Just check out the sequence with Batman in the burning building fighting the SWAT team. It is the end of Chapter Two and most of Chapter 3. That is some of the best action sequences you have ever seen committed to the page.

I would suggest that you also try and get "Batman: The Dark Night Returns" as that was the other Batman graphic novel and "Batman: The Dark Night Strikes Again", totally different types of art to Year One, as these are both Frank Miller's work, the sequels to Batman: Year One, are mostly other artists, DC comics has a list at the back, very interesting ones at that also, like Alan Moore's Batman: Killing Joke, but get all of Miller's Batman before you try any other Year One or Year Two books. I would also recommend that you actually try a BEST OF GRAPHIC NOVELS before you venture down any path. And for those who are hearing that they must read and see some graphic novels to get to know Batman, let me ask you this. Do you like to read? Do you like movies? Then why don't you try Graphic Novels? Comics you say? Don't say that. This stuff is art. Do you like to read? Then why not Graphic Novels? Do you like movies? Then why not Graphic Novels? Why not? Why? Because it can be... "More fun than going to the movies" - Kevin Smith, Director Clerks. **At this time of writing I do not believe that the movie Batman: Begins is related to this classic piece of art**

I've never been a big fan of DC comic books, I've always preferred Marvel Comics to DC. And I'm not even that big of a Marvel fan, I just like Spider-Man, and trust me I've got a helluva lot of Spider-Man so don't worry I'm no newbie to the world of comics. But if there is ONE DC character I really really like it's Batman. The Nolan Batman films have always been better than the Raimi Spider-Man films (well not really better there good in different ways, Nolan's films are really good serious movies and the Raimi are really good fun movies). So I was surfing the web one day and found a top ten list of Batman novels, this was number one. This was three years ago, I may be just a little bit late with this review. Now three years later I have amassed a large collection of Batman backissues (and current issues as I am currently enjoying Tony Daniels, as of this writing, current run on the Batman series) and graphic novels, and I can honestly say that Batman Year One my first Batman comic is still my very favorite.

This story captures the realism and grit of Gordon, and Batman, and Gotham. It's probably one of the most realistic Batman stories and cements Batman's place in the real world. The storytelling is skilled and it is probably Frank Miller's greatest work (it's definetly better than his modern stuff... DEFINETLY) and the narration switching between Gordon and Bruce feels like things these character's would say if they were real, and I just get an immense ammount of joy that Bruce's narration is written in script. But my favorite part of this stor is that it doesn't treat the reader's like there morons it doesn't explain everything becsause it knows that the mature readers reading the book will understand, my favorite example of this is when after being interviewed by Gordon Harvey Dent turns to behind his desk and tells Batman that it's safe to come out. The narration doesn't say "DENT IS WORKING WITH BATMAN, DURPA DURPA!" but you know that they are.

In short all I can say is... buy this book!

Anyone who enjoyed the Btaman Begins movie will savor this Frank Miller retelling of Batman's first year as a crime fighter. Miller script is tight like his previous works or his Sin City stuff.

It is the retelling of this classic that makes it interesting. In the hands of a storyteller like Miller, this work isn't ancient history retold..it is like the Man of Steel Mini series (and Graphic Novel) that John Byrum did a few years ago. This is the Batman in the beginning, course and rough..not the great detective he is now

Is it worth it? This retelling of the beginning of the BATMEN canon is pure GOLD to my eyes. Note to Frank Miller, I love Kevin Smith's Green Arrow--but would you take a Stab at it, PLEASE!

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

Batman Year One was not just a re-introduction to Batman, but my real introduction to its author Frank Miller. Never had I read a comic that came to life and provoked such emotion and wonderment while reading it. The story is an astonishing retelling of the Batman legend, but also filled with that gritty, raw edge that Frank Miller brings to his comics. I found myself not wanting to put the book down; and once finished I only wanted more. This was not the campy "Caped Crusader" Adam West variety Batman that I grew up watching on TV re-runs (nor is it the annoying Batman as seen in the films by Joel "I make the worst Batman films" Schumacher). Miller's Batman is the Dark Knight, the shadowy figure scaring the hell out of criminals and staking his claim that Gotham City is his own.

What makes "Batman Year One" so good is Miller's attention to character depth and pathos. I could taste Bruce Wayne's guilt ridden conscience over his parents murder, or the pleasure Batman got from threatening Carmine Falcone as well as the worry and anxiety Jim Gordon felt when his family is threatened. Miller is a master and "Batman Year One" is reflects this. In addition, the art work of David Mazzucchelli was also a great complement to the world that Miller conjures. When remembering the story, Mazzucchelli's drawing always come to mind.

"Batman Year One" is without a doubt a classic. Definitely one that I love to read and re-read time and again.

Caesar says thumbs up!

THis sory is ver well told. I liked the art in this book, very dark , very gothic,very Batman. The story does have some flaws, like the addition of the catwoman, she wasn't needed in this story. I would also had liked it if it would have been a bit longer. BUt other than that this story is preety cool. I also liked the fact that it also told the story from Jim Gordon point of view, there is very few Batman stories which include his point of view. This is the 2nd best Batman story after the Dark Knight Returns. But is is definetely better than the awful the Dark Knight strikes again, and it's story is also better than the Joel Schumacher Batman movies.

Simply amazing. Tight writing and beautiful artwork. Minimalism at its finest. Some say Frank Miller is overrated and nowadays that may be true, but in the 1980s he was one of just a few writers that changed comics forever, being at the top of his game. He helped evolve Batman to his logical conclusion with this story and The Dark Knight Returns, finishing what guys like Denny O'Neil and Steve Englehart started in the 70s. It should also be noted that while Miller helped to shape Batman in a long line of other writers, he is 100% responsible for the way Gordon is portrayed in modern Batman comics. After Year One, Gordon became my favorite supporting character in Batman's world (even more so than Alfred or any of the Robins). I have heard people complain that this is more of a Gordon story than Batman's but I don't see it--both characters share an equal amount of page space and story time. It is after all, a story of how these two characters early in their careers realize that they need one another if they are to succeed in their mission to clean up a corrupt city. Mazzucchelli's art is amazing in its simplicity and effectiveness and is more in tune with my taste in art now than say fifteen years ago when I worshipped someone like Jim Lee-So if your younger, this may not appeal to you.
Final Verdict: This is a story you simply must read/own if you are a fan of Batman or Noir stories. Or if you would like to read the handful of stories/series that changed comics forever in the 80s.......oh, and it is INFINITELY BETTER THAN ZERO YEAR by Scott Snyder (ugh)

I bought this comic book with the expectation that this was the inspiration from Christopher Nolan and David Goyer for Batman Begins screenplay. I will never be dissapointed, Frank Miller really took Batman to the next level. He's the true influence for the dark knight that we know in the present. This is a very valuable item in my small comic collection, buy i promess it'll be enormous.
I could note many details taken from this comic that were incorporated in the Nolan's movie, and it was a passionated quest compare all those facts matching. It worth it.
Now i understand that the comic books are a very important art expression in the culture of the world. This is my favorite hero (Well, he says he's not a hero), and his origins in the comics always will be a precedent for any animated or real motion picture. I recommend it.

It's a relief to confirm I wasn't just imagining that Frank Miller was once upon a time one of the best writers working in comix. I was beginning to doubt my memory in light of his execrable recent work. "Batman: Year One" shows signs of the self-parody Miller was to become: His portrayals of tortured supercop Jim Gordon and dominatrix whore Selina Kyle are over the top, but otherwise this miniseries fits in his revolutionary oeuvre. It's a back-to-basics Batman darkened with a noirish grit that may be commonplace now but wasn't back when Miller revamped the character. David Mazzucchelli's sketchy artwork perfectly complements the moody action. Perhaps Miller should go back and reread this to reacquaint himself with the vibrant artist he once was.

For all the none comic book fans out there, if you pick up only one comic book in your lifetime, make it Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns." However, if you pick up two, make "Batman: Year One" (also by Miller) the other one. Basically, this is a retelling of the earliest days of Bruce Wayne's career as Batman, which neatly parallels then Lieutenant Jim Gordon's earliest days in the Gotham police force, before he becomes comissioner.
The artwork in this book is outstanding but what really sets this apart is the storyline. Miller basically with this book and "Dark Knight Returns" completely redefined the Batman mythology, turning Batman from a sometimes campy, sometimes sci-fi-ish character into something gritty, psychological and startlingly real. In fact, Miller has been pegged by Warner Brothers to script the new Batman movies so if you want a glimpse at what may unfold in them, look no further.

Prior to rating this title, I had yet to give any comic book 5 stars. I am not at all hesitant about giving this book that rating. I must say, as I've said before, that this rating does come with the understanding that this is a comic book and not a novel--the two media accomplish entirely different things. That said, this was far from the average, run-of-the-mill Batman yarn (well, while it's very much about Batman, it's just as much if not moreso James Gordon's story). But to me, that shows a kind of maturity. And I believe this book requires some maturity from the reader, too--not because it's gritty so much (it's not objectionable, or hardly at all), but really because this book is not through-and-through a ripping action story. It has such parts, but it's much more an introduction to the characters themselves, as individuals rather than as masked entities. I'd recommend it to anyone who's old enough to care what might happen to the alter-egos and the "normal" people (i.e. Gordon himself) when the monthly plots aren't going full-swing...more "mainstream," I'd say, for the non-fans in the world, than the typical superhero monthlies.

If you come to this book looking for end-to-end Batman action, you may come away surprised, but I doubt you'll be disappointed. In tone, this book shares something with Miller's preceding Batman opus, The Dark Night Returns, in that it sets up the whole milieu in which Batman appears, the culture on which he's trying to make an impact.

It is also as much about Jim Gordon as it is about Bruce Wayne/Batman. Other key players in the Batman passion-play make appearances of varying impact (Alfred, Selina Kyle, Harvey Dent), but by and large this book lays out how Gordon and the Batman become unlikely partners. It's well-done, laying out step-by-step how this man who is so obviously commited to the idea of the rule of law comes to trust and even work with a man who believes that rule of law must take second place to justice. This is as much a story about a upright cop making his way in a corrupt police force as it is about Bruce donning the tights, and is the stronger for it.

Miller's great strength is characterisation and this book is no exception - much of it is in fact scripted as interior monologues from Gordon and Bruce, and he effectively evokes the way each character thinks. What spoken dialogue appears in the book is sparingly used, almost like a noir thriller. In fact, one can see elements from this book carrying through into the Sin City books that Miller began writing soon after.

Mazucchelli's art is excellent, walking a fine line - as he himself admits - between the realism that the noir approach demands, and the the fantastical that a guy running around in a cape throwing batarangs equally requires. As he says, superheroes don't really stand up to realistic representation, it needs that step of artistic remove to 'keep it real'. Still, the art is excellent in a gritty, kinetic way that seems relatively normal now but was striking back in the mid-80s.

And if you are looking at this book after having seen Batman Begins, and wondering if there's a connection, just buy it and try to spot how many things Cris Nolan lifted from it wholesale...

Batman: Year One narrates the origins of Bruce Wayne's conscious decision to becoming the Dark Knight. In this comic, the reader is introduced to familiar characters such as Selina Kyle, the future Commissioner Gorden, and Falconi (the same gangster from the Batman Begins movie).

Batman: Year One is the first "true" American comic I've read. My own history of comics is related to mindlessly flipping through the pages of my brother's Ghost Rider and Terminator series, and my own collection of shojo manga. My first exposure to the Western comic mainstream was not American by whole, as I was first introduced to Alan Moore prior to any of the American comic geniuses such as Stan Lee and Bob Kane. As a first-time reader of American comics, I must say that I am pleasantly surprised, but found myself wanting more out of Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. For starters, I am comparing the comic to Batman Begins, as the movie was inspired by some of the parts in the comic. I feel the movie does a better job showing and explaining the origin's of Brue Wayne's endeavor to becoming the Dark Knight. Such as how he got the car, made his Batarangs, etc. If the reader had no previous knowledge of where Bruce gets all his toys and how he makes them, they would not have known how he got them in the first place. Which must drive the Joker crazy to know that Batman's toys are better than his!

BOTTOM LINE: Batman: Year One is my first exposure to American comics, as I have always considered myself a Manga reader. I am pleasantly surprised by the depth of the story and the development of the characters. There are a few plotholes in the story, specifically with how Bruce gets his car and how he makes his weapons, as they were shown in the movie Batman Begins. What Frank Miller's Batman: Year One does successfully, however, is prick my interest in wanting to read more American comics. My next read is Batman Hush by Jeph Loeb, with artwork by Jim Lee.

Batman Year One is truly where Batman begins. Through the years I've read issues of Detective and Batman's different series but never really got into them. I had seen the movies, watched the cartoons, and played with the toys; that was enough for me. Then Batman Begins came out in theaters. It sparked an interest like nothing else had. So I set out to see what Batman was all about.

That's when I was turned to Frank Millers Year One. You can tell from the very beginning that the people behind the movie where influenced heavily by this material. The story is Bruce Wayne taking on the persona of Batman and his first year. It is great to see him go up against gangsters while being a detective.

The only down side about this book is that the art is very stylized. It is not for everyone that is for sure. It took me a while to get used to it but after I did wow. The story is well worth the read. This is an excellent place to start for anyone who wants to get into Batman.

The deluxe edition is awesome because you get to see some of the sketches and other work that went into this book. Pick this up for the ultimate collector even if they have Year One all ready.

My favorite Frank Miller comic of all time! An absolute classic Batman story (as well as one of the best Jim Gordon stories ever) that is portrayed is a very realistic way. Highly recommended to all! A great starting point for new fans!

I like Year One better than Miller's the Dark Knight Returns. The reason being is that Miller keeps the character of Batman more in tuned to what is, in my opinion, the true Batman. In the Dark Knight Returns, Batman comes across as too much of an anti-hero who is rebelling against the "system". I felt Miller may have injected too many of his political views into that story. However, in Year One I do not feel this is the case. Overall, this is a very interesting take on Batman's origin. Also, the story focuses quite a bit on Gordon as well. Anyone who liked the movie Batman Begins should read Batman: Year One.

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!

I might be missing something here but I found myself just reading this novel, not truly experiencing it. I think what this story misses is an antagonist. The story of Bruce's transition to Batman is always interesting, but this one could have used an obstacle for Batman to overcome (and not just the struggle of becoming a vigilante). Overall this novel was OK.

If "Batman: Year One" had been called, more appropriately, "Commissioner Gordon: Year One," I would have given this book five stars. Unfortuneately, the book is titled, and marketed as a Batman adventure, and while it is definately good, it falls short of greatness.

The biggest problem in my opinion is that the book is too short; it's titled "Year One" and takes place over the course of one year, but rushes through this time to the point of becoming shallow. The Batman is more a peripheral character, never going beyond a two-dimensional comic book protagonist. For being a book based on Bruce Wayne's emergence as Batman, we really don't understand his transformation and its causes. We are treated only to one glimpse of HOW he becomes the Dark Knight, but never get an explanation of his Bat-persona or his methods for fighting crime. In a book telling Batman's amateur days, I would have expected much more learning and discovery, both of his character and the tricks-of-the-trade of Batman's job.

Instead of Batman, Miller focuses almost double the time on Jim Gordon and his emergence in Gotham. I do not complain about learning more about Gordon; he is a great character and has always been a personal favorite of mine, but Miller really makes him interesting and human throughout the story. It's Gordon that makes "Year One" a worthwhile experience and a fantastic book. Miller should have dedicated this story to Jim Gordon and focused on a much more comprehensive tale of Batman's neophyte years.

Finally, for some reason we also see the emergence of Catwoman. In a book that is only long enough to develop one of its main characters, this subplot ultimately distracted me. Selina's character cannot be nearly as developed as it needs to be; she pops in and out of story and really only takes panel space away from Batman and Gordon.

Overall this is a worthwhile experience; the story is still entertaining and affecting. I would recommend trying to find a cheaper version, though. The graphic novel and its accoutrements are less than special in this special edition. Mazzuchelli provides an entertainging, if not flat, little commentary on Batman's history, and Miller writes a strange, overly-heavy, imagery-laced account of his early experiences with Batman as a child. Neither of which qualify as special features. The edition also includes many of Mazzuchelli's pencillings, juxtaposed next to the paintings or finished pages. A neat idea, but the sparse commentary on these pages makes most of what we see a mystery.

Even though I spent all my words criticizing this story, I still am happy I purchased this book. I guess that's what counts most.

My original rating for the story is actually 4 stars. But with all the awsome extras thrown into this stylish hard cover graphic novel it's hard to give it 4. The writing in this batman book is exceptional, Frank Miller realy does it again in the batman series. As for the art, the style is a little retro, but still impressive.

This one is certainly worth buying, but if you want absolutely brilliant batman books, go for The dark knight returns, arkham asylum, and the long halloween. I reccomend this one in anyone's graphic novel collection, especialy if you like or LOVE batman.

I didn't know what to make of this when I read it in the original serialized form - I didn't initially enjoy the story or the art. A distinct departure from his work on "Dark Knight", Miller's writing is nonetheless effective in portraying the first adventures of Batman. Mazzucchelli's art is actually quite fitting for the story: very simple, but heavy on lines and shadows, sort of like Alex Toth. I've grown to treasure this book. Plus, the storyline with Jim Gordon is very good.

Even Miller himself doesn't have to be over the top ala Dark Knight Returns and Dark Knight Strikes back. The man can pen a well written story with shoving things down our throats. Here we are introduced to Carmine "The Roman" Falcone and how organized crime has taken a permanent residence in Gotham City. You can tell Nolan and Goyer were influenced by this piece of work in Begins. The inner monologue of Bruce Wayne hinting at his pent up frustation of the plague that infests Gotham City as he manifests that anger into the form of the Batman flows beautifully from the pages. I personally will take this over the ever overrated Dark Knight Returns any day!

Where to begin?

The story is deep, engaging, and amazing - probably my favourite of all the Batman graphic novels.

The art is perfect, it is detailed and interesting and the colouring matches the tone of the artwork perfectly.

The lettering is also great, with the different styles matching the narrative of the character well.

I don't understand what this deluxe edition has added to what was a perfect book, other than that - this is an essential purchase.

I was excited to read this graphic novel since it is considered to be one of the top Batman stories to be printed. However, when I finally got to read it, the story felt rushed, and the whole thing seemed to be from Sparknotes rather than the actual text. With a day being one panel on a page, I began to find myself wishing I could see more of what happened. Especially towards the end, everything seemed to fall into place too easily. The friendship between Batman and Gordon seemed to pull a 180 between the two last pages.

Even though the story had it's problems, I enjoyed that we got to see both Batman and Gordon start their careers, and both of their hardships and emotional strain that each of them go through. We finally get to see the Gotham Police truly corrupt, rather than simply being told. This is the only part of the story Miller shows us what is needed to make a great story.

Check it out or borrow it from a friend, it may grow on you. It was a quick read, had good writing, nice artwork, decent, but known story, and never really quite fit all into a nice little package for me.

Ever since I picked up the first issue of this miniseries back in the 80's it's been my favorite. The minimalist artwork, the coloring and the story itself blend together in a masterpiece. This version of the birth of the crimefighter has been the inspiration for Tim Burton's Batman (1989) and for Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins as well.

This extended edition has lots of interesting "goodies" that flesh out how the story evolved from concept to reality.

You may not be a comic book fan, but I'm pretty sure you'll like this. If you liked "Batman Begins", then I know you won't be disappointed here.

Not the best art in my opinion (after all it is the mid 80's) but, since it is the first bat-graphic-novel I have read I can tell you that it is most definately five-star quality which makes up for the art-style ten-fold. Not everyone may feel the same way about the art. I just like modern-art better. More year 2000 style. But anyway, this is most definately a must have for any batfan. I can see where Batman Begins got its ideas from and if they follow this type of quality they'll rival even the spiderman franchise. And to me that's sayin alot! Definately get this.

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!

I might be missing something here but I found myself just reading this novel, not truly experiencing it. I think what this story misses is an antagonist. The story of Bruce's transition to Batman is always interesting, but this one could have used an obstacle for Batman to overcome (and not just the struggle of becoming a vigilante). Overall this novel was OK.

If "Batman: Year One" had been called, more appropriately, "Commissioner Gordon: Year One," I would have given this book five stars. Unfortuneately, the book is titled, and marketed as a Batman adventure, and while it is definately good, it falls short of greatness.

The biggest problem in my opinion is that the book is too short; it's titled "Year One" and takes place over the course of one year, but rushes through this time to the point of becoming shallow. The Batman is more a peripheral character, never going beyond a two-dimensional comic book protagonist. For being a book based on Bruce Wayne's emergence as Batman, we really don't understand his transformation and its causes. We are treated only to one glimpse of HOW he becomes the Dark Knight, but never get an explanation of his Bat-persona or his methods for fighting crime. In a book telling Batman's amateur days, I would have expected much more learning and discovery, both of his character and the tricks-of-the-trade of Batman's job.

Instead of Batman, Miller focuses almost double the time on Jim Gordon and his emergence in Gotham. I do not complain about learning more about Gordon; he is a great character and has always been a personal favorite of mine, but Miller really makes him interesting and human throughout the story. It's Gordon that makes "Year One" a worthwhile experience and a fantastic book. Miller should have dedicated this story to Jim Gordon and focused on a much more comprehensive tale of Batman's neophyte years.

Finally, for some reason we also see the emergence of Catwoman. In a book that is only long enough to develop one of its main characters, this subplot ultimately distracted me. Selina's character cannot be nearly as developed as it needs to be; she pops in and out of story and really only takes panel space away from Batman and Gordon.

Overall this is a worthwhile experience; the story is still entertaining and affecting. I would recommend trying to find a cheaper version, though. The graphic novel and its accoutrements are less than special in this special edition. Mazzuchelli provides an entertainging, if not flat, little commentary on Batman's history, and Miller writes a strange, overly-heavy, imagery-laced account of his early experiences with Batman as a child. Neither of which qualify as special features. The edition also includes many of Mazzuchelli's pencillings, juxtaposed next to the paintings or finished pages. A neat idea, but the sparse commentary on these pages makes most of what we see a mystery.

Even though I spent all my words criticizing this story, I still am happy I purchased this book. I guess that's what counts most.

My original rating for the story is actually 4 stars. But with all the awsome extras thrown into this stylish hard cover graphic novel it's hard to give it 4. The writing in this batman book is exceptional, Frank Miller realy does it again in the batman series. As for the art, the style is a little retro, but still impressive.

This one is certainly worth buying, but if you want absolutely brilliant batman books, go for The dark knight returns, arkham asylum, and the long halloween. I reccomend this one in anyone's graphic novel collection, especialy if you like or LOVE batman.

I didn't know what to make of this when I read it in the original serialized form - I didn't initially enjoy the story or the art. A distinct departure from his work on "Dark Knight", Miller's writing is nonetheless effective in portraying the first adventures of Batman. Mazzucchelli's art is actually quite fitting for the story: very simple, but heavy on lines and shadows, sort of like Alex Toth. I've grown to treasure this book. Plus, the storyline with Jim Gordon is very good.

Even Miller himself doesn't have to be over the top ala Dark Knight Returns and Dark Knight Strikes back. The man can pen a well written story with shoving things down our throats. Here we are introduced to Carmine "The Roman" Falcone and how organized crime has taken a permanent residence in Gotham City. You can tell Nolan and Goyer were influenced by this piece of work in Begins. The inner monologue of Bruce Wayne hinting at his pent up frustation of the plague that infests Gotham City as he manifests that anger into the form of the Batman flows beautifully from the pages. I personally will take this over the ever overrated Dark Knight Returns any day!

Where to begin?

The story is deep, engaging, and amazing - probably my favourite of all the Batman graphic novels.

The art is perfect, it is detailed and interesting and the colouring matches the tone of the artwork perfectly.

The lettering is also great, with the different styles matching the narrative of the character well.

I don't understand what this deluxe edition has added to what was a perfect book, other than that - this is an essential purchase.

I was excited to read this graphic novel since it is considered to be one of the top Batman stories to be printed. However, when I finally got to read it, the story felt rushed, and the whole thing seemed to be from Sparknotes rather than the actual text. With a day being one panel on a page, I began to find myself wishing I could see more of what happened. Especially towards the end, everything seemed to fall into place too easily. The friendship between Batman and Gordon seemed to pull a 180 between the two last pages.

Even though the story had it's problems, I enjoyed that we got to see both Batman and Gordon start their careers, and both of their hardships and emotional strain that each of them go through. We finally get to see the Gotham Police truly corrupt, rather than simply being told. This is the only part of the story Miller shows us what is needed to make a great story.

Check it out or borrow it from a friend, it may grow on you. It was a quick read, had good writing, nice artwork, decent, but known story, and never really quite fit all into a nice little package for me.

Ever since I picked up the first issue of this miniseries back in the 80's it's been my favorite. The minimalist artwork, the coloring and the story itself blend together in a masterpiece. This version of the birth of the crimefighter has been the inspiration for Tim Burton's Batman (1989) and for Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins as well.

This extended edition has lots of interesting "goodies" that flesh out how the story evolved from concept to reality.

You may not be a comic book fan, but I'm pretty sure you'll like this. If you liked "Batman Begins", then I know you won't be disappointed here.

Not the best art in my opinion (after all it is the mid 80's) but, since it is the first bat-graphic-novel I have read I can tell you that it is most definately five-star quality which makes up for the art-style ten-fold. Not everyone may feel the same way about the art. I just like modern-art better. More year 2000 style. But anyway, this is most definately a must have for any batfan. I can see where Batman Begins got its ideas from and if they follow this type of quality they'll rival even the spiderman franchise. And to me that's sayin alot! Definately get this.

This book was my very first graphic novel. I'll be honest, after the greatness that is Batman Begins was released in theaters, I had to see where this origin came from in the first place. Frank Miller's Batman: Year One is what I found, and it does not disappoint in any imaginable way.

The art is excellent and surprisingly vivid after seeing shots from the Sin City comics, also by Frank Miller. The story is equally fantastic, providing not only Batman's origin, but a background on several very prominent characters within the Gotham City universe, including the future commissioner Gordon and even Catwoman. Other familiar names are mentioned in the characters' speech as well.

It's really difficult to find any flaws in this book. The Catwoman story felt a little tacked on, but this detail is miniscule. Each and every frame is crafted to perfection, making this a must-own for all who enjoy graphic novels, and especially Batman.

David Mazzucchelli is a n awesome artist. He makes Batman come alive. He should do many mnay more Batman books.

Frank Miller is a n awesome writer. This is a better book than The Dark Knight Returns, I think for several reasons. This book needs less background. It is more "stand-alone." It also has a more real feel. No "mutants" or swastika wearing, topless robbers. Yeah. Buy this one first, then buy The Dark Knight Returns, as it is still a very good book.

Frank Miller is an awesome writer. There's really no argument there.
And this graphic novel is definitely one of his best.
This is basically an origin story both for Batman and Jim Gordon.
It explores how both men came to be who they are in future references.
I only gave it four stars because it does tend to focus more on Gordon than Batman, and I didn't buy "Gordon:year one".
But that's not to be discounted in any way.If anything, this book makes Gordon look like a straight up bad-ass.
And even tho I would've liked to see more Batman action, its still a great read.
Again, Miller wrote it, so its got that noir feeling to it which I'm a giant fan of. Alot of that inner monologue, detailing how grimy and corrupt Gotham is, that kind of thing.
Here's what you need to consider.
If you like Batman, or Miller's work, you should get it.
If you're looking to get into Batman or Miller's work, you should definitely get it.

This story has two streams, a Jim Gordon stream, and a Bruce Wayne stream, detailing their early history opposing crime in Gotham. Gordon is now an honest cop having to fight his Commissioner, head detective and the criminals. Batman is much the same, but Gordon is after him too, and after he screws up and gets hurt badly, he comes up with the Batman persona.

Gordon also has marriage problems, particularly involving an attractive fellow cop.

Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli have outdone themselves with one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) Batman stories ever told! Ladies and gentlemen, if you have only seen the Batman movies and found them unsatisfying and if you want to learn the one, true story of Gotham's protector, then do yourself a favor and buy this exceptional work of art! Sleek, powerful, frightening, and liberating, BATMAN:YEAR ONE is must reading for Batman and comic book fans alike!

Another classic graphic novel by Frank Miller. Though I love the Batman that can take out 20 goons at the same time and can take on the whole Justice League, this is not that in the slightest and I still love it. This is also not a story that is all about Batman, and I have seen some people complain about that, but I really like how you get to look into the head of Jim Gordan. Overall this is a great book, and a great point to start reading Batman.

It is a shame that, Tim Burton's excellent two outings notwithstanding, the Batman of film and television is the one that is most solidly rooted in the collective psyche of the public. What many current readers may not remember, however, is that the campiness of the 1966-68 TV show was reflected in, and fed off the Batman titles at the time.
All of that changed when Dennis O'Neil took over the writing chores and returned the character to the dark roots laid out by the late, great, Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Dennis O'Neil brought Batman comics into and through puberty. Frank Miller brought them into adulthood.
Along with the brilliant "Dark Knight Returns," "Year One" bookends the saga of Bruce Wayne by re-interpreting and sometimes redefining the character's roots. In so doing, Frank Miller laid the foundation for the character that today populates the monthly titles. Although not as grim as "Dark Knight," "Year One" nonetheless hits closer to home and is, in my opinion, the best introduction to the character for anyone unfamiliar with it outside of film and TV.
The parallel struggles of Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon to "clean up a city that likes being dirty" are brilliantly rendered by Miller, possibly the finest comics writer EVER. Miller's Jim Gordon is a far cry from the incompetent beat cop shown in movies and TV. He is a passionate, crusading man, the sort of cop Bruce Wayne might have been in another reality.
Opinions have always been strong one way or the other about the art in "Year One." For my money, you couldn't ask for more. Mazzucchelli's pencils work wonders even beyond what he did in "Daredevil: Born Again," and the coloring is particularly striking in its subtlety, even more so when you consider the "beat you over the head" standards of late-'80s comics.
All in all, this is the definitive Batman origin story. That Miller, Mazzucchelli and Lewis also manage to turn it into one of the finest Batman stories ever told is evidenced by the lasting impact it had on all subsequent interpretations of the characters involved. An all-around winner.

This is where you need to start if you want to get into the modern era of Batman Comics. This was Batman's reboot after Crisis. A graphic novel doesn't get much better than this. The spotlight is equally shared with a young Jim Gordon. A lot of the ideas from this book were incorporated into Mask of the Phantasm and the Nolan Batman movies. Go out and buy it. Absolutely 100% essential for Batman fans.

This book is consistently the number 1 rated/ranked Batman graphic novel of all time. However, I picked it up in September 2011. When you have been to so many other modern Batman interpretations, this book loses it's shine big time! However, I can see that within the context and period it was originally published (1980s I believe) it is groundbreaking.

The problem is the modern interpretations of Batman and Catwoman are my favourites. The work of Jeff Loeb in Hush, The Long Halloween and Dark Victory; as well as Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight - has elevated Batman to a new profound level of a symbol of justice and dark altruism; with a deeply complex psychology behind Batman and his supporting characters.

This book, in today's context, is weak and a bit dull frankly. It heavily influenced a scene in Batman Begins, and unfortunately, there isn't much else to the book outside this scene (now embodied in film) that is interesting or unique. Catwoman makes an appearance, and is a far departure from the Selena we know of the 2010s - and frankly wasn't an interesting character at all. The artwork is definitely not my cup o' joe either. Going for the realistic feel very far removed from the superhero style.

So my point is that new readers should not hype themselves up. It is a historically important story, that built the foundation for today's excellence; but itself, does not achieve greatness.

I really enjoy Frank Miller's vision of Batman, but this isn't my favorite of his works. I feel like the he missed an excellent opportunity to emphasize the moral ambiguity of an amateur vigilante. There are some scenes to suggest this, but the medium a short work like this doesn't allow the author ample time to develop such complex ideas. What I really want is a sequal, a Batman: Year Two.

Definitely a different, almost noir feel to Batman, perhaps the star in this is Jim Gordon - who is also the most tainted in this newer approach.

A well told tale that might not be good for canon but definitely works here. These are men who are willing to compromise on some level in their battle for good, but Miller gives us a world where maybe that is the only way to achieve some level of justice.

The Batman has proven to be one of the most interesting and resilient archetypes of American superheroes. His humble beginnings as a 1930s comic book character dreamt up by young artist Bob Kane have led to many incarnations and retellings of his story in comic, live action, and animated form. Some have been dark, some campy, most somewhere in between. Here is a character that lends himself to many different interpretations.

Batman: Year One is the definite interpretation of Batman in comic book form, the perfect telling of the Batman mythos and its origin, in my mind. Yes, it can be fun to see Batman as a campy, self-parodying character (Adam West in a batsuit), a team player among other superheroes (many incarnations of the Justice League), or a man at his grimmest extreme (Miller's more famous work, The Dark Knight Returns). But here is a story that takes Batman back to the grim figure of the night, driven by the murder of his parents, that Bob Kane first envisioned and wrote.

Year One is often eclipsed by Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. While the latter work has been undoubtedly more influential on comics as a whole, it is also an atypical portrait of Batman, one of the character taken to an extreme. For Year One, Miller focuses instead on the core identity of the character.

The tale of Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham and debut as the Batman after twelve years of training abroad is juxtaposed with the tale of James Gordon, a newly-arrived cop in Gotham, who becomes one of the few good cops in a city full of corrupt men. The juxtaposition works well: the two men have the same goal, just different ways of reaching it.

The story is dark, but not overwhelmingly so. Batman fights no supervillains here (though the story's sole misstep is introducing Selena Kyle, pre-Catwoman, in an unresolved subplot). The police are as much his enemies as the city's crooks. The characters are realistically drawn, right down to their very human failings. This Batman has the skills to perform his mission, but not the experience. This Gordon does his admirable best to make Gotham City a good place for his unborn child and wife, but finds himself strongly attracted to another women.

Praise must be given to artist David Mazzucchelli and colorist Richmond Lewis. Mazzucchelli's sparse (but not minimalistic) art style and Lewis's muted hues complement the plot impeccably. Even the lettering by Todd Klein shines, using subtly different fonts for the two protagonist's internal thoughts (a stylistic device now common in comics, replacing older telegraphic narration, but ahead of its time when this book was published).

Fans of Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins take note: this book is its spiritual inspiration. Newcomers to comic books needn't fear: this book requires no foreknowledge of the characters. And fans of fiction in general may well be suprised at how strong the book's literary merits are.

This is Batman as he's meant to be, as he should be.

This is my favorite batman comic. Frank Miller's writing is poetic and noire, mixed with great artwork = total immersion into Gotham City and the dawn of one of the greatest super heroes ever created. If you are a fan of graphic novels/batman/good writing this is a must read.

I LOVE this book. It is a great summary of the early career of the dark knight and a fantastic way for anyone who loves Batman to learn more about him. It's especially great for anyone who wants to learn more, but doesn't feel like tracking down and buying the early issues. The art inside is really good, but doesn't overshadow the writing. Seriously, get this book. You will not regret it.

My boyfriend has been haranguing me for ages to read a graphic novel: he's something of a connoisseur, I'm a comic virgin. He recommended 'Year One' to me as a classic of the genre.

I have to admit I was a bit baffled by it all. The graphic novel is a form I just don't get!

The story seemed fragmented, more as if I was coming to it having missed the beginning. To me it also ended mid-stream, just as the narrative was getting interesting. The whole Selina strand was completely undeveloped, like the start of a story that's forgotten. I was also surprised how much Gordon dominated things.

Which brings me to Batman himself. As a fan of the film 'Batman Begins' - and given this is Year One, i.e. the origin of it all - I thought there would be a lot more substance to his backstory. But it's all quite thin and unengaging. In fact, one of my criticisms is how many gaps there are in the story telling. I assume this is intentional and as the reader you're supposed to fill these in - but I felt a bit cheated.

I don't know enough about the artwork to comment on it (though Monsieur DLR tells me it's some of the best).

So overall how was my first graphic novel experience? It was OK (hence 3 stars) I'd certainly try another but I can't say it thrilled me. Sorry to all the fans and 5 star reviewers out there. Like I said: I just don't understand the form.

There exists no proper description that can give one the true sense, the excitement that this book entails. By far, one of these best Batman stories ever told. Something to be expected from now legendary writer and artist, Frank Miller. Anything written by Frank Miller (more often than not, Batman related), I would highly recommend.

This provides an interesting take on the origins of Batman, but it is equally (if not more) about Lieutenant Gordon's beginnings in Gotham City, which I didn't expect, but also didn't mind. I did enjoy the art and style, and much of the color was particularly impressive to me.

You do get to see a bit of an amateur and clumsy Batman, but I was far more intrigued by Gordon; his various conflicts seemed to hold a stronger influence throughout. If you're looking for a more comprehensive and in-depth portrayal of the origins of Batman himself then I would recommend Batman Begins, which seemed to be strongly influences by this series.

Overall, it was quite good but not great. If you're a fan of Batman or Miller then it's well worth the price.

In the world of Comic-Book Heros I have two favorites Batman and Swampthing. Moore Knows Swampthing and Miller Knows Batman. But not only does Miller know batman He knows the characters surrounding batman. This is Not just a batman origin but the origin of James Gordon (Soon to be commissioner) and even shows how catwoman came to be. this is a great year one for batman. I only have one beef. Batman's model kinda reminded me of campy old BAM POW KABOOOM Batman. its not really worth any real notice and really only occurs in a a few segregated places but I think Mazzucchelli could have tryed a little bit harder.

In his defense though I think the artwork is amazing Im glad Miller decided not to illustrate this one. The story itself is flawless The ending is brilliant though its more of a beginning then an ending of course.

When this miniseries first came out back in the eighties it left everyone breathless. David Mazzucchelli's art is some of the finest I've ever seen. It moves like a motion picture yet every still is ready to be framed (nice homage to the famous Hopper painting on the side: Gorden and Sgt. Essen having a late night coffee in a cafe called ... Hopper)

Frank Miller tells a story right from the beginning of the Batman saga. Bruce Wayne and Lieutenant Gordon discover they are both fighting on the same side to clean Gotham from the human filth. The only way to survive in the mess is as a team. They become friends.

On top of the fantastic graphic novel this book includes over 40 pages of sketches, layouts and script pages. Every Batman fan should have it, what do I say, this is one for you. Buy it. You won't be disappointed, I swear.

Batman is a character I've always enjoyed, but I've only recently started getting into the Batman comics. After reading Frank Miller's exceptional "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" graphic novel, I really wanted to acquire more Batman comics that depicted the characters in a similar manner: as deep, well-thought-out characters that you really feel emotionally attached to by the end of the story. The problem was that, being new to comics, I was tossed into a sea of nearly endless Batman comics, and I didn't really know where to begin.

Well, where better to start than at the very beginning?

Batman: Year One is the story of Batman's first year in Gotham City after returning from training abroad, making it the perfect book for someone unfamiliar with Batman's origins, or just looking for a fresh take on the classic story. But the book is as much about the origins of Jim Gordon, who will later become the famed police commissioner of Gotham City, as it is about Batman's beginning. The story hinges on Gordon's attempts to clean up a police force that is corrupt to its very core, and his encounters with the Batman that finally lead up to a climactic confrontation that brings both men together in their fight against crime.

Firse of all, the packaging and presentation of the story is top-notch. The book is hard bound and comes with a very nice partial sleeve that makes it look very classy. The cover itself depicts a simple black and white drawing of Batman that is quite effective for portraying what the book is about. Each chapter of the story opens with the origin comic book cover from each issue, and they are very vivid and clean. There are many extras, from an amusing illustrated afterword by the artist, David Mazzuccelli, and many pages of preliminary and promotional artwork. In the end, I felt that some of these features could have probably been dropped in favor of a slightly lower price tag, but they are nice additions that give the book a more "deluxe edition" feel.

The artwork in the story is very good. I really like David Mazzuccelli's style. He's really not entirely different from Miller himself in that his artwork isn't terribly elaborate, but is supremely effective in telling a story. Mazzuccelli really has a strength when it comes to facial expressions. You can really see how the characters feel by the looks on their faces, particularly in the more emotional spots of the book. The backgrounds and characters are beautiful, though, and the colors are very nice and vivid. The artwork brilliantly aids in telling the dark story of Batman's birth and Gordon's struggles.

The storyline is nothing short of superb as well. I've held Frank Miller in high regard ever since reading "The Dark Knight Returns", and this book is written in a very similar style. You can tell that Miller really likes using internal monologues to convey the thoughts and feelings of the characters, and they are very effective and give the story a depth that other comics don't have. The story progresses logically and is very readable. It's a great retelling of the familiar story of Batman's beginning infused with an almost literary style.

Miller is an expert at characterization. I was amazed at how much depth and likeability he could give even minor characters. A character that I found myself sympathizing with and surprisingly liking is Gordon's wife Barbara. With only powerful artwork and a few lines, I felt that she was portrayed very powerfully and believably, making her a great character that further enhances the personality and depth of Gordon. You can tell that Miller really likes Jim Gordon, as he is given more characterization than anyone else in the story. I really felt connected to the character by the end of the story, because he is so remarkably human, and not totally unlike myself. He makes mistakes, but he is in the end a good person, and I think this is what makes him so appealing, perhaps even more than Batman himself. This is not to say that the characterization of Batman is lacking in the story; quite the contrary, in fact. Bruce Wayne is also portrayed as a man who has his fair share of problems that he is trying to overcome in his never-ending fight to purge Gotham of corruption. The deep characterizations are what really make this book shine.

The only gripe I have with the storyline and characterizations is a subplot involving Catwoman in the story. While she is brilliantly portrayed, I ended up feeling as if her role in the story didn't have much meaning other than to set her up as a potential romantic interest of Batman in the future as well as a recognized rogue and thief. But her actions have relatively little bearing on where the story goes. The subplot is still enjoyable, and in the end it doesn't detract from the overall greatness of the storyline.

Some may be disappointed by the utter lack of classic Batman villains in the story. There is no Joker, no Two-Face, no Riddler, no Scarecrow, no one. Instead, Batman fights criminals that don't seem very different from the ones we find in real life. He is combating thugs and the corruption at the heart of the Gotham City: the politicians and police officers that are on the take and are part of the problem instead of the solution. I felt this gave the comic more credibility, but some will undoubtedly be disappointed that Batman isn't fighting one of his famous and colorful enemies. In fact, the only mention of one such villain in the entire book is in the very last panel on the very last page of the very last chapter.

The only major problem I have with the overall graphic novel is that it is short. The story itself is only around ninety pages. But they are a great ninety pages, and you won't be disappointed with them. But you will be left wishing that the story wouldn't end, making the length of the story the comic's greatest shortcoming.

This graphic novel is definitely a must-have for Batman fanatics, and I would heartily recommend it to people who are new to the world of Batman. After all, what better way is there to get into the world of the Dark Knight than by reading the story of where it all began?

I had been dabbling in comics for a couple of years when I first picked up "Year One", and it has had me hooked on comics ever since. Going far beyond whimsy and caprice that most people ascribe to comics, it introduced me to the power of comics as a storytelling medium. Also, its a compelling introduction to one of comics most compelling characters, The Dark Knight. Read this book!

This is a great novel. It really gives you a great origin story for Batman, and it gives you a rare look at the transition from Bruce Wayne to Batman.

It's also a great place to start if you've never read a graphic novel or aren't a huge fan of comics. Whereas something like The Dark Knight Returns (which is also excellent, by the way) is a bit more out there and imaginative, this book is a realistic, gritty approach that is an excellent read.

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.

This is my favorite Frank Miller book. I've read some of his work on Daredevil (basically what's included in Daredevil Visionaries: Frank Miller 1, 2, and 3) along with some of his other Batman stories (Dark Knight Returns, Dark Knight Strikes Back), and Batman: Year One outshines the rest. It's simple, it's gritty and I love it for that.
Year One follows the first year of Commissioner Gordon (then Lieutenant Gordon) and Batman in Gotham City. Reading about Batman barely holding his own against some two-bit thugs is such a welcome change after reading so many other books where Batman is a figure more invincible than Superman. And reading about Gordon's struggle against a corrupt police department is equally compelling. The book's only [low priced], and it's easily worth it.

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 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.

There's really not much to add to all the excellent reviews by the other people here, but I'll put in my 2 cents.

I used to be the kid that, whenever I was at a book store with my parents, I hopped over to the comic book section and just read away, not caring about continuity, and not buying either. Flash forward years ahead into my 1st year of college, I happened to be at Barnes and Noble waiting for something (I forgot what it was). I went to the comic book section and there it was, Batman: Year one.

I was captivated from the start. I remember having to leave the store part way through the book, but all I could think about was how good it was. I eventually came back about 15 minutes later and continued reading it. The time came when I HAD to leave, but I still wasn't done! So I bought it! This became the turning point in my life where I started really getting into comic books and ordering trade paperback after trade paperback from the store.

And to this day, I can honestly say that Batman: Year One is my favorite Batman story, and I've read a lot.

Excellent artwork. Excellent story. The story flows well and tension filled. Enjoyable and entertaining. What more do you want from a comic book? I have the hard cover deluxe edition that has many pages of additional artwork, sketches, pictures of scripts at the back of the book.

An introduction to the Batman that ALL batfans must have. While it is a great story as mentioned by others, it isn't the best of the Batman timeline. Use this as a jumping off point for better, more action packed Batman stories

Only after seeing the phenomenal Batman Begins did I seek out this fabulous graphic novel. I was absolutely floored to learn that it predates Tim Burton's take on the Bat. Miller really delves into the psyche of the traumatized Bruce Wayne It offers a dark, harsh picture of Gotham City and the one officer who was willing to fight the corruption present. Anyone who reads this novel will totally forget that there was ever a '60s TV calamity called Batman.

Frank Miller - that says it right there. Anyone who's read Batman: The Dark Knight Returns knows exactly how capable he is with this character of writing an amazing story. Many of us know how Batman began, but this gives us a totally new perspective - it makes the Dark Knight more human... and it does the same thing to Jim Gordon. One one hand, it makes him more dangerous (his fight with that fellow Detective) and on the other, more sympathetic (his love of his wife, and yet his very visible humanity, shown in his affair).

The only thing to say is that if you're interested in an evening of good reading, take this and BM: TDKR (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), and even TDKSA (Dark Knight Strikes Again), settle back, and you've got some well-drawn pages ahead of your eyes.

This book contains the batman origin story as well as the events of Bruce Wayne's first year as the Batman. It's a good story and inspired at least two scenes in The Dark Knight. He doesn't wear the costume for at least half the book though, and the gadgets get introduced one by one. I recommend this book be on every Batman fan bookcase though. (right next to The Killing Joke).

Therefore you shouldn't really need convincing. If you're at all interested in Batman, or comics, or Frank Miller, chances are you already own this wonderful look into Bruce Wayne's first year as the Caped Crusader. Good story, good art, and at a reasonable price. Serves as a wonderful introduction to "adult" comics.

I loved The Dark Knight Returns and bought when it came out. I still have the first printings bagged and boarded. I don't know how I missed this, when it came out. I'm glad to see it now in digital form.

This is, quite simply, the best Batman story ever told. Miller, the definitive Batman writer, has crafted a story even better than his Dark Knight Returns. Mazzucchelli turns in one of the most realistic and beautiful renditions of Batman ever. The coloring firmly grounds this series in reality. If you can only own one Batman story, this one must be it. I wish there was a rating better than 5 stars that I could give this story.

I used to be a major Spider-Man fan, but I started to feel a need for a different hero. Spider-Man was awesome except I wanted something more gritty, something with a darker persona something that was about a hero but at the same time a hero that was broken inside. That hero is Batman.

Everytime Miller writes a Batman comic it surpasses all known works ever done about the dark knight and the is especially true here. This comic is worth every penny and should be bought by anyone interseted in batman or super-heroes in general. This tells one of if not the greatest stories in comic history and I highly reccomend it.

I don't think I have ever read a more depressing Graphic Novel. BATMAN is a beaten-down, sad old man haunted by the victories and defeats of his dark past. The world is a MAD MAX place, after some kindof nuculear incident has infected many of the citizens of Gotham. I didn't get it, didn't like it. Frank Miller is his pessimistic self. If you loved SIN CITY then maybe you'll like this.

You know, it is sometimes hard to catagorize comic books as works of literature. But Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli pulled it off with "Batman: Year One." How can I put it? This IS Batman. Who he is and how he came to be. But Miller also explores the early career of a Lietenant James Gordon. And like I stated earlier, it is concocted in such a way that it rivals with many novels that I have read. There are no corny lines or stereotypical cliches here. There is only solid story telling, incredible art, and touching characterization. And there is no sign of Joel Schumacher anywhere.

Text book definition of a perfect Batman comic. The art really complements the feel Frank Miller creates with his writing. Draws you in right from the start and doesnt let you go. It is as much a Jim Gordon story as it is a Bruce Wayne/Batman story but that is in no way a bad thing. Both stories intermix and become an incredible reading experience. The only negative comment is that it is only 4 comics and leaves you wanting more. But it is very well crafted and wanting more is no problem because I plan on reading it over and over again. An amazing read especially for the low the store.com price.

Miller and Mazzuchelli have a great understanding of film noir and apply it to one of the most popular comic characters. More so than the popular Dark Knight Returns, this is a gritty, down to earth look at Batman's early days. Very highly recommended reading and what comics should be about.

the only real problem i had with this book is that it didn't fully explain why bruce wayne became batman, but it rather showed how. i think the movie batman begins does a better job of showing the beginning of batman. it was till a very good book with great artwork.

While I do not own this Hardcover edition (and thus cannot speak for it's quality, or lack thereof), I do own a reprint of this story.

In all honesty, I can't imagine a better origin for one of my favorite comic book characters.

Not only was it darker and more serious than the 1940's origin, it did an excellent job brining the character into the modern world (the 1980's anyway). An excellent revamp for this classic hero.

This is by far one of the best titles that has ever been written in the Batman series. Batman is by far my favorite comic book character, and I would highly suggest getting this title if you like comics or like Batman and you don't already have it yet.

This is the story that i wanted to see in the 'batman begins' movie. It was written at a time that Frank Miller was literally on a roll. He had just written "Dark Knight Returns" and soon after would write "Give Me Liberty" and "Sin City". This is quite posibly the best origin story of Batman available, and makes a fantastic entry point to the other graphic novels. (Great ones include The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum)

I bought this book last year and just now decided to write a review. Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Amazing book showcasing the origin of Batman. Great stuff. Almost as great as R.I.P. which is my all time favorite bat book. Most will say it is even better. Recommend following up with Batman and the monster men, Batman and the mad monk, and Batman the man who laughs. Avoid The Long Halloween. Very overrated and repetitive IMO.

I love this set. The movie is amazing and the comic is one not to be missed, a great story with beautiful artwork. I see that people are selling this starting at $50, that's crazy. This set is $19.97 at Walmart.

Text book definition of a perfect Batman comic. The art really complements the feel Frank Miller creates with his writing. Draws you in right from the start and doesnt let you go. It is as much a Jim Gordon story as it is a Bruce Wayne/Batman story but that is in no way a bad thing. Both stories intermix and become an incredible reading experience. The only negative comment is that it is only 4 comics and leaves you wanting more. But it is very well crafted and wanting more is no problem because I plan on reading it over and over again. An amazing read especially for the low the store.com price.

Miller and Mazzuchelli have a great understanding of film noir and apply it to one of the most popular comic characters. More so than the popular Dark Knight Returns, this is a gritty, down to earth look at Batman's early days. Very highly recommended reading and what comics should be about.

the only real problem i had with this book is that it didn't fully explain why bruce wayne became batman, but it rather showed how. i think the movie batman begins does a better job of showing the beginning of batman. it was till a very good book with great artwork.

While I do not own this Hardcover edition (and thus cannot speak for it's quality, or lack thereof), I do own a reprint of this story.

In all honesty, I can't imagine a better origin for one of my favorite comic book characters.

Not only was it darker and more serious than the 1940's origin, it did an excellent job brining the character into the modern world (the 1980's anyway). An excellent revamp for this classic hero.

This is by far one of the best titles that has ever been written in the Batman series. Batman is by far my favorite comic book character, and I would highly suggest getting this title if you like comics or like Batman and you don't already have it yet.

This is the story that i wanted to see in the 'batman begins' movie. It was written at a time that Frank Miller was literally on a roll. He had just written "Dark Knight Returns" and soon after would write "Give Me Liberty" and "Sin City". This is quite posibly the best origin story of Batman available, and makes a fantastic entry point to the other graphic novels. (Great ones include The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum)

I bought this book last year and just now decided to write a review. Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Amazing book showcasing the origin of Batman. Great stuff. Almost as great as R.I.P. which is my all time favorite bat book. Most will say it is even better. Recommend following up with Batman and the monster men, Batman and the mad monk, and Batman the man who laughs. Avoid The Long Halloween. Very overrated and repetitive IMO.

I love this set. The movie is amazing and the comic is one not to be missed, a great story with beautiful artwork. I see that people are selling this starting at $50, that's crazy. This set is $19.97 at Walmart.

This comic was pretty good. It focuses on Batmans methods as he first becomes a crime fighter also introduces catwoman(this time she is black and she is a dominatrix hooker hmmmm) The art is maybe and acquired taste. A good read especially if you are truly a comic book fan

When you think of the greatest comic book writers out there, you invariably end up with Frank Miller (usually the first or second you mention). And Batman is the greatest comic book character. And nobody does Batman like Frank Miller does.

Following what could be called the best Batman story ever, Dark Knight Returns, this book makes a fitting prelude. But who's most striking is not so much Bruce Wayne, as DKR dug a lot deeper into hi psyche than this book does, but the young Lt. Jim Gordon.

Before Batman aided him in becoming commissioner, he was a tired man with a baby on the way and a discouraging job as an honest cop in a corrupt city.

Like so many heroes, Batman had a rocky start being accepted as a force for good in his city. Nobody tells a story like this the way Frank Miller does.

This book is pretty good. It has a greta intirpritation of how bataman came to be and about a young police cop named Gordan. This is great because it shows batman bleeding and not always succeding like in many other books and movies. it shows him learning as he goes along. The thing that dissappointed me was that I felt like this book could of gone on for a couple more pages. it has a great plot but i thought the ending happended to quickly. It's still a great book though and hopefully the next batman movie they make will be based of this book.

batman year one is one of my faverit batman story frank gos a good job or makeing the origin of batman a epic stroy of not just batman but jim gordon year one is a batman for bat fans and miller fans.p.s. i can ont WAIT for dark knight 3 i hope franf draw the art think you.

Just, wow.

The story and artwork might seem a little dated at first, but then this IS a prequel and I have no idea whether the effect was intentional but it panned out phenomenally!

Mazzucchelli's artwork adds a new dimension to Miller's already amazing skill as a storyteller who is especially adept at weaving his magic with the Dark Knight.

This was definitely worth a buy, and I'd recommend it to fans of the Dark Knight, fans of the movies and even casual browsers looking to figure out the substance behind the hype of the phenomenon that has become Batman.

The title might be a tad hyperbolic, but I do believe that this is one of the best origin story retells I've ever read. It gives emphasis to everything that needs it, as well as fleshing things out to give it some depth. Though not much was changed from the original beginnings of the dark knight, nothing truly needed changing to begin with. There's no sense fooling with something that is already very good.

I'm not sure that I'd change even a single panel, even if I could.

This is absolutely my favorite comic series book of all time. It's amazing! Frank Miller is a genius. If you're a fan of the new Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale Batman series, this is a must read. It's beautifully drawn as well.

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.

This book was a great beginning to a character that has been done in every imaginable way. The art was perfect, and I mean perfect.. fit the story wonderfully. The story had me interested with every page. A awesome retelling for sure that fills in the cracks for a modern interpretation. A+ no doubt.

This book is a split story. One-half Bruce Wayne developing his fighting skills into the Batman, and One-half Lt. James Gordon trying to deal with corruption on the force, while trying to hunt down Batman for his vigilantism. A great, self-contained, story.

If there is one Batman story you have to read, it's Year One. It is better than Dark Knight Returns, although less action-oriented, for one simple reason: it perfectly defines Bruce Wayne/Batman and his relationship with Jim Gordon. Frank Miller is at his finest here, delivering the definitive Batman mythos. With the recent release of Batman Begins, which is heavily inspired by Year One, I strongly encourage you to discover (or rediscover) one of the finest graphic novels ever written.

Here, you can see Batman like never before, a rookie making mistakes. I think this is the best Batman story, a great plot, a great art and GREAT caracthers, the relantionship between Gordon and Batman is excellent. My favorite comic book and I read a lot.

Frank Miller put together the best re-telling of the beginnings of Batman. From the death of Bruce Wayne's parents, all the way through his first tenuous year as a crime fighter. You can see where a lot of Batman Begins was inspired by this piece of work. It's the first graphic novel I was ever given, and would make a valuable addition to your collection.

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.

This comic book ranked #3 in Wizard Magazine's top 40 comic books of all time, and if you read it you'll understand why. A rookie Batman making mistakes and learning from them, and a "young" James Gordon stealing the show in his own way, this is a must own.

If you ever hear about Batman: Year One, it's most likely the praise of the story's origins and reinvention. I read it pretty fast, in a day or so, and it was pretty entertaining, but not as good as I'd hoped. I think Frank Miller is a pretty good storyteller, but maybe it's just not my thing. Regardless, it was a good read and it gave me a little bit of insight towards Batman's origins.

I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, but I'm leaning more towards 3 on this one. Pick it up if you're a Batman fan though, definitely.

I can only say what has already been said about Batman: Year One. It is a great revamp of Batman's origin and a great story all around. It is a perfect inroduction to the Batman universe if you never read anything previously. People who have seen the movie Batman Begins will see similarities while reading this story. Batman: Year One stands the test of time as a great origin story for one of the greatest comic characters of all time.

Most Bat-fans will tell you Miller's Year One is one of if not the best Batman story ever told. I finally got to read it and have to say that while its good, its not anywhere the best. Batman/Bruce Wayne actually plays second fiddle to Jim Gordon who gets treated the best. Gordon comes off as how I have always pictured him in my head. Mazzuchelli's art is very good and much apppreciated over Miller's. Good but not great stuff!

This is the compelling story set in the time of a young Bruce Wayne and an old Gotham. One of the things I love about it is the fact that it isn't really the story of Batman coming to Gotham. Given this element is covered thoroughly, but this is the story of the young Jimmy Gordon coming to Gotham. The enemies aren't products of government testing, toxic waste, or birth defects, but policemen. Incredible book.

I thought this one was excellant. Especially since they included Gordon's point of view. I could've done without the presence of Catwoman but it didn't detract from the story. The pages were done well and Gotham looked just like it should. I can't believe how much Wayne looked like Gregory Peck!

I loved this graphic novel! It was exhilarating and suspenseful. Although a little on the short side (probably because I couldn't put it down), this comic book was absolutely stunning. A true Batman novel. I give it a 5 star rating, and recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Batman character.

Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition
I am really enjoying Frank Miller's Batman. It is the REAL DEAL! The Dark Knight at his best. The story line could go deeper but hey it's a Graphic Novel. I enjoy the action and the suspense. It was definitely a page turner.

you buy now!

4.5 stars!

this is the best comic book i have ever read. it is far more than just a super hero story, but an in-depth crime drama. this book reminds me more of the movie Serpico or other crooked cop stories. james gordon in this is in my top 5 characters of any story, comic, book, or movie. just great.

I checked this book out after seeing that IGN had crowned it the best batman book of all time. I disagree completely. It wasnt bad by any means just didnt live up to the hype at all in my mind. Some things you should know: this book is short! It took me about 30 minutes to read and I highly doubt I will wish to read it again. Also, this book focuses on Jim Gordon more than Batman. This isnt a bad thing because I found Jim Gordon's story to be very compelling. Maybe the main reason I didnt like this book as much was because I had read Long Halloween before it. Long Halloween is easily the best batman graphic novel so I suggest you check that out. All in all this book was good and fun to read but it had no lasting impact on me. I will give it props for the burning building action sequence though because I found that scene both exhilarating and just plain awesome. The rest of the book was so-so.

I bought the comic because I read a lot of reviews about how good this comic was. Well, now I can 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 masterpiece Watchmen. But it's not only this.

There is no real story with progression, which is what I expect of a limited comic. Gordon and Bruce Wayne come to the city and start to push criminals. Gordon's story is 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 enemy and send him to jail. He only appears to save Gordon's 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, he isn't. It's over."

Even though, the art is good. Gordon story is also fine. But there is no argumental line to folow. 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 the least I hope it's seeing his origins, and a criminal boss as a key 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 know the darkest aspects of heroes.

Frank Miller's Batman: Year One is an unnecessary and over-the-top retelling of Bruce Wayne's first years as Batman. It has not aged well. Frank Miller's apparent obsession with seediness and prostitutes carries over here, with Selena Kyle portrayed as such. Obvious caricatures of pimps, corrupt policemen and the mob ooze cliched dialogue while the story overall reads like generic noir. The book is saved by David Mazzuchelli's beautifully dim and realistic artwork.

This is one of the best pieces on Batman I have ever read. It really has some awesome action and great character development of Bruce Wayne and Lt. Gordon. This is right up there with "The Dark Knight Returns" and I personally think its better. Thank you Frank Miller. You are awesome.