Graphic Novel – 104 pages – my copy (paperback; 2001) borrowed from University of Plymouth library during December 2011
- 3 nods out of 5 -
‘It rose into space
Its wings spread wide
Then fell, its wings
Now a fluttering cape
Wrapped tight about
The body of a man’
Batman has been made topical and attractive once again. Christopher Nolan’s recent rendering of the Dark Knight has captured our imaginations on the big screen; expect Batman-Fever to heat up in the coming months as the final instalment of Nolan’s trilogy is released. But to paraphrase the often used quote in the majority of every superhero film: Every end has a beginning. And Nolan’s version of Batman has a beginning that can be clearly stretched to the 1980s.
Celebrated comic book writer, Frank Miller, brought a new, realistic version of Batman to readers in the late 1980s in the ‘Year One’ story (originally printed in Batman issues 404-407). The nitty gritty decaying streets of Gotham are detailed, with the words brought to life by artist David Mazzucchelli, with colouring from the hands of Richmond Lewis. This collaboration shows just how far Batman has walked since the less hate-filled, more innocent days of Bob Kane’s original creation.
‘Year One’, as you might expect, sees the beginnings of Bruce Wayne’s fight on crime. He returns to the city of Gotham and takes up training, hitting the streets before deciding how he needs a costume to instil fear into the thugs of the city: alas, the bat-suit. But, somewhat interestingly, Wayne and his caped crusader beginnings take a back-seat to the rise of Commissioner Gordon. Gordon is a new cop in the city who refuses to take bribes, bringing him into conflict with his corrupt colleagues on the force. Bit by bit, Gordon’s star rises; although is beset by personal problems. Through misunderstandings as to Batman’s role, the pair form an alliance at the book’s end.
The problem with Batman: Year One is the flapping of loose threads (including Selina Kyle in the background, first as domineering prostitute, later as Catwoman) that actually makes the book unable to successfully stand alone as a graphic novel. And although Miller’s influence reinvigorates the Batman myth and legend, there is the question mark hanging over the heads of comic book crusaders and their shelf life. Hollywood and publishers appear content to retell the story, again and again, albeit modernise it with a different setting and/or circumstances. DC Comics have recently rebranded once again: don’t these characters have greater scope to move forward with?
As talk of The Dark Knight Rises grows until it reaches a never-ceasing wail, Batman fans would do themselves a favour by purchasing a copy of Batman: Year One. Trace Nolan’s origins, and applaud the Batman myth.
Buy it here:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Batman-Year-One-Frank-Miller/dp/1852860774/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323257847&sr=1-6
