Written by Frank Miller
Art by David Mazzucchelli
Published by Titan Books
The story of Batman's origin has gone relatively unchanged since his creation in 1939, most people would be able to tell the tale of how a young boy witnessing his parents deaths went on to become 'The Caped Crusader', fighting for the idea of justice by utilizing fear against the criminals of Gotham City. Using his inheritance to fund everything that makes Bruce Wayne the Batman has allowed him to fight crime at the level of superheroes without needing any actual super powers and this is what makes him so popular. The idea that anyone of us could go out and fight crime given the resources without relying on shooting fireballs out of our hands or needing some special ring.
While this general story remains unchanged, Frank Miller manages to redefine the birth of Batman, creating something that seems familiar but much darker and grittier than before. This book aimed primarily at the more mature audience makes adults proud to be reading a comic book, taking us back to reading comic books as a child while redefining it into something new, something interesting and exciting.
The thing that primarily sets Year One's story line aside from others is that it focuses as much on James Gordon as it does Bruce Wayne, interweaving their two different approaches to fighting the crime in the city. It also shows them both in new ways, not as the perfect cop and vigilante hero, but as two slightly flawed human beings striving for the same goal. It shows Bruce Wayne's struggle to convince James that he isn't the bad guy and James Gordon realisation that in order for him to achieve his own goal he will need the help of Batman.
The story written by Frank Miller offers something familiar but with new dimensions, making it seem better than before. The artwork is slightly more controversial, some readers are fans of the dated look to the story given that it was written in the 80's while others believe that the artwork in some places does not match the storyline. I for one think it is a small fault on an otherwise perfect book. Any fan of comics will agree hands down that this book is the ultimate in detailing the origins of Batman and building the foundations upon which all future stories can be told.
A must have for every fan of Batman especially those looking to start a collection of comic books.
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