David Mazzucchelli's Batman Year One Artist's Edition (Artist Edition)

Batman: Year One feels, to me, a lot like an old film-noir crime movie from the 50s, as does most of Frank Miller’s work (his Daredevil run, for example). It’s dark, gritty, contains copious amounts of monologue and centres around a detective (or two, in this case, as the story prominently featured Jim Gordon, everyone’s faviroute non-corrupt GCPD lieutenant, and Batman, the world’s Greatest Detective). David Mazzuchelli’s art complimenting the script with a similarly dark and gritty vision of Gotham and it’s inhabitants. The story focuses on Bruce’s first year as Batman (the title says it all: Batman: Year One). It shows Bruce learning how to be Batman, and trying to get rid of the corruption in the GCPD. But that’s only half the story, literally, as the other half of the story focuses on Jim Gordon, with his first year as a police lieutenant in Gotham City, trying to be a good cop in a city where the police is as bad as the criminals. It grounds the story and gives depth to Jim, whose never really been a focus in the comics. One thing that some might find unusual about this Batman stories is its villains, of lack thereof. There’s no Joker, no Penguin, no Riddler, not even a mention of any of the Rogue’s gallery, except for focusing on Gotjam’s crime families and a cool reference to a certain villain on the very last page. It’s devoid of villains and only focuses on the core part of Batman: Batman and Gotham. Miller manages to give us the most realistic, most down to earth Batman story in my memory. It shows Batman learning to be Batman, taking down street-level thugs and crime bosses, fighting the corruption in the GCPD. As for the book, it’s one of the best I’ve got in my small yet growing collection. The paper used on the cover and in the pages are different to normal, not using normal glossy paper but more of a matte paper type. This paper feels really good when holding and reading. The books also contains lots of extras in the back, including a 4-page comic by Mazzuchelli about Batman. Very nice additions. In summary, a must-have for any Batman fans. It’s a great comic for anyone who knows the character of Batman, and really wants to get to know the character better. The story and art is stellar and gives us a down-to-earth Batman. I’d say it’s a great first Batman story, not requiring and previous knowledge and showing you what Batman is about, who he is, and also introducing you to Batman. But, nevertheless, give it a read. It’s one of the best Batman stories, with no previous knowledge required, and art which sets the tone and will immerse you.

Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" is a seminal work that has rightfully earned its place as one of the most celebrated and influential Batman stories ever told. This deluxe edition not only presents the iconic graphic novel in all its glory but also offers a treasure trove of bonus material that will delight fans and provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at its creation. From the very first page, Miller's gritty, noir-inspired storytelling immerses you in the seedy underbelly of Gotham City, a world plagued by corruption, crime, and despair. It's a bold departure from the campy interpretations of the past, grounding the Dark Knight in a grim reality that perfectly captures the essence of his character. Miller's writing is matched by the exceptional artwork of David Mazzucchelli, whose stark and expressive pencils breathe life into this dark and brooding world. The character designs, panel layouts, and use of shadows and light create a cinematic experience that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant. But what truly sets "Batman: Year One" apart is its exploration of the parallel journeys of Bruce Wayne and James Gordon, two men driven by a shared sense of justice and a desire to save Gotham from itself. Miller's deft handling of their character arcs, as they navigate the treacherous waters of their respective paths, is masterful. Their eventual convergence is a moment of pure storytelling brilliance, forever intertwining their destinies. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this deluxe edition is a must-have. The inclusion of Miller's and Mazzucchelli's introductions, as well as the wealth of bonus material, provides invaluable insights into the creative process and the lasting impact of this iconic work. While some may find the tone and subject matter too dark or gritty for their tastes, there is no denying the profound influence "Batman: Year One" has had on the character and the comic book medium as a whole. It is a seminal work that redefined the Dark Knight for a new generation and set the stage for the renaissance of mature, sophisticated storytelling in the world of comics. Whether you're a die-hard Batman fan or simply appreciate exceptional storytelling, "Batman: Year One - Deluxe Edition" is an essential addition to your collection. It is a true masterpiece that has withstood the test of time and will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

I've long been a fan of Batman, having grown up with the Adam West TV show and the comic book stories of the seventies and eighties, to the Tim Burton movies of the late eighties/early nineties, and more recently the Christopher Nolan reboots of the franchise on movie screens. Through every incarnation, I've always considered him one of the better superheroes, even though technically he's not super and arguably he may not even be a hero in the truest sense. However, there's always been something about the character that's just made me see him as simply 'better' than the rest of the ever-expanding pantheon of superheroes and vigilante crime-fighters. Year One was a late eighties reboot of the character following DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, penned by veteran writer Frank Miller (who had previously given us an older Batman in The Dark Knight Returns) and drawn by the excellent David Mazzuchelli, and as a result it gives us a fresh look at Batman's origin story and suggested a slightly different take on his development as the dark knight and the start of his burgeoning relationship between himself and James Gordon. As is typical of Miller's work, this is a grittier and darker story than earlier readers would have been familiar with, and has since gone on to be considered almost seminal by Batman fans. As an origin story, this book gives us plenty of opportunities to see Batman stumble, though by the end of the story he's most definitely found his feet as Gotham's unofficial protector. There's also the obligatory run-ins between Batman and the police, especially Jim Gordon (who is just a lowly detective in this one), and the fact that most of those police are just as corrupt as the villains they're supposed to be working against makes for some interesting (and explosive) action throughout. By the end of the story Batman's not only delivered a crushing blow to the city's organised crime syndicates but has also helped Gordon begin the slow process of cleaning house at the Gotham Police Department. While it could be argued that Miller can (and regularly is) unkind to his female characters (Selina Kyle is relegated from her role as an accomplished cat burglar to a side-role as a prostitute), that doesn't entirely detract from the fact that this is a fun and enjoyable book, and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone who's even mildly interested in Batman's early days in Gotham City.

This is a reworking of the Batman origin story, and has had lots of praise heaped on it over the years - it was published for the first time way back in 1986!! Not many graphic novels have this long a lifespan and it is usually a good indicator of the quality of the work ; The Dark Knight Returns by the same author as this book (Frank Miller), The Watchmen by Alan Moore and V for Vendetta also by Alan Moore would fall into this category. These three works are from the eighties as well, and so Batman Year One is in excellent company! It basically tells of how Bruce Wayne begins his career as Batman and shows how he makes early mistakes, and learns from them on his way to becoming the character we know and love today. That is one facet of the story, but the other side of this is the introduction and development of one Lieutenant Gordon. This is a really good subplot and shows how Gordon copes with crisis in his work and home lives. He has moral dilemmas, just like Bruce Wayne and it is interesting to see the different ways they deal with their problems. The Batman storyline is quite hectic, and full of adrenaline as he learns his trade - the police trapping him in a building is a really good example of this. Whereas the Gordon storyline is a bit slower, and shows him having time to think about all the implications of his actions both at work and at home. For those of you who are big fans of the Christian Bale Batman films, you can definitely see where segments of this book has been adapted to the Batman Begins reboot - and that shows how much quality this graphic novel has. It has a couple of minor niggles though. Firstly, it is quite short! Now, this is probably because the story is so good and i was left wanting more, so i wouldn't mark it down for that. And the other thing is the artwork. Again, it is of it's time(well over twenty years old now!), but i also feel that it is not crucial to the quality of the graphic novel as a whole, because it allows you to concentrate on the storyline; sometimes, beautifully drawn graphic novels lack the story behind them, and i would prefer weaker artwork and a stronger story. All in all, this is one that you MUST add to your collection. I would put this in a top ten list of Batman stories. It is good for the fan, and the person just starting out reading the graphic novels. Highly recommended, and worthy of all the plaudits it receives!

If you like Year One and are interested in the art of David Mazzucchelli this is a an easy decision. Incredibly well presented. I felt like I was holding the original art and multiple times my brain was fooled and I tried to touch the white-out or brush scanned dirt from the page. One thing to bear in mind is this book is massive. It is too large to hold in your hands and it weighs a ton, you're going to need a large coffee table - the advantage is you can see every single brush stroke. A wonderful behind the scenes look at a classic. It would make the perfect present for anyone who loves this Batman story.

Spot on

Awesome book with nice illustrations and interesting story!

This book is Frank Miller's take on the origins of Batman and it is difficult to describe it as anything other than a masterpiece. It is completely gripping and well complemented by Mazzuchelli's fantastic artwork. If you're new to Batman (or graphic novels/comics in general) then this is a great place to start and is wonderful telling of the beginnings of this character. However, it is also such a good book that it sets a high benchmark for anything you read afterwards. If you're already a Batman fan and you haven't read this then you should make it a priority. If you've already read this and are looking for recommendations for something to read next then I'd suggest Loeb and Sale's 'The Long Halloween' which, is another fantastic Batman collection. This story has also recently been adapted as an animated cartoon, which stays very faithful to the book and doesn't disappoint. All in all an essential whether you're new to Batman or a seasoned Batman fan who somehow hasn't yet come across this book.