Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One is a staple within the ever-growing list of Batman comics. Fans know how Bruce Wayne got his start as Batman, but few know the struggles at first. Batman: Year One, a four-book mini-series from 1986, gives us those details!

Creative Team

Frank Miller (Writer), David Mazzucchelli (Artist/Cover), Richmond Lewis, (Colorist), Todd Klein (Letterer)

Dennis O’Neil (Editor), Bob Harras (Editor-in-Chief), Chip Kidd (Designer)

Publisher: DC Comics

“Who I Am, How I Come to Be”

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller starts on the busy streets of Gotham City. You are introduced to Jim Gordan, who is new to the city. Jim and his wife Barbara, come to Gotham for a fresh start, with Jim getting a job with the Gotham City Police Department. But what seems like a warm welcome turns into a beating/warning.

You also see another individual arriving in Gotham, Bruce Wayne. Bruce has been abroad since he was thirteen years old. Now twenty-five, Bruce makes his return to the city his parents helped build. But Bruce has a motive. He wants to help his city and rid it of crime. So, he starts on the East End, home to pimps and prostitutes. This first encounter doesn’t end well at all for Bruce, which leaves him dying to figure out who or what he must become…

“War Is Declared”

The second issue of this mini-series takes you back to Jim Gordon being the super-star police officer that he is. A hostage situation is taking place, and a “shoot first, ask questions later” SWAT team Commander (Branden) is ready to intervene. Jim arrives on the scene and takes control! Dropping his pistol outside in the rain before heading in to confront the nabber…

This issue also touches on Bruce taking on his new vigilante identity as Batman. Donning the cape and cowl multiple times, most of which are successful but also very sloppy. Batman has caught the attention of the Police Commissioner, in a favorable way at first. Not so much when Batman targets the Commissioner, causing a full-force hunt for Batman. No surprise as to who the Commissioner calls in to handle this Batman situation, Branden…

“Black Dawn”

Issue three of four is a direct continuation from issue two. We see a building that was “abandoned” blown to rubble. Somewhere within that rubble is Batman. The Commissioner wants Batman dead or alive. There will be no masked vigilante in his city! Batman escapes to protect Gotham another day. Jim Gordon is, however, entangled in a situation that is not going to end well if/when it surfaces.

Jim and Barbara are expecting a child; meanwhile, he is staying out late after his shift with another officer, Sarah Essen. Within this issue, Jim and Sarah went out after work for their “usual” coffee. While calling for a cab to get home, Jim and Sarah take cover in a doorway out of torrential downpour, causing a brief intimate moment… The final panels of this issue are Jim talking to himself about what he is secretly doing to Barbara and their family.

“Friend In Need”

The final issue of this mini-series is mostly about Jim Gordon. Jim’s mistakes have finally caught up with him. The Commissioner has had enough of Jim getting such good press and sidelining his “good ole boys” on the force. Jim receives a late-night/early-morning call to head into the office. Shortly after leaving his parking garage, he is run off the road by a speeding motorcycle.

Something doesn’t seem right, so Jim turns around and heads back home. Only to see his child being held at knife point in the back of a car. A shootout ensues, and the car escapes the parking garage with baby Gordon. Jim starts chasing the car, and in perfect timing, the car wrecks on a bridge. A physical fight over the baby results in Jim, the kidnapper, and the baby tumbling over the side of the bridge to the murky water below.

During the free fall, an individual jumps with them over the edge and takes control of baby Gordon, protecting him from the fall. Jim has lost his glasses and cannot see who saved his son. It was Bruce. This arc ends with Jim Gordon on a rooftop, enjoying his pipe. Talking about a new criminal in Gotham wanting to poison the city’s water system. Jim ends the dialogue with, “I’ve got a friend coming who might be able to help.” Which is the start of the Jim Gordon/Batman relationship.

Artwork

The art from David Mazzucchelli and Richmond Lewis is breathtaking! The abstract line work to characters and surrounding elements brings a dark and gritty tone to this story. The coloration also deserves flowers. Richmond Lewis did this art justice. I am not certain if being the wife of David had anything to do with bringing his art to life the way that it does. That’s right, Richmond Lewis is the wife of David! Truth be told, Richmond did the coloration for this arc twice! Brushing over her first attempt with a fine-tooth comb. BEAUTIFUL WORK!

My Thoughts

Batman: Year One is such a good story! You would automatically assume that it would be Batman for the majority of the book, but that is not the case. Jim Gordon shares the number one spot with Batman in terms of backstory in this arc. You get a deeper dive into the story of Jim Gordon and his transfer to Gotham City. We get the essence of Bruce coming back home from abroad and wanting to become the figure who brings justice to those who cannot help themselves.

This is a must-have for Batman fans. This is a story of how hard it was for Bruce to become Batman. What things he does struggle with becoming The Batman? As a Batman fan, this is an arc that I return to time and time again. If you have seen the “The Batman” film with Robert Pattinson and then read this arc, you will find things from this story that were used within that film. As well as “Batman Begins” with Christian Bale. This is a MUST-read for Batman fans! Go get the trade paperback of this arc and enjoy the amazing writing of Frank Miller, complemented by the art of David Mazzucchelli & Richmond Lewis!

Grade: 9.8/10

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