Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #444955 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Review
The List, 7-21st July 2005: " Gotham has never lived and breathed as a part of our world as much as in this four issue run."

The List, 7-21st July 2005:
" Gotham has never lived and breathed as a part of our world as much as in this four issue run."

Synopsis
Chronicles the events that led to Bruce Wayne's becoming Batman and his first year fighting crime.

Customer Reviews

The best Batman story ever.
Although Frank Miller is better known for the like of comic book classics like Sin City or The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One has got to be his best. Miller completely redefined Batman for a new generation, and yet again completely de-camped the character to being so grim and gritty that it is hard to imagine that he was ever treated like a joke. The story follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after a 12 year abscence, and Jim Gordon arriving there as a Lieutenant. Gotham city has become a place owned by crime, depression, and corruption. While Jim Gordon discovers that he is one of the only honest cops around, Bruce Wayne realises that he is one of the only honest citiznes around. After as distarous first attempt to fight crime, Bruce learns that he must use fear in a city like this, and so becomes the Batman.
Although Batman: Year One could be considered more a Gordon book than a Batman one, when Batman appears every time it is amazing. Miller manages to once again take Batman, change him, and make him so much better. An absolute classic.

First comic ever read, and I liked it!
First off: This review is only for comic book noobs, like myself!

I was recommended 2 comics to start me off on the road of comic reading, The Watchmen and Batman: Year One (due to the Batman Begins film being loosely based around this book). I read Batman first as it's much shorter, and wow, I feel like I've missed out on another world all these years! I was really suprised that the film was glammed up in comparison to at least this comic. It's very dark and Gotham really is messed up!

I almost couldn't put it down. The art work was great to look at and told a lot of the story that wasn't told in writing. I'm not sure if all comics are this clever, but I was impressed with the subtle story telling of the artwork.

Anyway, I was pretty sure that I'd not like comic books, but having read this one, I'm very excited to start The Watchmen, and have ordered a few more Batman novels to get my teeth sunk into. So well recommended for the first time reader I'd say as it's not too fantastical as some of the stuff I browsed over in the comic book store!

doesnt live up to its reputation
I have to admit to being a little bit disappointed after reading batman year one.

Despite a solid story, and the introduction promising us to be let into the beginnings of batmans life, we dont really get much. We get a very short 'why' and a very short 'how' of the batman, and a less than impressive look into how this is all affecting the gotham city.

What i did enjoy more was the story of jim gordon. It felt a lot more real and a lot more fleshed out than the bruce wayne side of things, and an overall much more satisfying read.

The art is looking very dated, although i wouldnt say it was bad. It just isnt as striking as i had been made to believe.

Overall an average batman book, worth reading if your a batman fan but if you are just getting into graphic novels in general i would say the killing joke is a much better book.