murphyandhislaw

reading list

Batman: Year One

Frank Miller

published: 1987, read: 10/18/24
144 pages, genre: Graphic Novel
rating: 8/10, normalized: 7.778/10
0.678σ better than average
0.96σ or 0.605/10 better than average in Graphic Novel genre

The power duo that gave way to the Nolan films, Miller and Mazzucchelli breath life back into Batman, acknowledging that there was nothing wrong with the hero, but that he could be developed, contextualized, and broadened in a way that hadn't been attempted in nearly 50 years.

Super freaking cool that Mazzucchelli got hand picked by Miller for this series – kind of gave him his first break, though his talents were already recognized at that point. In the notes in the back, Mazzucchelli includes a few panels talking about how cool it is to get to work on Batman, truly one of his heros, and even includes some panels he drew when he was SIX juxtaposed by the vanity covers he got to produce for DC after achieving success with Miller.

As far as plot goes, it's Batman Begins minus the Scarecrow, with more Gordon and his personal life (love affair) taking center stage. Gritty, violent, noble – everything Batman needs to be.

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