Just, wow.

The story and artwork might seem a little dated at first, but then this IS a prequel and I have no idea whether the effect was intentional but it panned out phenomenally!

Mazzucchelli's artwork adds a new dimension to Miller's already amazing skill as a storyteller who is especially adept at weaving his magic with the Dark Knight.

This was definitely worth a buy, and I'd recommend it to fans of the Dark Knight, fans of the movies and even casual browsers looking to figure out the substance behind the hype of the phenomenon that has become Batman.

It was just what my husband wanted, in perfect condition and half the price of the trendy comic stores! I am extremely happy!

If you are a fan on the Batman movies, the comics, or the batman mythos at all then this book is a must read. I have always been a fan of the batman series since I can remember. This book offers a great history of the caped crusader. Not only does it introduce the hero of the story but a few of the major supporting characters and how they came to be. It really shows how far gotham has fallen into corruption and crime. It is a very good read.

Frank Miller hits the nail on the head with Year One. This is the way Batman is supposed to be...this is the true Dark Knight...Kudos to Miller for his intriguing tale.

If you ever hear about Batman: Year One, it's most likely the praise of the story's origins and reinvention. I read it pretty fast, in a day or so, and it was pretty entertaining, but not as good as I'd hoped. I think Frank Miller is a pretty good storyteller, but maybe it's just not my thing. Regardless, it was a good read and it gave me a little bit of insight towards Batman's origins.

I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, but I'm leaning more towards 3 on this one. Pick it up if you're a Batman fan though, definitely.

Batman: Year One was the first Batman graphic novel I read. It remains my favorite and has sparked me to read other Batman graphic novels.

For anyone new to graphic novels or comics, Batman: Year One is a great place to start. It is fairly brief and quick to read. Frank Miller's writing is engrossing and powerful, yet remains simple and accessible. David Mazzucchelli's artwork isn't overly detailed but possesses substance and the dull colors give the drawings an old-fashioned look. The use of colors, light, and shadows is outstanding and really captures the mood of each frame.

For anyone interested in Batman, Batman: Year One is a must have. Not only is it an origin story of Batman, but it's also Jim Gordon's (later Lt. Gordon) first year in Gotham City. The story focuses equally on Batman and Gordon, soon to become Gotham City's top crime fighters. As the story develops, their long-standing relationship begins to take shape, a relationship that becomes crucial to Batman and Gotham.

Batman and comic fans alike will not be disappointed with Batman: Year One. Even if you're new to the graphic novel medium, Year One is a great first. It is a great example of how good this often overlooked art form can be.

If you ever want to know how Bruce Wayne became Batman, you come to the right book. This book chronicles Batman's origin as well as the origin of his relationship with Gordon. They are basically the main characters in this book and although there are no real villains in this book, it is a great character piece on the lives of these characters, their trials and tribulations, and their struggles and how they are able to overcome or succumb to them. Although not as epic as The Dark Knight Returns, it is a close second. But artwork is just horrendous.

I can only say what has already been said about Batman: Year One. It is a great revamp of Batman's origin and a great story all around. It is a perfect inroduction to the Batman universe if you never read anything previously. People who have seen the movie Batman Begins will see similarities while reading this story. Batman: Year One stands the test of time as a great origin story for one of the greatest comic characters of all time.

This comic was pretty good. It focuses on Batmans methods as he first becomes a crime fighter also introduces catwoman(this time she is black and she is a dominatrix hooker hmmmm) The art is maybe and acquired taste. A good read especially if you are truly a comic book fan

This provides an interesting take on the origins of Batman, but it is equally (if not more) about Lieutenant Gordon's beginnings in Gotham City, which I didn't expect, but also didn't mind. I did enjoy the art and style, and much of the color was particularly impressive to me.

You do get to see a bit of an amateur and clumsy Batman, but I was far more intrigued by Gordon; his various conflicts seemed to hold a stronger influence throughout. If you're looking for a more comprehensive and in-depth portrayal of the origins of Batman himself then I would recommend Batman Begins, which seemed to be strongly influences by this series.

Overall, it was quite good but not great. If you're a fan of Batman or Miller then it's well worth the price.

Frank Miller put together the best re-telling of the beginnings of Batman. From the death of Bruce Wayne's parents, all the way through his first tenuous year as a crime fighter. You can see where a lot of Batman Begins was inspired by this piece of work. It's the first graphic novel I was ever given, and would make a valuable addition to your collection.

I just realized, out of all the books I got, I never recieved this one. I don't have it. I know it's been awhile, but I never check on orders for books because they always arrive, but this one hasn't for some reason. Please send this one soon. Thankyou.

I was excited to read this graphic novel since it is considered to be one of the top Batman stories to be printed. However, when I finally got to read it, the story felt rushed, and the whole thing seemed to be from Sparknotes rather than the actual text. With a day being one panel on a page, I began to find myself wishing I could see more of what happened. Especially towards the end, everything seemed to fall into place too easily. The friendship between Batman and Gordon seemed to pull a 180 between the two last pages.

Even though the story had it's problems, I enjoyed that we got to see both Batman and Gordon start their careers, and both of their hardships and emotional strain that each of them go through. We finally get to see the Gotham Police truly corrupt, rather than simply being told. This is the only part of the story Miller shows us what is needed to make a great story.

Check it out or borrow it from a friend, it may grow on you. It was a quick read, had good writing, nice artwork, decent, but known story, and never really quite fit all into a nice little package for me.

Many "Classic" Batman stories don't live up to the hype and Frank Miller's work is not always 100%, but this tale definitely is.

I don't see it as a re-telling of the Batman origin as it is often touted to be, since the story mostly focuses on Jim Gordon and his introduction into the world of the GCPD. Batman is only seen in brief glimpses.

Miller's often extreme tendencies are toned down a bit in this book, although it still has plenty fo rough edges and he does a good job of non-chalantly mixing in recognizable characters with new plot points.

Definitely worth a read, it's just too bad it seems so short. Although the sign of a good book is when it leaves you wanting more, so I guess that means they did their job!

If you enjoyed Batman begins, and have not yet read this, what are you waiting for???? It is a great, great read ( i could not put it down once i started reading it).

"Batman;Year One" has been called many things. "Masterpiece" is probably the most commonly used abbreviation & rightly so. "Year One" went beyond my wildest expectations & provided countless hours of entertainment & food for thought.
Never has the Batman Origin story been told in such light. The worlds of a somewhat younger James Gordon & Bruce Wayne are brought colliding, each fighting individual battles in their own way, but contributing to the eventual retribution of Gotham. 'Nuff said.
This book,in my opinion, is a must-have.

It might've been a great story when it was first written - but I don't think it stood test of time. It is a retelling of what everybody knows anyway. Miller does good storytelling but that doesn't help when the story is weak.

Next to The Dark Knight Returns, this is one of the best Graphic Novels I've ever read. I wish they would have used this movies storyline in a Movie, but doubt that would not have been as great a marketing decision. There is no Batmobile, no Ras Al Ghul, no Joker, not even any fancy high tech gadgets that Batman now has. It's just the simple beginings of Batman, written by Frank Miller.

Other than The Sandman, I had never read any comic that took place in the DC Universe. I was completely turned off by the campiness of Superman and Wonder Woman, and found the Marvel heroes quite a bit more interesting. However, after many disappointing Marvel reads, I decided it was time for something new. And that was Batman. The Dark Knight seemed like a natural fit for me. He's far less campy than the other DC characters, and he's a tortured and dark hero, like all the best of 'em. So I bought this because where better to start than "Year One"?

Frank Miller, the writer of this gem, has an enthusiasm for the story of Batman's origin that shines through the pages. He takes the time to flesh out the situation, slowly letting all the plot lines come to a boil. The increasing corruptness of Gotham and the crusades that two men--Batman and James Gordon--wage to clean up a city that seems beyond repair. As both of them throw their cards in, they become at odds with each other, making for some nice parallels between the two story lines.

Miller is a great storyteller, not only because his work is very readable, but also because he knows when to let the artist tell the story. And it happens often here. Unlike other old comics that are rife with expository narrative, Miller keeps to the basics. David Mazzucchelli skillfully pencils this miniseries, hitting all the right action and dramatic beats. Along with Richmond Lewis (who re-colorized the original inkwork for this edition), Mazzucchelli crafts a dark and brooding Batman that fits with Miller's story beautifully.

This is one of the most thoroughly well done trade paperbacks I've come across. There is a great introduction, recolored art, two afterwords (one by Mazzucchelli with accompanying art and another by Miller himself) as well as sample scripts, original pencils, and even initial sketches. For a Batman fan or ever someone new to the DC verse like myself, this is certainly something worth buying. I know I'll be checking out the rest of the Batman series.

8/10

BATMAN YEAR ONE es un comic pionero en muchos aspectos.Desde un Frank Miller con una tematica mas cercana a su rompedor DAREDEVIL de Marvel que a su archiconocido BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, vemos a un Bruce Wayne en los inicios de su carrera de justiciero, y la justificacion psicologica de ello - la violenta muerte de sus padres. En una personalidad menos compleja que la de Bruce, este horrendo hecho hubiese quedado en una serie interminable de visitas a algun psicoanalista, pero en él fue el desencadenante de un afan no tanto justiciero como de venganza, sino de poner control al caos que se llevó a sus padres y amenaza tragarse completa a Gotham City.Esto lo entendió a la perfeccion Miller y nos da una poderosa fabula de iniciacion del Murciélago que nos lleva de tour a la mente de este peculiar personaje, que si bien no tiene motivaciones lógicas que digamos, si crea un inmediato vinculo empatico con el lector de cualquier gusto o genero de lectura. Este es el merito de este comic, que es para todos y pide mas de una lectura para entender su profundidad, a pesar de los superficial que pudiese parecer a simple vista el tema. No se dejen engañar, este comic es oro puro, y si ya lo leiste, releelo; y sino lo tienes, pues que envidia el poder leerlo por primera vez.

I LOVE this book. It is a great summary of the early career of the dark knight and a fantastic way for anyone who loves Batman to learn more about him. It's especially great for anyone who wants to learn more, but doesn't feel like tracking down and buying the early issues. The art inside is really good, but doesn't overshadow the writing. Seriously, get this book. You will not regret it.

Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition
I am really enjoying Frank Miller's Batman. It is the REAL DEAL! The Dark Knight at his best. The story line could go deeper but hey it's a Graphic Novel. I enjoy the action and the suspense. It was definitely a page turner.

you buy now!

4.5 stars!

No matter what kind of person you are--Batman fan or no, comic fan or no--you will enjoy this story. If you've never read a comic, make this your first!! Highest possible recommendation.

If you're only going to own one graphic novel, this should be it. Frank Miller's writing is cold, realistic, and wonderful. David Mazzucchelli's art is non-traditional but realistic and amazing.

Text book definition of a perfect Batman comic. The art really complements the feel Frank Miller creates with his writing. Draws you in right from the start and doesnt let you go. It is as much a Jim Gordon story as it is a Bruce Wayne/Batman story but that is in no way a bad thing. Both stories intermix and become an incredible reading experience. The only negative comment is that it is only 4 comics and leaves you wanting more. But it is very well crafted and wanting more is no problem because I plan on reading it over and over again. An amazing read especially for the low Amazon.com price.

When you think of the greatest comic book writers out there, you invariably end up with Frank Miller (usually the first or second you mention). And Batman is the greatest comic book character. And nobody does Batman like Frank Miller does.

this is the best comic book i have ever read. it is far more than just a super hero story, but an in-depth crime drama. this book reminds me more of the movie Serpico or other crooked cop stories. james gordon in this is in my top 5 characters of any story, comic, book, or movie. just great.

Even though Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" is the more widely-acclaimed classic, "Batman: Year One" is my preferred favorite. I consider Miller's TDKR a major classic and enjoy it, and I feel the same way about "Year One:" It's a classic.

"Year One" is my favorite origin story next to "Batman Begins." The tone is perfect, the writing is strong and memorable, and Mr. Mazzucchelli's artwork is fantastic and atmospheric.

One of my favorite aspects of this epic is the dynamic of the relationships between Batman and then-Lieutenant Jim Gordon, and Batman and the entire G.C.P.D. Batman/Gordon learning to trust each other, and Batman/G.C.P.D. trying to stay one step ahead of each other. It's the stuff of legends.

This is Batman, ladies and gentlemen. Who he is, and how he came to be.

Highest possible recommendation.

I have to say that this is amazing. Frank Miller does an awesome job of portraying batman/bruce's fears and faults within the first year and the artwork really pops. not to flashy or colourful, but not dull and neutral either. A most enjoyable read

This is absolutely my favorite comic series book of all time. It's amazing! Frank Miller is a genius. If you're a fan of the new Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale Batman series, this is a must read. It's beautifully drawn as well.

I am not a big Frank Miller fan. His writings are predictable and the man often has an ego the size of Alaska, this book is a decent read, but it is nothing really outstanding.

It came in on time and it was in impeccable condition. As for the read, it was for my husband and he got it finished pretty quickly because he enjoyed it. Thank you and i hope this helps.

the only real problem i had with this book is that it didn't fully explain why bruce wayne became batman, but it rather showed how. i think the movie batman begins does a better job of showing the beginning of batman. it was till a very good book with great artwork.

This story has two streams, a Jim Gordon stream, and a Bruce Wayne stream, detailing their early history opposing crime in Gotham. Gordon is now an honest cop having to fight his Commissioner, head detective and the criminals. Batman is much the same, but Gordon is after him too, and after he screws up and gets hurt badly, he comes up with the Batman persona.

Gordon also has marriage problems, particularly involving an attractive fellow cop.

I like Year One better than Miller's the Dark Knight Returns. The reason being is that Miller keeps the character of Batman more in tuned to what is, in my opinion, the true Batman. In the Dark Knight Returns, Batman comes across as too much of an anti-hero who is rebelling against the "system". I felt Miller may have injected too many of his political views into that story. However, in Year One I do not feel this is the case. Overall, this is a very interesting take on Batman's origin. Also, the story focuses quite a bit on Gordon as well. Anyone who liked the movie Batman Begins should read Batman: Year One.

You can't put this book down. It chronicles Batman's humble beginning in Gotham City, and how he had to work up to the relationship he currently enjoys with Jim Gordon. Moreover, it depicts Gordon as a man struggling to do the right thing. It also shows him as one who isn't clueless about Batman's secret identity, but rather CHOOSES to overlook the connections when he realizes that Batman's a valuable ally in their battle to clean up the city.

The book juxtaposes Wayne's and Gordon's entry into Gotham City since the very beginning: Wayne, on a plane, wished he'd taken the train into Gotham to be closer to the riff raff, whereas Gordon, on a train, wished he'd taken a plane instead.

The journey that each man takes is very engaging, but if you want to know more, know that Batman Begins was clearly influenced by this book, from the plot right down to the characters (i.e., Flass, Commissioner Loeb, Carmine Falcone, etc), to the very last scene.

Also, for fans of TDKR, in case you didn't understand what Gordon was referring to when he toasts Wayne and claims that he's finally learned to drink, despite filling champagne bottles with Ginger Ale, you'll understand it in this book.

Definitely a must-have for Batman fans!

I bought this TPB after having read "The Dark Knight Returns" and I think most Batman comics would pale in comparison to the depth and sheer coolness of that story. Having said that, "Year One" is a good read but I was expecting... more. More exposition on Batman's origins. The new film Batman Begins (which obviously draws on this book for inspiration) showed a more complex and "real" version of the Batman myth. I was hoping for something along those lines but it's more like getting a third of that story in comic book form. Very good... but not great.

The trade paperback edition of Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli's four issue Batman Year One run is like a remastered CD.

Colorist Richmond Lewis completely repainted the entire artwork because the original comics came out on cheap newsprint and could support just 60 different color palettes.

This trade paperback edition is on slick, glossy high quality paper and also boasts a great 40 page Mazzuchelli sketchbook and original Miller scripts.

Now that we've addressed the form, what about the content? Thematically, Year One bookends The Dark Knight Returns. DKR represented a future Batman while Year One goes back to the beginning to explore Batman's origins.

Miller bucks convention by pitting Batman against corruption, greed and lethargy. Rather than trotting out garish supervillains, Miller uses the grime and grit of Gotham City to humanize Batman.

I own both the original comics, which I bought and read as a child, and this great newly remastered version.

I love 'em and so will you.

**CONTAINS SPOILERS**

This is an excellent story, from any angle you look at it. It re-tells the story of Batman's origin, mostly keeping it the same but adding depth, and also focuses heavily on Jim Gordon; not only his relationship with the dark knight, but his inner-struggles as well.
What I love most about this book is the realism given to the story. Batman's no super-man (forgive the joke) and he actually screws up when he's new to the hero thing. He gets hurt, and he has morality issues, just like a real person. Gotham city is no heaven, either. Its police commissioner is a corrupt man employing a rogue detective Flass, who eliminates anyone that tries to reveal his wrongdoings. Even Jim Gordon, one of the good guys on Gotham's police force, is committing the wrong of cheating on his wife.

This air of very human evil gives the story a realism not found in a lot of comics. The art is reminscent of its time, but this re-painted 2005 edition improves it by tenfold. It goes hand-in-hand with the writing, which is very solid, down-to-earth, and entertaining. The bonuses in this edition include a short essay-strip by Mazzuchelli, and a bunch of production pages for the book.

I neither loved nor hated this book. After having it recommended to me from various friends, I decided to get it. To be frank, (no pun intended) it wasn't spectacular on any level. The art was decent, but not that great. The writing was alright, and overall plot was enjoyable, but just not that interesting. It seems like Batman Begins - great movie- was highly inspired by this book, and yet, the book version just didn't quite feel so rivetting. The ending, was simply unsatisfying. I understand why it ended the way it did, but it just left me caring a lot less about the character and his exploits. It's actually so plain to me to make me wonder whether Begins would've been anywhere near as enjoyable without such a superb score(soundtrack).

I thought Catwoman's involvement in the story was completely pointless. She did have one good line but that's not really enough to justify her being thrown into this story.

Ultimately, I can't think of much to say because it wasn't memorable enough for anything to really stick with me. It was just.. ok.

Not the best art in my opinion (after all it is the mid 80's) but, since it is the first bat-graphic-novel I have read I can tell you that it is most definately five-star quality which makes up for the art-style ten-fold. Not everyone may feel the same way about the art. I just like modern-art better. More year 2000 style. But anyway, this is most definately a must have for any batfan. I can see where Batman Begins got its ideas from and if they follow this type of quality they'll rival even the spiderman franchise. And to me that's sayin alot! Definately get this.

I am a fan of Frank Miller's other works like Sin City, 300, and Dark Knight Returns. He brings his trademark "gritty" style to this tale. This is an origin story, but more so, it is a character examination of the duality of of the Bruce Wayne/Batman character. Mazzucchelli's art is effective as always, if a little "dated" by today's standards.

I was surprised to see the majority of the story devoted to Lt. Gordon and not Batman. However, this is not necessarily a weekness in the story, it is just something interested buyers should be aware of. I enjoyed Miller's successfull attempt at fleshing out Gordon's character beyond the standard "Batman's ally."

Upon finishing the book, I couldn't help thinking about how Christopher Nolan and the rest of the crew who worked on Batman Begins did a great job of mining this book--and dare I say--improving on the origin story of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Although I enjoyed Batman: Year One, Batman Begins continues to be the definitive origin story of Batman in my opinion. With that said, the story is great and would be worthy of five stars if it wasn't for the compressed nature of the narrative. The new trade paperback from DC is high quality and looks good on the book shelf. I would recommend any interested Batman fan pick this up as long as they are aware of what to expect from the story.

Before he would write Sin City and 300, Frank Miller first achieved fame by his reinvention of Daredevil for Marvel before taking flight to DC. In 1986, he crafted the masterpiece that is the Dark Knight Returns, and a couple years later, he would lend his talents again in his re-imagining of the origin of Batman with Year One. The story centers around Bruce Wayne, who has just returned to Gotham City after spending twelve years honing his skills, as well as Lieutenant Jim Gordon who is new to town and apparently the only clean cop in the city. Both have rude awakenings as they cross paths in their efforts to fight in this lawless, decaying, urban wasteland. What really makes Year One so good is that Miller shows us a rookie Batman who has more than his share of troubles on his first forays in the costumed hero business, which in itself is entertaining. His depiction of Gordon is effective as well; humanizing the stalwart cop to great effect. You'll see plenty of familiar characters as well here in Year One, including Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle and her transformation into Catwoman; as well as many elements that were used in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins film. David Mazzucchelli's art is dark and dreary, which suits Miller's tone superbly and is wonderfully done. All in all, if you've never read Batman: Year One, you have been missing out, and it more than deserves a place in your graphic novel library.

So many wonderful reviews have been written here that little comment is needed. Suffice to say that this new edition probably didn't rate the "Absolute" treatment from DC mainly due to the story's brevity. Still the extras included in this new edition make it worth it. David Mazzucchelli's afterword is wonderful, not to mention his sketches, preliminary artwork gives the reader a glimpse into the makings of a comic classic. The inclusion of several pages of Frank Miller's script and Mazzucchelli's breakdowns and Richmond Lewis's new coloring have given a timeless story new life.
Maybe DC will release this work as an "Absolute," edition. Failing that, this is the closest we will come to. 5 stars.

So many wonderful reviews have been written here that little comment is needed. Suffice to say that this new edition probably didn't rate the "Absolute" treatment from DC mainly due to the story's brevity. Still the extras included in this new edition make it worth it. David Mazzucchelli's afterword is wonderful, not to mention his sketches, preliminary artwork gives the reader a glimpse into the makings of a comic classic. The inclusion of several pages of Frank Miller's script and Mazzucchelli's breakdowns and Richmond Lewis's new coloring have given a timeless story new life.
Maybe DC will release this work as an "Absolute," edition. Failing that, this is the closest we will come to. 5 stars.

Forget "The Dark Knight Returns" (also by Frank Miller), THIS is the best Batman book ever written, by a mile. I can't say enough good things about this book. The story is so good it's almost incomprehensible, and the art is just as amazing. The book follows both Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne, surprisingly giving a little bit more focus to the former, as they experience the corruption of Gotham City firsthand and work to defeat it. If you've seen the movie "Batman Begins", which draws much of its inspiration from this book, then you'll have a pretty good grasp of whats going on here. If you've never read Batman or even a comic before, this is a great place to start, and if you're a lifelong fan, this is a must buy for you too. Highly, highly recommended.

The very first Batman grapic novel I ever bought was The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Why not start off with what everyone says is the best? But once I read it and realized it takes place years after Bruce Wayne Retires as Batman, I figured I'd better start back at the beginning. I get a copy of Batman: Year One and once again it's by Frank Miller.

It surprises me that both of these were written only a year apart, and that he wrote this one second. While Dark Knight is definitely the darker of the two, it's also a much different kind of Bat story. Of course the different artistic styles will be the first thing you'll notice seeing as Miller drew Dark Knight but left Year One to David Mazzucchelli, which in some ways I prefer over Miller's Sin City style.

But enough about Dark Knight. Year One was great. I must admit I read this after Batman Begins came out. I wish I had read it first, I would have appreciated it more. What I'm saying is Begins borrows heavily from this. The novel starts once Bruce returns to Gotham. Cut out the entire Ras Al Ghul, Bruce training back story. Replace Scarecrow with Catwoman and you pretty much have the same thing.

But what really makes it stand out from Batman Begins is Year One concentrates a lot more on James Gordon's struggles against his corrupt police department and almost makes him a main character by giving him the love interest instead of Bruce Wayne. I can only hope we'll be seeing this side of Gordon in the next Bat movie, The Dark Knight. Very appropriate title.