The Good

Zero Year has entered its final stage. With Savage City, we’re about to see Riddler’s crazy scheme come to fruition. Back on the first few pages of BATMAN #21, we saw an overgrown and ravaged Gotham City. Seeing Gotham transformed shows just how ambitious Riddler and Scott Snyder can be. Riddler has some big plans for the city and Snyder is continuing to tell the big Batman story that only he could tell (honestly, would DC let anyone else tell a story like this?).

Before the action begins, Snyder and Capullo deliver another flashback that takes us back before Zero Year. There’s almost something frightening about seeing Bruce in these earlier stages and it does make you want to see even more of his early days. Of course things seem to take a turn for the worse or the scenes are filled with symbolism so you have to pay close attention. As much fun as it seeing Batman’s first year as a crime fighter, we’re seeing that there is even more that happened before that and more that could be explored in the years before.

There might be the question of how exactly did Gotham get so overgrown from the previous issue. It’s all part of Snyder’s grand storytelling. Simply put, time has passed. There might be the urge to avoid such a passing of time given the headaches the five year timeline the New 52 has brought about. Snyder chooses to tell his story and it adds to the depth of it all. Seeing what happens in this one issue, you get the feeling that this is something that could easily have been spread out over even more issues. But of course there could be some readers that wouldn’t want that.

This oversized issue has such a great look. Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO Plascencia have successfully transformed Gotham City into a strange and lush environment. Capullo does a great job in drawing characters in different positions in each panel. When Bruce walks into a room, rather than have characters in a stiff or static position, you get a sense they are in the middle of something and actually moving around, rather than sitting still for the shot. The colors continue to shine with a muted brilliance. There have been circumstances throughout Zero Year that have allowed for brighter and more vibrant colors. This is a great looking comic.

The Bad

The passing of time is still a tiny concern. Yes, we should just focus on the story but, as comic book readers, we’ve been conditioned to think about continuity despite the occasional glitches the New 52’s timeline has given us.

Riddler has really become an unstoppable villain. He’s accomplished so much without any opposition for some time now. This is in the early days and before all the heroes existing in the New 52. This is taking him to a different level and hopefully won’t be ignored the next time we see him after this story. How could he go back to his bumbling old self after this?

The Verdict

Zero Year continues and Savage City is giving us and Batman a Gotham City unlike any seen before. Batman is still early into his career and it appears Riddler is more formidable than anyone thought or realized. Snyder story continues to have a big epic feel and the art and color by Capullo, Miki, and Plascencia is astounding. Some may say this doesn't feel like a typical Batman story but that's what makes it stand out. We're seeing Batman and Gotham City in a new light. Despite being set in the past, there's still no telling what will happen next. Zero Year continues to be an explosion of fun.

Judging from this first issue, this arc of Zero Year is shaping up to be even better than the last one. Great issue

Best monthly comic currently being published!

Im realy loveing this series havent read this yet but looks awesome, Snyders awesome!,

whats with the same cover all the time?

@deadpool25mm: They've use a recolored version of that cover for the start of each arc within Zero Year.

There are some of these iconic moments that Snyder's revisits really didn't do justice to --- his version of the "I shall become a bat" scene was a bit too much of a Hallmark moment for my tastes --- but then there are others like Batman and Gordon becoming allies for the first time that he does really well. I'm ready for the next arc already, but I'm not complaining because the storytelling's engrossing even if I'd like the story to change.

Also Batman hates manga too? 5/5, would read again, greatest comic of the decade.

It is a copy from Dark Knight Rises.

I think I enjoy Batman Eternal more than the main book now.

This is looking like its going to be the best part of zero year and that's saying something. This issue was awesome

In regards to the time thing: Batman #21 did say that Savage City starts six months after the start of Secret City. So, Justice League #1 doesn't happen for another six months after this issue.

This issue was so awesome. I had to keep going back and forth pages just to examine Capullo's art.

Every month this book amazes me.

This

honestly, would DC let anyone else tell a story like this?

Yes. There isn't anything especially daring or ambitious about this story.

overrated.

Green Arrow says otherwise

I wish I'd been following this series from the beginning, based on what I've been hearing about it.

The 2 page spread near the start. WOW.

i dont like that we spend so much time during the day in Zero Year last time i checked this is a Batman story not a Superman story and isnt Batman suppose to be an urban legend why is he standing around like he is freakin Captain America in front of those soldiers and Batman without a cape is a crime against humanity

Can someone explain to me what Alfred was doing in the boat near the end and where the note came from? I didn't understand what was going on

Bruce was supposed to leave Gotham through one of the waterways. I'm guessing Alfred was there to meet him, but instead Bruce decided to stay and help out. That's why he left that note.

So excited for the story arc, I really don't want zero year to end, just keep going with it.

@mrtummytumms: ah I see. But what was the panel in between the two panels of Alfred in the boat with the black pole and the question mark? Wasn't sure what that was supposed to be

I've enjoyed all of Zero Year so far, but I think this Savage City arc has a great chance of being epic. Worst case scenario, it should be an excellent Riddler story.

To think all this happened 5-6 years ago. The bad in this review hits the nail on the head with the weirdness of the time line. Despite all that I continue to be surprised at how good this arc has been. Snyder's version of Nygma is probably my favorite part of this whole thing. So freaking cool.

Does anyone know what Snyder is doing on Batman after Zero Year?

Can't wait for this to be over

I know, wanted to know why. even for a new arc.. would be cool to see some art. but i admit the black one was awesome for the blackout.
Would be cool to do that on a Green Lantern book with all the colors.

The reason it was so overgrown so fast was explained by saying that Dr Isley's (Poison Ivy) formula got in the water.

@cade_calrayn: Thanks for explaining that, but that raises another question.

It's clear that the military presence isn't fond of Batman upon their arrival, yet Batman saves them on the rooftop and (eventually) Gotham in the end. Knowing that this takes place before Justice League #1, wouldn't they vouch for him regarding future encounters? Perhaps they don't say anything just to preserve the status quo, so they're not branded supporters of a vigilante. I guess I answered my own question...

This comic is definitely 5/5 stars. Zero Year has been incredible and is already one of the top Batman stories ever. I can't wait to see how this ends.

All of these!!

I know this is from a week ago, but I was re-reading this issue and wondered the same thing. I don't get that middle panel.

@owie: Yeah I still don't get it. I get that Alfred was checking for batman to be using the underwater route to get around but i still don't know what the middle panel was supposed to be of.