Frank Miller has done it again!
After the stunning "The Dark Knight Returns," Frank Miller has again written a Batman story reguarded to be among the best ever written. After exploring the end of Batman in "TDKR" Miller now shows us his vision of the beginning of Batman, Batman: Year One. This is a brilliant book. Gotham City is literally a dump. Mazzucchelli perfectly illustrates Batmans world. Everything looks muddy and grimy. The characters all look stunning too, the art work is just great, I'm seriously lost for words.
Year One is also very well written, Millers moody script fits in perfectly, more so than it did in "TDKR." It might be because Miller has given up the penciling job to Mazzucchelli, because truthfully Millers art wasn't my favourite. I did enjoy it, but I wanted it to be improved. I felt that Mazzucchellis art fit Millers writing more completely.
As I mentioned before, the story follows the origin of Batman, all told in a more dramatic and detailed manner. The story is told from the perspective of both Batman and James Gordon. Gordon actually appears in the book more than Batman himself does, but this is by no means a bad thing. His story is just as intriguing as Batman's.
The ending is also really satisfying, I wont spoil anything but provided you look at it the right way, it will amaze you. And then again, the last few panels are epic.
I also liked how Batman was impatient to get out there and beat some thugs up. It really shows that he needs to fulfill this vow to his parents, he can't not be Batman. That's what I loved about Year One.
There were some problems I had though... It was nice to see Catwoman but why does she have to be a prostitute?
It's all usual Miller though, like it or not.
In the end, this is on the same level of greatness as TDKR. They are both very very different books, in style and in look. While TDKR is more epic and operatic, Year One is more gritty and realistic, smaller in scale but no less amazing. Highly recommended to ANY comic reader, Batman fan or not.
STORY- 8.5/10
PENCILING- 9/10
COLORING- 9/10
RE-READABILITY- 8/10
OVERALL- 9.5/10
