I loved the way the first meeting between Batman and Catwoman was mirrored from Catwoman's perspective in the 4 issue Catwoman miniseries that came out not long after.
Finally read this last year (as an intro into Batman comics) and, yeah, blew my socks off. I love the drab colors and how not an easy journey it is for Bruce or Gordon, but (each with their own narration box) they rise with each others help.
It's accurate to say that Frank Miller created the modern Batman, the Dark Knight from all 21st century movies. In fact, Miller is the most consequential writer of the Batman saga since its creation.
That was an excellent review. Yes it is a seminal piece of comics and yes that Adam West buffoonery was for the longest the public's view of Batman. I still claim that the double-whammy of The Dark Knight Returns and Batman Year One made DC "the house the Bat built". Hoping upcoming Superman movie will bring some love back to him. Hoping to hear your take on "The" Superman story
This is the only truly disciplined work in Frank Miller's career. It has consistency (unlike Daredevil) and doesn't in any way go off the rails (unlike everything else). Which isn't to say I'm giving the rest of it up.
I actually prefer this one to The Dark Knight Returns, story is much tighter and Miller's blocky artwork is replaced by Mazzucchelli's incredibly detailed, evocative style. I also prefer it to their other collaboration Daredevil: Born Again, because it has that tighter focus and a much more satisfying climax. Masterful stuff. Easily in my top 5 Batman stories of all time.
In the book “The Caped Crusade” by Glen Weldon, Glen (who has also written about Superman) says that there is a theory that what Miller did in the Dark Knight Returns was to simply take the Adam West Batman and age him to “now”. So that story is a “What If…” Batman ‘66 were alive and well and fighting crime in our time. (1980s) I agree with you, by the way. Miller really bent up Superman. I don’t think Superman would become a puppet of the government.
Finished the DC Finest a few weeks ago. I agree. It is hard to follow Year One. Miller and Mazzucchelli were the best writer artist pair up of the 1980's in my opinion. This and Daredevil: Born Again are Miller's peak, and I wish we could see more of Mazzucchelli's magnificent artwork!
I'm tempted to say sequences concerning his origin in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm are at least as good if not better as an origin story than Batman: Year One.
That's an interesting view of why Miller doesn't do well when writing Superman and, I suspect, very true. The Batman from the early 40s would have let the burglar simply fall off the balcony. Now I'll have to reread Batman: Year One, which I first read when the original comics were released, after your thorough and precise analysis Michael. Especially as I have the same collected edition as you.
I heard straight from a very drunk Frank Miller's mouth that D.C. picked the wrong story of his to copy. They chose the Dark Knight Returns. That's why they turned Robin into a scumbag and killed him off and then the whole Bane/Knightfall NONSENSE. He, himself, said he wrote DKR as a parody of the Watchmen comic book, not as a template for future comics.
I think that Miller's version of Superman worked in the DKR, but I would not like to see it anywhere else. Yes, it is probably the best Batman comic and the best Frank Miller comic. His Daredevil (which I just finished reading) come close though.
i’m not as critical about Miller’s Superman as you are. I think that wink at the end of DKR is very much in keeping with who I think Superman is. You may have issue with him being a tool of Ronald Reagan, but I could also see that that’s part of his Boy Scout persona in a certain lens.
That's in the Dark Knight Returns, which came out short time later by the same author - a kind of "what if" story in the future. Supes is not in Year One.
I hated the first Batman movie as I only knew Batman via Adam West. I have read this (my cover is quite different 🤔), it's not bad, so much better than Dark Knight Returns, possibly the worst comic ever. (Btw Ch = K 😉, the lady of the manor should be ticking you off).
For me, Year One was a dreary oddly drawn miserable story with a lot of incomprehensible text boxes with faux handwriting. I much prefare preCrisis late bronze age Gerry Conway & Doug Moench Batman and Detective Comics, the Son of the Demon graphic novel, or Batman Special 1 from 1984.
Mazzucchelli's art is so good in year one. Last year I got the artist's edition and it's something to behold.
Best thing about year one, it explains how the relationship Batman and Commissioner Gordon began.
This was a long time coming, probably the single most iconic batman story
One of the best Batman story , followed by Dark knight .i was glad i still keep my single issues
Love the art on this.The story is also a James Gordon story and did a lot to elevate that character.
I loved the way the first meeting between Batman and Catwoman was mirrored from Catwoman's perspective in the 4 issue Catwoman miniseries that came out not long after.
Finally read this last year (as an intro into Batman comics) and, yeah, blew my socks off. I love the drab colors and how not an easy journey it is for Bruce or Gordon, but (each with their own narration box) they rise with each others help.
unfortunately you won't find other Batman comics that come close.
Batman!!!!!
Great review! Interesting point about Denny O'Neill, people do forget he was the first modern writer to bring "noir and gritty" to Batman.
It's accurate to say that Frank Miller created the modern Batman, the Dark Knight from all 21st century movies. In fact, Miller is the most consequential writer of the Batman saga since its creation.
Sporty Look! Is Steve OK?
GOTTA LOVE BATMAN!
By far the best Batman story ever. And it has so many Easter eggs too like Finger Park for example
I read this because I was reading Miller and Mazuchelle's Daredevil over at Marvel at the time. You should check those out.
Love this comic and channel🙌🏼
That was an excellent review. Yes it is a seminal piece of comics and yes that Adam West buffoonery was for the longest the public's view of Batman. I still claim that the double-whammy of The Dark Knight Returns and Batman Year One made DC "the house the Bat built". Hoping upcoming Superman movie will bring some love back to him. Hoping to hear your take on "The" Superman story
Buffoonery. Perfect word only a gentleman would use. Nice but accurate.
.
I agree with you, Batman: Year One is probably the best Batman story, but then again, I haven't read every Batman story ... yet. 🤔
This is the only truly disciplined work in Frank Miller's career. It has consistency (unlike Daredevil) and doesn't in any way go off the rails (unlike everything else). Which isn't to say I'm giving the rest of it up.
Born Again is a masterpiece.
I actually prefer this one to The Dark Knight Returns, story is much tighter and Miller's blocky artwork is replaced by Mazzucchelli's incredibly detailed, evocative style. I also prefer it to their other collaboration Daredevil: Born Again, because it has that tighter focus and a much more satisfying climax.
Masterful stuff. Easily in my top 5 Batman stories of all time.
The best??? Think it's second to none...art wise... can't be matched..
Great review of Year One Michael. And interesting take on Frank Miller writing Superman. I will have to contemplate that!
🦇
In the book “The Caped Crusade” by Glen Weldon, Glen (who has also written about Superman) says that there is a theory that what Miller did in the Dark Knight Returns was to simply take the Adam West Batman and age him to “now”. So that story is a “What If…” Batman ‘66 were alive and well and fighting crime in our time. (1980s)
I agree with you, by the way. Miller really bent up Superman. I don’t think Superman would become a puppet of the government.
Finished the DC Finest a few weeks ago. I agree. It is hard to follow Year One. Miller and Mazzucchelli were the best writer artist pair up of the 1980's in my opinion. This and Daredevil: Born Again are Miller's peak, and I wish we could see more of Mazzucchelli's magnificent artwork!
I'm tempted to say sequences concerning his origin in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm are at least as good if not better as an origin story than Batman: Year One.
Long Halloween is good too.
@@jamesholland8057 I do enjoy Long Halloween, too.
That's an interesting view of why Miller doesn't do well when writing Superman and, I suspect, very true.
The Batman from the early 40s would have let the burglar simply fall off the balcony.
Now I'll have to reread Batman: Year One, which I first read when the original comics were released, after your thorough and precise analysis Michael. Especially as I have the same collected edition as you.
I heard straight from a very drunk Frank Miller's mouth that D.C. picked the wrong story of his to copy. They chose the Dark Knight Returns. That's why they turned Robin into a scumbag and killed him off and then the whole Bane/Knightfall NONSENSE.
He, himself, said he wrote DKR as a parody of the Watchmen comic book, not as a template for future comics.
wow! what year was this in!
There is room enough in comicdom for everyone not to confirm forever to one version of Superman ....
I think that Miller's version of Superman worked in the DKR, but I would not like to see it anywhere else.
Yes, it is probably the best Batman comic and the best Frank Miller comic. His Daredevil (which I just finished reading) come close though.
Could not agree more. This is real and not goofy.
Yeah, best Batman ever. I’ve always liked Millers take on Superman-but then I’ve never really liked Superman. 👍
i’m not as critical about Miller’s Superman as you are. I think that wink at the end of DKR is very much in keeping with who I think Superman is. You may have issue with him being a tool of Ronald Reagan, but I could also see that that’s part of his Boy Scout persona in a certain lens.
Batman '66 is the definitive Batman.
So this version of Batman proffers a subversion of Superman?
That's in the Dark Knight Returns, which came out short time later by the same author - a kind of "what if" story in the future. Supes is not in Year One.
I've heard of bat man. He's the guy Adam West plays on tv.
walk into a wall
That is the recolored version? Meh...
I hated the first Batman movie as I only knew Batman via Adam West. I have read this (my cover is quite different 🤔), it's not bad, so much better than Dark Knight Returns, possibly the worst comic ever. (Btw Ch = K 😉, the lady of the manor should be ticking you off).
For me, Year One was a dreary oddly drawn miserable story with a lot of incomprehensible text boxes with faux handwriting. I much prefare preCrisis late bronze age Gerry Conway & Doug Moench Batman and Detective Comics, the Son of the Demon graphic novel, or Batman Special 1 from 1984.