Batman: Year One

    (DC, 1988)
™ and © DC Comics

After chronicling the twilight of Batman’s career in the phenomenally successful, Batman: The Dark Knight, Frank Miller turned to the dawn of Batman’s mission and delivered (with appropriately moody art by David Mazzucchelli) one of the most moving and powerful Batman stories ever written.

Miller deftly contrasts Bruce Wayne with James Gordon as both men come to Gotham City: one to begin his career and the other to salvage his. Gotham City is rife with corruption. Police are on the take, civic leaders loot the treasury and the criminals own the streets. It is in this jungle that James Gordon hopes to turn his life around after having some trouble in Chicago, and Bruce Wayne strives to fulfill a graveside vow. He just needs to discover how.

Wayne’s first foray into crime fighting borders on a fiasco and results in him being stabbed in the leg by a child prostitute. This experience convinces him that he needs an appearance that will intimidate his foes. Even though the longtime fan knows exactly where this story is going, Miller adds enough new elements and enhances the originals to make the reader see Batman as a credible, realistic character. This collection gathers Batman #404-#407 in one volume and reading it in one sitting is a memorable experience.

— George Haberberger
Jump to issue:
  • Bk 1
    Book #1
    Jun 2006
    Cover: $9.95
    W: Frank Miller  ·  A: David Mazzucchelli
    Collects Batman #404-407
    1 copy for $7.96
  • Bk 1-2
    Book #1 - 2nd printing
    Jun 2006
    Cover: $9.95
    W: Frank Miller  ·  A: David Mazzucchelli
    Collects Batman #404-407; Introduction by Frank Miller
    3 copies from $37.00
  • Bk 1-7
    Book #1 - 7th printing
    Red silhouette cover of only Batman’s head
    Cover: $9.95
    W: Frank Miller  ·  A: David Mazzucchelli
    Collects Batman #404-407; ca. 2005
    2 copies from $3.50
  • Bk 1-8
    Book #1 - 8th printing
    Cover: $14.99
    W: Frank Miller  ·  A: David Mazzucchelli
    Collects Batman #404-407; ca. 2007
    2 copies from $9.20
  • Bk 1/A
    Book #1 Variation A
    May 2005
    Cover: $19.99
    W: Frank Miller  ·  A: David Mazzucchelli
    Reprints original afterword by Frank Miller; 144 pages; Collects Batman #404-407; New Afterword by David Mazzucchelli; New Introduction by Frank Miller; Red partial wraparound dust jacket
    1 copy for $60.00