Batman : Earth One (HC Graphic Novel)

An angry & inexperienced Bruce Wayne dons the Batman costume to fight crooked cops & even more crooked politicians and eventually bring to justice his parents murderers. With the help of Alfred, his father’s old Royal Marine pal & medical engineer & genius Lucius Fox, Batman will be Gotham City’s new protector. Featuring a serial killer called The Birthday Boy, The Penguin & Detective Jim Gordon.

The Pros

What an incredible book. Just like director Christopher Nolan re-imagined Batman through his eyes, writer Geoff Johns (Blackest Night, 52, Aquaman) & illustrator Gary Frank (Supreme Power, Superman : Secret Origin) have re-imagined the Batman of comics in a slick and unique way. Without giving away too much, The Wayne’s murder is more political this time, cops like Jim Gordon are bought, Alfred’s an ex-military man & the Penguin is a sadistic bastard who happens to be mayor of Gotham City. For those of you trying to find how or when this story fits into the Batman history, then I’m afraid you’ve missed the point. This is more like a throwback to DC’s Elseworlds stories, I’m surprised they didn’t just label it that way.

Johns also pays homage to Nolan’s Batman Begins movie by inserting little bits like Bruce Wayne consorting with Lucius Fox and how the ending introduces us to a familiar villain (it’s not The Joker). Batman’s costume also has a more realistic look, which reminds me of Brian Bolland’s Batman from The Killing Joke mixed with David Mazzucchelli’s Year One Batman. Gary Frank with the help of inker Jonathan Sibal & colorist Brad Anderson has unleashed some of the best work he’s done since Midnight Nation. And a stunning cover that speaks a thousand words looks right through your soul. Great stuff.

The Cons

Forget about it.

The Outcome

When I first read about the announcement of this graphic novel, I nodded my head from left to right, rolled my eyes and whispered to myself “Do we really need another Batman origin story?” Along with Spider-Man, Batman’s origin story has been told & retold so many times, that eventually I just got sick of reading about it. So when this came out earlier this week, I went against my better judgment and purchased it. I asked myself (I don’t always talk to myself in case you’re wondering) “When did Geoff Johns & Gary Frank ever let me down?” So here I am. To all Batman fans, you owe it to yourself to pick this up, you won’t regret it.