‘Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition’ Graphic Novel Review

There are a few Batman graphic novels that every fanboy and comic book geek worldwide agrees are essential reading. Anyone who is a fan of comic books knows how hard it is to get any of us to agree on anything, but there are some. Most would say Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns,” Alan Moore’s “The Killing Joke,” Grant Morrison’s “Arkham Asylum,” and Jeph Loeb’s “The Long Halloween” all need to be read. Another book that was not only named the #1 Essential Batman Graphic Novel but also launched Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy and an animated feature based on it was Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One.

Thanks to DC Comics, now you can get the hardcover “Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition.” I know what everyone’s thinking. They released that again?” From my “behind-the-scenes” knowledge, most publishers make new editions available when they have to reprint a book because of demand by new buyers. Their thought is, “If we’re going to have to reprint it, why not add something to make it unique and tempting for fans that already have it?” Are they hoping people might buy it again? Of course they are! Are they holding a gun to your head and making you buy it? Absolutely not.

Frank Miller’s version of the Dark Knight’s ascension to greatness doesn’t take anything away from what was already established in the superhero’s universe. It just fleshes it out and gives it some new layers. The book pounds home the dirty, gritty horrible place Gotham City is. It shows the Batman at the most vulnerable time in his career and gives us a front row seat to how he came to be the legend he is.

David Mazzucchelli’s artwork for “Batman: Year One” fits the grimy, pulpy atmosphere of Miller’s writing perfectly. It has an old-school flavor to it and reminds me of the simple comic book illustrations of the 1930s and 1940s. It’s doesn’t have the realistic flash and precision of today’s comic book artists. There’s something primal about Mazzucchelli’s penciling that serves the book justice.

You’re asking what makes this graphic novel the “Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition?” There are 38-pages of early renderings, pencil pages, scripts, concept art, cover reprints, and page reprints. It also features a new cover made up of the artwork from the animated movie.

Batman completists absolutely need to get their hands on the “Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition.” For those that have never read it, you need to get this and do it immediately. The 38-pages of extra material make it well worth the $16.00 you’ll pay for it.

For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:

Review: ‘Batman Versus Bane’ Graphic Novel
‘DC Universe Secret Origins’ Graphic Novel Review
Bat-Girl, Batwoman Co-Creator/Artist Sheldon Moldoff Passes Away at 91

Eric Shirey is the founder and editor of Rondo Award nominated movie and comic book news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other national entertainment websites. Besides his three decades long obsession with everything sci-fi, horror, and fantasy related in TV and movies, Eric has what some would call an unhealthy love for comic books. This has led him to interviewing and covering legendary writers and artists in the medium like Geoff Johns, Scott Snyder, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, and Howard Chaykin.