What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman (2011) (Single Issues)
Batman (2011-2016) #21
Reprinting the first chapter of this new story arc that begins in BATMAN #21 from the stunning pencil art of Greg Capullo and Rafael Albuquerque, with the full, action-packed scripts by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV!
33 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2013
10 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,779 books5,119 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 22, 2023
Batman year zero very interesting i love it.
The main villain here is the red hood and his gang.
Its 6 years earlier when Bruce first returned to Gotham.
Nygma and his uncle are planning to kill him it seems.
Its just fresh i love it.
Batman using masks of other peoples, to disguise his true identity so far, No Costume Yet!.
The main villain here is the red hood and his gang.
Its 6 years earlier when Bruce first returned to Gotham.
Nygma and his uncle are planning to kill him it seems.
Its just fresh i love it.
Batman using masks of other peoples, to disguise his true identity so far, No Costume Yet!.
July 28, 2014
For the longest time I don't know why I love Batman yet I was inherently drawn to him in some way. It may have something to do with the fact that his image was one of the earliest memories I have from childhood. I was about four years old, and I remember that my grandfather would wear this white shirt with his iconic bat symbol in it, and that every time he would lay me to sleep, he'd put Batman stickers on the bed frame in front of me. I would wake up each morning and pick at them for fun, but every time they get peeled off, my grandfather would only replace them the next day. I don't know why he did this ritual and I never got to ask him because he passed away when I was ten and by then I was already living far away from my grandparents.
But Batman's image stuck with me for years as something that I associate with my estranged grandfather--until it became something more. One day while I was browsing through channels on TV, I came upon the cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series and I simply devoured it. I was about thirteen and it was a fortunate thing that every time I got home from school, BTAS is always on air the minute I tune in, so I got to know Batman some more and his villains stood out for me as well. I bought VCDs for the Tim Burton movies, and then by college, I started to look forward to Nolan's trilogy. I was just hooked and I wanted to know Batman more intimately so I turned to comics since that's where he began. It was only three years ago that I began to obsessively pursue him. I'd watch copies of the Adam West show online and download documentaries and more animated films about him; until one day I just realized I love him in a way that's taking over my life.
I never really understood why I love Batman until I started to talk about it with other interested people and long-time fans. I thought I simply liked him because seeing his image is attached to a nostalgic experience of mine with a late relative. But it was more than that now. I love Batman because I believe in heroes and their power that can influence our lives and give us something greater to aspire to. Batman is the first thing that my mind accepts whenever I hear that term 'hero'. And he remains my hero to this day, even though I equally rank the great detective Sherlock Holmes and the time-traveling Doctor from Doctor Who alongside with him.
Every one who calls him/herself a Batman fan knows about his origins, particularly the most popular version, Frank Miller's Year One. When Scott Snyder announced his intention to add something to the established origin story by releasing the ten-issue set Zero Year for DC's New 52, I was, of course, excited though still a bit skeptical. But pleasantly enough, this issue, Secret City: Part One is teeming with great potentials and can certainly expand the Batman mythos pertaining to Bruce Wayne's quest to become a symbol of hope and justice for Gotham City.
The story starts with Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after his 'presumed dead' status. An organized group of criminals who identify themselves simply as Red Hood (insert number here) has plagued the city, stealing, killing and rampaging across the streets. Bruce tries his best to derail their plans but he can get too impulsive and clumsy in his pursuit. It's notable that this is definitely before he even took up the mask and symbol of the bat, and so he struggles his way as a novice vigilante for this issue. I really like the fact that this Bruce Wayne is quite selfish and evasive with a one-track mind and a thirst for easy vengeance. I also like the flashback moments about his father, and his interactions with an uncle who tries to push him back into the Wayne spotlight, to take up that mantle and be the man his parents want him to be. Bruce isn't interested in that life at all because he knows he can do more hands-on things to stop the crimes in Gotham. But it's also apparent that he is heavily misguided, unable to truly understand the importance and scope of his goals.
Now reading this first issue from the Zero Year series, as well as the previous issues dealing with Damian's death in 18, 19 and 20, has helped me to fully understand why I love Batman so much. It wasn't just the Dark Knight that I'm drawn to--it's the traumatized boy underneath who is just looking for a way to conquer his fears and avenge his parents' death. Now I may not know how it feels like to watch my parents get gunned down by some crook, but I do know how difficult it is to overcome the things you're most afraid of. I have my fair share of those and they can be indeed emotionally crippling. You try to fight back but the pressure is just too grand especially when you do it alone--but you had to do it alone because it's your war. And Synder has delivered me this insight about Bruce Wayne.
This is personal to him because growing up in a city filled with so much filth and desolation has not only killed his parents but also changed the way he looks at the world. And that is the most terrifying thing a person could ever face; to know that nothing in life is safe or stable for long, and that there are things in the dark that will drag you down unless you kick them in the face and fight back.
I'm glad that Snyder is taking a step back from the present timeline to explore the makings of Bruce Wayne as a self-made caped crusader in the same style as Nolan did for Batman Begins but with a better literary restraint, more creative freedom, and greater knowledge and understanding of why Bruce operates the way he does. The tone and atmosphere for this series is top-notch so far. I like the storytelling structure where we go back and forth to the past with young Bruce Wayne, and the present with the Red Hood plot. Edward Nygma (who will become the Riddler) is another added bonus for me. Seeing Bruce experiment and fail in his determination to stop the Red Hood gang is also juxtaposed with the last pages where we see him in some country, training with a guy who is an expert at something Bruce himself could use once he becomes Batman.
This goes on for the next two issues as well and serves as a way to portray his dedication and hard work to become not just physically gifted in fighting but also mentally strong in an any ongoing battle. Overall, this is a great read all throughout and I'm so excited for the directions Snyder will be taking us in the next issues!
RECOMMENDED: 9/10
* A promising start for an epic saga ahead
[DO READ MORE ABOUT MY BATMAN REVIEWS IN http://batman-comics-geek.blogspot.com/]
But Batman's image stuck with me for years as something that I associate with my estranged grandfather--until it became something more. One day while I was browsing through channels on TV, I came upon the cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series and I simply devoured it. I was about thirteen and it was a fortunate thing that every time I got home from school, BTAS is always on air the minute I tune in, so I got to know Batman some more and his villains stood out for me as well. I bought VCDs for the Tim Burton movies, and then by college, I started to look forward to Nolan's trilogy. I was just hooked and I wanted to know Batman more intimately so I turned to comics since that's where he began. It was only three years ago that I began to obsessively pursue him. I'd watch copies of the Adam West show online and download documentaries and more animated films about him; until one day I just realized I love him in a way that's taking over my life.
I never really understood why I love Batman until I started to talk about it with other interested people and long-time fans. I thought I simply liked him because seeing his image is attached to a nostalgic experience of mine with a late relative. But it was more than that now. I love Batman because I believe in heroes and their power that can influence our lives and give us something greater to aspire to. Batman is the first thing that my mind accepts whenever I hear that term 'hero'. And he remains my hero to this day, even though I equally rank the great detective Sherlock Holmes and the time-traveling Doctor from Doctor Who alongside with him.
Every one who calls him/herself a Batman fan knows about his origins, particularly the most popular version, Frank Miller's Year One. When Scott Snyder announced his intention to add something to the established origin story by releasing the ten-issue set Zero Year for DC's New 52, I was, of course, excited though still a bit skeptical. But pleasantly enough, this issue, Secret City: Part One is teeming with great potentials and can certainly expand the Batman mythos pertaining to Bruce Wayne's quest to become a symbol of hope and justice for Gotham City.
The story starts with Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after his 'presumed dead' status. An organized group of criminals who identify themselves simply as Red Hood (insert number here) has plagued the city, stealing, killing and rampaging across the streets. Bruce tries his best to derail their plans but he can get too impulsive and clumsy in his pursuit. It's notable that this is definitely before he even took up the mask and symbol of the bat, and so he struggles his way as a novice vigilante for this issue. I really like the fact that this Bruce Wayne is quite selfish and evasive with a one-track mind and a thirst for easy vengeance. I also like the flashback moments about his father, and his interactions with an uncle who tries to push him back into the Wayne spotlight, to take up that mantle and be the man his parents want him to be. Bruce isn't interested in that life at all because he knows he can do more hands-on things to stop the crimes in Gotham. But it's also apparent that he is heavily misguided, unable to truly understand the importance and scope of his goals.
Now reading this first issue from the Zero Year series, as well as the previous issues dealing with Damian's death in 18, 19 and 20, has helped me to fully understand why I love Batman so much. It wasn't just the Dark Knight that I'm drawn to--it's the traumatized boy underneath who is just looking for a way to conquer his fears and avenge his parents' death. Now I may not know how it feels like to watch my parents get gunned down by some crook, but I do know how difficult it is to overcome the things you're most afraid of. I have my fair share of those and they can be indeed emotionally crippling. You try to fight back but the pressure is just too grand especially when you do it alone--but you had to do it alone because it's your war. And Synder has delivered me this insight about Bruce Wayne.
This is personal to him because growing up in a city filled with so much filth and desolation has not only killed his parents but also changed the way he looks at the world. And that is the most terrifying thing a person could ever face; to know that nothing in life is safe or stable for long, and that there are things in the dark that will drag you down unless you kick them in the face and fight back.
I'm glad that Snyder is taking a step back from the present timeline to explore the makings of Bruce Wayne as a self-made caped crusader in the same style as Nolan did for Batman Begins but with a better literary restraint, more creative freedom, and greater knowledge and understanding of why Bruce operates the way he does. The tone and atmosphere for this series is top-notch so far. I like the storytelling structure where we go back and forth to the past with young Bruce Wayne, and the present with the Red Hood plot. Edward Nygma (who will become the Riddler) is another added bonus for me. Seeing Bruce experiment and fail in his determination to stop the Red Hood gang is also juxtaposed with the last pages where we see him in some country, training with a guy who is an expert at something Bruce himself could use once he becomes Batman.
This goes on for the next two issues as well and serves as a way to portray his dedication and hard work to become not just physically gifted in fighting but also mentally strong in an any ongoing battle. Overall, this is a great read all throughout and I'm so excited for the directions Snyder will be taking us in the next issues!
RECOMMENDED: 9/10
* A promising start for an epic saga ahead
[DO READ MORE ABOUT MY BATMAN REVIEWS IN http://batman-comics-geek.blogspot.com/]
June 13, 2013
Outstanding start to the Batman event of the summer, The Zero Year. While it's a Batman origin story that some might feel is unnecessary, Snyder and Capullo look to be doing something bigger and more ambitious than Miller and Mazzucchelli's masterpiece, Year One. A promising start - full review here!
March 30, 2017
That was aaaaawesome!!!
June 12, 2013
Well written (Scott Snyder so it seems almost redundant to say that) and drawn by perhaps my favourite artist right now (along with Rafael and Jim who incidently work on Scott's other books... maybe he brings the best out of them?).
We're given a glimpse of the end game of this story arc in the very first few pages and I'm fascinated to see how we get there. The rest is all very interesting and even though it's difficult to judge the 11 issue story will pan out it all looks very promising!
We're given a glimpse of the end game of this story arc in the very first few pages and I'm fascinated to see how we get there. The rest is all very interesting and even though it's difficult to judge the 11 issue story will pan out it all looks very promising!
December 26, 2016
Zero Year. Bruce has been back in Gotham for 6 months. Leading up to him becoming Batman.
December 31, 2013
You can read the full review over at The Founding Fields:
thefoundingfields.com/2013/07/comics-...
This also includes #19-20.
Batman, which holds the distinction of being one of my favourite books right now from DC. Scott Snyder has done some seriously great work with the Batman mythos in New 52. First through his year-long “Court of Owls” arc, then with “Death of the Family“, and now with “Year Zero“. Throughout his current run, he has continued to reinvent and reinterpret who Batman is and what he means to people around him. For someone who grew up with the Kevin Conroy Batman, Snyder has offered something entirely unique and trend-setting with his Batman, a character who is flawed, but continues to meet each challenge head-on and win through with victories that are as much psychological as physical.
Issues 19 and 20 are a two-part story featuring one of Batman’s most classic villains: Clayface. In these two issues, Snyder reinvents the character, redefining him for a new audience. In essence the story is fairly simple, of the kind that Bruce Timm would have shown on Batman: The Animated Series, but really, it is much more than that. These two issues are also about Batman learning to deal with the loss of his son, Damian. While we get to see Batman being Batman, we also see the inner Bruce Wayne, the actual man behind the playboy’s mask. Issue 19 begins on an emotional high involving Damian, and issue 20 ends the same way, across two spectacular pages that were enough to get me teary-eyed. I haven’t read Morrison’s current run on Batman, Inc. and therefore I am not familiar with the events surrounding Damian’s death, but the effects of it are still being felt in Batman.
Looking past all the typical Batman adventures involving Clayface, for me the two issues became a story about loss, the acceptance, the denial, all of it. And this one of the main reasons why Batman is one of my favourite comics right now: these comics have a heart. The Batman we see here isn’t the commonly invulnerable Batman that has been seen in the pat. Reading these two issues was like reading Chuck Dixon and Doug Moench’s Knightfall Vol.1: The Broken Bat all over again.
Clayface as a character is fairly interesting here, given his new origins and his motivations for his actions as seen in these two issues. Much less cartoony than I had thought that he would be, which is great.
Issue 21 is the first “Year Zero” and it details the opening chapter in Batman’s bid to become the kind of symbol that Gotham needs. There are some thematic hints and nods to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins here, but for the most part, this is also a comic that stands on its own. Going back in time, so to speak, and seeing how the legend was created, is something that I found to be deeply moving. And a large part of the interaction is how Gotham in this era is a completely different Gotham than the one we are much more familiar with. The shift in tone is what really sells this issue.
There are two backups in these three issues. Issues 19 and 20 are a two-parter in which Superman arrives in Gotham, wanting to talk to Bruce about Damian but the two of them get involved in some supernatural shenanigans instead. The highlight of these two backups was the dynamic and the chemistry between DC’s two premier characters. James Tynion IV has written backups for Batman before, and he’s done quite admirably in all of them. This particular backup, Ghost Lights, is undoubtedly his best work yet. It is a small story, as a backup should be, and it lays out the relationship between Superman and Batman quite well, managing to do something that has unfortunately been disregarded in Geoff Johns’ Justice League. The story I definitely loved, as evidenced by my reaction.
The backup in #21 is another small-scale territory, but also very profound in that it shows off the kind of driver that Bruce Wayne becomes eventually and sets the tone for the persona, the symbolism that he will later adopt. It shows the lengths that Bruce Wayne will go to in order to bring criminals to justice. Tynion’s backups are always worth a read and that definitely shows here.
The primary artist on all three issues is Greg Capullo, the man who has been there with Batman from the start of New 52 and has turned out one stunning issue after another. Of these three issues, #21 definitely wins out in terms of pretty much everything, all the points that matter. I enjoyed the gothic splendour in the first 11 issues and with #21 Greg Capullo overturns the entire city on its death, showing off Gotham as a place of hope and brightness. It was a great gamble, and I dare say that it succeeded.
Alex Maleev handled the pencilwork on the Ghost Lights backup while Rafael Albequerque returned to partner with Tynion IV on the backup from #21. Both of them have a style that is quite the opposite to that of Greg Capullo, and that’s a great thing, because then there is a good amount of visual diversity. The pencils, along with the colours and inks by an entire battalion of workers, are just simply something else. The overall effect jives very well with the script that Tynion IV has written (co-written in fact with Scott Snyder).
In the end, all I can say is that you really should be getting this series and reading it.
Rating: 9.5/10
Merged review:
You can read the full review over at The Founding Fields:
http://thefoundingfields.com/2013/07/...
Batman, which holds the distinction of being one of my favourite books right now from DC. Scott Snyder has done some seriously great work with the Batman mythos in New 52. First through his year-long “Court of Owls” arc, then with “Death of the Family“, and now with “Year Zero“. Throughout his current run, he has continued to reinvent and reinterpret who Batman is and what he means to people around him. For someone who grew up with the Kevin Conroy Batman, Snyder has offered something entirely unique and trend-setting with his Batman, a character who is flawed, but continues to meet each challenge head-on and win through with victories that are as much psychological as physical.
Issues 19 and 20 are a two-part story featuring one of Batman’s most classic villains: Clayface. In these two issues, Snyder reinvents the character, redefining him for a new audience. In essence the story is fairly simple, of the kind that Bruce Timm would have shown on Batman: The Animated Series, but really, it is much more than that. These two issues are also about Batman learning to deal with the loss of his son, Damian. While we get to see Batman being Batman, we also see the inner Bruce Wayne, the actual man behind the playboy’s mask. Issue 19 begins on an emotional high involving Damian, and issue 20 ends the same way, across two spectacular pages that were enough to get me teary-eyed. I haven’t read Morrison’s current run on Batman, Inc. and therefore I am not familiar with the events surrounding Damian’s death, but the effects of it are still being felt in Batman.
Looking past all the typical Batman adventures involving Clayface, for me the two issues became a story about loss, the acceptance, the denial, all of it. And this one of the main reasons why Batman is one of my favourite comics right now: these comics have a heart. The Batman we see here isn’t the commonly invulnerable Batman that has been seen in the pat. Reading these two issues was like reading Chuck Dixon and Doug Moench’s Knightfall Vol.1: The Broken Bat all over again.
Clayface as a character is fairly interesting here, given his new origins and his motivations for his actions as seen in these two issues. Much less cartoony than I had thought that he would be, which is great.
Issue 21 is the first “Year Zero” and it details the opening chapter in Batman’s bid to become the kind of symbol that Gotham needs. There are some thematic hints and nods to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins here, but for the most part, this is also a comic that stands on its own. Going back in time, so to speak, and seeing how the legend was created, is something that I found to be deeply moving. And a large part of the interaction is how Gotham in this era is a completely different Gotham than the one we are much more familiar with. The shift in tone is what really sells this issue.
There are two backups in these three issues. Issues 19 and 20 are a two-parter in which Superman arrives in Gotham, wanting to talk to Bruce about Damian but the two of them get involved in some supernatural shenanigans instead. The highlight of these two backups was the dynamic and the chemistry between DC’s two premier characters. James Tynion IV has written backups for Batman before, and he’s done quite admirably in all of them. This particular backup, Ghost Lights, is undoubtedly his best work yet. It is a small story, as a backup should be, and it lays out the relationship between Superman and Batman quite well, managing to do something that has unfortunately been disregarded in Geoff Johns’ Justice League. The story I definitely loved, as evidenced by my reaction.
The backup in #21 is another small-scale territory, but also very profound in that it shows off the kind of driver that Bruce Wayne becomes eventually and sets the tone for the persona, the symbolism that he will later adopt. It shows the lengths that Bruce Wayne will go to in order to bring criminals to justice. Tynion’s backups are always worth a read and that definitely shows here.
The primary artist on all three issues is Greg Capullo, the man who has been there with Batman from the start of New 52 and has turned out one stunning issue after another. Of these three issues, #21 definitely wins out in terms of pretty much everything, all the points that matter. I enjoyed the gothic splendour in the first 11 issues and with #21 Greg Capullo overturns the entire city on its death, showing off Gotham as a place of hope and brightness. It was a great gamble, and I dare say that it succeeded.
Alex Maleev handled the pencilwork on the Ghost Lights backup while Rafael Albequerque returned to partner with Tynion IV on the backup from #21. Both of them have a style that is quite the opposite to that of Greg Capullo, and that’s a great thing, because then there is a good amount of visual diversity. The pencils, along with the colours and inks by an entire battalion of workers, are just simply something else. The overall effect jives very well with the script that Tynion IV has written (co-written in fact with Scott Snyder).
In the end, all I can say is that you really should be getting this series and reading it.
Rating: 9.5/10
thefoundingfields.com/2013/07/comics-...
This also includes #19-20.
Batman, which holds the distinction of being one of my favourite books right now from DC. Scott Snyder has done some seriously great work with the Batman mythos in New 52. First through his year-long “Court of Owls” arc, then with “Death of the Family“, and now with “Year Zero“. Throughout his current run, he has continued to reinvent and reinterpret who Batman is and what he means to people around him. For someone who grew up with the Kevin Conroy Batman, Snyder has offered something entirely unique and trend-setting with his Batman, a character who is flawed, but continues to meet each challenge head-on and win through with victories that are as much psychological as physical.
Issues 19 and 20 are a two-part story featuring one of Batman’s most classic villains: Clayface. In these two issues, Snyder reinvents the character, redefining him for a new audience. In essence the story is fairly simple, of the kind that Bruce Timm would have shown on Batman: The Animated Series, but really, it is much more than that. These two issues are also about Batman learning to deal with the loss of his son, Damian. While we get to see Batman being Batman, we also see the inner Bruce Wayne, the actual man behind the playboy’s mask. Issue 19 begins on an emotional high involving Damian, and issue 20 ends the same way, across two spectacular pages that were enough to get me teary-eyed. I haven’t read Morrison’s current run on Batman, Inc. and therefore I am not familiar with the events surrounding Damian’s death, but the effects of it are still being felt in Batman.
Looking past all the typical Batman adventures involving Clayface, for me the two issues became a story about loss, the acceptance, the denial, all of it. And this one of the main reasons why Batman is one of my favourite comics right now: these comics have a heart. The Batman we see here isn’t the commonly invulnerable Batman that has been seen in the pat. Reading these two issues was like reading Chuck Dixon and Doug Moench’s Knightfall Vol.1: The Broken Bat all over again.
Clayface as a character is fairly interesting here, given his new origins and his motivations for his actions as seen in these two issues. Much less cartoony than I had thought that he would be, which is great.
Issue 21 is the first “Year Zero” and it details the opening chapter in Batman’s bid to become the kind of symbol that Gotham needs. There are some thematic hints and nods to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins here, but for the most part, this is also a comic that stands on its own. Going back in time, so to speak, and seeing how the legend was created, is something that I found to be deeply moving. And a large part of the interaction is how Gotham in this era is a completely different Gotham than the one we are much more familiar with. The shift in tone is what really sells this issue.
There are two backups in these three issues. Issues 19 and 20 are a two-parter in which Superman arrives in Gotham, wanting to talk to Bruce about Damian but the two of them get involved in some supernatural shenanigans instead. The highlight of these two backups was the dynamic and the chemistry between DC’s two premier characters. James Tynion IV has written backups for Batman before, and he’s done quite admirably in all of them. This particular backup, Ghost Lights, is undoubtedly his best work yet. It is a small story, as a backup should be, and it lays out the relationship between Superman and Batman quite well, managing to do something that has unfortunately been disregarded in Geoff Johns’ Justice League. The story I definitely loved, as evidenced by my reaction.
The backup in #21 is another small-scale territory, but also very profound in that it shows off the kind of driver that Bruce Wayne becomes eventually and sets the tone for the persona, the symbolism that he will later adopt. It shows the lengths that Bruce Wayne will go to in order to bring criminals to justice. Tynion’s backups are always worth a read and that definitely shows here.
The primary artist on all three issues is Greg Capullo, the man who has been there with Batman from the start of New 52 and has turned out one stunning issue after another. Of these three issues, #21 definitely wins out in terms of pretty much everything, all the points that matter. I enjoyed the gothic splendour in the first 11 issues and with #21 Greg Capullo overturns the entire city on its death, showing off Gotham as a place of hope and brightness. It was a great gamble, and I dare say that it succeeded.
Alex Maleev handled the pencilwork on the Ghost Lights backup while Rafael Albequerque returned to partner with Tynion IV on the backup from #21. Both of them have a style that is quite the opposite to that of Greg Capullo, and that’s a great thing, because then there is a good amount of visual diversity. The pencils, along with the colours and inks by an entire battalion of workers, are just simply something else. The overall effect jives very well with the script that Tynion IV has written (co-written in fact with Scott Snyder).
In the end, all I can say is that you really should be getting this series and reading it.
Rating: 9.5/10
Merged review:
You can read the full review over at The Founding Fields:
http://thefoundingfields.com/2013/07/...
Batman, which holds the distinction of being one of my favourite books right now from DC. Scott Snyder has done some seriously great work with the Batman mythos in New 52. First through his year-long “Court of Owls” arc, then with “Death of the Family“, and now with “Year Zero“. Throughout his current run, he has continued to reinvent and reinterpret who Batman is and what he means to people around him. For someone who grew up with the Kevin Conroy Batman, Snyder has offered something entirely unique and trend-setting with his Batman, a character who is flawed, but continues to meet each challenge head-on and win through with victories that are as much psychological as physical.
Issues 19 and 20 are a two-part story featuring one of Batman’s most classic villains: Clayface. In these two issues, Snyder reinvents the character, redefining him for a new audience. In essence the story is fairly simple, of the kind that Bruce Timm would have shown on Batman: The Animated Series, but really, it is much more than that. These two issues are also about Batman learning to deal with the loss of his son, Damian. While we get to see Batman being Batman, we also see the inner Bruce Wayne, the actual man behind the playboy’s mask. Issue 19 begins on an emotional high involving Damian, and issue 20 ends the same way, across two spectacular pages that were enough to get me teary-eyed. I haven’t read Morrison’s current run on Batman, Inc. and therefore I am not familiar with the events surrounding Damian’s death, but the effects of it are still being felt in Batman.
Looking past all the typical Batman adventures involving Clayface, for me the two issues became a story about loss, the acceptance, the denial, all of it. And this one of the main reasons why Batman is one of my favourite comics right now: these comics have a heart. The Batman we see here isn’t the commonly invulnerable Batman that has been seen in the pat. Reading these two issues was like reading Chuck Dixon and Doug Moench’s Knightfall Vol.1: The Broken Bat all over again.
Clayface as a character is fairly interesting here, given his new origins and his motivations for his actions as seen in these two issues. Much less cartoony than I had thought that he would be, which is great.
Issue 21 is the first “Year Zero” and it details the opening chapter in Batman’s bid to become the kind of symbol that Gotham needs. There are some thematic hints and nods to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins here, but for the most part, this is also a comic that stands on its own. Going back in time, so to speak, and seeing how the legend was created, is something that I found to be deeply moving. And a large part of the interaction is how Gotham in this era is a completely different Gotham than the one we are much more familiar with. The shift in tone is what really sells this issue.
There are two backups in these three issues. Issues 19 and 20 are a two-parter in which Superman arrives in Gotham, wanting to talk to Bruce about Damian but the two of them get involved in some supernatural shenanigans instead. The highlight of these two backups was the dynamic and the chemistry between DC’s two premier characters. James Tynion IV has written backups for Batman before, and he’s done quite admirably in all of them. This particular backup, Ghost Lights, is undoubtedly his best work yet. It is a small story, as a backup should be, and it lays out the relationship between Superman and Batman quite well, managing to do something that has unfortunately been disregarded in Geoff Johns’ Justice League. The story I definitely loved, as evidenced by my reaction.
The backup in #21 is another small-scale territory, but also very profound in that it shows off the kind of driver that Bruce Wayne becomes eventually and sets the tone for the persona, the symbolism that he will later adopt. It shows the lengths that Bruce Wayne will go to in order to bring criminals to justice. Tynion’s backups are always worth a read and that definitely shows here.
The primary artist on all three issues is Greg Capullo, the man who has been there with Batman from the start of New 52 and has turned out one stunning issue after another. Of these three issues, #21 definitely wins out in terms of pretty much everything, all the points that matter. I enjoyed the gothic splendour in the first 11 issues and with #21 Greg Capullo overturns the entire city on its death, showing off Gotham as a place of hope and brightness. It was a great gamble, and I dare say that it succeeded.
Alex Maleev handled the pencilwork on the Ghost Lights backup while Rafael Albequerque returned to partner with Tynion IV on the backup from #21. Both of them have a style that is quite the opposite to that of Greg Capullo, and that’s a great thing, because then there is a good amount of visual diversity. The pencils, along with the colours and inks by an entire battalion of workers, are just simply something else. The overall effect jives very well with the script that Tynion IV has written (co-written in fact with Scott Snyder).
In the end, all I can say is that you really should be getting this series and reading it.
Rating: 9.5/10
March 27, 2019
This is more of a setup issue, which is why I wasn't as thrilled by it as other people seem to be. I hope that this ends up being an origin story that was REALLY worth telling.
March 29, 2020
Zero Year Secret City part-1
March 26, 2024
2024 - Year of The Bat (366 Days of Batman)
Day 85
Day 85
August 2, 2025
back story time of before Bruce was batman. he was legally declared dead after assumingly falling off the face of the earth (going to the league of assassins im sure)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2015
Batman Zero Year is part of DC's New 52 Batman Line. The series re-imagines the origin of the infamous dark knight while paying a homage to previous incarnations of Batman and other famous and infamous characters.
Directors Cut 1 starts off with Batman being believed to be dead by the public's eye after Gotham City was desolated after a flood. This then cuts to the Secret City arch of the series.
During the Secret City we see Bruce Wayne's first attempts of being a vigilante. With the panels often showing flashbacks to Bruce's early years as a young adult trying to subdue the power of crime. The story also explores the relationship between Bruce and his maternal uncle, who, just so happens to have bad intentions and is working with one of Batman's future enemies ()
I have to say I am a fan of Snyder's writing, particularly because of his amazing story Batman: The Black Mirror. In saying so his writing in this issue does not fail to live up to the high standard of writing he has set and his narrative story-line was well-executed.
What is different about this issue to most issues that it is a director's cut edition where you get to see content that was not previously available in the other formats. It is great to see the script written by Snyder and also look at how the artist has depicted the scenarios in the script with their drawings.
Although, I liked the art and the additional content I must say this: I really did like the art and the penciling really showed Greg Capulllo's intricate and fine drawings, it was hard for me to understand what was going on in the panels. This is because, none of the panels were colored making it hard to distinguish certain characters, environments,etc.
Another complaint I have to make is that there are advertisements in this issue. Just joking.
However, I really enjoyed this issue and found it to be a well-executed take on the Batman character and his relationships as well as interactions between other characters.
Directors Cut 1 starts off with Batman being believed to be dead by the public's eye after Gotham City was desolated after a flood. This then cuts to the Secret City arch of the series.
During the Secret City we see Bruce Wayne's first attempts of being a vigilante. With the panels often showing flashbacks to Bruce's early years as a young adult trying to subdue the power of crime. The story also explores the relationship between Bruce and his maternal uncle, who, just so happens to have bad intentions and is working with one of Batman's future enemies ()
I have to say I am a fan of Snyder's writing, particularly because of his amazing story Batman: The Black Mirror. In saying so his writing in this issue does not fail to live up to the high standard of writing he has set and his narrative story-line was well-executed.
What is different about this issue to most issues that it is a director's cut edition where you get to see content that was not previously available in the other formats. It is great to see the script written by Snyder and also look at how the artist has depicted the scenarios in the script with their drawings.
Although, I liked the art and the additional content I must say this: I really did like the art and the penciling really showed Greg Capulllo's intricate and fine drawings, it was hard for me to understand what was going on in the panels. This is because, none of the panels were colored making it hard to distinguish certain characters, environments,etc.
Another complaint I have to make is that there are advertisements in this issue. Just joking.
However, I really enjoyed this issue and found it to be a well-executed take on the Batman character and his relationships as well as interactions between other characters.
June 12, 2013
The Zero Year kicks off with this fun issue that introduces us to a young Bruce Wayne beginning his crime-fighting efforts after a stent away from Gotham. It's a story you probably know well, but it's presented here in a fresh new light. It's a blast to see how Snyder reestablishes classic elements of the Batman mythos, and, as always, Capullo's art is something to behold. A great start to a series I've been anxiously looking forward to, and a great jumping-on point for folks who might be new to the comics. Can't wait to see where it goes. Highly recommended.
August 7, 2013
Great compelling artwork. Loving the plot. Alfred is great but not listened to as always unless when it really counts. His uncle, from the very first appearance, is shady. The tower looks like a bat! The car and the little cartoon at the end of the flashback are great as well. The question! Flashbacks give you a gimps into his character and influences as they are supposed to.
"Fate forms in the dark"
The ending in hilarious.
"Fate forms in the dark"
The ending in hilarious.
September 22, 2014
enjoying the reimagining of Batman's origin, they actually went to great lengths to make it colorful but still dark (if that makes any sense). Very cool pre-donning of the cowl vigilantism in this and it's hinting at the origin of the Joker as well.
August 3, 2013
Muy interesante el nuevo enfoque de los nuevos inicios de Batman en los nuevos 52, me parece un acierto que The Joker quede tan ligado a la historia misma de Batman.
December 1, 2014
love the art!
September 17, 2015
This book is all over the place, turning multiple origin stories on their respective heads. A great re-boot. Loved it!
December 16, 2019
I enjoy this book but I didn't love it and I love the art in the book. I fond this book easy and quick read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews