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DC Finest - Batman #1986-1987
DC Finest. Batman: Año Uno y Dos
¡La querías y aquí la tienes! Irrumpe la línea DC Finest, con recopilaciones completas de las etapas y los personajes más demandados y celebrados de la historia de DC, en offset en rústica con solapas. Empezamos con Batman: Año Uno y Dos, las aventuras que el Caballero Oscuro vivió tras las rompedoras Crisis en Tierras Infinitas, primero en manos de Frank Miller y David Mazzucchelli, y a continuación con autores como Mike W. Barr, Alan Davis, Todd McFarlane, Max Allan Collins, Norm Breyfogle, y más.
Más Información
Autor/es: Frank Miller, Mike W. Barr, David Mazzucchelli, Alan Davis
Fecha de lanzamiento: 3 abr. 2025
Idioma: Español
Páginas: 640
Tamaño: 17X26
Contiene:
Batman 401-412, Batman Annual 11, y Detective Comics 568-579
Formato: Rústica con solapas
Interior: Color
ISBN: 9788410519640
Enviado de: España - almacén 1
Más Información
Autor/es: Frank Miller, Mike W. Barr, David Mazzucchelli, Alan Davis
Fecha de lanzamiento: 3 abr. 2025
Idioma: Español
Páginas: 640
Tamaño: 17X26
Contiene:
Batman 401-412, Batman Annual 11, y Detective Comics 568-579
Formato: Rústica con solapas
Interior: Color
ISBN: 9788410519640
Enviado de: España - almacén 1
640 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2024
35 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Frank Miller
1,356 books5,353 followersFrank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 29, 2025
My biggest quandary going into reading this was: Is this worth upgrading from my “Year One” trade paperback? In my opinion, yes actually. It gives some context on DC’s transition from the Bronze Age to the Modern Age. It also has some surprise great stories and Jason Todd’s revised backstory.
Batman #401 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “A Bird in the Hand” (Aug. 1986)
For the first Batman story in the Post-Crisis timeline, it’s a little rough. I do appreciate using Magpie from Byrne’s Man of Steel series, but she’s not the best and hasn’t aged well. Decent art, though.
Detective Comics #568 ⧫ 3 Stars “Legends, Chapter 2: Eyrie” (Aug. 1986)
A grittier Penguin story is a better start, and the Klaus Jansen art definitely elevates this some.
Batman #402 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “There Is Nothing So Strange -- As a Man Destroying Himself!” (Sept. 1986)
This is a cool idea with a really weak ending. The return to this character is more psychologically interesting. I do like the Jim Starlin art, though.
Detective Comics #569-570 ⧫ 4 Stars “Catch As Catscan” “The Last Laugh!” (Sept.-Oct. 1986)
This is one of the issues that has color issues, and naturally it’s one of the better ones with some otherwise great Alan Davis art! Later printings will probably fix this, but my copy is missing a layer of inking, making the art look incomplete… Ugh. This is both a great Joker and Catwoman story, so it’s one of the best reasons to get the collection! It’s a little in the Bronze Age, showing more of the wacky characteristics that define that era, but it’s a cool transition point and a good story!
Batman #403 ⧫ 3 Stars “One Batman Too Many!” (Oct. 1986)
The more serious counterpart to its predecessor. It’s still very Bronze age, and it’s an insane contrast considering the next Batman issue begins “Year One.”
Detective Comics #571 ⧫ 3 Stars “Fear for $ale” (Nov. 1986)
This is a cool Scarecrow story with a nice dark undercurrent for the Modern Age. Another story with great Alan Davis art, though it’s undercut by the fact that Batman: The Animated Series did it better… in the later redesign season… Yeah, that series really just owns.
Batman #404-407 ⧫ 5 Stars “Year One” (Nov.-Dec. 1986, Jan.-Feb. 1987)
This is still incredible. I last read this when I was more enamored with Miller, and he was more sane. I came with trepidation, and I cannot believe Miller wrote this grounded, gritty story with well-developed characters, humor, and humanity. 9/11 really broke him in the worst ways. Batman literally humanizes over the course of the story! Not to mention, Mazzucchelli’s art is just stunning. Rightly remembered as great.
Detective Comics #572 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Doomsday Book” (Dec. 1986)
Okay, this is a little hokey, but I like the callback to the early detectives from this series and, of course, the detective who influenced all detectives. Is it a great story? No, not really. Is it fun? Yes. Some great art. Robin is such a little gremlin in this. I dunno, I love these characters, and I had fun.
Detective Comics #573 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Mad Hatter Flips His Lids!” (Jan 1987)
This is the kind of Bronze age story that I really hate. The weird leaps in logic, and the silly villain. Ugh. It leads to better stuff, but still. At least there’s Alan Davis art.
Detective Comics #574 ⧫ 3 Stars “…My Beginning…And My Probable End.” (Feb. 1987)
It’s an update of Detective Comics #457 "There Is No Hope in Crime Alley" that is good, but nothing new. Still love that Davis art.
Batman #408 ⧫ 4 Stars “Did Robin Die Tonight?” (Mar. 1987)
Another bonus to this series is that it includes the revised Jason Todd backstory that makes him different from Dick Grayson. It is a little weird to have two dying Robin stories in a row, but I like the questions this asks, and I think Todd got a bad rap back in the day.
Batman #409-410 ⧫ 3 Stars “Just Another Kid on Crime Alley!” “Two of a Kind” (Apr.-May 1987)
This is a little silly, but it continues the Jason Todd story, and it’s pretty decent. I do question DC at the time bringing Dave Cockrum to do art because it feels very old-fashioned among these stories.
Batman #411 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Second Chance” (Jun 1987)
The Todd story really gets going, and this is the darker side that will eventually smother the character and make him unreadable… Okay, that’s a long way off, and I think is actually a nice balance of the gremlin Robin of yore and the darker edge.
Batman Annual #11 (Apr. 1987)
“Mortal Clay” 4 Stars
Okay, I don’t know a ton about Clayface III, but he’s pretty scary. Oh, and hello ALAN MOORE! I have to say that this story is a bizarre look at relationships and how they can play out without good communication. This is both insane and surprisingly deep, so yeah Alan Moore. Good art, great story, maybe worth the purchase for just this and “Year One?”
“Love Bird” 4 Stars
Also really good! Maybe not deep, but Batman often fumbles reform stories, and this is a great one! Especially after the dark Penguin story, this more fluffy Bronze Ageish story goes down really smooth.
Detective Comics #575-578 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Year Two” (Mar.-June 1987)
This is very fine. The Reaper is cool. He doesn’t make a ton of sense… Neither do Batman’s decisions or love story. It’s rough. Especially if you’ve seen Batman: Mask of the Phantasm , which is this, but if everything worked. This story feels particularly wonky. It is notable for the Alan Davis art in part one and early Todd MacFarlane, of Spawn fame, for the rest. It is worth a read for Bat-Fans, but I don’t think I’d sell as hard on this as DC is.
Batman #412 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Sound of Silence” (July 1987)
I don’t think this quite works, but I like how weird it is.
Detective Comics #579 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Crime Doctor's Crimson Clinic” (July 1987)
This is alright. It’s another one that just feels like the old status quo.
So, should you get this? Well, if you’re curious about the time period or want to read a cool Joker/Catwoman story, a great Alan Moore story, Jason Todd’s backstory, or have “Year Two” for some reason, then yes. However, if none of that appeals, stick with a “Year One” collection. Also, if you do want to get this, maybe wait for a reprint that fixes the coloring issues in the Catwoman story.
Other Comics Reviews
DC Finest - Superman 1938-1940: The First Superhero
Challengers of the Unknown
DC Finest: Doom Patrol 1963-1966: The World's Strangest Heroes
Jack Kirby’s The Fourth World Omnibus
Orion Omnibus
Roots of the Swamp Thing
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Power Girl: Power Trip
Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman: The Deluxe Edition
Batman Black and White Vol. 1
Batman Black and White Vol. 2
Batman Black and White Vol. 3
Batman Black and White Vol. 4
Batman Black and White Vol. 5
Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus
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Batman #401 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “A Bird in the Hand” (Aug. 1986)
For the first Batman story in the Post-Crisis timeline, it’s a little rough. I do appreciate using Magpie from Byrne’s Man of Steel series, but she’s not the best and hasn’t aged well. Decent art, though.
Detective Comics #568 ⧫ 3 Stars “Legends, Chapter 2: Eyrie” (Aug. 1986)
A grittier Penguin story is a better start, and the Klaus Jansen art definitely elevates this some.
Batman #402 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “There Is Nothing So Strange -- As a Man Destroying Himself!” (Sept. 1986)
This is a cool idea with a really weak ending. The return to this character is more psychologically interesting. I do like the Jim Starlin art, though.
Detective Comics #569-570 ⧫ 4 Stars “Catch As Catscan” “The Last Laugh!” (Sept.-Oct. 1986)
This is one of the issues that has color issues, and naturally it’s one of the better ones with some otherwise great Alan Davis art! Later printings will probably fix this, but my copy is missing a layer of inking, making the art look incomplete… Ugh. This is both a great Joker and Catwoman story, so it’s one of the best reasons to get the collection! It’s a little in the Bronze Age, showing more of the wacky characteristics that define that era, but it’s a cool transition point and a good story!
Batman #403 ⧫ 3 Stars “One Batman Too Many!” (Oct. 1986)
The more serious counterpart to its predecessor. It’s still very Bronze age, and it’s an insane contrast considering the next Batman issue begins “Year One.”
Detective Comics #571 ⧫ 3 Stars “Fear for $ale” (Nov. 1986)
This is a cool Scarecrow story with a nice dark undercurrent for the Modern Age. Another story with great Alan Davis art, though it’s undercut by the fact that Batman: The Animated Series did it better… in the later redesign season… Yeah, that series really just owns.
Batman #404-407 ⧫ 5 Stars “Year One” (Nov.-Dec. 1986, Jan.-Feb. 1987)
This is still incredible. I last read this when I was more enamored with Miller, and he was more sane. I came with trepidation, and I cannot believe Miller wrote this grounded, gritty story with well-developed characters, humor, and humanity. 9/11 really broke him in the worst ways. Batman literally humanizes over the course of the story! Not to mention, Mazzucchelli’s art is just stunning. Rightly remembered as great.
Detective Comics #572 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Doomsday Book” (Dec. 1986)
Okay, this is a little hokey, but I like the callback to the early detectives from this series and, of course, the detective who influenced all detectives. Is it a great story? No, not really. Is it fun? Yes. Some great art. Robin is such a little gremlin in this. I dunno, I love these characters, and I had fun.
Detective Comics #573 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Mad Hatter Flips His Lids!” (Jan 1987)
This is the kind of Bronze age story that I really hate. The weird leaps in logic, and the silly villain. Ugh. It leads to better stuff, but still. At least there’s Alan Davis art.
Detective Comics #574 ⧫ 3 Stars “…My Beginning…And My Probable End.” (Feb. 1987)
It’s an update of Detective Comics #457 "There Is No Hope in Crime Alley" that is good, but nothing new. Still love that Davis art.
Batman #408 ⧫ 4 Stars “Did Robin Die Tonight?” (Mar. 1987)
Another bonus to this series is that it includes the revised Jason Todd backstory that makes him different from Dick Grayson. It is a little weird to have two dying Robin stories in a row, but I like the questions this asks, and I think Todd got a bad rap back in the day.
Batman #409-410 ⧫ 3 Stars “Just Another Kid on Crime Alley!” “Two of a Kind” (Apr.-May 1987)
This is a little silly, but it continues the Jason Todd story, and it’s pretty decent. I do question DC at the time bringing Dave Cockrum to do art because it feels very old-fashioned among these stories.
Batman #411 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Second Chance” (Jun 1987)
The Todd story really gets going, and this is the darker side that will eventually smother the character and make him unreadable… Okay, that’s a long way off, and I think is actually a nice balance of the gremlin Robin of yore and the darker edge.
Batman Annual #11 (Apr. 1987)
“Mortal Clay” 4 Stars
Okay, I don’t know a ton about Clayface III, but he’s pretty scary. Oh, and hello ALAN MOORE! I have to say that this story is a bizarre look at relationships and how they can play out without good communication. This is both insane and surprisingly deep, so yeah Alan Moore. Good art, great story, maybe worth the purchase for just this and “Year One?”
“Love Bird” 4 Stars
Also really good! Maybe not deep, but Batman often fumbles reform stories, and this is a great one! Especially after the dark Penguin story, this more fluffy Bronze Ageish story goes down really smooth.
Detective Comics #575-578 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Year Two” (Mar.-June 1987)
This is very fine. The Reaper is cool. He doesn’t make a ton of sense… Neither do Batman’s decisions or love story. It’s rough. Especially if you’ve seen Batman: Mask of the Phantasm , which is this, but if everything worked. This story feels particularly wonky. It is notable for the Alan Davis art in part one and early Todd MacFarlane, of Spawn fame, for the rest. It is worth a read for Bat-Fans, but I don’t think I’d sell as hard on this as DC is.
Batman #412 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Sound of Silence” (July 1987)
I don’t think this quite works, but I like how weird it is.
Detective Comics #579 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Crime Doctor's Crimson Clinic” (July 1987)
This is alright. It’s another one that just feels like the old status quo.
So, should you get this? Well, if you’re curious about the time period or want to read a cool Joker/Catwoman story, a great Alan Moore story, Jason Todd’s backstory, or have “Year Two” for some reason, then yes. However, if none of that appeals, stick with a “Year One” collection. Also, if you do want to get this, maybe wait for a reprint that fixes the coloring issues in the Catwoman story.
Other Comics Reviews
DC Finest - Superman 1938-1940: The First Superhero
Challengers of the Unknown
DC Finest: Doom Patrol 1963-1966: The World's Strangest Heroes
Jack Kirby’s The Fourth World Omnibus
Orion Omnibus
Roots of the Swamp Thing
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Power Girl: Power Trip
Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman: The Deluxe Edition
Batman Black and White Vol. 1
Batman Black and White Vol. 2
Batman Black and White Vol. 3
Batman Black and White Vol. 4
Batman Black and White Vol. 5
Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus
Legends of the Dark Knight: Michael Golden
Batman: Tales of the Demon
November 23, 2024
This is a pretty good introduction to Post Crisis Batman. Year One is one of my favorite comics ever, and this edition also gives you Batman #408-411 which is four-part intro to Jason Todd and a great Two-Face story. Batman Year Two is a decent story as well, I really enjoyed The Reaper, he’s a villain that parallels Batman’s origins and decides to kill criminals. The many issues of Detective Comics and Batman bundled together is a good move on DC’s part, giving you a bunch of standalone issues between small arcs, which I know many old-school comics like. Overall I’m enjoying the DC Finest line and I’m looking forward to reading more.
December 31, 2024
Great collection, great stories and excelent edition. This is a really good volume for someone who wants to get to know classic Batman and doesn't know where to start
June 22, 2025
Batman: Year One is a masterpiece of the superhero comic. I've read it so many times. It's so modern and mature and it's jarring but enlightening to see it in context with the semi-camp Bronze age issues leading up to it.
Year Two is a mess with some interesting ideas and themes. Batman drawing a sharp line between himself and his dark mirror who kills indiscriminately. The skill in storytelling and craft between Frank Miller and Mike Barr is very apparent. The stuff with Joe Chill is pretty lame and undercuts the resonance of the original sin undergirding Batman's origin.
Year Two is a mess with some interesting ideas and themes. Batman drawing a sharp line between himself and his dark mirror who kills indiscriminately. The skill in storytelling and craft between Frank Miller and Mike Barr is very apparent. The stuff with Joe Chill is pretty lame and undercuts the resonance of the original sin undergirding Batman's origin.
April 9, 2025
'DC Finest: Batman: Year One & Two' collects Batman’s early adventures in the new “Post-Crisis” continuity - the version many Millennial fans, like myself, grew up with. Rather than a clean reboot, this collection introduces a darker tone and revised origin story gradually and inconsistently, resulting in a strange mix of gritty realism and leftover Adam West-style nonsense.
The volume opens with the first two chapters of 'Legends', DC’s first post-Crisis crossover which reintroduced several characters to the new DC Universe. If it feels incomplete, that's because it is. Early stories featuring classic villains like Joker, Catwoman, and Scarecrow are fun but clearly aimed at children, with Alan Davis’s art adding charm. At this point, you'd have no idea that the entire DC Universe had just undergone a radical overhaul.
That changes with Frank Miller’s 'Year One', which drops the Comics Code to deliver a moody, grounded retelling of Batman’s origin that has defined the character ever since. It’s the undisputed highlight of the book.
Afterward, the tone wobbles again - silly tales, an odd Sherlock Holmes crossover, and the new Jason Todd origin - before landing on a strong but brief Alan Moore story. 'Year Two', often criticised, isn’t great but is more readable than expected in light of much else that fills this collection. Fortunately, its clumsy additions to Batman’s mythos have largely been forgotten.
Overall, this collection is disjointed but nostalgic. New readers would be better served picking up 'Year One' on its own.
The volume opens with the first two chapters of 'Legends', DC’s first post-Crisis crossover which reintroduced several characters to the new DC Universe. If it feels incomplete, that's because it is. Early stories featuring classic villains like Joker, Catwoman, and Scarecrow are fun but clearly aimed at children, with Alan Davis’s art adding charm. At this point, you'd have no idea that the entire DC Universe had just undergone a radical overhaul.
That changes with Frank Miller’s 'Year One', which drops the Comics Code to deliver a moody, grounded retelling of Batman’s origin that has defined the character ever since. It’s the undisputed highlight of the book.
Afterward, the tone wobbles again - silly tales, an odd Sherlock Holmes crossover, and the new Jason Todd origin - before landing on a strong but brief Alan Moore story. 'Year Two', often criticised, isn’t great but is more readable than expected in light of much else that fills this collection. Fortunately, its clumsy additions to Batman’s mythos have largely been forgotten.
Overall, this collection is disjointed but nostalgic. New readers would be better served picking up 'Year One' on its own.
December 20, 2024
Batman: Year One & Two er en samling af de Batman-tegneserier, der blev udgivet i 1986-1987.
I de år valgte man at omskrive Batmans historie, og især Batman: Year One-serien i fire dele er af særlig betydning, da den uden tvivl har bidraget meget til den moderne skildring af karakteren. Bortset fra den, svingede de forskellige historier dog meget i kvalitet. Personligt er jeg ikke til Batman og Robin, der fyrer far-jokes af i hvert andet panel og løser de svære konflikter med en hurtig sludder.
Alt i alt et spændende indblik i et af Batman-tegneserie-historiens skelsættende år, men med numre af varierende niveau.
Year One af Frank Miller er dog i sig selv 5/5.
I de år valgte man at omskrive Batmans historie, og især Batman: Year One-serien i fire dele er af særlig betydning, da den uden tvivl har bidraget meget til den moderne skildring af karakteren. Bortset fra den, svingede de forskellige historier dog meget i kvalitet. Personligt er jeg ikke til Batman og Robin, der fyrer far-jokes af i hvert andet panel og løser de svære konflikter med en hurtig sludder.
Alt i alt et spændende indblik i et af Batman-tegneserie-historiens skelsættende år, men med numre af varierende niveau.
Year One af Frank Miller er dog i sig selv 5/5.
December 23, 2024
Mostly pretty good. The 4 issue Year two is pretty weak, especially in comparison to how strong Year one was. Most of the other stories are pretty decent, Batman as it’s supposed to be. Varied Artists and writers but generally quite good.
April 1, 2025
Batman second chances is out of print and goes for around $80. This is $40 and you get that story and year one. Cost is as if you got both trades for retail. Plus you get what came out for Batman that year in order, however alot of the other stories are just ok
April 28, 2025
That damn Chad again got me to buy this DC Finest copy of Batman Year One & Two despite the fact that I’m sure I have both Year 1 and 2 as their individuals issues. But I was also very curious as to what these ‘mini-omnibuses’ were like and I’m pretty impressed.
”A Bird in the Hand…” And really. Any chance to bring back that supervillain Magpie is worth any price.
”Too much caviar on those. I’d like to stay rich.
Okay, how many times has Robin ‘accidentally’ ripped the top off a female supervillain? Someone needs to talk to him…
”Eyrie” is a Penguin tale in which Batman gives Robin some lessons on how to be a hero. Penguin is in full ‘Burgess Meridith’ mode, trying to steal giant falcons.
”There’s Nothing So Savage As a Man Destroying Himself!” appears to be an ‘Evil Twin’ story.
”I’d have to stop him… even though, as Jason instinctively seems to know, our missions differ only slightly… ”
Okay, this was actually an AWESOME story! A Batman-worshipper dresses up as Batman and kills criminals. Batman has to stop him - and figure out why what he’s doing is actually better!
”Catch as Catscan” is next. I don’t know if Alan Davis has ever gotten the recognition he deserves but he’s always been a favorite artist of mine.
”Please, Selina… not in front of the boy.”
”The Last Laugh” picks up where the last issue left off.
If I ever own a bar I think I’ll name it ‘McSurleys’. I also promise to have a top-less redhead in thigh-high boots holding a python sitting on the Star Invaders video game as well. The guy in the chicken suit, I can’t guarantee.
In this story, Batman threatens a information broker with prison rape to get information out of him!
”One Batman Too Many!” Very nice story about Batman and a Batman Evil Twin.
”Fear for Sale” is a Scarecrow story drawn by Alan Davis.
”I hope I’m wrong about this… but unfortunately, I rarely am!”
”They laugh at me because I’d rather spend my money on books than on fancy clothes, or stupid parties…”
Scarecrow uses his drug to remove fear and then blackmail the people he’s given it to once they realize that without fear, they’ll endanger themselves even more than usual!
Batman Year 1 Part 1. Lieutenant Gordon comes to Gotham City for the first time as Bruce Wayne at 25 years old comes back to Gotham after 12 years (he left when he was 13 years old!).
Because Gordon apparently accused a copy of being dirty before he had all the evidence locked down was sent to Gotham were every cop there assumed that because he was a cop being punished was going to easily come to the dark side.
I’ve got some quibbles but Gordon figuring out how to be a good cop in Gotham is good stuff.
And while I’m not really a fan of the style of art, it seems particularly well applied here.
”Chapter Two: War is Declared continues the story with Gordon talking to his men about the Giant Bat sightings. He notices that Batman is striking at random but slowly working up the criminal chain.
We hear the story of a crooked officer attacked while ‘single-handedly apprehending the felons’ in a drug deal. The pictures tell the true story while the words tell his tale.
Lieutenant Gordon. I’ve. Been. Hearing his name often. All the right people seem to hate him.
”Chapter Three: Black Dawn” sees the building Batman is in bombed by the GCPD who have a general disregard for human life.
Too bad I can’t afford to patent it. I’d make a fortune. But then, I already have a fortune.
Batman gets away and Gordon sees a weird but honorably man next to a lot of crooked cops.
Gordon winds up stress-kissing his hot cop partner.
Selina Kyle gets the idea that she can change her profession with a cool cat-costume.
”Chapter Four: Friend in Need” shows that Gordon is so good at catching bad cops and Batman is so good at catching crooks that get released by the crooked system that he is getting threatened by the crooked police commissioner to show the public and/or his wife the photos they have of him macking on Sergeant Essen.
But Gordon confesses to his wife before they can make good on their threats.
The Police Commissioner sends Gordon off on a bogus errand so they try to kidnap Gordon’s wife and newborn. Gordon sees a motorcycle go into his parking garage and figures out somethings wrong. He turns around and sees his wife and son being forced into a car. He knows if they leave they’re dead so he just shoots one of the kidnappers, which frees the wife but the other drives away with his baby son.
Gordon shoots the guy on the motorcycle and takes the motorcycle to chase the car. His wife threatens the guy on the motorcycle, but he swears he won’t let their son die.
This a great tale of how Gordon and Batman got to be partners.
Detective #572 appears to be a fifty year anniversary issue.
”The Doomsday Book has art by Alan Davis starts with Slam Bradley, who I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t bought the Detective #38 reprint recently! Apparently his partner ‘Shorty’ was killed recently by ‘pushers’. Slam Bradley figures he took the clients money so he has to finish solving the case.
”’Plan.’ In the old days, I would have just slapped some stoolies around until I liked what I heard…”
Through some lucky breaks and legwork Slam rescues Mary Watson from Thomas Moriarty (which explains Sherlock Holmes the cover on the comic), but for Alan Davis and Dick Giordano art, I’ll take it anyway.
”The Adventure of the Lost Adventure!” is an Elongated Man story drawn by Carmine Infantino. Ugh. Sorry but both of these guys are lame in my personal opinion. I know they have their fans, and I’ve read a lot of Flash back in the day. But I never grew to be a fan (of the art or the stretcher, not the Flash).
”Gasp! You’re that American adventurer — the Eel Man, isn’t it?”
Well, it was lame, but at least it was brief.
”The Adventure of the Red Leech” and it appears to be a straight forward Sherlock Holmes story.
”She is quite beautiful… ”
”As is Satan. Watson, or have you forgotten your old testament?”
Holmes and Watson foil a shapeshifter who was trying to infect the Queen with a worm which would have taken over her mind.
Batman, Robin, Elongated Man (really, who stops at ‘Elongated’ and say’s ‘nailed it!’?!), Slam Bradley and Mary Watson meet in a bar. Or at Elongated Man’s hotel room.
Well, I love the art, but in the end the day is saved by a 1,000 year old Sherlock Holmes, and it didn’t help make the rest of the story feel anything but forced and random. I get what they were going for, but it was all around weak sauce.
There is a nice two-page Dick Sprang poster/collage of the truly old-school Batman and Robin. Why did they ever put a yellow circle around Batman’s chest symbol?!
”The Mad Hatter Flips His Lids” is a Mike Barr and Alan Davis story, so it starts off two points ahead.
This story of the Mad Hatter, deciding not to be so obvious with his ‘hat’-related crimes could just as easily been a Batman ‘66 episode!
Terrific art but at the end the only thing separating this from an Adam West performance is Burt Ward lying dead on the ground at the end of it!
…”My beginning... and my probable en.” is apparently a 40th anniversary Batman story by Mike Barr (writer), Alan Davis & Paul Neary (art).
Of course, Batman takes Robin to Leslie Thompson. The site of Batman sitting in the waiting room, doing nothing but waiting is mesmerizing. Of course, he relives the first time he met Leslie - at his origin story.
Batman and Leslie discuss and reminisce about Bruce’s past and education.
It’s a terrific story of why Batman is the way he is and what Jason means to him. It’s a little heavy handed but if you’re reading a comic book, you’d better get used to it. Crucial reading for the Batman fan!
”Did Robin Die Tonight?” starts with Batman facing off with Joker.
”I don’t share your absurd anti-firearm fetish, remember — “
A news-copter filming the fight figures the title of this story would make a great headline!
But Batman takes Robin (Dick) back to Wayne Manor to get treated by Alfred. Batman decides that was too close a call and that they should let the world believe Robin is dead.
Batman tells Commissioner Gordon the truth. Gordon thinks he should tell the media
”Would they believe me” if I told them? No. Do I care what the press — what anyone thinks of my work? No.
Vicki Vale meets with Bruce to try to convince him to speak out against Batman. She said he’s made his fortune from munitions which I’m wondering if there is another source for this idea.
He turns her down but in the meantime sees a pickpocket and a great Bruce Wayne scene pretending to be incompetent occurs.
This is Batman’s anniversary and he drives through Crime Alley that night.
He introduces himself to Ma Gunn who is running a school for wayward boys. She really ought to change her name.
Batman walks around the neighborhood but word is out and everything is peaceful.
Until he gets back to the Batmobile and finds one of its wheels missing!
He tails the thief back to his crib, where he’s taking a smoke break! I wonder if they ever mentioned this habit again?
Batman makes the kid return the tires.
”I graduated a long time ago — from the streets of Crime Alley.”
Batman drops the kid off at Ma Gunn’s school, which (wouldn’t ya know it) is not as wholesome as you’d think. It’s in the name dude!
I’m not a fan of the art, but it is adequate.
”Just Another Kid on Crime Alley!” is a continuation of the Jason Todd origin story (a reboot itself!). Ross Andru & Dick Giordano doing the artwork certainly is an improvement however.
Of course, I find it a little hard that Batman can’t smell cigar smoke on Ma Gunn.
Like a clueless adult Batman finds Jason still up to his old tricks and uncovers the whole scheme. During a robbery by Ma Gunn and her child henchmen:
”You wouldn’t hit a lady —
”Never.” BIFF!
It’s an abrupt origin story but it does the job and it actually works out pretty cleverly all things considered. Jason is a grittier Robin that Dick and it’s true even before he meets his end.
It does seem like this story should have come earlier in this collection however.
”Two of a Kind” starts with a ‘training montage’ for the new Robin.
Bruce fills Jason in on the tragic history of Two-Face claiming that he is the most predictable and specific criminals in all their files. Batman neglects to mention that Jason’s father was murdered by Two-Face.
Alfred mentions that Batman too frequently mentions the previous Robin to Jason.
Batman and Robin go out to find Two Face.
”Shut up! You want him to flip that coin again?!?”
Robin out-thinks Two-Face, tempting him with the 2nd Robin as a hostage being too much for Two-Face to pass up.
”Second Chance” continues the story.
Of course, it’s hard to believe that a guy walks into a bank in Two-Faces two-halves suit and no one sets off an alarm!
Already Robin (Jason Todd) is showing a willingness to ‘cross the line’ that will become his defining characteristic, but it’s hard to believe this was the plan all along. This may in fact have caused him to be disliked enough and led to the 74 votes that cause his demise!
This is a good story of Jason losing his cool, but Batman gives him a second chance. It still pisses me off that he didn’t give Stephanie a second chance!
”Mortal Claw” starts with Clayface watching TV with… I’m not sure who or what. This story was written by Alan Moore. So watch out.
”Her silence has a disdainful edge to it these days. Do all women get that way eventually.”
I’m taking the fifth.
So this is the story of Clayface living in a department store with a mannequin that he thinks is his wife.
Apparently this is Clayface I.
Actually that was really good. Unfortunately reminiscent of the SubZero movie for Batman the Animated Series and also for Thanos plot from Marvel, but on it’s own it was a pretty cool story well drawn.
”Love Bird” has Penguin telling the parole board that he is changed because o the love of a good woman. It could happen.
Of course Batman and Robin show up to speak on his character. Robin is reading a Whisper comic while waiting.
The parole board ignores Batman’s protests and Penguin is freed to go on a date with his love.
She only asks that he walk the straight & narrow.
”I’ll cut you a deal. Spill and you keep your teeth.”
Batman pays a visit to Miss Partridge and she gives him a taking to.
”The prison psychiatrist said Oswald’s penchant for collecting was a simple anal retentive tendency which can be overcome by therapy and love!”
Art is by Norm Breyfogle who has a great reputation but I’m not familiar with his work. The art in this story is cute however.
And the story is cute itself. I’m not sure why it’s in this collection, but it’s a charming gesture to how the Batman can be blinded by his obsession.
I wonder if there was ever a follow up story…
Batman, Year Two, Part 1 starts with Batman rounding up some thugs.
”…you just killed the light… and that was your only weapon against me.”
Leslie Thompson and her friend stop by and Bruce tells Leslie that she is to be a resident at the very top of the skyscraper. She’s having none of that.
All three go to dinner where Bruce turns the charm onto Leslie’s friend (Miss Caspian) who is doing charitable work. It doesn’t work because she is becoming a nun. Womp-Womp-Womp.
Batman Year One, Part 2 starts with the Reaper ruining a prison transfer. Very few make it out alive.
We find Batman in the Batcave practicing his marksmanship with a pistol.
We also see the Reaper who is with Miss Caspian and we see that he is her father. He flashes back to a similar circumstance to Bruce Wayne’s origin story. He stopped a burglar at his home, but the burglar only killed his wife, leaving him to raise their daughter.
Batman warns Commissioner Gordon that he will curse Batman soon, but Batman is still a friend.
Gordon and a lot of cops try to ambush a mob boss coming in from Metropolis. They want to get him before the Reaper does. But they are too late. The Reaper appears but so does Batman.
But Batman shoots at Gordon to warn him away. Yeah. Shoots. With a gun. And Reaper does manage to kill the mob boss.
Gordon is confused. Hell, I’m confused. Whose side is Batman on?
Batman meets with the mob bosses and tells them that he’ll work with them to bring down the Reaper. They don’t trust him though and insist that he team up with one of theirs - Joe Chill. The man who killed Batman’s parents.
The amazing art doesn’t stop on ”Batman, Year Two, Part 3” .
Batman is again hanging out in the cemetery talking to his dad. Leslie finds him there because she knows where he hangs out.
So Batman is hunting down the Reaper with Joe Chill and showing Chill that his way (violent but not lethal) pays more dividends than just shooting everyone.
Batman and Chill set up an old hippy to start doing drug deals. Later we see that Chill is just planting bait for the Reaper. After taking out the Reaper he’ll kill Batman - for a bonus.
The cops get wind of the setup and the cops, Batman and Chill and the Reaper all clash in a firefight that nearly gets Chill killed until Batman rescues him.
”Batman, Year Two, Part 4” starts with the Reaper setting up an informer to tell the police that an organized crime meeting with happen next Friday at the Brayshaw warehouse.
Meanwhile Bruce goes on a date with Rachel (Reaper’s daughter) where he proposes and she says yes.
The meeting is a disaster. The Reaper shows up and kills a lot of guys. The police show up and get a lot of cops killed. Batman shows up and the crooks realize he was only on their side to get the Reaper.
Bruce shows up at Rachel’s house and tells her that after this one more thing he’s gotta do he’ll give it up and be hers forever.
Then he goes to Joe Chill’s apartment and takes him to Crime Alley.
He tells Chill his whole origin story and even removes his mask.
But before he can shoot Chill, the Reaper shows up and shoots Chill instead. The Reaper and Batman fight. And Reaper kills himself.
Bruce goes to Rachel but since she’s heard the news about her father she feels she has to make amends for his crimes by becoming a nun.
The art is fantastic in this story. The story itself is pretty wonky, but considering that it’s ‘Year 2’ it gets a lot of slack.
”The Sound of Silence” introduces the “Mime” supervillain and has Dave Cockrum and Don Heck (of X-Man fame) as the artist.
”Do you consider yourself, well… religious?
”It’s been said I have an Old Testament outlook—“
Someone has been stealing all the church bell clappers in Gotham leading to a very silent Sunday. And a Mime outside the theater district just shot and killed a cabbie who yelled at her.
Commissioner Gordon gets the wounded cabbie to look at a line-up. Of city-wide mimes.
”Easily the most idiotic line-up in history….”
Okay, this story is ridiculous but now I’m glad it’s included!
Bruce Wayne goes to Vicky Vale to get her to dig up an old story on a famous female mime.
”Next time you drop by the check up on a woman— make sure it’s me!”
The story by Max Allan Collins is a pretty funny Batman villain one-shot but I frankly love it for its weirdness.
”The Crime Doctor’s Crimson Clinic” has art by Norm Breyfogle, a good artist I have not seen enough of.
Schuyler, a down on his luck criminal decides to submit to experimentation by the Crime Doctor to make enough money to take care of his wife and child.
Batman and Robin know that the Crime Doctor is also treating a criminal boss and will go overseas if they don’t catch him soon.
Batman checks in on Schuyler’s family and discovers a clue that gives him the possible location of the Crime Doctor’s ‘hospital’. He assures them he will help Schuyler if he can.
I gotta say it was actually a wonderful collection. Despite having some duplicates in it that I have, I enjoyed the wide variety of the collection and the snapshots of different times of the Batman.
A very worthwhile collection I can recommend to every Batman fan. I just hope you can find it!
5 stars and a keeper!
”A Bird in the Hand…” And really. Any chance to bring back that supervillain Magpie is worth any price.
”Too much caviar on those. I’d like to stay rich.
Okay, how many times has Robin ‘accidentally’ ripped the top off a female supervillain? Someone needs to talk to him…
”Eyrie” is a Penguin tale in which Batman gives Robin some lessons on how to be a hero. Penguin is in full ‘Burgess Meridith’ mode, trying to steal giant falcons.
”There’s Nothing So Savage As a Man Destroying Himself!” appears to be an ‘Evil Twin’ story.
”I’d have to stop him… even though, as Jason instinctively seems to know, our missions differ only slightly… ”
Okay, this was actually an AWESOME story! A Batman-worshipper dresses up as Batman and kills criminals. Batman has to stop him - and figure out why what he’s doing is actually better!
”Catch as Catscan” is next. I don’t know if Alan Davis has ever gotten the recognition he deserves but he’s always been a favorite artist of mine.
”Please, Selina… not in front of the boy.”
”The Last Laugh” picks up where the last issue left off.
If I ever own a bar I think I’ll name it ‘McSurleys’. I also promise to have a top-less redhead in thigh-high boots holding a python sitting on the Star Invaders video game as well. The guy in the chicken suit, I can’t guarantee.
In this story, Batman threatens a information broker with prison rape to get information out of him!
”One Batman Too Many!” Very nice story about Batman and a Batman Evil Twin.
”Fear for Sale” is a Scarecrow story drawn by Alan Davis.
”I hope I’m wrong about this… but unfortunately, I rarely am!”
”They laugh at me because I’d rather spend my money on books than on fancy clothes, or stupid parties…”
Scarecrow uses his drug to remove fear and then blackmail the people he’s given it to once they realize that without fear, they’ll endanger themselves even more than usual!
Batman Year 1 Part 1. Lieutenant Gordon comes to Gotham City for the first time as Bruce Wayne at 25 years old comes back to Gotham after 12 years (he left when he was 13 years old!).
Because Gordon apparently accused a copy of being dirty before he had all the evidence locked down was sent to Gotham were every cop there assumed that because he was a cop being punished was going to easily come to the dark side.
I’ve got some quibbles but Gordon figuring out how to be a good cop in Gotham is good stuff.
And while I’m not really a fan of the style of art, it seems particularly well applied here.
”Chapter Two: War is Declared continues the story with Gordon talking to his men about the Giant Bat sightings. He notices that Batman is striking at random but slowly working up the criminal chain.
We hear the story of a crooked officer attacked while ‘single-handedly apprehending the felons’ in a drug deal. The pictures tell the true story while the words tell his tale.
Lieutenant Gordon. I’ve. Been. Hearing his name often. All the right people seem to hate him.
”Chapter Three: Black Dawn” sees the building Batman is in bombed by the GCPD who have a general disregard for human life.
Too bad I can’t afford to patent it. I’d make a fortune. But then, I already have a fortune.
Batman gets away and Gordon sees a weird but honorably man next to a lot of crooked cops.
Gordon winds up stress-kissing his hot cop partner.
Selina Kyle gets the idea that she can change her profession with a cool cat-costume.
”Chapter Four: Friend in Need” shows that Gordon is so good at catching bad cops and Batman is so good at catching crooks that get released by the crooked system that he is getting threatened by the crooked police commissioner to show the public and/or his wife the photos they have of him macking on Sergeant Essen.
But Gordon confesses to his wife before they can make good on their threats.
The Police Commissioner sends Gordon off on a bogus errand so they try to kidnap Gordon’s wife and newborn. Gordon sees a motorcycle go into his parking garage and figures out somethings wrong. He turns around and sees his wife and son being forced into a car. He knows if they leave they’re dead so he just shoots one of the kidnappers, which frees the wife but the other drives away with his baby son.
Gordon shoots the guy on the motorcycle and takes the motorcycle to chase the car. His wife threatens the guy on the motorcycle, but he swears he won’t let their son die.
This a great tale of how Gordon and Batman got to be partners.
Detective #572 appears to be a fifty year anniversary issue.
”The Doomsday Book has art by Alan Davis starts with Slam Bradley, who I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t bought the Detective #38 reprint recently! Apparently his partner ‘Shorty’ was killed recently by ‘pushers’. Slam Bradley figures he took the clients money so he has to finish solving the case.
”’Plan.’ In the old days, I would have just slapped some stoolies around until I liked what I heard…”
Through some lucky breaks and legwork Slam rescues Mary Watson from Thomas Moriarty (which explains Sherlock Holmes the cover on the comic), but for Alan Davis and Dick Giordano art, I’ll take it anyway.
”The Adventure of the Lost Adventure!” is an Elongated Man story drawn by Carmine Infantino. Ugh. Sorry but both of these guys are lame in my personal opinion. I know they have their fans, and I’ve read a lot of Flash back in the day. But I never grew to be a fan (of the art or the stretcher, not the Flash).
”Gasp! You’re that American adventurer — the Eel Man, isn’t it?”
Well, it was lame, but at least it was brief.
”The Adventure of the Red Leech” and it appears to be a straight forward Sherlock Holmes story.
”She is quite beautiful… ”
”As is Satan. Watson, or have you forgotten your old testament?”
Holmes and Watson foil a shapeshifter who was trying to infect the Queen with a worm which would have taken over her mind.
Batman, Robin, Elongated Man (really, who stops at ‘Elongated’ and say’s ‘nailed it!’?!), Slam Bradley and Mary Watson meet in a bar. Or at Elongated Man’s hotel room.
Well, I love the art, but in the end the day is saved by a 1,000 year old Sherlock Holmes, and it didn’t help make the rest of the story feel anything but forced and random. I get what they were going for, but it was all around weak sauce.
There is a nice two-page Dick Sprang poster/collage of the truly old-school Batman and Robin. Why did they ever put a yellow circle around Batman’s chest symbol?!
”The Mad Hatter Flips His Lids” is a Mike Barr and Alan Davis story, so it starts off two points ahead.
This story of the Mad Hatter, deciding not to be so obvious with his ‘hat’-related crimes could just as easily been a Batman ‘66 episode!
Terrific art but at the end the only thing separating this from an Adam West performance is Burt Ward lying dead on the ground at the end of it!
…”My beginning... and my probable en.” is apparently a 40th anniversary Batman story by Mike Barr (writer), Alan Davis & Paul Neary (art).
Of course, Batman takes Robin to Leslie Thompson. The site of Batman sitting in the waiting room, doing nothing but waiting is mesmerizing. Of course, he relives the first time he met Leslie - at his origin story.
Batman and Leslie discuss and reminisce about Bruce’s past and education.
It’s a terrific story of why Batman is the way he is and what Jason means to him. It’s a little heavy handed but if you’re reading a comic book, you’d better get used to it. Crucial reading for the Batman fan!
”Did Robin Die Tonight?” starts with Batman facing off with Joker.
”I don’t share your absurd anti-firearm fetish, remember — “
A news-copter filming the fight figures the title of this story would make a great headline!
But Batman takes Robin (Dick) back to Wayne Manor to get treated by Alfred. Batman decides that was too close a call and that they should let the world believe Robin is dead.
Batman tells Commissioner Gordon the truth. Gordon thinks he should tell the media
”Would they believe me” if I told them? No. Do I care what the press — what anyone thinks of my work? No.
Vicki Vale meets with Bruce to try to convince him to speak out against Batman. She said he’s made his fortune from munitions which I’m wondering if there is another source for this idea.
He turns her down but in the meantime sees a pickpocket and a great Bruce Wayne scene pretending to be incompetent occurs.
This is Batman’s anniversary and he drives through Crime Alley that night.
He introduces himself to Ma Gunn who is running a school for wayward boys. She really ought to change her name.
Batman walks around the neighborhood but word is out and everything is peaceful.
Until he gets back to the Batmobile and finds one of its wheels missing!
He tails the thief back to his crib, where he’s taking a smoke break! I wonder if they ever mentioned this habit again?
Batman makes the kid return the tires.
”I graduated a long time ago — from the streets of Crime Alley.”
Batman drops the kid off at Ma Gunn’s school, which (wouldn’t ya know it) is not as wholesome as you’d think. It’s in the name dude!
I’m not a fan of the art, but it is adequate.
”Just Another Kid on Crime Alley!” is a continuation of the Jason Todd origin story (a reboot itself!). Ross Andru & Dick Giordano doing the artwork certainly is an improvement however.
Of course, I find it a little hard that Batman can’t smell cigar smoke on Ma Gunn.
Like a clueless adult Batman finds Jason still up to his old tricks and uncovers the whole scheme. During a robbery by Ma Gunn and her child henchmen:
”You wouldn’t hit a lady —
”Never.” BIFF!
It’s an abrupt origin story but it does the job and it actually works out pretty cleverly all things considered. Jason is a grittier Robin that Dick and it’s true even before he meets his end.
It does seem like this story should have come earlier in this collection however.
”Two of a Kind” starts with a ‘training montage’ for the new Robin.
Bruce fills Jason in on the tragic history of Two-Face claiming that he is the most predictable and specific criminals in all their files. Batman neglects to mention that Jason’s father was murdered by Two-Face.
Alfred mentions that Batman too frequently mentions the previous Robin to Jason.
Batman and Robin go out to find Two Face.
”Shut up! You want him to flip that coin again?!?”
Robin out-thinks Two-Face, tempting him with the 2nd Robin as a hostage being too much for Two-Face to pass up.
”Second Chance” continues the story.
Of course, it’s hard to believe that a guy walks into a bank in Two-Faces two-halves suit and no one sets off an alarm!
Already Robin (Jason Todd) is showing a willingness to ‘cross the line’ that will become his defining characteristic, but it’s hard to believe this was the plan all along. This may in fact have caused him to be disliked enough and led to the 74 votes that cause his demise!
This is a good story of Jason losing his cool, but Batman gives him a second chance. It still pisses me off that he didn’t give Stephanie a second chance!
”Mortal Claw” starts with Clayface watching TV with… I’m not sure who or what. This story was written by Alan Moore. So watch out.
”Her silence has a disdainful edge to it these days. Do all women get that way eventually.”
I’m taking the fifth.
So this is the story of Clayface living in a department store with a mannequin that he thinks is his wife.
Apparently this is Clayface I.
Actually that was really good. Unfortunately reminiscent of the SubZero movie for Batman the Animated Series and also for Thanos plot from Marvel, but on it’s own it was a pretty cool story well drawn.
”Love Bird” has Penguin telling the parole board that he is changed because o the love of a good woman. It could happen.
Of course Batman and Robin show up to speak on his character. Robin is reading a Whisper comic while waiting.
The parole board ignores Batman’s protests and Penguin is freed to go on a date with his love.
She only asks that he walk the straight & narrow.
”I’ll cut you a deal. Spill and you keep your teeth.”
Batman pays a visit to Miss Partridge and she gives him a taking to.
”The prison psychiatrist said Oswald’s penchant for collecting was a simple anal retentive tendency which can be overcome by therapy and love!”
Art is by Norm Breyfogle who has a great reputation but I’m not familiar with his work. The art in this story is cute however.
And the story is cute itself. I’m not sure why it’s in this collection, but it’s a charming gesture to how the Batman can be blinded by his obsession.
I wonder if there was ever a follow up story…
Batman, Year Two, Part 1 starts with Batman rounding up some thugs.
”…you just killed the light… and that was your only weapon against me.”
Leslie Thompson and her friend stop by and Bruce tells Leslie that she is to be a resident at the very top of the skyscraper. She’s having none of that.
All three go to dinner where Bruce turns the charm onto Leslie’s friend (Miss Caspian) who is doing charitable work. It doesn’t work because she is becoming a nun. Womp-Womp-Womp.
Batman Year One, Part 2 starts with the Reaper ruining a prison transfer. Very few make it out alive.
We find Batman in the Batcave practicing his marksmanship with a pistol.
We also see the Reaper who is with Miss Caspian and we see that he is her father. He flashes back to a similar circumstance to Bruce Wayne’s origin story. He stopped a burglar at his home, but the burglar only killed his wife, leaving him to raise their daughter.
Batman warns Commissioner Gordon that he will curse Batman soon, but Batman is still a friend.
Gordon and a lot of cops try to ambush a mob boss coming in from Metropolis. They want to get him before the Reaper does. But they are too late. The Reaper appears but so does Batman.
But Batman shoots at Gordon to warn him away. Yeah. Shoots. With a gun. And Reaper does manage to kill the mob boss.
Gordon is confused. Hell, I’m confused. Whose side is Batman on?
Batman meets with the mob bosses and tells them that he’ll work with them to bring down the Reaper. They don’t trust him though and insist that he team up with one of theirs - Joe Chill. The man who killed Batman’s parents.
The amazing art doesn’t stop on ”Batman, Year Two, Part 3” .
Batman is again hanging out in the cemetery talking to his dad. Leslie finds him there because she knows where he hangs out.
So Batman is hunting down the Reaper with Joe Chill and showing Chill that his way (violent but not lethal) pays more dividends than just shooting everyone.
Batman and Chill set up an old hippy to start doing drug deals. Later we see that Chill is just planting bait for the Reaper. After taking out the Reaper he’ll kill Batman - for a bonus.
The cops get wind of the setup and the cops, Batman and Chill and the Reaper all clash in a firefight that nearly gets Chill killed until Batman rescues him.
”Batman, Year Two, Part 4” starts with the Reaper setting up an informer to tell the police that an organized crime meeting with happen next Friday at the Brayshaw warehouse.
Meanwhile Bruce goes on a date with Rachel (Reaper’s daughter) where he proposes and she says yes.
The meeting is a disaster. The Reaper shows up and kills a lot of guys. The police show up and get a lot of cops killed. Batman shows up and the crooks realize he was only on their side to get the Reaper.
Bruce shows up at Rachel’s house and tells her that after this one more thing he’s gotta do he’ll give it up and be hers forever.
Then he goes to Joe Chill’s apartment and takes him to Crime Alley.
He tells Chill his whole origin story and even removes his mask.
But before he can shoot Chill, the Reaper shows up and shoots Chill instead. The Reaper and Batman fight. And Reaper kills himself.
Bruce goes to Rachel but since she’s heard the news about her father she feels she has to make amends for his crimes by becoming a nun.
The art is fantastic in this story. The story itself is pretty wonky, but considering that it’s ‘Year 2’ it gets a lot of slack.
”The Sound of Silence” introduces the “Mime” supervillain and has Dave Cockrum and Don Heck (of X-Man fame) as the artist.
”Do you consider yourself, well… religious?
”It’s been said I have an Old Testament outlook—“
Someone has been stealing all the church bell clappers in Gotham leading to a very silent Sunday. And a Mime outside the theater district just shot and killed a cabbie who yelled at her.
Commissioner Gordon gets the wounded cabbie to look at a line-up. Of city-wide mimes.
”Easily the most idiotic line-up in history….”
Okay, this story is ridiculous but now I’m glad it’s included!
Bruce Wayne goes to Vicky Vale to get her to dig up an old story on a famous female mime.
”Next time you drop by the check up on a woman— make sure it’s me!”
The story by Max Allan Collins is a pretty funny Batman villain one-shot but I frankly love it for its weirdness.
”The Crime Doctor’s Crimson Clinic” has art by Norm Breyfogle, a good artist I have not seen enough of.
Schuyler, a down on his luck criminal decides to submit to experimentation by the Crime Doctor to make enough money to take care of his wife and child.
Batman and Robin know that the Crime Doctor is also treating a criminal boss and will go overseas if they don’t catch him soon.
Batman checks in on Schuyler’s family and discovers a clue that gives him the possible location of the Crime Doctor’s ‘hospital’. He assures them he will help Schuyler if he can.
I gotta say it was actually a wonderful collection. Despite having some duplicates in it that I have, I enjoyed the wide variety of the collection and the snapshots of different times of the Batman.
A very worthwhile collection I can recommend to every Batman fan. I just hope you can find it!
5 stars and a keeper!
January 5, 2025
Similar to the Marvel Epic collections, DC Finest collects a whole year of a title(s)' publication year. In this case, we get the first adventures of Batman post-80s Crisis.
It's an interesting time capsule, and a very uneven beast of a time for stories!
This first post-Crisis year saw the publication of Year One, considered to be one of, if not the, top Batman story for many people (and a story I previously reviewed a few years back). Also, we have a Year Two follow-up (we will get to that in a minute), an anniversary issue involving Sherlock Holmes, some Joker and Two-Face nonsense, and the beginning of the Jason Todd era of Robin with the new continuity.
It's fascinating to see how Year One introduces the dark, gritty, brooding Batman that has become the domineering characterization, yet the issues surrounding that four-parter are pun-filled, huge set piece, almost Adam West-y nonsense. Joker brainwashing Catwoman in a silly way. Two-Face committing crimes with a "two" theme. A villain called Mime who steals church bells to create more silence. These are almost painfully shmaltzy, loony adventures, all while the post-Crisis continuity is giving us Year One and Year Two with a Selina Kyle prostitution back-story, Gotham police corruption, Batman finding his thresh-hold of violence, and only being a hero at night. I can't imagine what it was like reading these in real-time, monthly, and trying to figure out what the new identity of the Batman line was going to be.
Year One, as I said, I've already reviewed, favorably. Year Two is nowhere near as strong nor as defining. Partly due to a drastic artist change after only one chapter, but also just because the story isn't as interesting. The Reaper isn't quite the direct, dark parallel to Batman that I think the author intended, and the Joe Chill reveal is...kind of underplayed for what should have been a Big Moment for Wayne and Batman. The over-sized anniversary issue with a Sherlock Holmes storyline was a lot of fun, though. And the "fun" adventures of Batman were cheesy but nostalgic too.
Art-wise...this was fine. Obviously, Year One shines with the Mazzucchelli designs. Year Two has early McFarlane (!) art which I found jarring in a DC book, admittedly. Also...Alan Davis had a run on Batman?! I honestly never knew that! Perhaps unfairly I could not stop thinking of his X-Men and Excalibur Marvel work, which, again, I found jarring here by comparison. Even Cockrum appears in these pages! I know the 80s had a lot more artist movement between the Big Two, but that couldn't stop me from being off-put from such big names.
Overall, a fun collection. A worthy read. But, certainly uneven.
It's an interesting time capsule, and a very uneven beast of a time for stories!
This first post-Crisis year saw the publication of Year One, considered to be one of, if not the, top Batman story for many people (and a story I previously reviewed a few years back). Also, we have a Year Two follow-up (we will get to that in a minute), an anniversary issue involving Sherlock Holmes, some Joker and Two-Face nonsense, and the beginning of the Jason Todd era of Robin with the new continuity.
It's fascinating to see how Year One introduces the dark, gritty, brooding Batman that has become the domineering characterization, yet the issues surrounding that four-parter are pun-filled, huge set piece, almost Adam West-y nonsense. Joker brainwashing Catwoman in a silly way. Two-Face committing crimes with a "two" theme. A villain called Mime who steals church bells to create more silence. These are almost painfully shmaltzy, loony adventures, all while the post-Crisis continuity is giving us Year One and Year Two with a Selina Kyle prostitution back-story, Gotham police corruption, Batman finding his thresh-hold of violence, and only being a hero at night. I can't imagine what it was like reading these in real-time, monthly, and trying to figure out what the new identity of the Batman line was going to be.
Year One, as I said, I've already reviewed, favorably. Year Two is nowhere near as strong nor as defining. Partly due to a drastic artist change after only one chapter, but also just because the story isn't as interesting. The Reaper isn't quite the direct, dark parallel to Batman that I think the author intended, and the Joe Chill reveal is...kind of underplayed for what should have been a Big Moment for Wayne and Batman. The over-sized anniversary issue with a Sherlock Holmes storyline was a lot of fun, though. And the "fun" adventures of Batman were cheesy but nostalgic too.
Art-wise...this was fine. Obviously, Year One shines with the Mazzucchelli designs. Year Two has early McFarlane (!) art which I found jarring in a DC book, admittedly. Also...Alan Davis had a run on Batman?! I honestly never knew that! Perhaps unfairly I could not stop thinking of his X-Men and Excalibur Marvel work, which, again, I found jarring here by comparison. Even Cockrum appears in these pages! I know the 80s had a lot more artist movement between the Big Two, but that couldn't stop me from being off-put from such big names.
Overall, a fun collection. A worthy read. But, certainly uneven.
April 11, 2025
De Batman Year One resulta ocioso hablar: todo aficionado a los cómics sabe que se trata de una obra maestra imprescindible, a mi juicio la cima del arte de Miller y de Mazzuchelli. El origen definitivo de Batman, y punto. Comparado con ella, Year Two parece un chiste malo: el guion no tiene ni pies ni cabeza; McFarlane (que se ocupa del grueso del dibujo de la miniserie) es simplemente horrible, aunque entintado por Alcalá resulta más o menos tragable; y el recoloreado que se llevó a cabo para la edición de lujo de hace unos años es absolutamente inadecuado, oscureciendo los fondos e incluso a veces dificultando la percepción del trazo (aunque, cuando esto se aplica a McFarlane, resulta hasta positivo). Sin embargo, la edición de estas historias viene acompañada por algunos de los cómics más encantadores e inolvidables jamás realizados para Detective Comics: me estoy refiriendo a la etapa al frente de la misma del trío Barr-Davis-Neary, que crean unas historietas maravillosamente divertidas, reminiscentes de la Edad de Plata, en las que villanos como el Joker, el Espantapájaros o el Sombrerero pasan de ser monstruos siniestros a malvados de opereta que parecen participar gozosamente en una serie de juegos de ingenio con Batman y Robin. Una etapa deliciosa y a reivindicar, sin duda.
Terminaré con los cómics guionizados por Max Allan Collins y dibujados por una serie de dibujantes que van de lo más o menos potable (Conway), a lo acartonado y desfasado (Cockrum y Don Heck, ese eterno inútil). La trama resulta soportable en la mayoría de ellos (de hecho, el origen de Jason Todd es hasta interesante y razonablemente bien llevado), pero en su conjunto se trata de unos números perfectamente olvidables.
Casi se me olvida mencionar que en este volumen se reedita un número estupendo, «Villanos enamorados», con dos historias: una de Max Allan Collins acompañado por un entonadísimo Norm Breyfogle con el Pingüino (su versión clásica, no la especie de Tony Soprano en el que lo han convertido) como protagonista, y la apabullante «Mortal Clay», de Alan Moore y George Freeman, superior, a mi juicio, a la sobrevalorada The Killing Joke. El resultado de todo esto es un tomo bastante irregular, incluso francamente caótico (pasamos de Jason a Dick, de Dick a Jason; le cambian el origen a este último; tenemos el origen de Batman a mitad del tomo...), pero imprescindible para todo aficionado al Hombre-Murciélago.
Terminaré con los cómics guionizados por Max Allan Collins y dibujados por una serie de dibujantes que van de lo más o menos potable (Conway), a lo acartonado y desfasado (Cockrum y Don Heck, ese eterno inútil). La trama resulta soportable en la mayoría de ellos (de hecho, el origen de Jason Todd es hasta interesante y razonablemente bien llevado), pero en su conjunto se trata de unos números perfectamente olvidables.
Casi se me olvida mencionar que en este volumen se reedita un número estupendo, «Villanos enamorados», con dos historias: una de Max Allan Collins acompañado por un entonadísimo Norm Breyfogle con el Pingüino (su versión clásica, no la especie de Tony Soprano en el que lo han convertido) como protagonista, y la apabullante «Mortal Clay», de Alan Moore y George Freeman, superior, a mi juicio, a la sobrevalorada The Killing Joke. El resultado de todo esto es un tomo bastante irregular, incluso francamente caótico (pasamos de Jason a Dick, de Dick a Jason; le cambian el origen a este último; tenemos el origen de Batman a mitad del tomo...), pero imprescindible para todo aficionado al Hombre-Murciélago.
December 31, 2024
Really fun collection of 80s Batman. Aside from the monumental Year One (now featured in its original colors and context to show exactly WHY it was such a big deal in contrast to the usual Batman fare of the time), there are so many good stories here. The origins of Jason Todd retold in a four-part story featuring Ma Gunn’s street gang school and Two-Face pulling a series of creative heists. A two-parter where the Joker kidnaps and brainwashes Catwoman. A fantastic 50th anniversary issue of Detective Comics with Batman, Sherlock Holmes, and other detective characters solving a crime harkening back to the 1800s involving a lost Watson manuscript. A thriller of a story with the Scarecrow taking away the fear from extreme sports athletes and even Batman himself. A deranged former detective who thinks he’s the Batman.
If I have two complaints about this collection it’s:
1. That the first two and the last two issues were very much less interesting than the rest of the collection. But I appreciate that they’re here to complete the first post-Crisis year for Batman.
2. Year Two is a fun story, but the scan is weirdly blurry and the more modern digital coloring is jarring amongst the more flatly, sharper colors of the rest of the collection.
Nevertheless, this is good stuff all around. Some of the stories veer toward campy, silver age/Adam West remnants (punny clues, colorful costumed villains and goons, giant set pieces) while other stories show signs of the grim, post Dark Knight Returns 80s (bloody violence, grimy streets, sexy street urchins, and death). All of it is entertaining but you can feel the series shifting even before Year One.
Basically, get this even if you’ve read Year One multiple times. I can’t wait for the next DC Finest collection to follow up on this one.
If I have two complaints about this collection it’s:
1. That the first two and the last two issues were very much less interesting than the rest of the collection. But I appreciate that they’re here to complete the first post-Crisis year for Batman.
2. Year Two is a fun story, but the scan is weirdly blurry and the more modern digital coloring is jarring amongst the more flatly, sharper colors of the rest of the collection.
Nevertheless, this is good stuff all around. Some of the stories veer toward campy, silver age/Adam West remnants (punny clues, colorful costumed villains and goons, giant set pieces) while other stories show signs of the grim, post Dark Knight Returns 80s (bloody violence, grimy streets, sexy street urchins, and death). All of it is entertaining but you can feel the series shifting even before Year One.
Basically, get this even if you’ve read Year One multiple times. I can’t wait for the next DC Finest collection to follow up on this one.
October 16, 2025
My first time reading any of the classic superhero comics. Batman has always been my favorite superhero, and I found it really fascinating to read the original versions of his stories, which up until now I've only ever experienced retold in film adaptations.
There's a lot of variety in tone throughout the early Batman comics, depending on who wrote them. Frank Miller's earliest issues are gritty, mature, and adult. You can see where the aesthetic and tonal inspiration for Nolan's films came from. But then, later comics (especially those where Robin comes in) are colorful, goofy, and a little juvenile. It becomes clear why the many film adaptations of this story world have taken such different aesthetics and tones; the comics themselves did so.
There is depth and nuance in these stories I didn't expect. Batman is a complex hero, and you are invited at times to critique him and his methods. Sometimes he makes mistakes, and suffers the consequences. But we see that he always means well—he is a man haunted by childhood trauma who does his best to channel his rage into productive, rather than purely destructive, impulses. He pulls back on his desire for revenge when it is not called for, and chooses kindness whenever he can.
And yet, there is still a classist bias and prejudice that taints his worldview, and ultimately the worldview of the stories themselves. Characters like Leslie and Selena/Catwoman provide an important alternative to Bruce Wayne's sometimes simplistic view of crime and good vs. evil, but there isn't nearly as much self-reflection in the text as I'd like to see.
But then again, it still feels like Batman's worldview is one we are supposed to question, at least to an extent. He is a man shaped by both pain and guilt. He is a somewhat tragic figure. But maybe that's just my own bias speaking.
There's a lot of variety in tone throughout the early Batman comics, depending on who wrote them. Frank Miller's earliest issues are gritty, mature, and adult. You can see where the aesthetic and tonal inspiration for Nolan's films came from. But then, later comics (especially those where Robin comes in) are colorful, goofy, and a little juvenile. It becomes clear why the many film adaptations of this story world have taken such different aesthetics and tones; the comics themselves did so.
There is depth and nuance in these stories I didn't expect. Batman is a complex hero, and you are invited at times to critique him and his methods. Sometimes he makes mistakes, and suffers the consequences. But we see that he always means well—he is a man haunted by childhood trauma who does his best to channel his rage into productive, rather than purely destructive, impulses. He pulls back on his desire for revenge when it is not called for, and chooses kindness whenever he can.
And yet, there is still a classist bias and prejudice that taints his worldview, and ultimately the worldview of the stories themselves. Characters like Leslie and Selena/Catwoman provide an important alternative to Bruce Wayne's sometimes simplistic view of crime and good vs. evil, but there isn't nearly as much self-reflection in the text as I'd like to see.
But then again, it still feels like Batman's worldview is one we are supposed to question, at least to an extent. He is a man shaped by both pain and guilt. He is a somewhat tragic figure. But maybe that's just my own bias speaking.
April 7, 2025
This was fantastic. I don't even usually count myself as a giant Batman fan, but this collection of pretty immediate post-Crisis on Infinite Earths Batman stories were just perfect to me. Not that every story in here is phenomenal. There are some stinkers, and there is, I think, a bit of a problem with consistency with what and when everything is happening. It's a little confusing.
However, it is just really fun. The two stories names on the cover are in here. Year One I had never read before and wow, I was floored by how much I liked it. Definitely a new favorite Batman story for me and I now see why this story would shape the tone of Batman for years to come. However as things would get more "dark and gritty" people would take the wrong lessons from Year One, focusing on the darkness and not the hope that is baked into this story as well. Year Two I have always heard was trash, it wasn't trash. It was fine. Yes, compared to Year One, it isn't that good. But on it's own it is fun if you just run with it. The premise is borderline insane. Then the real reason to get these DC Finest, all those other stories that fit in between the two biggies. Those are under collected in comparison and there is some truly fun stuff here. We've got an annual that I imagine is Alan Moore's first work on Batman. We get one offs with villains like Magpie and Crime Doctor. They reimagine Jason Todd in the middle here and you see this guy suddenly go from a Dick Grayson knock off to a completely different character, wanting revenge on the villain he thinks may have killed his father and being much more in favor of killing the Batman rogue's gallery rather than rehabilitating them.
However, it is just really fun. The two stories names on the cover are in here. Year One I had never read before and wow, I was floored by how much I liked it. Definitely a new favorite Batman story for me and I now see why this story would shape the tone of Batman for years to come. However as things would get more "dark and gritty" people would take the wrong lessons from Year One, focusing on the darkness and not the hope that is baked into this story as well. Year Two I have always heard was trash, it wasn't trash. It was fine. Yes, compared to Year One, it isn't that good. But on it's own it is fun if you just run with it. The premise is borderline insane. Then the real reason to get these DC Finest, all those other stories that fit in between the two biggies. Those are under collected in comparison and there is some truly fun stuff here. We've got an annual that I imagine is Alan Moore's first work on Batman. We get one offs with villains like Magpie and Crime Doctor. They reimagine Jason Todd in the middle here and you see this guy suddenly go from a Dick Grayson knock off to a completely different character, wanting revenge on the villain he thinks may have killed his father and being much more in favor of killing the Batman rogue's gallery rather than rehabilitating them.
January 10, 2025
I hadn't read YEAR ONE in close to thirty years, and I'd never read the other stories collected here, so this seemed an obvious borrow from the library. I like the format of these DC FINEST collections, although most seem of what I've seen solicited has missed the mark of what I really want from one (like the book that mixes DC COMICS PRESENTS and BRAVE & THE BOLD crossover comics into a single volume. I'd only want the DCCP issues. Or the JIMMY OLSEN and LOIS LANE mixed book.).
Anyway, back to it - YEAR ONE is a stone cold masterpiece. It's just perfect. Economical in script and art, cutting right to the point and showcasing a learning Batman and a new-to-Gotham Gordon as they try to find their feet and help the city.
The rest of the book is largely solid. There are some goofy Bronze (even Silver) Age tropes still hanging around - Robin's RELENTLESS puns, the puzzle plots, etc., but it's all done with a professionalism and an eye toward fun. Alan Davis's art is great, as you'd expect. Mike Barr's a master of detective fiction - if you're a huge mark for his MAZY AGENCY series, as I am, you'll love the anniversary issue that guest stars no less than Elongated Man and Sherlock Holmes. His other scripts are solid - YEAR TWO feels an influence on the MASK OF THE PHANTASM animated film. Max Allan Collins, like Barr, takes a classicist approach that's not necessarily memorable for me to most issues (including re-doing Jason Todd's origin and motivations), but enjoyable in the moment.
Alan Moore delivers a fairly rare DCU script in a Clayface story that's pretty creepy and adds some tragedy to an otherwise forgettable Clayface variation.
Anyway, back to it - YEAR ONE is a stone cold masterpiece. It's just perfect. Economical in script and art, cutting right to the point and showcasing a learning Batman and a new-to-Gotham Gordon as they try to find their feet and help the city.
The rest of the book is largely solid. There are some goofy Bronze (even Silver) Age tropes still hanging around - Robin's RELENTLESS puns, the puzzle plots, etc., but it's all done with a professionalism and an eye toward fun. Alan Davis's art is great, as you'd expect. Mike Barr's a master of detective fiction - if you're a huge mark for his MAZY AGENCY series, as I am, you'll love the anniversary issue that guest stars no less than Elongated Man and Sherlock Holmes. His other scripts are solid - YEAR TWO feels an influence on the MASK OF THE PHANTASM animated film. Max Allan Collins, like Barr, takes a classicist approach that's not necessarily memorable for me to most issues (including re-doing Jason Todd's origin and motivations), but enjoyable in the moment.
Alan Moore delivers a fairly rare DCU script in a Clayface story that's pretty creepy and adds some tragedy to an otherwise forgettable Clayface variation.
January 14, 2025
For my second volume in the DC Finest series—one that I scored at a half-price sale at a local comics shop—I got Batman: Year One & Year Two, collecting stories from Batman and Detective Comics from 1986 and 1987. “Year One” is, of course, the classic Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli tale from Batman 404-407; “Year Two” is from Detective 575-578 and by Mike W. Barr, Alan Davis, and Todd McFarlane, who replaced Davis on the final three chapters. It’s interesting to see “Year One” within the context of the Batman stories surrounding it. This was the period when writer Max Allan Collins reinvented Jason Todd to be a borderline juvenile delinquent. It didn’t help, even with a title-change, after the“Year One” issues, to Batman: The New Adventures. Nothing could save Jason from his seemingly pre-ordained demise via call-in phone poll; he was too obnoxious to live. The Detective Comics stories in this volume are much better than the Batman ones (except for “Year One” of course, which was operating on a much higher level than any other superhero comic of that era). Mike W. Barr’s scripts and Alan Davis’s energetic and action-packed art presented a Batman that was more like Adam West, “old chum,” and the use of a Batman and Robin 1950s style logo on each splash page signaled these stories were more fun than its companion book. It’s too bad Davis didn’t draw more Batman stories. The next DC Finest Batman book picks up right where this one ends, with a direct continuation of the numbering of Batman and Detective Comics and The Killing Joke and Son of the Demon graphic novels. I’ll be picking that one up, too.
June 26, 2025
Year One is obviously five stars for any serious Batman fan. It is included here with the original coloring by Richmond Lewis. I was interested in revisiting the 1980s stories before and after Year One. Many of these were written by Max Allen Collins, who wrote the Dick Tracy strip for years. I don’t think he quite gelled with what Batman needed at the time. He rewrote Jason Todd’s origin at the direction of editor Denny O’Neil, making him a petty street criminal before becoming Batman’s new sidekick. That pretty much sealed his fate right there. There’s a series of artists on Collins run, the worst one was Dave Cockrum inked by Don Heck - a really poor choice, I assume because they were up against deadlines. On the Detective Comics side they had Mike Barr & Alan Davis, who seem to be doing a modern take on the Dick Sprang 1950s era, with Batman smiling and calling Robin “chum”! They also take on Year Two, but it can’t compare to Year One. Year Two has an interesting villain with The Reaper, who became the inspiration for the animated Mask of the Phantasm movie. But it falls apart both plot wise and artistically when Davis leaves after the first chapter. Year One wouldn’t have an actual sequel until The Long Halloween was published in the 1990s.
July 31, 2025
Some good early eighties Batman story, most of which I hadn't read yet - some are very good, some a bit cheesy, but overall they are a good to decent read. Its a very good ediion for collectors, and an enjoyable read for the more casual comic book reader.
The star of the book is, of course, "Year One", a seminal work with brilliant writing and artwork. It really is deserving of all its praise.
The other major sell point of the book is "Year Two", which, sadly, unlike "Year One", is a somewhat poor read. Its oddly paced, presents themes and plot points that feel rushed and therefore, unconvincing. The artwork on it (by Alan Davis and a ytoung Todd Mcfarlane) is great, though.
Overall, a very good collection, especially for those who want to read and collect post-crisis Batman stories, as it picks up immediatly after that
8.10
The star of the book is, of course, "Year One", a seminal work with brilliant writing and artwork. It really is deserving of all its praise.
The other major sell point of the book is "Year Two", which, sadly, unlike "Year One", is a somewhat poor read. Its oddly paced, presents themes and plot points that feel rushed and therefore, unconvincing. The artwork on it (by Alan Davis and a ytoung Todd Mcfarlane) is great, though.
Overall, a very good collection, especially for those who want to read and collect post-crisis Batman stories, as it picks up immediatly after that
8.10
January 10, 2026
So yeah uhh this book has its highs and veryyyy low lows. The best story from here is by far Year One its so jarring getting to this story because you can feel the upgrade in its writing. Let me make this clear Year one alone its a 5/5 to me its timeless for me and its still the definitive Batman origin story. Now lets talk about the bad. Most of the stories here haven't aged the best but the most disappointing story here is Year Two. What the hell was Year Two it didnt feel like a sequel to Year one at all it abandoned the Year aspect like it didnt go through the months or anything and the story is so dull and nonsensical it pissed me off but worst of all the romance was horrible. Year Two is so horrid but man the art by McFarlane is so good. If it was only year one I would give it a high rating but it has all the other stories so Im gonna give it a 3/5.
February 1, 2025
Overall very disappointing.
Year 1 is obviously a classic and it still holds up today. In particular as a Jim Gordon story it’s exceptional, really great take on him.
Year 2 was average. Certainly readable and just about worth your time.
The rest of the book though was awful. We are talking about 400 pages of poor to average stories at best that are so out of place around the year 1 storyline. How the editorial team had year 1 then revert back to some ridiculous two face / joker / penguin story that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a nursery book.
So 2 stars for year 1, but in truth the rest of the book just is not worth your time
Year 1 is obviously a classic and it still holds up today. In particular as a Jim Gordon story it’s exceptional, really great take on him.
Year 2 was average. Certainly readable and just about worth your time.
The rest of the book though was awful. We are talking about 400 pages of poor to average stories at best that are so out of place around the year 1 storyline. How the editorial team had year 1 then revert back to some ridiculous two face / joker / penguin story that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a nursery book.
So 2 stars for year 1, but in truth the rest of the book just is not worth your time
January 3, 2025
Good choice to start the DC Finest line of affordable collected editions. I read these stories when they weee originally released in 1986-87 and it was fun to reread them all these years later. The 4-issue Year One story by Miller & Mazzuccheli is a must read for any Batman fan. This collection also includes story and art by folks such as Max Collins (Quarry novels) Trevor Von Eeden, Klaus Janson (Daredevil), Jim Starlin, Alan Davis, Mike Barr. While not my favorite, the Year Two storyline includes art by Todd McFarlane from early in his career.
June 11, 2025
Just spotted this new presentation from DC Comics and thought, as I had not read Year One since it was first published, as this had Year Two - a new on me, I'd give it a go.
If I've understood correctly the series aims to reprint key characters' events in published order so here we get Batman #401–412, Annual #11 and the contemporaneous Detective Comics #568–579. This confused me at first but eventually I coped!
Some of the stories were good - Year One particularly still stands up - but most are fairly standard fare
If I've understood correctly the series aims to reprint key characters' events in published order so here we get Batman #401–412, Annual #11 and the contemporaneous Detective Comics #568–579. This confused me at first but eventually I coped!
Some of the stories were good - Year One particularly still stands up - but most are fairly standard fare
October 5, 2025
This DC Finest series is going to change the way people read comics FOREVER. Reading the Batman/Detective comics in order and having them all organized by year will be so much more convenient for people wanting to read the whole series of Batman. This particular collection contains the years 1986-1987, a definitive time for Batman. It’s so satisfying to be able to read the context surrounding the famous “Year One” story. I look forward to collecting more of the DC Finest (I just acquired The Flash)!
November 29, 2025
Skipped year one bc I have that but I read all the other stories. Pretty interesting time capsule. I liked seeing Jason Todd's revised origin. He's cooler then Grayson. Issue 574 was pretty good. Year two is kinda dumb but not much dumber then everything else in here and you get to see batman do some unbatmany stuff, and Todd Mcfarlane's art is good. I thought it was cool.
Big thing that struck me throughout the whole collection is how chill batman is. He's not a complete psycho which was cool to see.
I hope I can find more collections from this era.
Big thing that struck me throughout the whole collection is how chill batman is. He's not a complete psycho which was cool to see.
I hope I can find more collections from this era.
January 2, 2026
This is a great collection of 1986-87 Batman tales. It has issues of both Batman and Detective and collects 2 of the most popular stories in the mid-to-late 80s - Year 1 and Year 2. On top of that you get a Jason Todd origin story and a number of issues with Alan Davis art which would make it a 5-star collection on its own.
You can see the blurring of the darker Frank Miller Dark Knight ideal of Batman with the fun and wacky 60s TV version in this collection and it's a fun back and forth. This is the first DC Finest I grabbed but it won't be my last.
You can see the blurring of the darker Frank Miller Dark Knight ideal of Batman with the fun and wacky 60s TV version in this collection and it's a fun back and forth. This is the first DC Finest I grabbed but it won't be my last.
December 30, 2024
This was the first time I really committed to reading a Batman book, or DC at all for that matter, but I was super impressed with this book and it's one of my favorites I think I've read so far. The standout stories were Batman years 1 and 2, as well as the annual story with Clayface and the mannequin.
December 14, 2024
The first in a new chronological collection from DC featuring issues from post-crisis onwards. Some fantastic and iconic stories in here including the excellent Year One. I’m looking forward to future collections in this line.
March 30, 2025
Miller and Mazzucchelli's Batman reboot post-CRISIS still holds beautifully as an atmospheric and economically told year-one story. Year Two, however, is still a mess, and the remainder of the issues written mostly by Mike W. Barr (Detective) and Max Allan Collins (Batman) are extremely uneven
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