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Batman: Year 100 #1-4 + Extras
Batman: Year 100 (2025 Edition)
Prepare to see the Dark Knight as you’ve never seen him before!
Batman, a forgotten icon from the past, is wanted for murder in the future. In the year 2039, a federal agent has been murdered in Gotham. Now a contingent of Washington’s best spooks are hot on the suspect’s trail. Amid the chaos, GCPD’s Detective Gordon, grandson of the former commissioner, launches his own investigation and discovers that the man they are chasing is a man who shouldn’t exist at all. It’s a dark dystopian world devoid of privacy, filled with government conspiracies, psychic police, holographic caller ID and absolutely no room for “secret identities.” A sci-fi future where everything is known by everyone, yet there is one bizarre anomaly…The Batman!
Visionary writer-artist PAUL POPE (HEAVY LIQIUD), with JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA (SWEET TOOTH), brings his unique style to Gotham City and beyond! BATMAN: YEAR 100 AND OTHER TALES includes such stories as “Batman of Berlin,” “Broken Nose,” and “Teenage Sidekick,” along with the Eisner Award–winning four-issue miniseries BATMAN: YEAR 100 #1-4.
ll.
Batman, a forgotten icon from the past, is wanted for murder in the future. In the year 2039, a federal agent has been murdered in Gotham. Now a contingent of Washington’s best spooks are hot on the suspect’s trail. Amid the chaos, GCPD’s Detective Gordon, grandson of the former commissioner, launches his own investigation and discovers that the man they are chasing is a man who shouldn’t exist at all. It’s a dark dystopian world devoid of privacy, filled with government conspiracies, psychic police, holographic caller ID and absolutely no room for “secret identities.” A sci-fi future where everything is known by everyone, yet there is one bizarre anomaly…The Batman!
Visionary writer-artist PAUL POPE (HEAVY LIQIUD), with JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA (SWEET TOOTH), brings his unique style to Gotham City and beyond! BATMAN: YEAR 100 AND OTHER TALES includes such stories as “Batman of Berlin,” “Broken Nose,” and “Teenage Sidekick,” along with the Eisner Award–winning four-issue miniseries BATMAN: YEAR 100 #1-4.
ll.
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
16 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Paul Pope
227 books251 followersPAUL POPE is an American cartoonist living and working in New York City. Pope has made a name for himself internationally as an artist and designer. He has been working primarily in comics since the early '90s, but has also done a number of projects with Italian fashion label Diesel Industries and, in the US, with DKNY. His media clients include LucasArts, Paramount Pictures, Cartoon Network, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Conde-Naste, Kodansha (Japan), Sapporo (Japan), Marc Ecko, Dargaud Editions (France), EMI Canada, Warner Brothers, and The British Film Institute. His iconic Batman: Year 100, a science fiction take on the classic Batman origin tale, has won numerous awards, seen print in many languages, and appears frequently on many Top 10 Batman story lists. In 2010, Pope was recognized as a Master Artist by the American Council Of The Arts, and is currently sitting on the ACA advisory board. His 2010, short science fiction comic strip Strange Adventures (DC Comics)--an homage to the Flash Gordon serials of the '30s-- won the coveted National Cartoonist Society's Reuben Award for Best Comic Book of the year. He has won 5 Eisners to date.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 14, 2024
Damn that was fun! And I know, really, 5 stars for a Batman comic? Well give me some credit, I'll explain why.
I am so "colored impressed" that I just have to start with the artwork. Like many illustrators, Paul Pope is an acquired taste. It's weird and stylized like Frank Miller meets Frank Quitely, but I really find it clear and exquisite. It has an indie comics meets manga style, sharp lines and cartoony anatomy, often allowing impression to overwhelm form, more reminiscent of Tank Girl than mainstream superhero comics. It's like no other Batman I've ever seen, but it's fantastic, if you're open-minded. And jeezus, José Villarrubia can color! Talk about otherworldly. It's like dark neon meets pastel, just really cool to look at. Just a fantastically illustrated comic, in my opinion.
But onto the writing. As the title Batman Year 100 suggests, this jumps off of Frank Miller's Batman Year One. Where Batman was once a sloppy novice who established himself as a detective and martial artist, he has now become a bombastic and mythical monster in a futuristic dystopian Gotham. And if that sounds weird, it's because this is a science-fiction Batman story, a violent romp and satire, and a visual exploration of the character through time, back to his original roots and the simple yet primal "demon bat" mythos.
This Batman hunches like a monster, bares fangs, roars through the helicopter night on flaming motorcycle. Really, it's a natural continuation of Frank Miller's Batman, pure and violent hyperbole, an embodiment of fury and passion, acrobatics and bloodthirsty justice. It's absolute joy to watch this sleek yet unstoppable force rip across the page.
And yet, somehow, it's not the deepest work. While Batman definitely has a powerful tone, we don't know much about him. We don't really know his true identity. I mean, Pope outright tells us in the end, but we've been led to mistrust this information. I do know that he relishes danger and violence, and cares for Robin and his team, but he's distant, reckless, and absorbed in his obsession. And I don't think he traverses any real character arc. Yet I don't really care. Because he's damn fun to watch.
The story, however, really does have exceptional depth when you consider that it's not just a "what if" story, it's dystopian science-fiction and satire. Under rule of a corrupt police state, privacy and justice don't exist. So who better than the hero that embodies both privacy and justice to thwart that police state and expose their deep-rooted conspiracy and corruption! I mean really, it's just that fucking cool.
An Extremely Short Note on the Deluxe Edition...
A solid edition! Sturdy and glossy design hardcover (no plain black here!). Solid glued binding. Thin yet high gloss paper. And tons of extras, including three stories and loads of artwork. Totally worth a buy.
September 30, 2022
It's 2039 (100 years after the first appearance of Batman in comics, and this reality), Batman is little more than an urban legend. The future is a dystopian with a Gotham being a police state with little freedom or individual privacy.
A murder of a federal agent sends law-enforcement chasing after this mysterious bat-man. Jim Gordon's grandsn Captain Gordon... who looks like Jim... is after bat-man as a suspect in the murder but starts to uncover a government conspiracy.
The first issue of this 4 issues miniseries is perfection. There's an amazing chase sequence, and the reaction the Feds have to discovering this mysterious Batman is wonderful. After the first issue things get a bit bogged down in plot details surrounding this conspiracy and it the new Batman shows off his detective skills. Things pick-up a bit before the end though.
Paul Pope's artwork is fantastic. I'd love to see him do more streamlined works like this.
May 6, 2017
Some have commented Paul Pope's art is ugly. It is different but I've enjoyed it in both books I've read featuring it. Batman is leaner but still muscled. The main story is interesting. Gotham in 2039 is a totalitarian city in a nation dominated by a totalitarian government. Batman, a long vanished superhero from a by-gone age of superheroes makes an improbable return. In the present the only people with abilities work for the feds and they chase down anyone that seems as if they have powers (to force them to register?).
The biggest problem with Pope's work so far is that he sets up an engaging story and does not really have a satisfactory ending to it. We come to a pause point that leaves you wanting more but there isn't any (also see Battling Boy).
There is also a short story of Barach Wayne, a Batman in 1939 Germany fighting the government.
The biggest problem with Pope's work so far is that he sets up an engaging story and does not really have a satisfactory ending to it. We come to a pause point that leaves you wanting more but there isn't any (also see Battling Boy).
There is also a short story of Barach Wayne, a Batman in 1939 Germany fighting the government.
March 2, 2019
Gah! What a let down!
I wanted to like Batman: Year 100 because it’s premise was different. It was supposed to be futuristic, and supposed to be a totally new direction for the Dark Knight. There was the promise of a rich, dystopian Gotham and I was expecting something like Blade Runner or at the very least Batman Beyond. Well, there was definitely none of that here.
Pope had so much to draw from, so much history and backstory and a plethora of characters to use and expand and instead we get...this. A bizarrely drawn, badly executed, lame story in which nothing is explained, and, even worse, nothing happens.
So disappointed in this one.
I wanted to like Batman: Year 100 because it’s premise was different. It was supposed to be futuristic, and supposed to be a totally new direction for the Dark Knight. There was the promise of a rich, dystopian Gotham and I was expecting something like Blade Runner or at the very least Batman Beyond. Well, there was definitely none of that here.
Pope had so much to draw from, so much history and backstory and a plethora of characters to use and expand and instead we get...this. A bizarrely drawn, badly executed, lame story in which nothing is explained, and, even worse, nothing happens.
So disappointed in this one.
Read
July 8, 2016Read Year 100 ages ago, and very good it was too, the solid, shabby look of anything Pope draws being perfect for a dystopian future and for the original, no-frills version of Batman. But the other stories added here include one that's even better, based on one of those obvious-but-nobody-thought-of-it questions: bearing in mind Batman was created in 1939, where would be an even better place than Gotham to set a story about a young man who saw his parents murdered and thereafter vowed to fight injustice? Berlin, of course, home to young Baruch Wane...
April 7, 2021
I don’t think this is all that groundbreaking. It’s pretty middle of the road. Another year one Batman story set in another time and possibly another place. It’s not 100 years on from the first Batman arrival it’s just what if the same Batman appeared 100 years later. It was somewhere between year one and the dark knight returns but not as good or original.
I have to say I really liked the art though.
I have to say I really liked the art though.
January 12, 2021
finally a raw and hard-hitting detective story after a long long time, with a twisted dystopian context as a backdrop. Paul pope's unapologetic artwork doesn't go easy on the readers at all, but my, if it isn't the creepiest batman artwork out there. his bold composition with solid blacks complemented the gritty story at it's fullest.
A great read if you're a fan of what-if stories, dark stories or if you want to see a beautifully grotesque take on our favorite caped crusader.
A great read if you're a fan of what-if stories, dark stories or if you want to see a beautifully grotesque take on our favorite caped crusader.
July 11, 2019
Holy cow! Naprostej klenot a instantně jeden z mejch nejoblíbenějších Batman komiksů. Ta kresba rozhodně neni pro každýho ale já si z toho sedl na prdel. Bez jakejchkoliv pochyb pět hvězd.
September 30, 2019
Second Read-through! Still a real stunner of a book. LOVE it.
Unique and cinematic - Batman meets Blade Runner meets Jason Bourne. There are some great visuals and story beats - I would be very pleased if anyone decided to make this into a film (maybe a DC Animated Film?) A fantastic and fresh take on the character. Well done!
Unique and cinematic - Batman meets Blade Runner meets Jason Bourne. There are some great visuals and story beats - I would be very pleased if anyone decided to make this into a film (maybe a DC Animated Film?) A fantastic and fresh take on the character. Well done!
September 17, 2016
Una pasada de cómic para celebrar el "Batman Day". Paul Pope es la caña y nos regala una trama de acción al más puro bat-estilo y con un dibujo impresionante.
June 26, 2022
I really enjoyed Batman: Year 100. It's a great sci-fi superhero/Batman story. It kept me engaged throughout and I love the mystery. There were a lot of questions raised and it was great seeing Batman trying to solve them. The tensions and stakes were kept high throughout and the story kept a consistent dark tone.
The action was very well done and, it reminded me both of The Batman (2022) and Atomic Blonde. In regards to the former, like the Robert Pattinson Batman, this Batman was scary and an incredible fighter with effective gadgets and tricks (and had run-ins as well as chases by law enforcement). As for the latter, this Batman was, like Lorraine Broughton (Atomic Blonde's main character), not supernatural or invulnerable. He had some serious injuries but also, like Lorraine, had incredible stamina (just as Batman should). So, I like how grounded it was in that regard.
It was also intriguing seeing him to take on a different enemy than he usually faces. I'm used to seeing him take on supervillains, like Bane, Joker, Riddler, etc., but in this one, he faces federal agents with highly advanced technology (and in a city that is run in an authoritarian manner). Their motives weren't too complex and they weren't three dimensional villains either. With that said, they were quite a challenge for Batman, and much more difficult than the GCPD or the mob in other Batman comics.
The art was fine. I wasn't a huge fan of it, but I like the coloring and the designs weren't bad either.
There was a bit of exposition at the end, but that's okay to me. It would be hard to show that part of the story without exposition. Pope did a nice job of balancing showing and telling.
--
Berlin Batman, a short story that came with Batman: Year 100, was a decent story. It had a great concept. It also had good backstory for Batman. However, it ended rather abruptly, and I think it should have been a much longer story. There was also much more telling than showing. In spite of this, the pacing of the story was fine and so were the visuals.
The story holds a lot of promise though and I hope that it will be expanded one day.
--
Teenage Sidekick, another short story in the book, was a decent read. Like Berlin Batman, it also had too much telling and not enough showing. I think it would have been more effective to show us Robin's backstory, rather than have it told via narration - and the same goes for why he means so much to Batman. It helped me appreciate Robin more (as someone who has read more of Batman's solo comics), but, again, I think the comic would have been more effective if it showed than told his story. It had some good action and the art here was fine again. But, it was rushed and would have been better if it was a longer story. It's a nice companion story to Year 100 though.
--
Broken Nose, the final short story in the book, was a funny story. It was nice seeing the banter between Batman and Alfred and there was good bits of humor throughout. This was a more fast-paced fun story. Like the others, it would have benefited from being longer, which would have allowed it to show (like the initial fight that was told to us) more than tell via narration. I like the art and action though.
--
I think the book would have been fine without the short stories (unless they were expanded). The main story is solid though and I recommend it.
The action was very well done and, it reminded me both of The Batman (2022) and Atomic Blonde. In regards to the former, like the Robert Pattinson Batman, this Batman was scary and an incredible fighter with effective gadgets and tricks (and had run-ins as well as chases by law enforcement). As for the latter, this Batman was, like Lorraine Broughton (Atomic Blonde's main character), not supernatural or invulnerable. He had some serious injuries but also, like Lorraine, had incredible stamina (just as Batman should). So, I like how grounded it was in that regard.
It was also intriguing seeing him to take on a different enemy than he usually faces. I'm used to seeing him take on supervillains, like Bane, Joker, Riddler, etc., but in this one, he faces federal agents with highly advanced technology (and in a city that is run in an authoritarian manner). Their motives weren't too complex and they weren't three dimensional villains either. With that said, they were quite a challenge for Batman, and much more difficult than the GCPD or the mob in other Batman comics.
The art was fine. I wasn't a huge fan of it, but I like the coloring and the designs weren't bad either.
There was a bit of exposition at the end, but that's okay to me. It would be hard to show that part of the story without exposition. Pope did a nice job of balancing showing and telling.
--
Berlin Batman, a short story that came with Batman: Year 100, was a decent story. It had a great concept. It also had good backstory for Batman. However, it ended rather abruptly, and I think it should have been a much longer story. There was also much more telling than showing. In spite of this, the pacing of the story was fine and so were the visuals.
The story holds a lot of promise though and I hope that it will be expanded one day.
--
Teenage Sidekick, another short story in the book, was a decent read. Like Berlin Batman, it also had too much telling and not enough showing. I think it would have been more effective to show us Robin's backstory, rather than have it told via narration - and the same goes for why he means so much to Batman. It helped me appreciate Robin more (as someone who has read more of Batman's solo comics), but, again, I think the comic would have been more effective if it showed than told his story. It had some good action and the art here was fine again. But, it was rushed and would have been better if it was a longer story. It's a nice companion story to Year 100 though.
--
Broken Nose, the final short story in the book, was a funny story. It was nice seeing the banter between Batman and Alfred and there was good bits of humor throughout. This was a more fast-paced fun story. Like the others, it would have benefited from being longer, which would have allowed it to show (like the initial fight that was told to us) more than tell via narration. I like the art and action though.
--
I think the book would have been fine without the short stories (unless they were expanded). The main story is solid though and I recommend it.
March 26, 2024
La historia principal, Batman Year 100 no está mal. Se nos presenta como un Batman en un futuro distópico con estética cyberpunk, en donde el verdadero enemigo son los gobernantes que tienen a Gotham (y probablemente al mundo) dentro de un Estado policial totalitario. Las ilustraciones son diferentes y cuadran muy bien con el tema pero se sienten muy indie. El principal problema para mi es que se siente como si el 90% del texto fuese solamente un diálogo interno. Luego hay cosas que no se explican al principio y/o no se entienden. Por ejemplo, nunca queda claro, si Batman en el año 100 (contando desde su primera aparición en 1939), ha estado ininterrumpidamente actuando en Gotham y si es así, cómo y por qué, y luego porqué en el presente (año 2039), nadie ha escuchado hablar de él. Y al final me pareció que la conclusión es anticlimática y que no responde a nada. Las siguientes historias incluidas están ligeramente mejor, pero tienen también debilidades narrativas a mi parecer. Por ejemplo, la historia alternativa de Batman en Berlin, sitúa a Baruch Wayne, un millonario judío en la Alemania Nazi, luchando contra el regimen antes de que explote la guerra. Como idea no está mal, pero hay un Komissar nazi, que no se entiende si es un trasunto de Gordon que parece no saber que Baruch es un nombre distintivamente judío y habla de lo que está haciendo el Reich con la población judía local de manera abierta. En general lo leí por la curiosidad pero no lo recomiendo.
January 2, 2021
Em um futuro distópico no ano 2039 e Batman é procurado por assassinato. Uma espécie de milícia investiga o caso e percebe que o suspeito é uma lenda que não deveria mais existir, mas o neto de Gordon sabe sobre o Batman baseado nos relatos de seu avô que também investiga o caso. Essa história é um Elseworld
Eu achei o roteiro bom, mas não achei tão incrível como muitos falam. A parte positiva vai para o visual onde a história se passa, algo distópico, Cyberpunk e sujo, e isso é um ponto muito positivo. Mas senti a leitura um pouco arrastada em algumas partes, acho que dava para a história ser menor.
Neste compilado, além da mini série principal do Ano 100, também está incluso mais 3 histórias escritas também por Paul Pope. Broken Noise e Teenage Sidekick são canônicos e Berlin Batman é outro Elseworld.
Eu achei o roteiro bom, mas não achei tão incrível como muitos falam. A parte positiva vai para o visual onde a história se passa, algo distópico, Cyberpunk e sujo, e isso é um ponto muito positivo. Mas senti a leitura um pouco arrastada em algumas partes, acho que dava para a história ser menor.
Neste compilado, além da mini série principal do Ano 100, também está incluso mais 3 histórias escritas também por Paul Pope. Broken Noise e Teenage Sidekick são canônicos e Berlin Batman é outro Elseworld.
February 15, 2018
This is an orthodox version of the Batman set in the near future. Pope's Batman have crude qualities here, he's in a sense more realistic than the clean smooth muscular Batman we all know, he sometimes literally embodies the animalistic nature of his costume!, he's not your super rich Wayne...I don't want to spoil the story! Anyway, this deluxe edition includes one main story and an extra three short ones, and also some amazing pages with Pope's notes and sketches on his Batman. Pope's Batman setting and plot is dark and gloomy and the art did a marvelous job on implementing this. I totally loved the story but since this is a one shot comic, it does leaves a little to be desired plotwise, not much but a little. Still, the plot, setting and the impressive art style is totally satisfying. This have made me wanting to check out other Paul Pope's original comic books.
July 26, 2018
Quite enjoyed this one. A futuristic Batman story that manages to feel retro finds the hero battling against an authoritarian government plot. Shows that the things happening in 2018 have been simmering for awhile. The art is great, the story and characterizations novel, and I think the rest of Pope's Batman stories are featured in the back which means you also get his wonderful BATMAN BERLIN story. Well worth checking out for both Batman and Pope fans, though I still hope we get a THB set sooner than later.
February 25, 2019
Never thought of seeing 120 year old Bruce Wayne in action. Paul Pope gave the character a new dimension. He proved that Batman is a timeless classic. Any story can be made great with the inclusion of Batman! For 100 years, Batman watches over Gotham. Still he isn't tired a bit! Three generation of Gordons running, Batman still standing! The story, the art, the pace, the action was much better than I have ever thought. I shouldn’t have underestimated a Batman comic should I say!
Also the story of Berlin Batman was a great bonus!
Also the story of Berlin Batman was a great bonus!
March 4, 2020
Dziesiąty wpis to dobry moment, żeby zacząć sięgać wzrokiem za ocean. Amerykański rynek jest różnorodny i nie tylko superbohaterami stoi, ale zaczniemy od jednego nich. W kanonie znalazłoby się pewnie miejsce przynajmniej dla kilku wcieleń Człowieka Nietoperza na czele z „Powrotem Mrocznego Rycerza” Franka Millera. Na Millera przyjdzie jeszcze czas przy innej okazji, a ja wykorzystam, fakt, że to kanon subiektywny i sięgnę po nie aż tak znany, a rewelacyjny album, czyli „Rok setny” Paula Pope`a.
CZYTAJ WIĘCEJ: https://www.kanonkomiksu.net.pl/batma...
CZYTAJ WIĘCEJ: https://www.kanonkomiksu.net.pl/batma...
July 29, 2017
1.8 stars
I have mixed feelings on this collection , I disliked the art quite a bit . Unique art but not my cup of tea.
I thought the story was okay...
It had a great concept but I felt the execution didn't do it justice.
Other stories were okay except for one I totally hated didn't see the appeal for it .
Stories were short...
:/
I have mixed feelings on this collection , I disliked the art quite a bit . Unique art but not my cup of tea.
I thought the story was okay...
It had a great concept but I felt the execution didn't do it justice.
Other stories were okay except for one I totally hated didn't see the appeal for it .
Stories were short...
:/
January 2, 2024
The story is fine, perhaps even prescient with the Flu Virus weaponized in China to be used on the United States - ah if only it was just a story. But even with the bonus points for story, the art is aggressive and not pleasant. I see why he got a ride on the big character, but I am not sure it pays off.
April 12, 2024
Pope is a unique and exciting artist and spins a mean yarn. This near future story aims to examine the evolution and legacy of Batman, while offering a sort of peak behind the curtain, possible explanations for some of his famous tricks, but maintaining the veil of secrecy. Its a great balancing act that is very effective.
April 23, 2025
In an age of callous government overreach, Batman exists to hold the state responsible for the many crimes it perpetuates against its constituents. However, in the new surveillance state, Batman is guilty of the worst crime of all-- a secret identity! The Batman story of the 21st century, brought to life by one of the greatest talents to ever grace the medium.
November 5, 2018
Fascinating collection of stories by Paul Pope.
Contains the following
Batman:Year 100 (Complete)
Elseworlds - What if Batman was a Jew during the Nazi regime in Germany?
A short story about Robin
A short story from Batman Black and White Volume 2.
All are very compelling reads.
Contains the following
Batman:Year 100 (Complete)
Elseworlds - What if Batman was a Jew during the Nazi regime in Germany?
A short story about Robin
A short story from Batman Black and White Volume 2.
All are very compelling reads.
March 23, 2025
Great world building for this unique take on batman. Thought the art isn’t my favorite style, it seems to fit the gritty near future reality. Fast paced story and I enjoyed the bonus one-off tales in this volume.
April 17, 2022
Strange, very strange. Difficult to get the story together.
April 11, 2025
Legalzete.
Read
September 22, 2024Year 100 was EXTREMELY Bush era comics where this future dystopia kills enemies of the state without due process and monitors everyone. Pope highlights that given two of Batman’s defining features are he doesn’t kill his villains and he keeps his identity secret, he would immediately be an enemy of an authoritarian government, and extrapolates the history of Batman as a history of anti-authoritarian struggle.
While the book doesn’t go too deep on these themes or its characters, there’s enough there to sink your teeth into to then ride the thrilling sequences of fights, chases, and investigations that Pope carefully crafts. He obviously loves little details from how the suit is built to how the human body works, and reveals that through action, with the confidence and control to move from ultra wides to extremely detailed closeups. There’s a multi page sequence just dedicated to a doctor stopping Batman from bleeding out thats fully one of the most exciting parts of the book. Another story that makes me wish more Batman stories approached the character with such effort.
Pope’s own politics start to bleed through in Berlin Batman which ham-fistedly ties the anti authoritarian theme to the supposed righteousness of free market capitalism, through a focus on a 30s German Jewish Batman who has to save Ludwig Von Mises. Despite the actual action of the story once again being about surveillance and oppression, and not organizing an economy, the story ends with captions that conflate authoritarian governments like the Nazis and Soviets with socialism. A character even goes so far as to say that both Batman and Von Mises were “against socialism in all its many forms” despite Pope quoting famous socialist George Orwell’s 1984 in the Berlin Batman introduction. It kinda just makes Pope look a bit ignorant and retroactively soured Year 100, which had an offhand reference to laissez-faire and John Locke that was similarly out of place and unnecessary.
Teenage Sidekick was a great Robin story, and Broken Nose was fine.
While the book doesn’t go too deep on these themes or its characters, there’s enough there to sink your teeth into to then ride the thrilling sequences of fights, chases, and investigations that Pope carefully crafts. He obviously loves little details from how the suit is built to how the human body works, and reveals that through action, with the confidence and control to move from ultra wides to extremely detailed closeups. There’s a multi page sequence just dedicated to a doctor stopping Batman from bleeding out thats fully one of the most exciting parts of the book. Another story that makes me wish more Batman stories approached the character with such effort.
Pope’s own politics start to bleed through in Berlin Batman which ham-fistedly ties the anti authoritarian theme to the supposed righteousness of free market capitalism, through a focus on a 30s German Jewish Batman who has to save Ludwig Von Mises. Despite the actual action of the story once again being about surveillance and oppression, and not organizing an economy, the story ends with captions that conflate authoritarian governments like the Nazis and Soviets with socialism. A character even goes so far as to say that both Batman and Von Mises were “against socialism in all its many forms” despite Pope quoting famous socialist George Orwell’s 1984 in the Berlin Batman introduction. It kinda just makes Pope look a bit ignorant and retroactively soured Year 100, which had an offhand reference to laissez-faire and John Locke that was similarly out of place and unnecessary.
Teenage Sidekick was a great Robin story, and Broken Nose was fine.
November 20, 2015
Pope (Battling Boy) explores the Batman mythos in this deluxe edition reprint (originally collected in 2007). The Gotham City of 2039 is a police state. Caped crusaders are outlawed, and the inmates of Arkham Asylum vanished under officially sanctioned circumstances. Resisting this totalitarian regime is a man dressed like a bat—both possibly and improbably the same Bat-Man of Gotham first sighted in 1939. Pope’s Batman is brutal and brutalized; a character we first see bleeding out from a gunshot wound during a rooftop chase. While clearly capable, this Batman has a greater support group, which includes a doctor on the police force and Robin, who is more mechanic than sidekick. There’s also Captain Gordon, the commissioner’s grandson, whose mission to uncover the truth about Batman reveals more about his family history.
Verdict: Batman Year 100 is a modern classic, and this expanded collection, which includes three additional stories, editorial notes, and sketches, is worth revisiting. Pope’s take on Batman both in narrative form and his signature stylized art is brought to life by Villarrubia’s colors. This complex and unsettling indie take on Batman pays homage to previous interpretations of the Dark Knight and delights in not answering all the questions it raises.
Graphic Novels: Gorman, King & Co., Pope & Villarrubia, Willingham, plus a Debut | Xpress Reviews By LJ Reviews on November 12, 2015]
Verdict: Batman Year 100 is a modern classic, and this expanded collection, which includes three additional stories, editorial notes, and sketches, is worth revisiting. Pope’s take on Batman both in narrative form and his signature stylized art is brought to life by Villarrubia’s colors. This complex and unsettling indie take on Batman pays homage to previous interpretations of the Dark Knight and delights in not answering all the questions it raises.
Graphic Novels: Gorman, King & Co., Pope & Villarrubia, Willingham, plus a Debut | Xpress Reviews By LJ Reviews on November 12, 2015]
January 2, 2024
Set in a dystopic future Gotham, the forgotten icon Batman reappears and is soon framed for murder after interrupting an operation conducted by a corrupt federal agency. Batman and detective Gordon, grandson of commissioner Gordon, independently investigate the murder and uncover a covert plot put into motion by a shadowy government cabal.
This was some inventive, pulpy fun. The bleak futurism is handled well, with a world that utilizes just the right amount of novel gadgetry and opaque technobabble to feel far flung yet also feels familiar enough to be an extension of modern day. The dystopic elements are also satisfying, if not a bit thin, and do a good job of selling Gotham as a surveillance state at the mercy of a corrupt government.
While I can understand many finding Pope's idiosyncratic art style unappealing, I quite enjoyed it. Character designs have somewhat grotesque proportions that feel not quite human and do a good job to reinforce the theme that the state of the world has devolved. The shaky, loose line work also imbues a lot of personality and makes this a unique looking Batman work.
Sidenote: The included story "Batman of Berlin" is also a ton of fun and the novelty of a German batman foiling Nazi plots during the Weimar Republic was damn engaging.
This was some inventive, pulpy fun. The bleak futurism is handled well, with a world that utilizes just the right amount of novel gadgetry and opaque technobabble to feel far flung yet also feels familiar enough to be an extension of modern day. The dystopic elements are also satisfying, if not a bit thin, and do a good job of selling Gotham as a surveillance state at the mercy of a corrupt government.
While I can understand many finding Pope's idiosyncratic art style unappealing, I quite enjoyed it. Character designs have somewhat grotesque proportions that feel not quite human and do a good job to reinforce the theme that the state of the world has devolved. The shaky, loose line work also imbues a lot of personality and makes this a unique looking Batman work.
Sidenote: The included story "Batman of Berlin" is also a ton of fun and the novelty of a German batman foiling Nazi plots during the Weimar Republic was damn engaging.
January 14, 2016
Nikdy jsem nebyl moc fanda netopýřího šaška (jak ho někdo na comicsdb hezky nazval) a na téhle postavě mě bavili hlavně záporáci. Year 100 mě ale zaujal svým námětem (blízká budoucnost, Gotham jako policejní stát) a pomohlo i to, že často okupuje žebříčky nej komiksů s touto postavou. Takže když vyšla deluxka, neváhal jsem.
No... nemůžu říct, že bych se úplně spálil, ale nadšený nejsem. Místo orwellovského politického příběhu tu máme vlastně Rok 1, akorát v temnějších kulisách budoucnosti. Batman se zase mlátí s policajtama (ale zároveň je to ten dokonalý hrdina, co si vždy ví rady) a Gordon je zase ta jediná čistá duše uvnitř sboru. Děj se pořádně rozjete až v půlce (a ani tak není nijak extra zajímavej), Popeova kresba mi moc nesedla. Znovu to už nejspíš neotevřu a u dalších "slavných" Batmanů budu opatrnější.
No... nemůžu říct, že bych se úplně spálil, ale nadšený nejsem. Místo orwellovského politického příběhu tu máme vlastně Rok 1, akorát v temnějších kulisách budoucnosti. Batman se zase mlátí s policajtama (ale zároveň je to ten dokonalý hrdina, co si vždy ví rady) a Gordon je zase ta jediná čistá duše uvnitř sboru. Děj se pořádně rozjete až v půlce (a ani tak není nijak extra zajímavej), Popeova kresba mi moc nesedla. Znovu to už nejspíš neotevřu a u dalších "slavných" Batmanů budu opatrnější.
December 19, 2022
As someone who usually reads YA and below graphic novels, this is a lot grittier of a style than I’m used to, but it was recommended by a friend of mine (who draws in a similarly gritty style). I really enjoyed the story, but I find gritty action sequences hard to follow and I’m not big into Batman so I can’t ever tell if I’m missing context or call-back jokes. It’s a good standalone, though, I could tell that much at least.
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