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Batman: Earth One
Batman: Earth One, Volume 3
Harvey Dent is dead. Or is he?
A gang of thieves thrusts Gotham City into a state of fear when they are mysteriously well-armed with military-grade weapons: flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and even tanks.
And this gang claims it is funded by none other than former district attorney Harvey Dent.
Balancing his two lives, Bruce Wayne must find the truth by tapping his growing network of agents, including Alfred Pennyworth, Jim Gordon, Waylon "Killer Croc" Jones, and the savvy new Catwoman.
Bruce is distracted by the seemingly impossible return of another figure believed dead: his grandfather Adrian Arkham. He must also comfort his longtime friend, Gotham City mayor Jessica Dent, who is scarred both physically and mentally from her experience with the Riddler, which resulted in the gruesome death of her brother.
But is Harvey back, plotting revenge on a city he proclaims to be guilty?
When Batman discovers the truth behind these many mysteries, his entire world unravels...
Batman: Earth One Vol. 3 is written by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank, Jon Sibal and Brad Anderson.
A gang of thieves thrusts Gotham City into a state of fear when they are mysteriously well-armed with military-grade weapons: flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and even tanks.
And this gang claims it is funded by none other than former district attorney Harvey Dent.
Balancing his two lives, Bruce Wayne must find the truth by tapping his growing network of agents, including Alfred Pennyworth, Jim Gordon, Waylon "Killer Croc" Jones, and the savvy new Catwoman.
Bruce is distracted by the seemingly impossible return of another figure believed dead: his grandfather Adrian Arkham. He must also comfort his longtime friend, Gotham City mayor Jessica Dent, who is scarred both physically and mentally from her experience with the Riddler, which resulted in the gruesome death of her brother.
But is Harvey back, plotting revenge on a city he proclaims to be guilty?
When Batman discovers the truth behind these many mysteries, his entire world unravels...
Batman: Earth One Vol. 3 is written by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank, Jon Sibal and Brad Anderson.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2021
36 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,702 books2,410 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
June 30, 2021
2.5 stars
This wasn't exactly terrible but storywise it seems to have veered away from what I loved about the 1st volume.
I felt as though volume 1 was a...not realistic, but sort of realisticish retelling of Batman. The classic scene where you see him lying in a crumpled heap after falling off of something jumps to mind.
This one is just more of that weird Ancient Batman Mythos shit that's overtaken his stories lately. You know what I mean? For some reason, Bruce's family has been around since the dawn of time pushing puzzle pieces in place for the city of Gotham. I don't know. It's just gotten old for me.
Catwoman plays a significant role in this one and while I thought her character was ok, I really didn't care for her ridiculous anime girl outfit.
The conclusion of the Harvey Dent plotline went pretty much exactly where I thought it would go, so no surprises there.
Maybe I got entirely too excited when I saw this volume had finally come out, and maybe I just had unrealistic expectations or had hyped it up too much in my head.
But I don't think so. I honestly think this story just wasn't that good.
This wasn't exactly terrible but storywise it seems to have veered away from what I loved about the 1st volume.
I felt as though volume 1 was a...not realistic, but sort of realisticish retelling of Batman. The classic scene where you see him lying in a crumpled heap after falling off of something jumps to mind.
This one is just more of that weird Ancient Batman Mythos shit that's overtaken his stories lately. You know what I mean? For some reason, Bruce's family has been around since the dawn of time pushing puzzle pieces in place for the city of Gotham. I don't know. It's just gotten old for me.
Catwoman plays a significant role in this one and while I thought her character was ok, I really didn't care for her ridiculous anime girl outfit.
The conclusion of the Harvey Dent plotline went pretty much exactly where I thought it would go, so no surprises there.
Maybe I got entirely too excited when I saw this volume had finally come out, and maybe I just had unrealistic expectations or had hyped it up too much in my head.
But I don't think so. I honestly think this story just wasn't that good.
July 26, 2021
Well, after waiting 6 years since the excellent Batman: Earth One, Vol 2 I felt a bit let down by this. I think everyone who reads this will instantly know where it's headed. The stuff with the Arkhams and curses felt out of place in this story and a reach. I did like the introduction of the Outsiders.
Gary Frank's artwork is excellent. He may be the best interior artist working in comics today. Although he whiffed on his character design of Catwoman. She looks like a cosplay Cheshire Cat.
For those of you not in the know, Batman Earth One is supposed to be something of a real world approach on Batman. The first two graphic novels are so good that they should have just handed those to Matt Reeves as the script for The Batman and filmed it verbatim.
Gary Frank's artwork is excellent. He may be the best interior artist working in comics today. Although he whiffed on his character design of Catwoman. She looks like a cosplay Cheshire Cat.
For those of you not in the know, Batman Earth One is supposed to be something of a real world approach on Batman. The first two graphic novels are so good that they should have just handed those to Matt Reeves as the script for The Batman and filmed it verbatim.
June 15, 2021
Somebody claiming to be Harvey Dent is funnelling firearms into the Gotham underworld for a violent uprising - but Harvey’s dead… isn’t he? Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne discovers his long-lost grandfather, Adrian Arkham, is still alive… or is he? Prepare to be underwhelmed by the obvious answers to these contrived questions in Batman: Earth One, Volume 3!
Like the last book, this third volume of an alternate Batman origin story didn’t do much for me. Neither of the two storylines were particularly interesting. “Two-Face” running guns for some nebulous shenanigans with a vague goal was as pointless and basic as it sounded while the mystery of whether Harvey had somehow risen from the dead or it was someone else impersonating him - I honestly called that the moment I saw the character was introduced but I dismissed it thinking Geoff Johns wouldn’t be that stupid. But he went there in the end! Always bet on dumb.
As for the Adrian Arkham storyline (in this timeline Bruce Wayne is related to the Arkham family), I couldn’t have cared less. Whenever a character with the surname of Arkham is introduced, the ensuing story is always full of melodramatic curses, madness and tragedy and Johns follows that tedious formula here. It felt like padding for the most part until it dovetailed absurdly into the Dent storyline, so it just turned out to be an overlong, meandering and uninteresting subplot to introduce a well-known Batman villain. I’ll give Johns this: it was an unpredictable introduction.
The continuing setup of the Batman origin should be done at this point - three books in and they’re just now establishing the Batcave and Batmobile? Sheesh. It’s handled so drearily too. Here’s this thing - done. Here’s that thing - done. Great… Catwoman’s design is awful - she looks like she’s wearing a bad Halloween costume from some cheap popup - and the new Arkham Asylum looks even worse, like it belongs in Disneyland or something.
Killer Croc is recast as a member of Batman’s team and he works surprisingly well in the role. Gary Frank’s art is excellent for the most part, even if some of his designs are questionable (Catwoman), but I loved that last page - see, that’s the book I wanted to read instead of this nothing Two-Face/Arkham nonsense. I already like the look of the character - almost like it’s a reaction to all the prettyboy versions of the character that’s appeared in so many recent books, Gary Frank deliberately making him gross - so I want to see what other changes Johns has given him on Earth One. Next book, eh? It’s an effective teaser - I’d’ve given up on this series without it.
Unfortunately, Batman: Earth One, Volume 3 continues the low quality of the previous book - don’t expect an even halfway-gripping read if you pick up this one.
Like the last book, this third volume of an alternate Batman origin story didn’t do much for me. Neither of the two storylines were particularly interesting. “Two-Face” running guns for some nebulous shenanigans with a vague goal was as pointless and basic as it sounded while the mystery of whether Harvey had somehow risen from the dead or it was someone else impersonating him - I honestly called that the moment I saw the character was introduced but I dismissed it thinking Geoff Johns wouldn’t be that stupid. But he went there in the end! Always bet on dumb.
As for the Adrian Arkham storyline (in this timeline Bruce Wayne is related to the Arkham family), I couldn’t have cared less. Whenever a character with the surname of Arkham is introduced, the ensuing story is always full of melodramatic curses, madness and tragedy and Johns follows that tedious formula here. It felt like padding for the most part until it dovetailed absurdly into the Dent storyline, so it just turned out to be an overlong, meandering and uninteresting subplot to introduce a well-known Batman villain. I’ll give Johns this: it was an unpredictable introduction.
The continuing setup of the Batman origin should be done at this point - three books in and they’re just now establishing the Batcave and Batmobile? Sheesh. It’s handled so drearily too. Here’s this thing - done. Here’s that thing - done. Great… Catwoman’s design is awful - she looks like she’s wearing a bad Halloween costume from some cheap popup - and the new Arkham Asylum looks even worse, like it belongs in Disneyland or something.
Killer Croc is recast as a member of Batman’s team and he works surprisingly well in the role. Gary Frank’s art is excellent for the most part, even if some of his designs are questionable (Catwoman), but I loved that last page - see, that’s the book I wanted to read instead of this nothing Two-Face/Arkham nonsense. I already like the look of the character - almost like it’s a reaction to all the prettyboy versions of the character that’s appeared in so many recent books, Gary Frank deliberately making him gross - so I want to see what other changes Johns has given him on Earth One. Next book, eh? It’s an effective teaser - I’d’ve given up on this series without it.
Unfortunately, Batman: Earth One, Volume 3 continues the low quality of the previous book - don’t expect an even halfway-gripping read if you pick up this one.
May 30, 2022
Well, this disintegrated completely.
The first two volumes were excellent and about half of this book is still decent, albeit already suffering from the characters, and Alfred especially, being a bit weaker here. But then it's gone completely off the rails with the nonsense plot surrounding the Dents and the Arkhams.
It's particularly perplexing that it turned out to be an extended visit to Crazytown when you consider that this story was initially set up as something of a real world Batman. It wasn't fun and, frankly, it didn't make any sense either.
Maybe the fourth book (about to be released in 2033, I suppose) will be a return to form? As the previous ones, this ends with the introduction of a new player (one I'm looking forward to) but then will keep fans hanging for years, I guess.
2.5 stars
Buddy read with Nataliya, who's a fan of Two-Face now, I'm certain.
The first two volumes were excellent and about half of this book is still decent, albeit already suffering from the characters, and Alfred especially, being a bit weaker here. But then it's gone completely off the rails with the nonsense plot surrounding the Dents and the Arkhams.
It's particularly perplexing that it turned out to be an extended visit to Crazytown when you consider that this story was initially set up as something of a real world Batman. It wasn't fun and, frankly, it didn't make any sense either.
Maybe the fourth book (about to be released in 2033, I suppose) will be a return to form? As the previous ones, this ends with the introduction of a new player (one I'm looking forward to) but then will keep fans hanging for years, I guess.
2.5 stars
Buddy read with Nataliya, who's a fan of Two-Face now, I'm certain.
June 14, 2021
If I could give a 6th star for Gary Frank’s art I would because HOT DAMN.
June 9, 2021
There is absolutely no WAY this series can end on that note.
July 21, 2021
I have not been a big fan of the Batman Earth One books. Yet I still keep coming back. In fairness they are do get slightly better every book. The story in this one is my favourite of the 3 books so far, the artwork is awesome.
My main problem with the books is Batman here seems too inexperienced, too naive and continually needing saving or help from others.
This is a good book, but it definitely setup book 4. There is not way the can leave the story there after that last page. This book is all about family, the coming together of the bat family, and the Wayne/Arkham family secrets.
My main problem with the books is Batman here seems too inexperienced, too naive and continually needing saving or help from others.
This is a good book, but it definitely setup book 4. There is not way the can leave the story there after that last page. This book is all about family, the coming together of the bat family, and the Wayne/Arkham family secrets.
June 8, 2021
Bruce is going about his life and his early years as Batman and dealing with criminals, teaming with Croc before he finds that his grandfather Adrian Arkham has returned and also the criminals are organizing an attack on Gotham under someone and as he investigates them he teams up with Catwoman and also Croc and all, mysteries gallore, sudden revelations are to be head and we find him vs the threat of True face and also the origins of Adrian and the aftermath that follows.
Its an okayish story and a bit disappointing compared to the others but its to be expected as its coming out after a lot of time but I enjoyed the slow unravelling mysteries behind it and all and the stuff with Two-face was a welcome addition and add to it the origins of Batman the way we know him and him using his detective work well and also him operating with a team made more sense and the art is just gorgeous all throughout but there are no big action scenes which were a bit disappointing but despite that its great.
The epilogue shows Jokers and maybe the forming of the outsiders, does that mean there maybe a sequel coming?
Its an okayish story and a bit disappointing compared to the others but its to be expected as its coming out after a lot of time but I enjoyed the slow unravelling mysteries behind it and all and the stuff with Two-face was a welcome addition and add to it the origins of Batman the way we know him and him using his detective work well and also him operating with a team made more sense and the art is just gorgeous all throughout but there are no big action scenes which were a bit disappointing but despite that its great.
The epilogue shows Jokers and maybe the forming of the outsiders, does that mean there maybe a sequel coming?
December 22, 2022
This alternate version of the Batman story has some interesting takes on Killer Croc, Catwoman, and Two-Face. In this story, Batman is putting together a version of the Outsiders. The members of this team are quite different from the usual members, so it's interesting to see how this team comes together.
July 26, 2021
This was an interesting concept. I barely remember Earth One Batman but I do remember not being the biggest fan of this version of Alfred. I like the Outsiders set up (I think it would be cool to see a team of Outsiders led by The Question), and the… end panel, to keep it spoiler free lol so I guess there will be a fourth volume (go figure Batman would be the first Year One book to get four volumes). Hopefully if that does happen the Outsiders will be a bigger focus.
May 27, 2024
I don't think it's as good as volumes 1 and 2, but I still enjoyed this final volume.
June 10, 2021
It's been six years since the last volume. I don't want to wait six minutes for the next.
Rereading the first two would help - it's an alternate universe after all so some of the differences could use refreshing - but If you just buy in to the premise it works fine on it's own as well.
Rereading the first two would help - it's an alternate universe after all so some of the differences could use refreshing - but If you just buy in to the premise it works fine on it's own as well.
March 17, 2024
Alfred and Croc’s beef was so funny. Also, catwoman’s outfit was…���.something.
January 23, 2025
Aparentemente, devido ao tempo de lançamento dessa terceira edição e o fato de não ter saído mais nada do Batman Terra Um, acredito que esse tenha sido o ultimo volume desse elseworld. Partindo desse pressuposto, achei que o fim foi digno de um universo do Batman, que com 3 edições conseguiu desenvolver bem os personagens e se tornar um elseworld que influenciou até os cinemas.
No caso desse terceiro volume, temos a evolução do Bruce deixando de ser um herói solitário e aceitando as suas limitações como um vigilante solitário, e agregando companheiros em sua luta, sendo esses ajudantes alguns já conhecidos do universo do Morcego, e outros um pouco inusitado.
Essa volume ainda consegue ser o que mais trabalha a lore do Batman de maneira inovadora, trazendo personagens recorrentes do Batman e dando novas roupagens a eles, além de explorar com mais afinco aquilo que fora plantado desde o único de Batman Terra Um: a construção de Gotham pelas famílias Wayne e Arkham.
O que eu gostei desse volume, foi o resgate de toda essa questão da família Arkham, enquanto uma família amaldiçoada, bem como o histórico de loucura e maldições que existem em seu entorno. Os antagonistas dessa edição, trabalham muito bem o misticismo que cerca o sobrenome Arkham, conseguindo trazer um plano vilanesco que prende o leitor e consegue mantê-lo até o fim da narrativa, com acontecimentos surpreendentes no final do enredo.
Infelizmente o elseworld não terá continuidade por enquanto, mas fiquei curioso para saber a respeito da equipe dos renegados que o Bruce está montando, bem como a maneira que os próximos vilões seriam explorados nesse novo universo.
No caso desse terceiro volume, temos a evolução do Bruce deixando de ser um herói solitário e aceitando as suas limitações como um vigilante solitário, e agregando companheiros em sua luta, sendo esses ajudantes alguns já conhecidos do universo do Morcego, e outros um pouco inusitado.
Essa volume ainda consegue ser o que mais trabalha a lore do Batman de maneira inovadora, trazendo personagens recorrentes do Batman e dando novas roupagens a eles, além de explorar com mais afinco aquilo que fora plantado desde o único de Batman Terra Um: a construção de Gotham pelas famílias Wayne e Arkham.
O que eu gostei desse volume, foi o resgate de toda essa questão da família Arkham, enquanto uma família amaldiçoada, bem como o histórico de loucura e maldições que existem em seu entorno. Os antagonistas dessa edição, trabalham muito bem o misticismo que cerca o sobrenome Arkham, conseguindo trazer um plano vilanesco que prende o leitor e consegue mantê-lo até o fim da narrativa, com acontecimentos surpreendentes no final do enredo.
Infelizmente o elseworld não terá continuidade por enquanto, mas fiquei curioso para saber a respeito da equipe dos renegados que o Bruce está montando, bem como a maneira que os próximos vilões seriam explorados nesse novo universo.
June 30, 2021
Really 4.5 stars because it’s a 9/10. The first two were 10’s so this is still a great book!
September 26, 2021
This is a brilliant reinvention of the Batman Mythos. I can say that for all of Batman Earth One. Each volume is strong on its own and all three together are really a fantastic exploration of the Batman character. On the Batman front Geoff Johns is on a role. This doesn't pair well with Three Jokers as one is a fine wine with the other being a hardy shot of whiskey but they're both excellent works that do things with Batman that I love very much.
After the events of volume two Harvey Dent is dead, Jessica Dent is all the worse off for it, and Batman has begun recruiting more outsiders such as himself. His Grandfather turns up out of the blue in what you would think might be the worst part of this book actually is one of the most refreshingly surprising elements.
In Earth One Geoff Johns has retooled and remade Batman into a very fresh modern take on the character, something that can't always be done in monthly comics because of continuity and having to produce on such a regular basis. Here it feels like a sole teams vision from volume to volume with a consistency you'll rarely get in monthly books. It's been six years since the last volume came out. At the time I was newer to reading comics and thought this take while fun deconstructed Batman in a way I wasn't exactly fond of but years later and with a farcical amount of comics later I love this take all the more in this moment and am excited at not only the prospect of more but also a reread of all three volume together as I am in love.
I have gone long enough with out mentioning the art team. They are at the very bare minimum half the reason this book works so well. Gary Frank's pencils are a joy to the eye, his storytelling chops are so large they go from his face to his legs. His cinematic styles mixed with his comic influences give each picture even something as mundane as a cop picking up chains the focus it deserves. Not a detail is missed, not a panel unquestioned. The way Gary Frank's art pairs with Geoff Johns' storytelling tropes is a team for the ages but this is well known, but together they bring out the best in each other.
Brad Anderson's color brings a vibrancy to the toned down nature of this Batman. Because of the color images that may not have struck fear into my heart have unsettled themselves into my brain. Images of things I've seen before in other renditions. But under Gary Frank and Brad Anderson's color they have tucked themselves into my brain for the upcoming days. I'll say it has to do with Two Face but no more then that.
And Jon Sibal's inks! How he brings the texture to the pencils is brilliant. The selective crosshatching, the shadows texture the night sky that's lit up by artificial light. And the eyes, eyes are of importance here many times and how all three work together to make them stand out is just magnificent.
I am beside myself really this is just stand out work and excellent on all fronts.
I implore anyone to read Batman Earth one volume three if they have the other two. Make it the next thing you read it is marvelous.
5 stars.
After the events of volume two Harvey Dent is dead, Jessica Dent is all the worse off for it, and Batman has begun recruiting more outsiders such as himself. His Grandfather turns up out of the blue in what you would think might be the worst part of this book actually is one of the most refreshingly surprising elements.
In Earth One Geoff Johns has retooled and remade Batman into a very fresh modern take on the character, something that can't always be done in monthly comics because of continuity and having to produce on such a regular basis. Here it feels like a sole teams vision from volume to volume with a consistency you'll rarely get in monthly books. It's been six years since the last volume came out. At the time I was newer to reading comics and thought this take while fun deconstructed Batman in a way I wasn't exactly fond of but years later and with a farcical amount of comics later I love this take all the more in this moment and am excited at not only the prospect of more but also a reread of all three volume together as I am in love.
I have gone long enough with out mentioning the art team. They are at the very bare minimum half the reason this book works so well. Gary Frank's pencils are a joy to the eye, his storytelling chops are so large they go from his face to his legs. His cinematic styles mixed with his comic influences give each picture even something as mundane as a cop picking up chains the focus it deserves. Not a detail is missed, not a panel unquestioned. The way Gary Frank's art pairs with Geoff Johns' storytelling tropes is a team for the ages but this is well known, but together they bring out the best in each other.
Brad Anderson's color brings a vibrancy to the toned down nature of this Batman. Because of the color images that may not have struck fear into my heart have unsettled themselves into my brain. Images of things I've seen before in other renditions. But under Gary Frank and Brad Anderson's color they have tucked themselves into my brain for the upcoming days. I'll say it has to do with Two Face but no more then that.
And Jon Sibal's inks! How he brings the texture to the pencils is brilliant. The selective crosshatching, the shadows texture the night sky that's lit up by artificial light. And the eyes, eyes are of importance here many times and how all three work together to make them stand out is just magnificent.
I am beside myself really this is just stand out work and excellent on all fronts.
I implore anyone to read Batman Earth one volume three if they have the other two. Make it the next thing you read it is marvelous.
5 stars.
October 29, 2021
What a terrible disappointment after two great promising volumes. The whole Adrian Arkham plotline should have been excluded — it was repetitive, senseless, pointless. Harvey Dent should have stayed dead. Catwoman's costume is not good — I thought we were in the 21st century. Alfred conflict led to nothing. Killer Croc somehow works.
Overall boring, predictable and unnecessary. Although that closing page . . .
Overall boring, predictable and unnecessary. Although that closing page . . .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2021
Wow. I can’t remember if I ever binged a comic series like this. I read all three books back to back in one day. Frankly, I’d continued reading them but there’s only three out right now. And the way those publication dated were spaced out, no idea when the next one will be out. But wow…what a ride.
This series combines Tim Burtoneque gothic grotesque undertones with the profound character driven darkness of The Dark Knight trilogy and then puts its own spin on it for good measure. Mind you, Batman movies have always stood out among the typical superhero fare for being that much darker than the rest. It’s always gloomy in Gotham City. The adaptations that forget it, tank, no matter how many nipples you stick on a batcostume or how many muscles you stick under it.
This version is just right. In my review of book one I referred to it as riveting…that stands. It’s difficult to put down, bingeable, mesmerizing.
This volume reimagines Two Face, throws in everyone’s favorite catburglar (though not loving that costume) and absolutely emotionally devastates Bruce, among other things. The next book promises the greatest of all Batman’s foes, The Joker himself. Very exciting.
But seriously, this was excellent. Moreover, it was genuinely thrilling and exhilarating. Much like a well done superhero movie would have been.
So here are some of the things this book got perfectly right…
1. Facial expression. They are present. Prominently featured. So much so that mask or no mask, you can always see people’s eyes. It makes a huge difference. It humanizes the characters to a relatable degree no matter what sort of super things they are up to.
2. The writing. Johns really gets it. It seems so many superhero comics rely on the late great Stan Lee’s model, which is overwrite, overwrite, overwrite. If you read those old comics, it looks like they got paid per word. Every panel is overwhelmed by text and overexplained to death. It’s tedious and, frankly, it nearly defeats the purpose of graphic novel. A format specifically designed to convey the story in both art and text, with heavy reliance on visuals. Johns does this right, there’s just the right amount of text, never overpowering Gary Frank’s excellent visuals.
3. The tone and the city. It was never meant to be a happy story. It was never meant to be a simple story. Johns takes it all the way down to the murky bottom, making Gotham mythical, bestowing Bruce with a dark inheritance of his ancestors. And the rest of the characters…they struggle to cope with the demands of a violent world around them, to find their place within it, to just make it through the day.
Gotham wounds them, scars them, kills them. Gotham turns a bright eyed bushy tailed cop into an alcoholic, upright law driven politicians into madness, moral detective to immorality and back. Gotham is a force, a character in itself, the darkest ugliest version of a metropolis comics can render. Making it all the more difficult to live in, to fight for, to save. That’s what makes for such an interesting and compelling story dynamics.
So yeah, this was awesome. I’m glad I checked it out, had no idea I’d ended up liking it this much, would definitely read more. Recommended.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
This series combines Tim Burtoneque gothic grotesque undertones with the profound character driven darkness of The Dark Knight trilogy and then puts its own spin on it for good measure. Mind you, Batman movies have always stood out among the typical superhero fare for being that much darker than the rest. It’s always gloomy in Gotham City. The adaptations that forget it, tank, no matter how many nipples you stick on a batcostume or how many muscles you stick under it.
This version is just right. In my review of book one I referred to it as riveting…that stands. It’s difficult to put down, bingeable, mesmerizing.
This volume reimagines Two Face, throws in everyone’s favorite catburglar (though not loving that costume) and absolutely emotionally devastates Bruce, among other things. The next book promises the greatest of all Batman’s foes, The Joker himself. Very exciting.
But seriously, this was excellent. Moreover, it was genuinely thrilling and exhilarating. Much like a well done superhero movie would have been.
So here are some of the things this book got perfectly right…
1. Facial expression. They are present. Prominently featured. So much so that mask or no mask, you can always see people’s eyes. It makes a huge difference. It humanizes the characters to a relatable degree no matter what sort of super things they are up to.
2. The writing. Johns really gets it. It seems so many superhero comics rely on the late great Stan Lee’s model, which is overwrite, overwrite, overwrite. If you read those old comics, it looks like they got paid per word. Every panel is overwhelmed by text and overexplained to death. It’s tedious and, frankly, it nearly defeats the purpose of graphic novel. A format specifically designed to convey the story in both art and text, with heavy reliance on visuals. Johns does this right, there’s just the right amount of text, never overpowering Gary Frank’s excellent visuals.
3. The tone and the city. It was never meant to be a happy story. It was never meant to be a simple story. Johns takes it all the way down to the murky bottom, making Gotham mythical, bestowing Bruce with a dark inheritance of his ancestors. And the rest of the characters…they struggle to cope with the demands of a violent world around them, to find their place within it, to just make it through the day.
Gotham wounds them, scars them, kills them. Gotham turns a bright eyed bushy tailed cop into an alcoholic, upright law driven politicians into madness, moral detective to immorality and back. Gotham is a force, a character in itself, the darkest ugliest version of a metropolis comics can render. Making it all the more difficult to live in, to fight for, to save. That’s what makes for such an interesting and compelling story dynamics.
So yeah, this was awesome. I’m glad I checked it out, had no idea I’d ended up liking it this much, would definitely read more. Recommended.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
June 10, 2021
This was the best book I've read from Geoff Johns in quite some time! Maybe since Batman: Earth One, Volume 2. It's been 6 years (!!!) since the second volume was published and almost a decade since the first. Sometimes I wish the Earth One books would come out more regularly, but I think it might lessen the novelty.
As with the first two volumes of the series, and the rest of the Earth One line, what we get here is something of a reimagining of Batman as a more down-to-earth and street-level hero. Character back stories and personalities are changed. The changes are often surface level, but it's enough to make for a take that you haven't read before. That's a good thing considering the expansiveness of the Batman canon. The Catwoman rebrand was actually pretty clever, but I thought Johns failed to really explore what could have been beyond just a changing name and costume.
It's a perfectly serviceable Batman story and for whatever reason it does feel distinct from the main line offerings. The writing is reminiscent of Johns' work from around 2006-2012, which was a good era for him. It's not trying to be anything pretentious or revelatory. It's just a good, and more grounded, Batman plot. Some of it, admittedly, doesn't make a ton of sense but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Gary Frank is a great artist and can draw Batman until he no longer wants the job as far as I'm concerned. It's a good fit for the story too. Frank doesn't need over-the-top villains and action to keep the book visually interesting.
I actually got a bit excited for the teases for volume 4 in the closing for this book. Hopefully Johns and Frank can manage not to get side-tracked by movies and subpar maxi-series so it isn't a 6 year wait for the next entry.
As with the first two volumes of the series, and the rest of the Earth One line, what we get here is something of a reimagining of Batman as a more down-to-earth and street-level hero. Character back stories and personalities are changed. The changes are often surface level, but it's enough to make for a take that you haven't read before. That's a good thing considering the expansiveness of the Batman canon. The Catwoman rebrand was actually pretty clever, but I thought Johns failed to really explore what could have been beyond just a changing name and costume.
It's a perfectly serviceable Batman story and for whatever reason it does feel distinct from the main line offerings. The writing is reminiscent of Johns' work from around 2006-2012, which was a good era for him. It's not trying to be anything pretentious or revelatory. It's just a good, and more grounded, Batman plot. Some of it, admittedly, doesn't make a ton of sense but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Gary Frank is a great artist and can draw Batman until he no longer wants the job as far as I'm concerned. It's a good fit for the story too. Frank doesn't need over-the-top villains and action to keep the book visually interesting.
I actually got a bit excited for the teases for volume 4 in the closing for this book. Hopefully Johns and Frank can manage not to get side-tracked by movies and subpar maxi-series so it isn't a 6 year wait for the next entry.
October 3, 2021
Pues ""cierre"" muy bueno para la saga de Batman Tierra Uno. Muchísimos cameos y giros a la mitología original del personaje. Muy recomendable
June 22, 2021
It seems like it’s taken forever, but we finally get the third volume in the Batman Earth One graphic novel series. In this one, Geoff Johns’s writing feels a little more rushed and lazy than usual, which is disappointing given all the delayed time that he had to do this. But the character work is still great. And it’s still exciting to see how much fun he and artist Gary Frank seem to be having telling their own version of the Batman of Gotham City. I like where they took characters like Killer Croc and Bullock but I wish they went further with Catwoman’s character (plus she has a terrible costume), and there’s still a missed opportunity with the using a more gritty Alfred.
After the death of Harvey Dent in the last book, it’s a surprise to the Batman when there are rumors of Dent supplying Gotham’s criminals with guns. And at the same time, he’s investigating the arrival of a man claiming to be Adrian Arkham, Bruce Wayne’s grandfather.
The series continues to reimagine everything about Gotham City and it’s colorful characters. DC is making a mistake by seemingly not making these Earth One books a priority, so I fear that we might not ever see another volume of this, and if so, it might take an even longer time!
After the death of Harvey Dent in the last book, it’s a surprise to the Batman when there are rumors of Dent supplying Gotham’s criminals with guns. And at the same time, he’s investigating the arrival of a man claiming to be Adrian Arkham, Bruce Wayne’s grandfather.
The series continues to reimagine everything about Gotham City and it’s colorful characters. DC is making a mistake by seemingly not making these Earth One books a priority, so I fear that we might not ever see another volume of this, and if so, it might take an even longer time!
June 14, 2021
One month after the events of the last volume, which concluded with the death of Harvey Dent, a gang of thieves thrusts the city into a state of fear when they are mysteriously armed with military-grade weapons, funded by none other than former district attorney Harvey Dent. As Bruce Wayne investigates whether or not Dent has risen from the grave, he comforts Harvey’s twin sister, Mayor Jessica Dent — who is going through both physical and mental scars — and continues to expand his network of “outsiders”, realizing that the Batman can’t save Gotham on his own.
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
June 13, 2021
This continues to be a fun Batman continuity. One of the most enjoyable things about this volume is the gathering of the Outsiders, starting with Killer Croc: a group that you really want to love and see be loved. Overall, the characterization continues to be terrific, from Bruce and Alfred to newcomers like Jessica. Finally, this volume has a nice mystery too (albeit with the reveal muddled by art that doesn't quite say what it needs to say). All-around, a good read.
September 24, 2021
Man I’ve been waiting to read this one after those first two great volumes. This did not disappoint either. I really dug Batman’s team of Killer Croc and Alfred. ( I think they got together at the end of volume 2 ) loved the energy there. There is someone giving out high powered weaponry to the criminals of Gotham. Guns, Rocket Launchers, Flame throwers etc etc. Batman is trying to find out who is behind this. Along the way, a new member joins Bat’s team. Loved the new look they put on this character and how they ended up joining up. The art team crush it. This book was stunning visually. Great action, build up and a cool twist. Wish there was a volume 4 coming.
February 14, 2022
2.5 stars
July 20, 2021
This conclusion to Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Batman origin brings everything to an approximation of their familiar appearances. It does so by affirming everything its preceding two volumes did so well.
In superhero comics familiar elements can calcify until they would look like a flat parody in any other context, accepted because they’re never even questioned. Bruce Wayne, for instance, had parents who were murdered in an alley, and that’s basically all anyone ever really bothered to write about them. Johns, in the first Batman Earth One volume, decided to dig deeper. He gave Martha Wayne the maiden name Arkham, familiar from Batman lore as an asylum in Gotham City where all the colorful criminals go once captured (and recaptured).
In this third volume we meet a man posing as Bruce Wayne’s grandfather, Martha’s father. Though there are twists to this part of the story, it’s still a welcome added depth to the Batman mythology, even the fear that madness runs in the family. Among the many other things reading this theoretical final volume leaves readers with is the prospect of another story, where Bruce grapples with the psychology of, well, dressing up as a bat.
Two-Face receives a fantastic twist. Catwoman officially debuts. A big face appears on the final page.
The draw of the Earth One line, as sporadic as installments have been, is that familiar characters can have a self-contained spotlight for fresh imaginings. If it were done in any other format there probably wouldn’t be the same results. The multiple volumes themselves, even the slow pacing that has developed over the decade it’s existed, none of this would have happened. There would have been one-shots, and maybe a sequel or two, and yet now we have three volumes each for Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, and two each for the Teen Titans and Green Lantern. It’s a legacy that hopefully has an increase in appreciation over time.
And it’s full of great material. This Batman trilogy might be the most traditional and yet most radical. We’ve easily seen the most retellings of the Batman origin, so on the surface it looks like just another version. But it isn’t. It builds on that tradition in a knowing and deliberate manner. Three volumes still doesn’t seem like enough space to give it justice. And yet, for its purposes, building the world of Batman, tweaking things in minor and significant ways, a conclusion has been reached. Johns, and Frank, once again achieving a monumental work.
In superhero comics familiar elements can calcify until they would look like a flat parody in any other context, accepted because they’re never even questioned. Bruce Wayne, for instance, had parents who were murdered in an alley, and that’s basically all anyone ever really bothered to write about them. Johns, in the first Batman Earth One volume, decided to dig deeper. He gave Martha Wayne the maiden name Arkham, familiar from Batman lore as an asylum in Gotham City where all the colorful criminals go once captured (and recaptured).
In this third volume we meet a man posing as Bruce Wayne’s grandfather, Martha’s father. Though there are twists to this part of the story, it’s still a welcome added depth to the Batman mythology, even the fear that madness runs in the family. Among the many other things reading this theoretical final volume leaves readers with is the prospect of another story, where Bruce grapples with the psychology of, well, dressing up as a bat.
Two-Face receives a fantastic twist. Catwoman officially debuts. A big face appears on the final page.
The draw of the Earth One line, as sporadic as installments have been, is that familiar characters can have a self-contained spotlight for fresh imaginings. If it were done in any other format there probably wouldn’t be the same results. The multiple volumes themselves, even the slow pacing that has developed over the decade it’s existed, none of this would have happened. There would have been one-shots, and maybe a sequel or two, and yet now we have three volumes each for Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, and two each for the Teen Titans and Green Lantern. It’s a legacy that hopefully has an increase in appreciation over time.
And it’s full of great material. This Batman trilogy might be the most traditional and yet most radical. We’ve easily seen the most retellings of the Batman origin, so on the surface it looks like just another version. But it isn’t. It builds on that tradition in a knowing and deliberate manner. Three volumes still doesn’t seem like enough space to give it justice. And yet, for its purposes, building the world of Batman, tweaking things in minor and significant ways, a conclusion has been reached. Johns, and Frank, once again achieving a monumental work.
October 27, 2021
Not Bad. Geoff Johns & Gary Frank go together like peanut butter and jam. Anytime these gentleman get together you know you are in for a treat. The colorist deserve some credit here as well. This is just simply a gorgeous superhero comic. The Earth One books have been a great experiment for DC Comics. They remind me so much of the Ultimate universe Marvelcrafted so long ago. As a librarian I would highly recommend first DC Comics readers to read these books. They offer a fresh take on the origins of many of the DC heroes we know. Geoff Johns should have had a run on Batman a long time ago. He simply gets the DC Comics mythos. I will this is not as strong as the first volume but the storytelling here is still superb. The only gripe I had in this volume was Catwoman's costume. It just didn't work for me. I think Johns and Frank were going for a retro cat woman look but I like her in the full body suit. But her look may be different in the next volume. This version of the Batman universe had a interesting take on Two-Face that surprised me. Johns made a concept that shouldn't have work feel natural. I also loved the twist on the Arkhams and the Wayne family. Man between Johns' Batman: Three Jokers and this I feel we are getting the best Batman tales around. This is a definite pick up and read. With all the setup for the next volume I hope we get it soon. Here are some of the other Earth one books and DC comics I'd recommend if you enjoyed this book: Green Lantern: Earth One, Volume 1, Teen Titans: Earth One, Volume 1, Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 1, Batman: Earth One, Volume 1, Batman: Earth One, Volume 2, Nightwing: The New Order, Freedom Fighters: Rise of a Nation, The Omega Men: The End is Here & Death of Hawkman.
August 9, 2021
Ending a trilogy on a whimper. So I have always enjoyed the Earth One concept of telling DC characters origins in a more modern context, kind of like DC's version of Marvel's Ultimate universe. There's still some ones I need to read but I have really enjoyed the Batman and Superman Earth One books in this series. As far as the Batman ones goes, I didn't like Vol 1 when I first read it, but it grew on me over time and Vol 2 was incredible IMO, and is definitely my favorite of the three. This one just felt like a rush to the finish line in some ways as it's the last volume in this series and its a shame.
So this book picks up a month (but later its said to be a few months?) after Vol 2, with Bruce setting up the Batcave with Alfred and Killer Croc (who is a Bat family member in this universe and I'm all for it), trying to build a new homeless shelter with Jessica Dent and then out of the blue, Bruce's grandfather shows up, and is deranged. All the while Two Face is supplying weapons to the criminals of Gotham, because he just really hates Bruce Wayne.
Some of the things I liked was Gary Frank's art which always looks so cinematic. However, some of his designs in this one are questionable. Catwoman's costume is horrendous in my opinion and looks more like a Fortnite skin, then an actual costume. Other things like the Batmobile are disappointing to, as it looks like a black race car with some batman elements on it. I guess its supposed to be a more realistic version, but it just felt underwhelming since it and Catwoman's costume were teased in the last volume so well.
As for the story, its okay but it feels rushed and not really the finale I wanted. The subplot with the grandfather ties into the origin of the Wayne's and the Arkham's which dates back centuries. Felt more like a Scott Snyder idea then a Geoff John's idea. The stuff with Jessica and Harvey Dent, while an interesting take, and they do try to play things up as a twist but I kind of saw it all coming.
The last few pages especially felt rushed as they throw so many easter eggs at you, like Batgirl and Robin joining the family and the fully formed Batcave, with Batmobiles I wish we got over the main one. There is a Joker cameo at the end though which I'll admit I liked, but other then that, this was a disappointing volume to be honest. At least we still have the first two volumes.
So this book picks up a month (but later its said to be a few months?) after Vol 2, with Bruce setting up the Batcave with Alfred and Killer Croc (who is a Bat family member in this universe and I'm all for it), trying to build a new homeless shelter with Jessica Dent and then out of the blue, Bruce's grandfather shows up, and is deranged. All the while Two Face is supplying weapons to the criminals of Gotham, because he just really hates Bruce Wayne.
Some of the things I liked was Gary Frank's art which always looks so cinematic. However, some of his designs in this one are questionable. Catwoman's costume is horrendous in my opinion and looks more like a Fortnite skin, then an actual costume. Other things like the Batmobile are disappointing to, as it looks like a black race car with some batman elements on it. I guess its supposed to be a more realistic version, but it just felt underwhelming since it and Catwoman's costume were teased in the last volume so well.
As for the story, its okay but it feels rushed and not really the finale I wanted. The subplot with the grandfather ties into the origin of the Wayne's and the Arkham's which dates back centuries. Felt more like a Scott Snyder idea then a Geoff John's idea. The stuff with Jessica and Harvey Dent, while an interesting take, and they do try to play things up as a twist but I kind of saw it all coming.
The last few pages especially felt rushed as they throw so many easter eggs at you, like Batgirl and Robin joining the family and the fully formed Batcave, with Batmobiles I wish we got over the main one. There is a Joker cameo at the end though which I'll admit I liked, but other then that, this was a disappointing volume to be honest. At least we still have the first two volumes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2023
It was better than the first and second volumes, but the Robin race swap cost a star ofcourse so the third volume only has 3 stars like the rest.
Ok... Ok, after one day past over reading Earth One,vol 3, i got clamed down. I think i kind of over reacted... Dick had gypsy blood anyway, was it really necessary to change his race... He is my favorite DC character with Bruce... I'm all for bringing in more minorties to the stories of American comics, but as new characters. I believe it's lazy and kind of annoying to just change the race of a such a beloved and really well established character. I mean if someone go and change The Blade's race to white... I don't think anyone would be happy, including me.
If i go back to the story of volume 3. I didn't really expect to see Clayface in the story, it was fine. As you probably know Batman Earth One book was promoted as a more ''realistic'' take on Batman, so this was Geoff Johns' idea of a more ''realistic'' Clayface and it was nice. The change to the two face was ok as well... I mean, i can't really call the new character who was supposed to be two face in the book, two face... She was hardly a two face, but just a woman with multiple personalty disorder and a scar on her cheek. I don't think anyone can top The Long Halloween when it comes to The Best Two Face Story anyway.
Finally, The Joker, for a moment, i expected Adrian Arkham to turn in to The Joker, actually. Geoff once made Bruce's mother Joker in an elseworld tale so why he wouldn't make his grandfather The Joker in this one, it would be really dramatic. But The Joker came somewhere else as connected to Dick's origin at the last page of The Batman Earth One, vol. 3. That was fine as well. Finally, i was really looking forward to The Joker, he was my all reason to keep on reading Batman Earth One, even if i found all 3 vols. of Batman Earth One mediocre so far.
Really looking forward to The Batman Earth One, Volume 4 with the Joker as The main Villain in it.
Ok... Ok, after one day past over reading Earth One,vol 3, i got clamed down. I think i kind of over reacted... Dick had gypsy blood anyway, was it really necessary to change his race... He is my favorite DC character with Bruce... I'm all for bringing in more minorties to the stories of American comics, but as new characters. I believe it's lazy and kind of annoying to just change the race of a such a beloved and really well established character. I mean if someone go and change The Blade's race to white... I don't think anyone would be happy, including me.
If i go back to the story of volume 3. I didn't really expect to see Clayface in the story, it was fine. As you probably know Batman Earth One book was promoted as a more ''realistic'' take on Batman, so this was Geoff Johns' idea of a more ''realistic'' Clayface and it was nice. The change to the two face was ok as well... I mean, i can't really call the new character who was supposed to be two face in the book, two face... She was hardly a two face, but just a woman with multiple personalty disorder and a scar on her cheek. I don't think anyone can top The Long Halloween when it comes to The Best Two Face Story anyway.
Finally, The Joker, for a moment, i expected Adrian Arkham to turn in to The Joker, actually. Geoff once made Bruce's mother Joker in an elseworld tale so why he wouldn't make his grandfather The Joker in this one, it would be really dramatic. But The Joker came somewhere else as connected to Dick's origin at the last page of The Batman Earth One, vol. 3. That was fine as well. Finally, i was really looking forward to The Joker, he was my all reason to keep on reading Batman Earth One, even if i found all 3 vols. of Batman Earth One mediocre so far.
Really looking forward to The Batman Earth One, Volume 4 with the Joker as The main Villain in it.
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