DC has, through their New 52 line, given us a few fresh stories about the superheroes whom we worship/cherish. Unfortunately, this book fails to do so, despite the revisionist approach aimed at giving Batman and some of his antagonists new 'origin'-s. It reads like the "Year One" volumes that had tried to achieve the same. The only reason behind me awarding 4 stars to this volume is the presence of the vignettes accompanying the main graphic novel, describing various aspects of "training" that Bruce Wayne had gone through in his journey towards becoming the Batman. Recommended. I am a big fan of Scott Snyder, not only for what he's doing with Batman but because of American Vampire, which was a wholly more original and interesting story than anything he's written on Batman. It is clear to me, at least, if not to Mr. Snyder where his true passion lies. And it is not in superhero books. Something the writing in this book portrays so clearly. There is a rumor making the rounds that Scott Snyder and Frank Miller will be teaming up to co-wrote The Dark Knights Returns 3. Yes, that is the lame title, you'd almost think it was a movie. I do not know where this new found obsession with Mr. Miller's work is coming from but if this book is any indicator, it can only lead to disaster. This book is a prequel to Frank Miller's and David Mazzucchelli's brilliant Year One, which itself got a sequel by Alan Davis. Artistically speaking Greg Capullo is in my opinion, a more than capable artist and draftsman to follow in the footsteps of Mazzucchelli and Davis. However, given the dearth of a story or setting, he doesn't have much really to work with, and his art comes off both flat and dull as the story. It isn't a mystery to anyone who knows me or reads my comic book reviews that I am not a fan of prequels and I feel that the origin story in comic books has played itself out ad nauseum. Origins are fine for new heroes or characters, but I don't need to have Batman or Spider-man's all too familiar beginnings thrust into my face again and again, the way most comics today do. I would bet you'd be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn't know their origins from films or having read comics as a kid. And sadly, unlike fairy tales and mythology which can be retold again and again to varying degrees of ingenuity and success, comic book hero origins are always dull and they seldom reveal anything new or worthy of a whole trade. This whole book is proof of that. Where Batman Year One sought to be the definitive Batman origin story this one tries to do the same for Batman. Exactly, why? I don't know, as Batman Year One is arguably already in that lofty position. Then why retread already well trodden roads? To tell us the origin of The Joker? It does that but in no interesting way, it doesn't even focus on him so no, that isn't a possibility. Does this story add anything to the mythos? Again, no. This is likely an editorially mandated story, and not surprising since the whole purpose of the New52 has been to rehash the same tired origin stories with a little more violence and gore than before, and not as the creators had originally stated to drop the baggage of continuity and take us to new places. Snyder's heart is not in the story, which drags at times and covers Batman lore with a desire to point out trivial minutia about the hero and serves more as a checklist of things to do with Batman's past than an actual, original story. There's nothing new, there's nothing cool, and there is nothing really driving this Batman to do what he's supposed to do. It is boring and unnecessary and artistically bland. The books highlights can be described as: Batman spooking a kid, Bruce Wayne getting into an argument with Alfred, Batman getting a hair cut, Bruce noticing Vicky Vale at a party, Bruce Wayne holding a press conference to out the villain, Joker explaining that the origin of Batman is the same as his. In retrospect, I suppose that last one is a new, albeit I didn't need a whole six issue miniseries to show me this, twist on the Joker's origin. I expected better from you Mr. Snyder, and I don't fault Capullo if his art seems boring. There isn't much happening. When it does its beautiful, but there isn't much going on until the climax.
Do You like book Batman - Vuosi Nolla (2014)?
Great graphics! Such a great graphic novel, awesome story line, easy to follow.
—aly
A great retelling of Batman's origin and The Jokers as well.
—Cedassie
