Batman: Year One by Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli, and Richmond Lewis
This is a retelling of Batman’s origin story. It was originally published in 1986, shortly after Frank Miller told the final Batman story in The Dark Knight Returns. That book is an undisputed classic. This one seems like it is chasing that but can never really catch up. That’s not to say it’s a bad read, it’s just such familiar territory.
The interesting thing here is that we also get an origin of Commissioner Gordon as well. One thing I did like about the story was that Batman has some pretty horrible failures as he starts his super-hero career. It seems quite real. It’s a dark story much like the recent Hollywood trilogy and pretty much what you’d expect from Frank Miller’s amazingly creative work.
Fairest: Wide Awake by Bill Willingham, Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Matthew Sturges, and Shawn McManus.
The Fables comics are some of the best I have ever read. I have also enjoyed the spin-off series Jack of Fables. So when I saw this newest title, I knew I had to give it at chance.
Sleeping Beauty is awoken by an unlikely suitor, Ali Baba. Unfortunately, he also managed to awaken an evil force that begins to hunt them down.
I was immediately captivated by the characters in this one. I’m not sure why. The art is amazing and the story is well told. I can see how this would make for a good series. That being said, I will keep an eye out for the second volume.