"Year One" is a 1987 storyline in the American comic book Batman, published by DC Comics. It was written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, and edited by Dennis O'Neil. Serialized in Batman #404–407 from January to April 1987, "Year One" is the modern version of Batman's origin story, recounting his first year as a crimefighter and the roots of his friendship with James Gordon. It focuses on Batman and Gordon's crusades against corruption in Gotham City and the powerful mob boss Carmine Falcone, who has Gotham's mayor and police department on his payroll. The story also explores dominatrix Selina Kyle, who Batman inspires to give up sex work and become Catwoman.
Development began during DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985–1986) crossover event, which was intended to reboot the DC Comics continuity to streamline it and resolve continuity errors. Miller and Mazzucchelli had worked together on Daredevil at Marvel Comics from 1984 to 1986, and conceived "Year One" as a standalone graphic novel. O'Neil convinced the two to serialize it in Batman as the Batman character's post-Crisis relaunch. He promised Miller the same creative freedom that he was granted for his influential 1986 limited series The Dark Knight Returns. Miller sought to expand Batman creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger's origin story rather than contradict it, while Mazzucchelli focused on illustrating a world that was realistic and mundane.
Widely considered one of the greatest Batman stories ever told, "Year One" was a bestseller for DC during its initial publication and has been reprinted numerous times in trade paperback form. Critics praised its dark, gritty tone, writing, and Mazzucchelli's art. Alongside The Dark Knight Returns, "Year One" rejuvenated Batman's sales and pushed the Batman mythos in a darker direction. It was followed by two sequels, "Year Two" (1987) and "Year Three" (1989), although neither was produced with Miller or Mazzucchelli's involvement. Story elements and characters introduced in "Year One" recur in later Batman stories, and DC has reused the "Year One" title for other characters' origin stories.
"Year One" had a substantial influence on non-comic book Batman media.
Publication history
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edit- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TIZWLdeHEo
- https://www.tcj.com/tcj-archive/the-comics-journal-no-194-march-1997/
- https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4704766
- https://13thdimension.com/the-denny-oneil-interviews-batman-year-one/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA8ToFa7p4k
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh3nlAZHJ0A