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In Batman’s case, he’s had a few. We’ve had Batman (1989), directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. We’ve had Batman Begins (2005), directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale and we’ve had The Batman (2022), directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson. But even those origin stories have an origin story.
Enter Batman: Year One.
First published in 1987, Batman: Year One follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after 12 years away. It’s later revealed that Bruce has been relentlessly training to fight crime in Gotham City to avenge the murder of his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. It’s a rocky start for Bruce, as he’s nearly killed on multiple occasions and staggers back to Wayne Manor after each fight, his trusty butler and friend, Alfred Pennyworth, waiting to clean him up. When Bruce becomes Batman, however, everything changes.
Batman: Year One also introduces James “Jim” Gordon. Gordon has moved to Gotham and, like Bruce, struggles to adjust to the city. The Police Department is ravaged with corruption, going all the way to the Police Commissioner, Gillian Loeb. The first instance Gordon witnesses police corruption, he tries to speak out, but Commissioner Loeb orders several officers to beat him severely. Like Bruce, it’s clear Gordon must take matters into his own hands.
And so, the alliance between Batman and Gordon is born.
Batman: Year One is the blueprint for the character of Batman and the world of Gotham. Batman is driven by a combination of personal vengeance and seeking to right the wrongs of his past but is hopeful that his actions will bring a better day for Gotham. His symbol in the night sky starts as a warning but evolves into one of hope and protection, telling the people of Gotham to hope for a better future.
Now, are there better ways to inspire hope and change in people than beating people to a pulp every night? Most definitely. Batman has billions of dollars at his disposal, so investing in healthcare, education or community outreach programs would probably be more helpful than what he’s doing.
But he has spent the last twelve years away completely focused on revenge and living in that hurt, so he’s probably not thinking with his full noggin.
If you’re looking for a compelling, mysterious origin story about one of the most famous superheroes, Batman: Year One is definitely worth the read.
In Batman’s case, he’s had a few. We’ve had Batman (1989), directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. We’ve had Batman Begins (2005), directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale and we’ve had The Batman (2022), directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson. But even those origin stories have an origin story.
Enter Batman: Year One.
First published in 1987, Batman: Year One follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after 12 years away. It’s later revealed that Bruce has been relentlessly training to fight crime in Gotham City to avenge the murder of his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. It’s a rocky start for Bruce, as he’s nearly killed on multiple occasions and staggers back to Wayne Manor after each fight, his trusty butler and friend, Alfred Pennyworth, waiting to clean him up. When Bruce becomes Batman, however, everything changes.
Batman: Year One also introduces James “Jim” Gordon. Gordon has moved to Gotham and, like Bruce, struggles to adjust to the city. The Police Department is ravaged with corruption, going all the way to the Police Commissioner, Gillian Loeb. The first instance Gordon witnesses police corruption, he tries to speak out, but Commissioner Loeb orders several officers to beat him severely. Like Bruce, it’s clear Gordon must take matters into his own hands.
And so, the alliance between Batman and Gordon is born.
Batman: Year One is the blueprint for the character of Batman and the world of Gotham. Batman is driven by a combination of personal vengeance and seeking to right the wrongs of his past but is hopeful that his actions will bring a better day for Gotham. His symbol in the night sky starts as a warning but evolves into one of hope and protection, telling the people of Gotham to hope for a better future.
Now, are there better ways to inspire hope and change in people than beating people to a pulp every night? Most definitely. Batman has billions of dollars at his disposal, so investing in healthcare, education or community outreach programs would probably be more helpful than what he’s doing.
But he has spent the last twelve years away completely focused on revenge and living in that hurt, so he’s probably not thinking with his full noggin.
If you’re looking for a compelling, mysterious origin story about one of the most famous superheroes, Batman: Year One is definitely worth the read.
Here are some tips for writing a review, courtesy of the Prison Journalism Project.
Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison still holds powerful memories for many thousands of people. The prison’s towering bluestone walls were an imposing presence in Coburg, and almost all Melburnians have a story to tell about this notorious place.
In Sydney in May 2024, Damien Linnane (editor of the prison magazine Paper Chained) held an exhibition of art by people in prison around the world. Linnane managed to obtain over 100 artworks from currently and formerly incarcerated people in eight different countries.
There is a new US documentary out on Netflix in the community. It’s called ‘Daughters’ and takes viewers inside a Washington DC prison where a special program to give daughters a prom experience with their incarcerated fathers takes them on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Set on a quiet island in the dead of winter, The Wife and the Widow is a gripping mystery/thriller told from two perspectives.
The Wasp is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps the viewer in suspense until the very last moment.
I've read thousands of novels over the last fifty-odd years and not one of them was romance, but while I'm trying new things – like paraplegia and prison – I might as well add in a romance novel to my life experience.
Welcome to the planet where the apes are rulers and the humans – as far as we know – are reduced to a subspecies.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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