Batman Earth One
Writer: Geoff Johns
Illustrator: Gary Frank
The Review:
You can re-write Batman’s origin so many times. Of course I feel like there is somethings that have to stay the same:
- His parents die in an alley behind a theatre.
- He needs to see a bat somewhere to inspire his costume traits.
- He needs to be rich.
- He needs to be in the spotlight.
- He needs inventions.
Which is what we get here. Another interpretation of the usual. Which I guess is fine, any drastic changes and people scream bloody murder. What I did like about this is the change from being invincible. I personally believe Batman to be written as a “invincible” character. He’s written to win. Of course we have instances where he loses, KnightFall, No Man’s Land (kinda), and R.I.P. Those were the times when things changed and people paid attention, then Batman goes back to normal, being invincible. I liked all those story lines mostly because a good character isn’t invincible, he’s like us just scarred. Here in Earth One, he’s weaker and makes mistakes. I like that.
Watching Batman’s toys break is a cool little move Geoff partakes in. After all Batman should be able to adapt, move – when are we going to get a parkour Batman. I didn’t like they way alfred was portrayed but everything else fell together nicely and most importantly Geoff stayed away from using the Joker. Instead we find Mayor Cobblepot a.k.a. The Penguin running the show.
The artwork is amazing. I’ve always liked Gary Frank’s art. It’s modern and clean. Every page is amazing. I think maybe some of the detail boxed work could have been enlarged or made more noticeable. I found myself going back once to find out why something happened. I happened to read comics fast, kinda skipping over art unless it’s in my face.
I liked this book. I also liked Superman: Earth One which I preferred the art over the story, but here it’s pretty equal and tells a great story. I would liek to see something wore risque, even though I read Stan Lee’s Batman and thought that was horrible. So maybe sticking to what works, we keep us readers satisfied, eitherway, I liked to see Batman get beat the hell up more often. Maybe lose some fingers or an arm. “Adapt Batman! Adapt!”
Grab it on:
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A Knife And A Quill- old 
“I personally believe Batman to be written as a ‘invincible’ character.”
Not knowing the comics too intimately, I can’t decide whether or not that’s true…but given the cartoons and movies I’ve seen, maybe that’s a more accurate statement than I care to admit. In any case, I agree that characters shouldn’t be invincible, and it’s relieving to hear that Batman isn’t always unstoppable because he’s Batman.
Anyway, good review…though I have to admit, I think Captain America’s the coolest superhero ever.
I’m a huge Goon fan. Read one comic and your hooked.
Get A Cobblepot For Mayor…
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