The Best Frank Miller's Work? (It's not The Dark Knight Returns)

 What is the best Frank Miller's work? Despite what I said in the last blog, I like Frank Miller, or at least a few of his works, even though his work is very inconsistent in both art and writing. For that reason, his work always has been very controversial, but it became even more so after what happened on 9/11 in NYC. Especially his art in 'The Dark Knight Strikes Again." However, we're not going to talk about his art today. I'll be discussing what made "Year One" so special and so much better than "The Dark Knight Returns."

Batman: Year One

"Batman: Year One" is also a 4 issue miniseries, that was published in 1986 that's considered one of the best Batman storylines ever similar to The Dark Knight Returns. However, this time, it's a little bit different. It's quite the opposite, actually. This miniseries shows the early days of Batman and Jim Gordon and their relationship, as you can tell from the title. Even though I don't like TDKR as much as other people do, but it is still crazy how Frank Miller wrote two most popular Batman books, the early days and the final days of the Caped Crusader, in just one year, 1968. 

The Definitive Origin

What makes a great origin? In my opinion, it should check all of the following: it introduces us to the character and their background, it introduces us to the supporting characters and their background, and it introduces us to the world the characters are living in. Also, it should get the readers hooked on the character and make them want to know more about the character, because the origin is quite simply, an introduction.

And this book exactly does that. It introduces the readers to the main character, Bruce Wayne, aka. Batman and his supporting characters like Jim Gordon, Selina Kyle, Roman Falcone and Harvey Bullock. Not only that, it also shows us what kind of city Gotham is and how corrupted it is from different perspectives of the characters.

Starting Point

Remember when I said that TDKR wasn't a good starting point? Well, this one surely is. This is honestly the best starting point to jump onto the greatest detective's mythos it can ever be. Sure, there are some quite nice ones out there, too, such as "Batman: Zero Year," "Batman: Earth 1," or the early ones from the 1930s-1960s, but they don't quite hit the spot as this one does. 

Also, this is the only "true" origin for the current continuity. (check this blog for the confusing continuities and timelines) Zero Year was the origin Scott Snyder wrote for the New52 continuity, not the post-crisis one (after Infinite Crisis on Earths), and Earth One is a completely different universe, kind of like MARVEL's Ultimate Universe or DC's Absolute Universe, and the old ones are...well, old. They're outdated/pre-crisis (before the Infinite Crisis on Earths), which is a different Earth too.

The Art

Amazing and beautiful art by David Mazzuchelli. He is mostly known for his artwork on this particular book and another masterpiece by Frank Miller, "Daredevil: Born Again", which was surprisingly also in 1986, too. Unlike some of the other artists who shined in the 80s, his artwork does not look or feel outdated or old-fashioned. It's not giving me the "ick" that instantly makes me think a book is very goofy and silly and old. 

Some might say it looks way better with the original coloring, and on the other hand, some others might say it looks better with the newer coloring, but I would say I don't give a damn. It looks fantastic as it is, with or without the color upgrade. It just captures the vibes and feel of Gotham. I can feel it, I can see it, I can smell it. Also, it just fits Miller's storytelling and the story overall too.

Conclusion

So, yes, this is one of my favourite Batman comic books and/or DC comic books, and I can tell you this is my favourite origin story so far, but I'm ashamed to tell you I haven't read all of Frank Miller's work. I should read more of them, definitely, but for now, this would be my favourite Frank Miller comic book.

8/10