DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Gary Frank, artist
I have "known" some comic-fans who have stopped keeping up with the current slate of comic books and continuity developments. They often are still actively re-reading books from their respective collections, just not reading the new stuff. They are still fans of the medium and often dabble by remaining a part of online communities that by their nature are most concerned with the current stuff, but such fans have found their own personal golden age of comics and prefer to stop reading the more recent books that aren't doing anything for them anymore.
The older I get, the more I understand those feelings; many of my favorite books were ones published in the 1970s. But I don't know that I'm quite ready to label that era my personal golden age yet. I also have favorite comic stories from each of the subsequent decades, and more modern times have truly been great with regards to comics turned into animation and film.
Having said that, I don't try as many new comic and graphic novel titles as I once did. When Marvel announced the Ultimate line, I half-heartedly picked up the Ultimate version of Spider-Man and X-Men, but I didn't stick with either long. I had more of an interest in the New 52 when DC launched that project, but those books were replacing, not running along side of, the already established continuity. I stuck with my favorites but didn't stay long with many of the newer titles and characters. So my reaction when DC announced their "Earth One" line of stand-alone graphic novels re-inventing their heroes for a modern era, my reaction was, "Good luck and I hope it brings new readers in as created to do, but I think I'll just pass." Not worth the price of admission for me; I already know the origin of Superman and Batman, so far the only two characters to get the Earth One treatment.
Then I went in search of a copy of the trade collection Superman: Exile, and found a nicely priced copy for sale online. That particular seller also had a copy of the Superman: Panic In the Sky trade, which I decided to pick up. And also for sale by this individual was a $5 copy of the Batman: Earth One hardcover. That's the hardcover. In nice shape. For $5. I'm not as interested in trying this book for the initial hardcover price tag, but I'm not going to turn down a chance to try it for a fraction of the cover price, either.
And I'm glad I took the chance!
This volume is a great example of what the old Elseworlds and What If ... ? series could be at their best. I don't want to ruin some of the many story surprises Geoff Johns and Gary Frank have crafted in this volume; a large part of my enjoyment reading this graphic novel was in discovering these gems on my own. But these men have created a powerful story that changes the established facts longtime readers know about the Wayne family and gives a satisfying read. There are many familiar faces such as Bruce, Thomas and Martha Wayne and Barbara Gordon. There are familiar names like Oswald Cobblepot, Alfred Pennyworth and Harvey Bullock that are used in brand new, fascinating ways. And there are more subtle changes to familiar characters like James Gordon and Gotham District Attorney Dent that add to the tapestry of this story. Johns has written a powerful origin story for this not-quite-the-Batman-we-know that lives up to the high standard set by his other writing. Gary Frank's artwork is crisp and adds visual nuances to Johns' script, as usual. Well done! Very well done, indeed!
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