"Bruce, I understand more than anyone what losing your parents did to you and I'm sorry for that. You know how sorry I am. But it also broke Gotham's Spirit. Your parent's were going to save this city-- and now someone else has to do it."
Review:
Not too long after it's hiatus DC moves its Earth One titles further down in their stories, now it's the new take on the Dark Knight that gets more development for Bruce Wayne and his also familiar yet different mythos. Since the first volume there's been something about Geoff Johns' Batman I've had trouble describing exactly. Here it's been more obvious that the best way I can describe his Batman as Johns trying to deconstruct the Dark Knight in his own way and also in a way that's very different for Bruce Wayne and Batman.As Johns often does in most of his work there are playful nods and gags surrounding the continuity such as Batman almost completely sneaking away from Detective Gordon who in this continuity is the better detective than Batman who has no experience until he asks Gordon for help later. Quit an unusual change but works with this Bruce's character of just being mostly about the vengeance portion until he slowly grows into the mufti-faceted Batman we're all use to. It's also adds another layer to his and Gordon's relationship that hasn't been used before.
Johns' Bruce Wayne started out as a man driven by rage and revenge as well as lacking the honed skill Batman has always been praised for. It's a jarring journey that may not sit right for some readers but here we see Bruce learn more on what he and his Batman persona have to become to help Gotham City in various ways. The cast grows with finally showing us more on the Dent twins and the very different relationship they each have with Bruce. Much like the Luthors in the recent Superman: Earth One volume, the Dents are part of an interesting bait-and-switch as well as twists on one of Batman's iconic dual-natured foe. There is also the introduction of Killer Croc who's character here is that of the more tragic forms that you see in mainstream comics when he isn't used simply as crocodile-themed muscle and brute force. There is also a subtle introduction to a beloved feline femme fatale as well as the usual amount of Easter eggs of other Batman characters including a couple Robins. Finally, the main antagonist is an anarchist, bare chested Riddler with a question mark face tattoo who like usual is Batman's villain for matching wits and puzzles. For a Batman series focusing on being more modern and grounded it seems odd having the Riddler dressed so...out there. Especially when his attire has mostly been basically suits, pretty normal and tame clothing for this genre.
As Bruce goes on his personal journey, we also see the continuation of the paths of Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock. As Gordon becomes more of the noble cop and detective we know as, including becoming a mentor to Batman we also see Bullock drown in his alcoholism from the previous volume's trauma. Much like the previous book, Gordon's story runs parallel and at times collides with Bruce's as the two work for the same goal of saving Gotham. The end of this volume also promises changes for the Gordon, Bullock, and the rest of the GCPD as well.
So far the third volume is slated to trying to be out March 2016 and promises in waiting for the right time for the most iconic of Bat villains, The Joker. All in all, despite some personal hang-ups for Volume One, Batman: Earth One Volume Two gives a different but still promising continuation on this tale of Batman.
Recommendation:
Expect similar content from the first volume in a share of blood and violence. There's also a number of grisly deaths, most of which part of the Riddler's traps. Solid crime drama and Batman adventure violent but still suitable for the YA shelf.
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