Batman: Earth One Series

[Travesty]

His suit already looks more advanced, even from what little we can see. Or maybe he's just bigger?

[thecolorsblend]

Finally a release date for Volume 3: June 8, 2021.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401259049

Based on the cover art, I'm inclined to believe he'll start using a batcave, which is a significant character growth keeping with this slow and steady early days vibe.

My most anticipated book for next year. Even if this is it for Earth One Batman, we'll have a trilogy.

According to Amazon, this is a Johns/Frank joint. But I find it interesting that the covert art does not show the creators' names. Very strange.

[The Dark Knight]

His suit already looks more advanced, even from what little we can see. Or maybe he's just bigger?

Perhaps a bit of both.

After ZSJL, this is my main 2021 Batman jam.

How quickly things change. Volume 3 has dropped down a rung now, but I'm still eager to read it.

[The Dark Knight]

I've read the story and it gave me what I wanted from this universe.

The art is excellent.
It doubles down on Croc being an ally, providing a nice dynamic with Alfred.
Two-Face is Harvey's sister, which is what I wanted.
It further explores the Telltale games concept of a murky Wayne family.
The batcave is an abandoned subway station, as 2022's The Batman seems to be.
Catwoman's costume is makeshift in execution.
Clayface is revealed as being one of the characters in disguise.
Sets up a fourth volume with Joker after he kills The Toyman and The Flying Graysons.
Dick Grayson is shown grieving. He is black ala the Marlon Wayans Robin.
It shows Batman's dream of forming The Outsiders and being based in the batcave.
A muscle car similar to Pattinson's is visible.

The freakouts following these comics seem pointless to me when the whole point is twisting the traditional with shock factor revelations and emotion. I'm not sure where I'd rank it against the other two, but at the very least it blends in with them. It really blows up this universe's balloon by the time the book concludes. If it wasn't for that big villain tease at the end, it could've very well served as a concluding chapter.

If you have an open mind and accept this line for what it is, you should find value.

[Travesty]

I didn't even know this was out? I have to re-read 1&2 before I read 3. It's been a few years.

[Silver Nemesis]

I just finished reading Volume 3. SPOILERS ahoy for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

I really like Johns' fresh take on Killer Croc. For the past few decades Croc has been relegated to the role of bruiser/henchman villain, so it's nice to see a writer finally approach the character from a different angle. A lot of people tend to forget that the Pre-Crisis Man-Bat was a member of the Batman Family (literally making regular appearances in the Batman Family Vol 1 comic), and was sometimes shown hanging out in the Batcave and assisting Bruce and his allies. Johns' version of Killer Croc is strongly redolent of those old comics, presenting us with the most interesting and sensitive portrayal of Waylon Jones in a long time.

Johns also delivers a creative new interpretation of the Two-Face concept. It's not one that I'd necessarily want to see replace the more traditional version in the mainstream canon, but it offers an inventive new twist on a familiar villain and I enjoyed seeing how it played out in this particular story. I liked how they managed to merge all the male versions of Clayface into a single gestalt. That was well done. It's also funny, and slightly sad, seeing Bullock gradually drinking himself into the bloated and embittered wreck we know from more conventional portrayals.

On the negative side, I'm not mad on Catwoman's costume. I'm hoping it's just a prototype before she gets something better. I also thought it was a bit weird how quickly Batman trusted her, even to the extent of introducing her to Alfred. Waylon had already earned Bruce's trust before being brought in on his operation, but Catwoman hadn't (yes, Selina helped him, but she also deceived him back in Volume 2, repeatedly demonstrated herself to be a thief, and only agreed to assist him in Volume 3 in exchange for money). I also thought Two-Face's master plan was a bit weak, but I'm willing to overlook that since this was less of a plot-driven narrative than a character-driven piece, and on that score it worked well enough for me. One thing that was never really addressed was the security issue resulting from Dent and Clayface both knowing Batman's true identity. Presumably this is a plot point that will be revisited in Volume 4.

Overall, this series is shaping up to be what the New 52 Batman ought to have been – a hard reboot that isn't afraid to deviate from the established canon in favour of breaking new ground and forging its own distinct identity. While I appreciate Frank Miller's Year One as a prologue to the vastly superior Long Halloween/Dark Victory series, I've never shared the love or reverence towards it that many fans feel. I've always thought it was overrated. That reverence for Year One might have deterred other writers from revisiting Batman's origins (with a few notable exceptions, such as Zero Year), and I think the sort of revised origin Johns and Frank have created here is long overdue.

Bring on Volume 4. The setup at the end seemed a little rushed – we see one panel depicting Dick grieving the death of his parents, which wasn't actually shown in the story, and then the next time we see him he's in costume along with the rest of the Outsiders – but hopefully the fourth volume will go back and revisit the events surrounding Robin's origin in more depth. Likewise for the Joker's debut. I think the final few pages of Volume 3 were intended more as a teaser than anything else, and Volume 4 will likely go back in time and flesh things out.

The freakouts following these comics seem pointless to me when the whole point is twisting the traditional with shock factor revelations and emotion. I'm not sure where I'd rank it against the other two, but at the very least it blends in with them. It really blows up this universe's balloon by the time the book concludes. If it wasn't for that big villain tease at the end, it could've very well served as a concluding chapter.

If you have an open mind and accept this line for what it is, you should find value.

There's no point retelling these stories if they're going to be handled in exactly the same way each time. I don't necessarily want such deviations to be made canonical in all future comics, but as someone who was raised on Elseworlds stories in the nineties I'm happy to see them implemented in one-off re-tellings.

[The Dark Knight]

I really like Johns' fresh take on Killer Croc. For the past few decades Croc has been relegated to the role of bruiser/henchman villain, so it's nice to see a writer finally approach the character from a different angle. A lot of people tend to forget that the Pre-Crisis Man-Bat was a member of the Batman Family (literally making regular appearances in the Batman Family Vol 1 comic), and was sometimes shown hanging out in the Batcave and assisting Bruce and his allies. Johns' version of Killer Croc is strongly redolent of those old comics, presenting us with the most interesting and sensitive portrayal of Waylon Jones in a long time.

I see it as the culmination of the dream both characters share, which is attaining a level of understanding from society. It makes sense for that to come from likeminded people, in this instance fellow outsiders. Would I want that dynamic to be replicated across the mainstream mythology? No. But I still like it.

On the negative side, I'm not mad on Catwoman's costume. I'm hoping it's just a prototype before she gets something better.

The costume received a lot of negative feedback but it's not something the comic shied away from. Her reveal panel is loud and proud, wholeheartedly embracing the design. This aesthetic goes for something more makeshift. While it's not my favorite Catwoman look either, getting the same old thing again in an Elseworld comic would've been the bigger letdown. 

I also thought it was a bit weird how quickly Batman trusted her, even to the extent of introducing her to Alfred. Waylon had already earned Bruce's trust before being brought in on his operation, but Catwoman hadn't (yes, Selina helped him, but she also deceived him back in Volume 2, repeatedly demonstrated herself to be a thief, and only agreed to assist him in Volume 3 in exchange for money).

On a surface level I felt like it was alluding to Selina's prior depictions as a 'working girl'. That's what motivates her. Bruce has plenty of money, so if she screws him over he's going to be disappointed but not really losing anything. The need for him to use money will decrease to nothing as their connection strengthens.

I also thought Two-Face's master plan was a bit weak, but I'm willing to overlook that since this was less of a plot-driven narrative than a character-driven piece, and on that score it worked well enough for me.

When I saw Dent's scarred face in the car I was disappointed. When I found out the proper context of that I was relieved. The real thematic meat for me concerned Bruce's family.

One thing that was never really addressed was the security issue resulting from Dent and Clayface both knowing Batman's true identity. Presumably this is a plot point that will be revisited in Volume 4.

The last we see Clayface he's not talking, and Gordon says "he's probably forgotten who he really is." I doubt that. On the other hand Dent's sister is rescued but she's a raving loon. There's definitely scope to expand upon this, particularly with Clayface.

Overall, this series is shaping up to be what the New 52 Batman ought to have been – a hard reboot that isn't afraid to deviate from the established canon in favour of breaking new ground and forging its own distinct identity. While I appreciate Frank Miller's Year One as a prologue to the vastly superior Long Halloween/Dark Victory series, I've never shared the love or reverence towards it that many fans feel. I've always thought it was overrated. That reverence for Year One might have deterred other writers from revisiting Batman's origins (with a few notable exceptions, such as Zero Year), and I think the sort of revised origin Johns and Frank have created here is long overdue.

I'm a big fan of the Scott Snyder run. After that there's been diminishing returns. I think I'm okay with the placement of Earth One in the canon, though. It exists but it's off to to the side. The only thing that I would improve is the release schedule, which is pointless to rage about because it's not changing.

Bring on Volume 4. The setup at the end seemed a little rushed – we see one panel depicting Dick grieving the death of his parents, which wasn't actually shown in the story, and then the next time we see him he's in costume along with the rest of the Outsiders – but hopefully the fourth volume will go back and revisit the events surrounding Robin's origin in more depth. Likewise for the Joker's debut. I think the final few pages of Volume 3 were intended more as a teaser than anything else, and Volume 4 will likely go back in time and flesh things out.

I think they can get away with Joker simply arriving in Gotham starting trouble, but Robin and other crimefighters need elaboration. I'd be comfortable with Joker killing Ragman and crippling Batgirl in a fourth volume.

[Travesty]

I just got done with Vol 1 last night, and got about a 1/3 of the way through Vol 2. I totally forgot the storyline to this. I remember the very beginning to Vol 1, but I just kinda forgot most of the plot.

You can see clear inspirations from Matt Reeves here. Not only the practicality of the suit, but the "vengeance" line.

Anyways, I'll come back when I'm done with Vol 3.

[Silver Nemesis]

I think they can get away with Joker simply arriving in Gotham starting trouble, but Robin and other crimefighters need elaboration. I'd be comfortable with Joker killing Ragman and crippling Batgirl in a fourth volume.

I never liked the plot point about Barbara being paralysed, some I'm hoping Johns will handle it differently in this universe. It might be interesting to have him reference that scene, but give it a different outcome. Maybe Babs opens the door and sees the Joker standing there with the gun, but manages to react quickly enough to slam it shut before he fires off a shot. This buys Gordon enough time to grab his own gun and defend himself against the Joker's goons as they break down the door. Something like that would put a fresh spin on the iconic scene.

You can see clear inspirations from Matt Reeves here. Not only the practicality of the suit, but the "vengeance" line.

The moment in the trailer where Battinson is in the police station also looks as though it might have been influenced by a scene from the end of Volume 2. Johns' writing has significantly impacted the recent cinematic portrayals of Superman, Aquaman and the Flash, so it's going to be interesting seeing how much his work influences Reeves' Batman as well.

[The Dark Knight]

I think they can get away with Joker simply arriving in Gotham starting trouble, but Robin and other crimefighters need elaboration. I'd be comfortable with Joker killing Ragman and crippling Batgirl in a fourth volume.

I never liked the plot point about Barbara being paralysed, some I'm hoping Johns will handle it differently in this universe. It might be interesting to have him reference that scene, but give it a different outcome. Maybe Babs opens the door and sees the Joker standing there with the gun, but manages to react quickly enough to slam it shut before he fires off a shot. This buys Gordon enough time to grab his own gun and defend himself against the Joker's goons as they break down the door. Something like that would put a fresh spin on the iconic scene.

There's a good number of allies standing on that page in the batcave. The Joker dwindling the number of them is a quick way to get Batman's attention and hinder his crimefighting goals. That's my primary reason for mentioning violence against them, because they are a big development in this universe and should be the focus of a fourth volume. Having Joker kill Toyman was a simple but logical way to merge the worlds of Metropolis and Gotham, and it shows nobody is off limits.