Batman: Year One

Hey all! So, I was planning on sharing some of my favorite Batman story arcs with you when I realized...Batman is some thick stuff. The whole goal of this blog is to de-mystify comics as a medium and help you find some comics you love, or figure out where to pick up a long running comic like The Batman.
With that in mind I would like to give you a great place to start with Batman. Hopefully you all had a chance to look at the post I did about Hush! While he is probably my favorite Batman villain of all time, and is a great place to figure out whether or not you might like Batman, he isn’t necessarily the best place to begin your journey into the Batcave.
If you would like to cut through the comic chaos and start anew with the Caped Crusader I would recommend picking up Batman: Year One.
Year One is without a doubt the very best origin story every told of Bruce Wayne and the Batman. Though this comic is really more of a double origin story because we spend just as much time with Jim Gordon as we do with Batman.
In this amazing story we see the Yin and Yang of Gotham’s precarious situation. On the one hand we have Jim Gordon. Jim is the definition of a good cop. His one goal is to make the city safe one crook behind bars at a time. He is smart and capable of using the system to bind criminals hands behind their backs. But, to really meet the city’s needs he does have to get his hands a little dirty. On the other hand we have Bruce Wayne, the Batman. We watch as he makes his first attempts to strike fear into the heart of the criminal underworld that rules Gotham’s streets. We also watch him strike out in some of his first attempts to ward off evil. Not to mention watching Bruce learn how to keep his identity a secret.
What makes this story great though is Frank Miller’s enveloping writing. It is impossible to read through this story without feeling the weight and grit, the blood sweat and tears that go into making Gotham safe. In the end you personally feel a new understanding for the need of the Batman as well as the need of Jim Gordon in a way that no other story will.
If look at the giant wall of comics that is Batman, with endless story arcs and characters from days yonder to today and onward and think “WHERE DO I START?” Year One is your backstage pass to comic fulfillment.

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Batman: Hush

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight’s scheduled program is going to take us to the best of the best that the Dark Knight has to offer. I have to be honest folks. I was going to save the best for last, but I couldn’t help myself! Batman: Hush is the very best that Batman has ever had to, or may ever have to offer.
This story arc has it all!

First off this series takes a close look at the intimate and interesting relationship between Batman and Catwoman. This is really neat for anyone who has even a passing interest and understanding in the Caped Crusader. And honestly who is gonna mind watching the romance unfold between the stone faced good guy and the leather clad bad girl.
Secondly we get to take a very intimate look at Bruce Wayne’s childhood. And by this I don’t mean the snapshot of Bruce we are used to standing over his dying parents in the pouring rain. This picture we see is of the young genius and loving and living life with his family and friends.
Finally is Hush himself. Hush is a bandage faced villain from the Crusader’s past. Honestly Hush is my favorite villain in all of Batman’s history. Hush is a super badass from Batman’s past with a score to settle which will make your head spin.
Now, I want to make sure that I don’t give any more of this great story away so I’ll stop here. But if you think you may have even a passing interest in Batman, or he is your favorite Superhero of all time, this is the best of the best.

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The Dark Night of Comics Chaos

Welcome back to newcomers and frequenters alike. I hope you all have gotten the chance to check out the post I did on Invincible a while back, because that comic is everything that is right with Superheroes. But as I have thought about it I realize that some of you may be looking for something a little more...familiar. And so, without further adieu, I am christening a new series to save you from the comics chaos. I don't know about the rest of you but I love Batman.

I was first introduced to this Caped Crusader during my early years in the amazing Batman: The Animated Series. Now that I'm grown and Mark Hamill isn't the Joker anymore I really felt like I needed to read about Batman. But, there are more Batman comics out there than you can shake a stick at. But, there are a few comics in particular which have shaped the series and are worth the read more than any others. I would find it my distinct pleasure to take you on another journey through the volumes that are comics chaos and illuminate a few volumes of the Dark Knight that you would be a fool to miss. So be on the lookout here soon and keep your eyes on the skies.

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Essex County

Alright, welcome back my newly appointed comic book readers. I hope you all had a happy New Year and are ready to add comics into your life in 2011.

Last we meet I told you about the comic Blankets. It is a moving coming of age tale that deals with first loves and religion in some challenging and beautiful ways. Well, if you liked Blankets then this next one is for you.

Essex County by Jeff Lemire is an incredible comic. The first thing you should know is that it is very Canadian. Yes, that’s right! Essex County all takes place in America’s attic and includes, but is not limited to: snow, hockey, moose, white people, french people, and more snow.
More than its Canadian setting though Essex County has some beautiful black and white artwork not dissimilar to that of Blankets. When I think of comics I usually have images of striking color and overly muscled men in tights. However, I have found that in many (but not all) cases, a comic that is worth reading, and is in black and white, tends to be an incredibly intimate and beautiful story.Essex County has just that. What is most striking about the story is...nothing happens. Sure there is betrayal and sexuality and family strife and medical issues, but at the end of the day it is all so very real. This may be because Jeff is from the real Essex County and is pulling a lot from his own life.
So if you want a grand tale of superhuman proportions...you should wait till our next installment. However, if you want a gripping and moving tale that feels so real you can touch it, welcome home.
Now come on in and get out of the comic chaos.

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