Comic Vine News

80 Comments

Spotlight: BATMAN: EARTH ONE HC

You might think you know all the possible origins for Batman. Just wait until you see what Geoff Johns and Gary Frank have up their sleeves.

How many times have we seen Batman's origin? We all know the story. Young Bruce Wayne went to the theater with his parents. There was a mugging. His parents were killed. Bruce vowed vengeance and trained to become Batman. That may be the core of who Batman is, but there are different ways to continue this premise which could result in a slightly different Batman than what we're used to.

No Caption Provided

BATMAN: EARTH ONE is an example that Batman's origin can be told in a different manner.

No Caption Provided

Similar to SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE, the idea is to take the familiar elements and present them in a different way. It's a way to look at the characters in a different light. New twists and updates can be given as this is a clean slate. The idea is there but you also get the sense that anything goes...almost.

Geoff Johns' take on Batman is a little different. We do have a Batman that isn't as perfect as we know he will become. He can't do everything and isn't prepared to deal with every single situation. It might sound like YEAR ONE but there are plenty more differences.

We do start out with a younger Batman. He struggles to chase after his intended target. The story then flashes back to before the tragic incident that will change who Bruce Wayne is. This is where the differences start rolling in. Thomas Wayne is still incredibly rich and successful except now he is running for mayor. Alfred is an old friend of Thomas.' Alfred was in the Royal Marines and worked for a security firm. Unfortunately his presence at this moment isn't enough to change fate.

No Caption Provided

It's interesting how Johns depicts young Bruce. We've only seen a handful of depictions in the past and this is a different take on him. It makes perfect sense given his upbringing. He has a sense of entitlement in the few scenes before the fatal night.

It's these changes that run through the entire story and is also what fully separates this from past origins and Year One stories.

No Caption Provided
No Caption Provided

Of course this isn't the Alfred we know either. I mentioned a little on his background. It's not the same situation where he was from a line of butlers and following tradition in becoming the Waynes' butler. Bruce and Alfred will have a different sort of relationship and it adds a new element in guiding the journey of becoming Batman. They don't see eye to eye.

The idea of how Bruce became Batman, despite the tragedy, is almost like a storybook tale. As hard as Bruce's life and training was, everything had a way of working out perfectly. Alfred was the loyal and obedient servent. There may still be fellows like that out there but having some elements of disagreement gives this a more realistic take on their relationship.

No Caption Provided

There is a major change with someone close to Bruce. I won't go into the details or even hint at who I'm talking about. Once you read it, you'll know. It's changes like this that will draw the line for some readers.

Change can be a good thing. When it comes to beloved characters, fans can be very resistant to change. I will admit, I read through this story two and a half times. Of course at first I was wondering what was going on. I can easily accept some changes and different interpretations but I won't lie in saying a couple here threw me off. But then I stepped out of my Batman-fanboy shell and thought it over.

The idea of seeing these familiar characters in a new light is what the "Earth One" concept is all about. The creators can take the characters and do anything they want. They aren't under the constraints of decades history. If the background of a character needs to be changed for the sake of the story, there's nothing stopping the writer.

No Caption Provided

This also allows the story to have a bigger sense of suspense. In a typical Batman story, we pretty much know what the fates of the major characters will be. In an Earth One story, no one is safe.

After reading, I'm curious as to why Johns made some of these changes. It makes this an interesting read rather than simply rehashing what we already know. This is a Batman different than what we're used to seeing. Throw in the art by Gary Frank and you have all the reasons you'd need in deciding to pick this up.

80 Comments

Avatar image for crazyflashfan11
crazyflashfan11

182

Forum Posts

84

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By crazyflashfan11

WWWWAAAANNTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Avatar image for ironangelx
IronAngelX

217

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By IronAngelX
Avatar image for crash_recovery
Crash_Recovery

855

Forum Posts

22

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Crash_Recovery

Gary Frank's art was great. Geoff Johns' writing was good. So why wasn't this good-to-great?

It was just unnecessary. If the goal is to pull people who don't ordinarily read comics, a $20 price tag probably isn't the way to go.

The comics industry isn't picking up new readers at any appreciable pace and kids are drawn to video games, manga, and prose, all of which give a larger "bang for your buck".

If the big boys at the various companies are interested in expanding rather than extinction they should condiser the following:

1. Cheaper more accessible titles (ie, since you can't sell at 7-11 anymore, make digital copies cheaper)

2. Diversity of content (ie, more cowboys, crime, romance, horror, all without tights)

3. Get them young (ie, more content suitable and aimed at younger audiences. If you didn't read comics as a kid, you probably won't as an adult)

4. Lose the geek stigma (ie, comics shouldn't be a geek elite culture, exclusionary in nature. As a medium, they shouldn't be any different than movies, novels, etc. They're merely a way to tell a story, and their format shouldn't discourage readership)

Avatar image for durakken
Durakken

1930

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 200

User Lists: 1

Edited By Durakken

Geoff Johns shows just how much he doesn't like or understand Batman. What garbage.

The most entertaining part is at the very beginning where Johns dedicates the book to Roger Bonas, the guardian of DC's past, who is died recently apparently...as did DC's past... before Johns goes on to tell a horrible story where he believes simply name dropping characters makes it really interesting to fans.

Avatar image for thomaselliot
ThomasElliot

439

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By ThomasElliot

I wasn't too impressed. Oddly enough I liked Superman Earth One a lot better than this.

Its hard to explain... I don't dislike the character changes... actually I enjoy the Earth One Alfred... but some of them just seem too far out. Bullock as a handsome celebrity cop, Gordon as a bad, wussy cop, and Bruce bullied by Harvey Dent as a kid... just not clicking with me. It almost feels like these characters were changed or altered for the sake of change, seeking some knee-jerk shock reactions.

The bullying for example... its a wonderful twist to Bruce Wayne's childhood. That adds something to the story while also being different, making it new and interesting. Then you ruin the entire concept by inserting this gag that the bully is... Harvey Dent! Oh wow, lookit what we did there! Its kind of hokey.

And this is coming from a person who thoroughly enjoys things like Elseworlds and What If.

Something about Earth One just misses the mark for me. I also know I'm going to be a in one-man minority here, but I don't particularly think Gary Frank's work is all that great. Or rather... its like having a milkshake with a cherry on top... then eating the cherry to find it rotten and bitter. I like the majority of Frank's work... but a couple of minor niggling things keeps me from loving it.

Avatar image for kainscion
KainScion

2991

Forum Posts

67

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 9

Edited By KainScion

@They Killed Cap!: average story imo. get superman earth one if you really must get an earth one book.

Avatar image for typhonnotme
TyphonNotMe

12

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By TyphonNotMe

I've always loved that costume in the last image. After it's appearance in Batman: The Return, it was so much more distinctive than the plain black bat symbol.

Avatar image for herrweis
herrweis

497

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By herrweis

what i wouldnt give for a wonder woman earth one story next

Avatar image for roboshark
RoboShark

2637

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By RoboShark

I've been sold on this since I saw the image of Bats punching Gordon.

Avatar image for soa
SoA

6248

Forum Posts

179

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 6

Edited By SoA

@Dhor: exactly how i felt. on both earth-1 books

Avatar image for dhor
Dhor

298

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Dhor

@SoA: yeah i loved Superman earth one - IMO the best origin of superman and the only fitting one for a movie, but i just enjoyed batman earth one. maybe i had high hopes for it but i just didn`t blew me away

Avatar image for soa
SoA

6248

Forum Posts

179

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 6

Edited By SoA

@Dhor: yes bruce had no idea what he was doing, maybe he should've been more violent or just have a amazing and thorough style of character like superman earth one . i wasn't too big of the character till i read that so i thought batman would be just as or even more amazing .

Avatar image for dhor
Dhor

298

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Dhor

@SoA said:

it didn't thrill me , it wasn't bad but it could've been done better.

agreed. i wasan`t to keen on the changes. And BAtman seems way to umprepared. maybe it`s just me but part of the character was his obsessive nature and that was represented in the LONG years we prepared for his role.

Avatar image for helena_bertinelli
Helena_Bertinelli

6

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I absolutely adored this. I know a few others have been made, and I would honestly like to see something like this for a lot more roles.

Avatar image for redx9
RedX9

76

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RedX9

I enjoyed this one. It was very different compared to the other versions of Batman. What worked mostly was seeing Bruce struggle with not being able to get any of his missions done. This comic showed how human Bruce is. He makes mistakes, and isn't very good just because he thinks dressing up like a lunatic is a good idea.

Avatar image for urbanchill
UrbanChill

235

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By UrbanChill

i enjoyed earth one superman more for some reason idk this book kinda went fast to me

and we have earth 0 1 and 2 now right ?

Avatar image for soa
SoA

6248

Forum Posts

179

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 6

Edited By SoA

it didn't thrill me , it wasn't bad but it could've been done better.

Avatar image for wytchblade
Wytchblade

43

Forum Posts

4186

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 8

Edited By Wytchblade

Good beginning, I liked SM vol 1 better. I agree that I hope they do a WW & GL Earth 1 sometime in the near future.

Avatar image for suprman
Suprman

458

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 2

Edited By Suprman

@thveej: I feel the exact same way about these books, they were really short. Nevertheless I enjoyed both books but liked Superman better. That did have more of a complete story with hints at a possible sequel, this was more like "Yeah there's definitely going to be a sequel" It's not necessarily a bad thing, I still liked it.

Avatar image for they_killed_cap_
They Killed Cap!

2268

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By They Killed Cap!

Is this worth getting?

Avatar image for punchdance
PunchDance

22

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By PunchDance

I can't wait until Monday when my copy from Midtown comes in!

Avatar image for kesho_ronin
Kesho_Ronin

242

Forum Posts

24

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Kesho_Ronin

i recommend this comic book to everyone.it's great.the art,the story...everything fits just great

Avatar image for bestostero
Bestostero

5782

Forum Posts

10440

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Edited By Bestostero

i want this so bad....ill probably get this soon lol

Avatar image for redowl_1
RedOwl_1

1743

Forum Posts

73

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 1

Edited By RedOwl_1

I loved it, and to avoid a huge blah blah I'll go to the point..... 4/5 not as good as Superman's but good enough, for me totally worth the wait *and money*

Avatar image for bloggerboy
bloggerboy

896

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By bloggerboy

The side characters saved this one for me. Alfred, Gordon, Bullock were great even if they weren't like we've used to seeing them.

Making Bruce arrogant and entitled makes sense but it also made him unlikable. He always looked pissed off and not in a suffering sort of way.

We've got All-Star Superman and All-Star Batman & Robin...now we got Superman and Batman both with their Earth One books (so far the Superman books of both series have been superior). When do we get a Wonder Woman book?

Avatar image for daspiguine
DaSpiguine

2

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DaSpiguine

I picked this up the morning it was released and was so excited I sat in my car and started reading, AC pumping. It blew me away, its a fantastic addition to anyones collection and everyone should pick up a copy

Avatar image for mucklefluga
Mucklefluga

2653

Forum Posts

3678

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 5

Edited By Mucklefluga

@minigunman123: Thanks for clearing that up! Earth 2 has been amazing so far! :D

Avatar image for webjaker
Webjaker

369

Forum Posts

532

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

Edited By Webjaker

SO... I thought Earth One was the main New 52, regular old universe, im guessing Im very wrong ...??

Just finished this - LOVED it!!

Avatar image for thewitchinghour
TheWitchingHour

1350

Forum Posts

2158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 1

Edited By TheWitchingHour

I've never really liked Gary Frank's art, but Superman: Earth One was good enough to make me give the book a chance.

Avatar image for minigunman123
minigunman123

3262

Forum Posts

558

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By minigunman123

@Mucklefluga: Nope! Earth 0 or New Earth is the main Earth, Earth two is an alternate Earth with it's own series currently (which had a dynamite first issue), and Earth One is... I don't know! But this book sounds interesting. Might read it in a book store. Don't think I'll buy it though.

Avatar image for thveej
thveej

203

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By thveej

It was alright, I enjoyed superman earth one better. the worst thing about both books is that it is just too short, but reading the Superman book it felt more self contained and more of a "complete" story, with this one and how it ends I am more excited about vol.2 and felt underwhelmed by vol.1. Don't know if thats a good thing or a bad thing.

Avatar image for crimsonalchemist
CrimsonAlchemist

412

Forum Posts

538

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By CrimsonAlchemist

Geoff Johns can do no wrong!

Avatar image for wolverine0628
Wolverine0628

442

Forum Posts

2223

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 23

User Lists: 6

Edited By Wolverine0628

I can't decide...
Avatar image for seanfoster
SeanFoster

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By SeanFoster

Will this be available digitally? I'd love to read it but I'm not interested in having a big hardcover in my room.

Avatar image for kainscion
KainScion

2991

Forum Posts

67

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 9

Edited By KainScion

i dont see what all the hype is. it was an average story. not an average batman story mind you. it was like batman year one but with a crappier batman. sure there a few twists but they arent all that grand. this is the origin of batman that dc has been afraid to publish. it shows batman really not doing any good and being more the obsessed nut. it is good, but you can skip it. nothing really exciting happened.

Avatar image for danhimself
danhimself

21433

Forum Posts

36958

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By danhimself

I really liked it....I'm just hoping that they can pump these things out at a decent pace

Avatar image for mucklefluga
Mucklefluga

2653

Forum Posts

3678

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 5

Edited By Mucklefluga

So is Earth One the main earth or what? This confuses me so much

Avatar image for haydenclaireheroes
haydenclaireheroes

12525

Forum Posts

8572

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1207

User Lists: 14

This looks awesome!

Avatar image for fadetoblackbolt
FadeToBlackBolt

23389

Forum Posts

8725

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 25

User Lists: 6

Edited By FadeToBlackBolt

Geoff Johns on Batman, does anyone even need to read this to know it will suck a**? 
 
 
Anyone with a brain knows Johns hates Batman and has no idea how to write him. 

Avatar image for dedpool
Dedpool

692

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Dedpool

@Omega-Man - Actually it was said they are NOT in the same universe, and this allows them to tell standalone stories where the heroes are the only heroes of their respective universes.

Avatar image for dedpool
Dedpool

692

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Dedpool

Been looking forward to this. I loved Superman: Earth one, and this sounds pretty good. I look at these like comicbook movie versions of the properties. Like if they wanted to make movies close to the comics but update them for the now.

Avatar image for captain13
Captain13

4814

Forum Posts

1020

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 3

Edited By Captain13

There's no real explanation for why he felt that he had to put on the Batsuit. Is he crazy like in Year One or is he sane like in the Nolanverse? Bruce was the weakest character here--he's not very compelling IMHO. He's no different than Phoenix Jones.

Harvey Bullock, Penguin, and Alfred are the real stars of this book. The problem is that there were TOO many great ideas in one book, and not enough explanation for some of them.

Avatar image for erik_norris
erik_norris

194

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By erik_norris

This might be sacrilege to some, but I think this is Geoff Johns' best work to date. The payoff for every plot thread is outstanding. It all comes together masterfully; a different take on the Batman mythos that still gets us to the characters we we've grown to know and love.

Especially Bullock.

Avatar image for mbembet
mbembet

216

Forum Posts

10

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By mbembet

and after all this time geoff johns still doesn't get Batman this book is not worth to buy but blind geoff johns fantard will called it the best Batman book ever like usual :P

Avatar image for precociousnefarious
PRECOCIOUSnefarious

18

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

read it in one sitting. could not put it down. every batman fan needs to read this.

Avatar image for mettlekm
mettlekm

435

Forum Posts

16

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By mettlekm

what an Ultimate idea!

Avatar image for ironangelx
IronAngelX

217

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By IronAngelX

UGH!!! I preordered this book in January and have been anticipating it as much as I have the movie at the end of this month.

Avatar image for captainmexico
CaptainMexico

70

Forum Posts

641

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By CaptainMexico

A new take on Batman's origin story sounds interesting. I'll certainly get this book.

Avatar image for shadowinfinite
KRYPTON

2425

Forum Posts

67099

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 3

Edited By KRYPTON

Batman Noel was my favorite Hard Cover, now this title is. Im really hoping for a sequel

Avatar image for aph8825
Aph8825

65

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By Aph8825

Batman: Earth One is awesome take on the origin story of Batman. Im glad to see all these positive reviews after reading all the negative ones before the book even came out. Also Johns & Frank's take on Alfred is badass!

  • 80 results
  • 1
  • 2