Batman: Year One - Chapter 4

Batman 407: Friend in Need
by Frank Miller (writer) and David Mazzucchelli (artist)

Batman may be the title character but inside the pages of this story he shares the spotlight with Jim Gordon. Gordon is the heart and soul of this story. Batman is integral to the story as a whole but the fourth chapter is all Gordon.

This story leaves this reader hungry for more. Batman's story arc feels incomplete. His origins are explored and explained but his interactions with Catwoman and the mob are left dangling.

Overall this story is a tour de force and a must read for any and all fans of the bat. Mazzucchelli's visual storytelling and art are on a level that few artists have matched. Miller has spun a damn good story but without a master like Mazzucchelli handling the art chores it wouldn't be half the story it turned out to be.

Batman: Year One - Chapter 3

Batman 406: Black Dawn
by Frank Miller (writer) and David Mazzucchelli (artist)

One chapter, three characters: Batman, Jim Gordon, Selina Kyle.

This a great chapter with a good mix of plot and character developments. The variety and use of color is wonderful. The centerpiece is the struggle between Merkel's SWAT team and Batman. Very prominently in the background are the internal monologues of Wayne and Gordon as they separately come to the realization that they need one another.

Selina Kyle stands on the sidelines watching the fight between the cops and the Bat. Afterwards she puts on a cat suit, for the first time. Presumably, she was inspired by Batman who saved one of her cats. There is something heartwarming about seeing Batman save the cat.

The most unexpected and poignant part of this story is the relationship between Gordon and Essen. It is doomed and feels as though it doesn't belong. It is unclear how it will end exactly but it will in all likelihood be painful for both of them.

Batman: Year One - Chapter 2

Batman 405: War Is Declared

by Frank Miller (writer) and David Mazzucchelli (artist)

Bruce Wayne dons the suit and becomes the Batman for the first time. Jim Gordon continues his crusade to rid the police department of corruption. The visual storytelling is breathtaking. The scene where Batman and Gordon finally meet is beautifully laid out. The pacing of the story is also well handled. Frank Miller at his best.

Batman: Year One - Chapter 1

Batman 404: Who I Am; How I Came to Be
by Frank Miller (writer) and David Mazzucchelli (artist)

The story opens with the separate arrivals of Lieutenant James Gordon and millionaire Bruce Wayne in Gotham. From there the narrative jumps backs and forth between their stories as they separately confront corruption in the Gotham City Police Department; one from within and the other from without. The chapter ends with both men feeling a renewed sense of purpose despite the fact that they both have a long ways to go in order to right the wrongs they seek to address.

The storytelling so far is awesome, masterful. It is hard to say if someone who isn't familiar with Batman would be quite as impressed or moved by this chapter as one who is. Also worth noting is that so far Gordon isn't a supporting character, rather he is one of the protagonists.