Every once in a while a series or character in the comic world needs a reboot. Sometimes these reboots are told over the course of many pages. DC Comics has begun to recreate the origins of their characters. The latest addition to the Earth One universe is Batman Earth One, Volume Two, explores Batman’s early days in a recovering Gotham city. Batman Earth One, Volume Two is written by Geoff Johns with Gary Frank and delivers an amazing graphic novel that gives DC Comic fans a new perspective on Batman.
The new perspective on Batman is capturing the emotion of desperation. As he faces the cold blooded killer the Riddler. The Riddler has begun to kill people in Gotham, which appear to be random murders. These killings are not ordinary as the Riddler provides a riddle that gives a false sense of hope. If the people can solve the riddles they can escape unharmed.
This all changes when Batman, after meeting Killer Croc, uncovers the Riddler’s hideout. In the hideout the Riddler gives Batman a riddle about blowing up a train. As a result, Batman for the first time is rushing to solve the riddle and stop the train. He makes it to the train and answers the riddle correctly only for the train to be blown up. This action creates desperation as the right answers do not mean saved lives but raise the stakes as life and death is occurring. Geoff Johns shows Batman’s desperation through the Riddler’s actions as killing has begun and will not stop until the Riddler is caught. Batman is not in his usual element of being on the offense but is defensive as he is recovering from his wounds.
The graphic novel focuses on changes in Gotham City as 6 months have pasted. A new mayor has been elected, Jessica Dent, and her goal is to clean up the city. She attempts and convinces Bruce Wayne to help lead the way. Johns writing is brilliant setting up the balance between Batman and Bruce Wayne and how they both need to help the city in different ways. This works in the Earth One storyline as Bruce/ Batman are physically the same person but lack the experience needed to achieve the correct balance that each can provide. The end of the graphic novel begins to show that a balance is starting to develop.
The issue of trust is explored as Bruce/Batman are subjected to the rising crime threats in Gotham. The trust starts to develop between Batman and Gordon. This is due to them both having common goals of capturing the Riddler. Trust is built between the two as their path intersects to capture the Riddler and they need each other’s help. The trust between Batman and Gordon is ultimately symbolized when Batman hands Gordon a phone to contact him. The graphic novel portrays the slow building of trust between Gordon and Batman but still leaves room for the two to further their relationship.
Batman Earth One, Volume Two is a breath of fresh air in the Batman world. The graphic novel focuses on Batman who is an offensive superhero being put on the defensive. Batman is exposed to the emotion of desperation, rarely seen in the DC Universe, and captures the fundamentals of how he develops into the Dark Knight.
Batman Earth One Volume Two can be purchased here.
