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D.C.’s Zero Year Reboots an Entire Universe
We all know the basics of Batman’s origin: rich kid, dark alley, dead parents, etc. The broad strokes were established early in bat history, and they’ve stayed pretty constant over the last 75 years. But those classic stories didn’t flesh out many of the details, and it’s been up to later generations of writers and artists to answer nagging questions like: “How does a pampered rich kid become greatest crime fighter of all time?” and “Seriously, what’s the deal with the bats?”
The most successful origin story (until now, at least) is Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One, a grim and gritty 1987 crime drama that told the story of Batman’s first 12 months on the job through the eyes of young police sergeant James Gordon. The book was one of the major inspirations for Christopher Nolan’s series of Batman movies.
Recently, a new generation of creators has come along to tweak the mythology again. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Zero Year is an action-packed new version of the Dark Knight’s first days on the job. Across two volumes, Bruce comes to realize that Gotham is no ordinary city, and that stopping its criminal element will require a new kind of hero. A third volume expands the story further, showing us what the other heroes of the D.C. Universe were doing during the epic fight for Gotham’s soul, and how their paths first crossed with the Bat.
Zero Year incorporates much of Batman’s long history while providing a fresh new perspective from an all-time great team. These are the books you need to read to know how it really started.
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Batman Vol. 4: Zero Year-Secret City (The New 52), by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
Zero Year begins with Bruce Wayne’s return to Gotham following a long absence. There’s no Batman yet, just a driven, would-be vigilante with no interest in his responsibilities as heir to Wayne Enterprises. The company is being run by Bruce’s uncle, with some dastardly assistance from young strategist Edward Nygma (the future Riddler). Bruce soon discovers that the fates of Gotham and his family company are linked, and that he’ll need more than a ski mask to stop the new breed of costumed criminal. Though this is technically the fourth volume in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s run on Batman, it’s the first part of Zero Year; start here if you’re interested in how Batman began.
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Batman Vol. 5: Zero Year – Dark City (The New 52), by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
Gotham explodes in this second, concluding Zero Year volume. Bruce begins his career as the Batman, only to find himself a target of both the police and the costumed bad guys. His only (tentative) ally is a young police sergeant who might make commissioner one day, if he plays his cards right. Events spiral out of control when the Riddler, with all the resources of Wayne Enterprises at his disposal, threatens Gotham with a devastating flood. The story becomes an epic battle of wills, as Bruce has to decide what he’s willing to do, and how much he’ll sacrifice personally, to save his city.
D.C. Comics: Zero Year (The New 52), by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
There’s more to Zero Year than the battle to save Batman’s city. Here, we find out what other budding heroes were doing during that formative year. The Riddler’s plot includes a devastating blackout, and this volume brings other characters to Gotham to help. As it happens, that first encounter with Batman and his world is formative for many of D.C.’s most beloved characters. For Flash, Green Arrow, Batgirl, and Nightwing (among others), it is a night that will help shape the heroes they’ll become. Not only a fleshing-out of Batman’s story, these are essential tales of the early days of the entire D.C. Universe.
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