Meanwhile, first thing this morning, I read one of my birthday books: Batman Earth One, volume 2.
SPOILERS!!
There comes a time when you tire of bold new directions and long to see the icons of the Big Two in their purest forms. I think that was the impulse of the All-Star line from DC, which began so promisingly (a decade ago!) with Morrison and Quitely. But it went spectacularly off the rails with Miller and Lee. So toxic was All-Star Batman and Robin - histrionic, off-kilter and horribly late- that All-Star Wonder Woman and Batgirl went into permanent hiatus.
The Earth One imprint of hardcover graphic novels launched in 2010 and has spawned a series of three Superman stories. We've also seen a charming overhaul of the New Teen Titans and the first volume of another retelling of Batman's origins.
Of course, this book isn't iconic in the sense that it's not a B&R adventure in the vein of the famous 90s animated series, nor even the Adam West version. But it feels very inspired by the Christopher Nolan movies ( which I find po-faced and portentous) and more especially, by tv's Gotham.
The plot consists of two strands initially: the bombings in Gotham by the murderous Riddler ( inspired by movie serial killers like Jigsaw) and Killer Croc's attacks in the sewer. Meanwhile,the fledgling Dark Knight rekindles a relationship with mayor Jessica Dent ( twin sister of Harvey) while Gordon tries to pull Bullock out of his continuing decline.
Riddler has an abstract presence at first as the sadistic mastermind and Croc is revealed in an atmospherically "silent" sewer sequence. At the climax, the twists come thick and fast: Harvey Dent is mutilated and killed in a "Precinct 13"- style siege; Croc saves Bats from Riddler and the facially-injured Jessica Dent appears to have incorporated her twin's personality. The now-customary last page reveal is of Catwoman, who briefly appears as a Bat-Samaritan earlier in the book.
Croc, a Gerry Conway creation, is perhaps a surprising cast member but as an 80s villain, he's very much part of Johns' favourite era. I was relived that Croc was presented in a sympathetic light, rather than as a cannibal monster, which would be the "go to" option in most modern Bat-books.
The "feel" of the graphic novel is more televisual than popcorn movie and, Croc aside, very like the urban horror of Gotham. It's worth noting that the trend for binge-watching and box sets was reflected in Marvel's own graphic novel series of twice-told tales, Season One. It's not exactly the Bat-book I want ( that was by Barr and Davis, almost 25 years ago- see below) but its tragic story held my attention. I probably would direct senior school pupils to it, if our library stocked it. I wasn't impressed by the "strong" language nor the wearisome streak of naturalism, imported from the "Nolanverse" but I am curious about what's next.
And what is next, for volume 3? Selina Kyle presumably but surely the "Earth One" Joker has been off-stage long enough? And where are the Flying Graysons?
As for other titles in this range, I wonder if tv success will favour Wonder Woman's predecessor in DC's early-Sixties Trinity, the Flash?
Coming soon: The Well-Mannered War and The Infinity Relativity
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