Batman Earth One 2

Although I liked Superman Earth One, and I like Geoff Johns, I struggled to get on board with Batman Earth One Volume 1. I thought it was an unnecessary retelling that did not diverge enough from canon in terms of plot to hold my interest, and at the same time, diverged too much from the characterization of Batman himself by trying to make him "real," but ultimately making him uninteresting and incompetent.

Here, though, those weaknesses are softened in Volume 2, because it's not so much about Batman's origins and hitting well known points, and it's now free to explore whatever it wants to within Gotham. The main plot in this volume deals with Batman squaring off with a serial killer-esque version of the Riddler. There is a subplot with Killer Croc who (while not a character I'm often clamoring for) pays off with a larger role in the main story. I liked these aspects, and once again Gary Frank's art is solid.

But there are still things that don't sit right when I read this again, like the "Two Face" storyline. Without getting into spoilers, there is just something that is too cute by half about how Johns handles this Two Face. Again, like in Volume 1, it gives the vibe of "Remember this!? Well hah, we're going to do it, but then change it slightly just to shock you!" But it's neither that shocking, nor that meaningful. Just a minor diversion built solely on reader expectation, and solely to subvert that expectation. So it ultimately left me with a feeling of, "Okay, you got me? But it was a practical joke I did not care much about? So...what now?"

If this does continue on in a Volume 3, I hope they take advantage of the alternate universe and do something more with it in diverging from canon than slight tweaks for the sake of tweaks, otherwise, what's the point?

The Riddler is the villian in this book. Find out more about the mob. Harvey and Gordon help out. Harvey has some issues Meet Harvey Dent and his twin sister Harvey Dent does get his face burnt but he does not become Two-Face. A solid read

I go back and forth with which Volume of the series is the best. But either way, all three of these books are worth buying and reading and re-reading.

I’m not a comic book expert. But during quarantine I picked up a ton of Batman graphic novels (mostly because I love Sin City and so Frank Miller’s “Batman Year One” was an obvious next step). I’m very picky with writing and art and the Earth One series is easily some of the best writing in Batman history. Geoff Johns is an industry leader, so that’s no surprise. What drew me to this series specifically is that they are being used as inspiration for the upcoming “The Batman” movie (especially since in THIS book, Vol 2, the Riddler is the main villain, as he is in the movie).

This volume continues the story of Batman’s beginnings. Volume 1 establishes his clumsy, naive start. In part 2, he’s established himself as a vigilante and hero, and begins to work alongside Jim Gordon to stop the Riddler who’s bombing Gotham.

I love the art too. It’s kind of classic Americana pulp style. It reminds me of a cleaner, slicker 70s detective style.

Buy it. Buy all 3.

Couldn’t put down

so good must read for Batman fans

FANTASTIC ITEM

Once again, I found myself unsure of the direction this book was taking. But as it went on, it became more and more of a gripping tale, and the end was perfect. Great companion to Vol 1. Uses familiar characters in a unique way, just like the original.

Go back an read my review of Batman: Earth One Vol 1, everything applies to vol 2. No drop off at all in story or art work from volume 1 to volume 2. How unusual and refreshing. My only problem is that, according to reports, Batman: Earth One Vol 3 will, in all probability, not be out until late 2019 or early 2020.

Batman earth one is possibly the best self contained series available.

A very interesting take on Two-Face. I loved serial killer Riddler. Not too sure on sad Croc. It was a very good continue of the first book. Hope there is a 3rd.