Type: Graphic Novel
Title: Batman: Year One
Author: Frank Miller
Publisher: DC Comics; De Luxe edition edition
Year: 2007
ISBN: 978-1401207526
Pages: 187 pages
Publisher: DC Comics; De Luxe edition edition
Year: 2007
ISBN: 978-1401207526
Pages: 187 pages
Reader's Annotation: Batman as you've never seen him before. Before he was dark, before he was Batman. Discover his creation and emergence as one of our greatest hero's of Gotham.
Summary: Opening with the arrival of Lieutenant James Gordon in Gotham's police force, the story goes on to inform readers about the level of corruption permeating the force. They also witness Bruce Wayne's first encounter with the prostitute named Selina, who will become Catwoman. Wayne speaks to his dead father, asking for guidance, and is answered with a bat on the windowsill, and Batman is born. The remaining chapters highlight Gordon's continuing difficulties with the corrupt police force, Batman's early difficulties in protecting and using his arsenal of weapons, and the first villains he chooses to pursue (Amazon).
Critical Evaluation: This Batman is similar to the gritty and darker Batman that was in the Batman Returns. You really feel emotionally attached to the characters by the end of the story.
Challenge Issues:
- Too much violence for teenagers.
- Teenagers should not be reading graphic novels, but classics.
Challenge Ideas:
- Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
- Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
- Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
- Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
- LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
- All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.
Author: Frank Miller is considered as one of the greatest graphic novelist. He "is an American writer, artist, and film director best known for his dark comic book stories and graphic novels such as Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300" (Wikipedia).
