USER REVIEW: Batman Earth One Vol. 2

USER REVIEW: Batman Earth One Vol. 2

I don’t generally write reviews like this, but I just recently put down the second volume of Batman Earth One, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank. I’ve got some time on my hands, so I’d just like to write something about it real quick.

Review Opinion
By CombatWombat - Jun 12, 2015 06:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman

Here’s a riddle for you: what’s clunky and heavy-handed, but endearing and undeniably clever?

 

If your answer was “Anything written by Geoff Johns,” you’re correct.

 

I don’t generally write reviews like this, but I just recently put down the second volume of Batman - Earth One, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank. I’ve got some time on my hands, so I’d just like to write something about it real quick.

 

Earth One 1


So Batman - Earth One is the story about Bruce Wayne — we all know him. His parents get shot, boo-hoo-hoo, followed by lots of brooding in the dark and vows that he will become the vengeance of the night and shit like that. We’ve seen this story told a dozen times before.

 

The interesting thing about Earth One is that it takes elements of the Batman mythos and completely turns them on their head. 

 

Oh, so you thought it was some random street crime that killed the Waynes? Nope, it was part of some big conspiracy set in motion by the Penguin! Oh, you thought Alfred was some stuffy Englishman from the richest part of London? Nope, he’s a cockney badass with a chip on his shoulder and a paramilitary history!

 

It’s things like this that set Earth One apart from other Batman stories like Year One and The Long Halloween, even though it covers a lot of the same plot beats. One of the best things Geoff Johns does is that he deliberately chooses to avoid diving headfirst into familiar waters. 

 

For example, this book deals with Batman actually learning how to be a detective, rather than simply being a detective by default. He learns that he should probably put body armor in his costume, and that he’s going to someday probably maybe need a car. Some people might be put-off by the idea of Batman not being Gary-Stu the Bat-God — but to me, this portrayal of Batman is interesting. I like seeing him screw up, because it gives him an opportunity to grow.
 

Earth One 2


What can I really say about Gary Frank’s artwork? It’s great. One of the best things about Johns is that he frequently teams up with some of the best artists in the business — Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver, and Jason Fabok, just to name a few. Gary Frank can definitely be listed among those names.

 

One of Frank’s strong suits is in drawing expressive faces, and Johns gives him plenty of opportunity to test his skills. Inker Jon Sibal does an excellent job painting thick, high-contrast, Frank Miller-esque shadows across Gotham; and of course, the book wouldn’t be complete without Brad Anderson’s mix of ashy, muted colors.

 

Earth One 3


All in all, the book is good. Not great. Not spectacular. Not bad either. Just … good. 

 

The artwork is excellent all-around, and the story has just enough interesting twists to make you interested in reading further — the villains in particular bring some welcome surprises. I’m not going to spoil what Johns does with Two-Face, but it’s actually pretty clever.

 

Longtime Bat-fans might have complaints about the portrayal of the title character, but … you know, whatever. I’m not bothered by it.

 

Anyway, I don’t want to start rambling, so I think I’m done writing about this book. Pick it up if you have the money. It’s pretty enjoyable.

Thanks for reading.

 

4 stars
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Odin
Odin - 6/12/2015, 8:52 AM
I was dissapointed about how the ending was villain-wise so similiar to ending of Superman: Earth One vol.3
GhostDog
GhostDog - 6/12/2015, 9:23 AM
NOOIIIIIIIIIIICE!
NeoBaggins
NeoBaggins - 6/12/2015, 9:30 AM
Nice. Perfect timing too. I've been contemplating for the last few days if I should get this.
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 6/12/2015, 9:38 AM
I forgot this came out. Meant to pick it up.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/12/2015, 9:42 AM
I won't lie, I feel this book is better than Vol 1 but..... I don't know. I feel Johns's had a great set up but don't know what happened.

Firstly Riddler is a bit disappointing. No where near as good as Snyder's Riddler in Zero Year.

Now Riddler basically worked with Mayor Cobblepott. It was revealed like there were 5 people who took control of Cobblepott's empire after his death. I feel Johns's could have went into a grand and interesting take that has never been done.

Since Cobblepott was the head of Gotham's mob, we now have 5 people fighting to claim that empire. It would have been interesting since Batman wanted to bring Cobblepott to justice in Vol 1 and Alfred killed him. In taking out Cobblepott, you didn't solve a problem but created 5 more.

Imagine Riddler, Falcone, Maroni, Throne, and maybe Flass fighting to control the Cobblepott empire. Riddler would of course be the puppet master outsmarting everyone else.

Now with the Dents. I love the idea of Harvey having a twin sister who is the mayor of Gotham but I don't like the change. I think it would be a lot more interesting in continuing in my direction as I said, when Maroni gets captured he of course still scars Harvey's face.

Maroni somehow escapes and the final 2 fighting for the Cobblepott empire are Maroni and Riddler and Maroni figured out who Riddler is and right before he kills Nygma, we see Maroni shot and killed by Harvey who now goes by Two-Face. He tells Nygma I'm running the Cobblepott empire. He tells Nygma heads you work for me, tails I kill you. Of course it lands on heads and you got Two-Face as the new head of the empire with Riddler as his second in command (which is also a nice nod to Batman Forever).

This would also be a better story for Jessica Dent than having her as Two-Face. Why? Because she's the mayor of Gotham and Vol 3 would have her facing off with her brother who's now Gotham's new kingpin. You have the public wondering if you can trust a mayor who's brother descended into madness and became a criminal. What if she became a criminal? What if she became corrupt? It would deal with how when you see something happen bad in a celebrity's life, the media always wonder how it would sort of affect the people around them and the public would be uncertain if it can trust Jessica.

Just my 2 cents. I didn't like how Riddler seemingly wanted to control the Cobblepott empire and how all of Cobblepott's other guys just stood around ok to share the empire and waited to be killed.

Still it's a good book. I liked it. Frank's art is breathtaking. I'd give it an 8.5/10
the
the - 6/12/2015, 9:50 AM
@CombatWombat I'll be sure to pick it up after I finish v1.
SuperCat
SuperCat - 6/12/2015, 10:09 AM
A2K
A2K - 6/12/2015, 10:20 AM
Pretty spot on, I person am just not entirely too keen on this incarnation of the Dark Knight just because I loved Frank Miller's Year One version so much, but it's not without it's merits, and despite the flaws, when considering this incarnation as something new/different, it's certainly a solid interpretation.
A2K
A2K - 6/12/2015, 10:22 AM
@ LEVITIKUZ
Wow, that actually sounds better executed than the original story...
darkraven
darkraven - 6/12/2015, 1:45 PM
Thanks for a great review. I have never really followed Batman earth one or in the new 52's. I'm running out of space at home, but this has given me something to consider and sounds interesting. Elements of this story must have made its way to the recent Beware the Batman animated series because Alfred is an ex M!6 agent working for the wayne family. It was a brilliant story for a great animated show. Its a shame it lasted just one season. If you haven't already seen it I recommend you check it out.
KaioKen
KaioKen - 6/12/2015, 3:41 PM
I just read this after reading your review. I thought it was pretty damn awesome. Hopefully the next edition comes out soon
staypuffed
staypuffed - 6/12/2015, 3:46 PM
Great article. You get my thumb.
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 6/12/2015, 4:49 PM
Hey guys, thanks for reading and thumb-ing! Can't believe this actually got to the main page o_o

@Doopie
I have, I've read all three volumes actually. They were ... okay. Didn't blow me away. And yes, now that I think about it, they DID do something similar with Lena Luthor (was that her name? It's telling that I can't remember) and Jessica Dent.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/12/2015, 6:27 PM
@CombatWombat

They were both called Alexander Luthor. The Lex male and Lex female.

Yea, that was stupid. Dent make sense since he has always loved 2s but having Lex marry a female named Lex?
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/12/2015, 6:30 PM
Thanks @A2K I really liked my take. I just feel like when you look at him taking on Falcone in Year One or Batman Begins, it's odd that these gangs are still working together. It would feel new and refreshing if there was this all out gang war to be the new head.

Plus the stuff with the Dents I prefer in my take and in a way it takes Two-Face in a different direction since he would be the new mob boss of Gotham to start with plus you have his sister as a mayor.

Why couldn't Johns's go with that I'll never know.
bropous
bropous - 6/12/2015, 7:28 PM
Good job, @CombatWombat.
A2K
A2K - 6/12/2015, 8:20 PM
@ LEVITIKUZ
More so than his conduct with the criminals I just prefer Miller's take; his Batman made mistakes but was more formidable than Johns' version and just seemed more disciplined to me and that something that I dig more, though I do like the idea of Johns Batman growing into the incarnation we know and love but even so the whole 'dinner party trip and slip' scene from Earth One: Volume One just left me feeling this Batman is a little more of a rookie than I'd preferred.
OldSchoolGeek
OldSchoolGeek - 6/12/2015, 9:21 PM
Its amazing how civilized comments are on a comic thread not related to a movie. Wish they were all like this. Great article, btw
ThedamnBatman
ThedamnBatman - 6/13/2015, 2:25 AM
Good job on the review, your mom would be proud ;)
CombatWombat
CombatWombat - 6/13/2015, 6:15 AM
Thanks @bropous

@Levi
That's right. I must be thinking of some other story then.

@aXe
May she rest in peace!


(kidding)
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