Batman Year One Hundred

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Anyone check it out? IGN gave pretty good review.

[Mee]

I think there's a thread on this in the DC section...but anyway, I won't be picking it up, the art is crap.

[CConn]

My comics got messed up so I won't be getting until next week, but I'm quite looking forward it. At first I hated the cover art, but then once I saw the interiors, I warned up to it. And the writing looks damn good as well.

[Mister J]

I was looking for a thread on this. I'm on the fence.

[warren_sparta27]

the cover art put me off, i'll have to check it out tomorrow though

[CrimsonMist]

i bought it today. It was good. There isnt so much a storyline yet, but something is up.

There are all these crazy government swat teams and other government officials, and this "Bat-man" freaks them out.

The whole issue is basically a wounded Batman escaping from these government police for some reason. Gordon is in there, but like the back of the book says, it's James Gordon's Grandson. Batman also has ties with the GCPD coroner and her daughter.

Dont let the art bother you. It's really good. Very "Year One"-ish in terms of look. The art is outstanding. None of that futuristic crap. Gotham is a hell-hole. My only gripe about the art is that alot of the male characters look asian.

I like the approach to the story too. It's very Year One, while being very DKR as well. Year One becuase there's some masked man dressed as a bat running around, scaring civilians who see him, and beating up law officials. DKR becuase there was a Batman in the past, and he's nothing more than myth and legend and people doubt his existance, and now, all of a sudden, there is a Batman running around.

The year the book takes place is 2039. 100 years after Detective Comics #27, which makes me figure they're using a different continuity. I dont know. I guess we'll find out in issue 4.

this is damn good.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Hmmm......I dunno, I think I'll check it out. 5.99 might be worth the price of admission.

[CrimsonMist]

Hmmm......I dunno, I think I'll check it out. 5.99 might be worth the price of admission.

check it out. I thought it was really good. Im waiting for the second issue becuase im still rather confused by what's going on in issue one. But from what i get, it's really cool. and the identity of this Batman isnt revealed, which is cool.

[warren_sparta27]

how many parts are in this arc?

[Scorpion]

how many parts are in this arc?

Four. I liked the art alot. It isn't pretty, but like Frank Miller once said,..."Beautiful doesn't necessarily mean pretty." The art is very raw, very dark, like the person drawing it reached deep into their soul and just captured anguish, and pain, and desperation in a panel of pictures. It's kinda dark, reminds me of the movie the Crow a little,...the first one with Brandon Lee,....not any of the crap that followed it,....although the TV series was okay. But, I'd recommend Batman Year 100 to anyone that just wants a gritty story with no frills or eye candy. This book is all about art from the gut and doesn't apologize for it at all.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Interesting, I'll check it out.

[infoghost]

I really liked it. I'll be honest, the art didn't impress me, but - it works for the story. It all comes together well. I rarely pass on any Batman title, and I am glad I got this one.

[SpideyInATree]

Definitely a very interesting book.

I've only read it halfway through so far but it's not bad. I think what I enjoy the most about it is how it moves the legend of the Batman along. Even years upon years later people still talk about "The Bat-Man of Gotham". Pretty cool.

The art takes warming up to. At first I was like, "Man, this is some really crappy artwork". But as you read through it your eyes sort of...adjust. Well, mine did at least.

I like how Pope has been keeping this version of Batman pretty quiet. We're basically learning about the character through the other characters around him in the story. I really like that. :up:

[Lone Wolf]

Yep, I've heard alot about. Especially around my comic shop, I'm going to check it out and see if it's worth the price.

[rondroid]

i was waiting for a thread on this. i read igns review and being a fan of bats i really am tempted to buy the first issue even though the price is pretty expensive.

[J.R.]

I was thinking about picking it up...it seems to be getting positive reactions. It's worth a shot.

[joshgonemad]

i just read volume 1 and i must say its amazing so far,now lets do some detective work and figure out just who this batman is under the mask, is it bruce wayne or someone new, lets look at the facts, its 2039, 100 years have passed since the original batman made his first appearance. when bruce wayne became batman he was 30 years old in 1939, and his costume was quite a bit different to this batmans, for it to be bruce wayne under the mask, he would have to be 130 years old, so im going to go ahead and say no, bruce has to be long dead in this story. dick grayson would be around 105 years old, so im gonna say hes been dead for some time as well. tim drake would be about 98 years old, and im gonna go out on a limb and say that he himself is dead as well. so who could this batman be? and what ties does he have to the original batman, is he bruce waynes great grand son? or the grandson of dick or tim? just who is this batman? if anyone out there has any ideas or information, feel free to share

[CrimsonMist]

i dont thin it's gonna be anyone too obvious. The kick to the pants is gonna be who Batman is at the end of all this.

[The Question]

Well, Bruce would be more like 125, but I get the idea. Here are a few of my theories:

1) It's Bruce Wayne. He retired for several years, and then recently started using a bunch of preformance enhancing drugs to retain his vitality. Maybe even the Lazerous pits.

2) It's Dick. He left Gotham and married Barbara. After she died, he returned to Gotham and saw that it was in ****ing bad shape. So, like with theory one, he started taking a bunch of preformance enhancers to regain the vitality of his youth and hit the streets as Batman.

3) It's Tim. Like with Dick, he came back to Gotham and saw the state of it, started taking drugs, and became Batman.

4) It's Ibn al Xu'ffasch, Bruce and Talia's son. Using the Lazerous pits and various preformance enhancers, he's kept the vitality of an athlete in his prime well into old age. He took up the mantel after his father died.

5) It's Ra's Al Ghul. After some sort of major traumatic event, he gave up his goals of mass genocide and took up the mantel of the Bat in Bruce's honor.

Those are my theories. 4 and 5 are my favorites, and those along with 2 make the most sense to me. It wouldn't make sense if Bruce stoped for several years just to start taking drugs several decades later to be Batman again. Besides, it would be a rip off of DKR if they did that.

[boywondernerdDC]

i started a thread like this in DC
but i love year 100

[CrimsonMist]

Well, Bruce would be more like 125, but I get the idea. Here are a few of my theories:

1) It's Bruce Wayne. He retired for several years, and then recently started using a bunch of preformance enhancing drugs to retain his vitality. Maybe even the Lazerous pits.

2) It's Dick. He left Gotham and married Barbara. After she died, he returned to Gotham and saw that it was in ****ing bad shape. So, like with theory one, he started taking a bunch of preformance enhancers to regain the vitality of his youth and hit the streets as Batman.

3) It's Tim. Like with Dick, he came back to Gotham and saw the state of it, started taking drugs, and became Batman.

4) It's Ibn al Xu'ffasch, Bruce and Talia's son. Using the Lazerous pits and various preformance enhancers, he's kept the vitality of an athlete in his prime well into old age. He took up the mantel after his father died.

5) It's Ra's Al Ghul. After some sort of major traumatic event, he gave up his goals of mass genocide and took up the mantel of the Bat in Bruce's honor.

Those are my theories. 4 and 5 are my favorites, and those along with 2 make the most sense to me. It wouldn't make sense if Bruce stoped for several years just to start taking drugs several decades later to be Batman again. Besides, it would be a rip off of DKR if they did that.

i really like the continuity idea they're using for this. It starts with Detective Comics #27 and goes, in normal time, to 2039.

i like your theories. the Ibn al Xu'ffasch is my favorite. Rather unexpected. That's how i think it's gonna end. Maybe not with any of your theories, but something really unexpected, like no one thought it would happen.

[The Question]

Yeah, it'll probably be quite unexpected. I'd actually like for it to be Ra's. Something happened to him that caused him to take another look at his goals and methods, possible the death of Talia.

[SpideyInATree]

Well, Bruce would be more like 125, but I get the idea. Here are a few of my theories:

1) It's Bruce Wayne. He retired for several years, and then recently started using a bunch of preformance enhancing drugs to retain his vitality. Maybe even the Lazerous pits.

2) It's Dick. He left Gotham and married Barbara. After she died, he returned to Gotham and saw that it was in ****ing bad shape. So, like with theory one, he started taking a bunch of preformance enhancers to regain the vitality of his youth and hit the streets as Batman.

3) It's Tim. Like with Dick, he came back to Gotham and saw the state of it, started taking drugs, and became Batman.

4) It's Ibn al Xu'ffasch, Bruce and Talia's son. Using the Lazerous pits and various preformance enhancers, he's kept the vitality of an athlete in his prime well into old age. He took up the mantel after his father died.

5) It's Ra's Al Ghul. After some sort of major traumatic event, he gave up his goals of mass genocide and took up the mantel of the Bat in Bruce's honor.

Those are my theories. 4 and 5 are my favorites, and those along with 2 make the most sense to me. It wouldn't make sense if Bruce stoped for several years just to start taking drugs several decades later to be Batman again. Besides, it would be a rip off of DKR if they did that.

You're really obssessed with performance enhancers and Lazurus Pits.

Cool theories and all but Paul Pope seems to be keeping it rather simple in this story so far. It's going to probably be something that's dangling in our faces the whole time.

Honestly, I have absolutely no guess what so ever as of now. In issue # 1 we kind of get a glimpse of his face but it can be ANYONE.

Once I see the second ish hopefully I'll have more of a picture to work with.

Because I don't think it'll be Bruce, Dick, or Tim. That'd just be way too much explanation and story to go into to explain how their still around in 2039.

[The Question]

You're really obssessed with performance enhancers and Lazurus Pits.

They would make sense. Especially with the jumping 25 feet.

Cool theories and all but Paul Pope seems to be keeping it rather simple in this story so far. It's going to probably be something that's dangling in our faces the whole time.

Maybe. Maybe not. I still think it would be cool if it turned out to be Ra's.


Because I don't think it'll be Bruce, Dick, or Tim. That'd just be way too much explanation and story to go into to explain how their still around in 2039.



........good med care plan?

[Mister J]

I'm ticked. I went to 2 or 3 comic shops to pick this thing up and everyone's out. It's my fault for being lazy and not going earlier. One of the guys at the shop did say something about a second printing next week, so hopefully I can grab it then.

[Cobblepot]

I'm waiting for the trade or HC.
Pope's artwork is something that might take some time to get used to. But that's the same for Tim Sale's and right now I love everything that's different from the mainstream artwork. (Lee, Turner etc).

[The Question]

Sale kicks Lee in the nuts. Hard.

[SpideyInATree]

I'm ticked. I went to 2 or 3 comic shops to pick this thing up and everyone's out. It's my fault for being lazy and not going earlier. One of the guys at the shop did say something about a second printing next week, so hopefully I can grab it then.

You could continue being lazy and order it from Midtown comics and have it sent to you.

[Cobblepot]

Sale kicks Lee in the nuts. Hard.

That's what I was saying.

[DarkKnightYone]

I also passed by a couple comic shops and they were out clean. This thing flew off the shelves faster than hot cakes. The first thing that attracted me to it was the art work. Very different and very contemporary. Like a few others have already said, it's raw and gritty just like the original year one. This one seems to be a keeper unlike the other cheesy elseworlds stories.

[Mister J]

You could continue being lazy and order it from Midtown comics and have it sent to you.

Thanx. I'll probably go that route if this keeps up.

[CrimsonMist]

did anyone check out Issue 2? It was good. Still no clues on who this guy is, but we do see more of his face.

Gordon gets some information on Batman dating back to may, 1939(they show a picture of the cover from Detective Comics 27). They have some letters, one mentioning the capture of Dr. Death, some video footage, some pictures from 1966, and some footage and reports about the incidents in The Dark Knight Returns.

i really like the timeline in this story. Issue 3 should be cool. Definatly worth checking out.

In this issue, Batman investigates the murder of the Government agent in issue 1. He wants to know who he is, and is trying to remember all that happened the night the agent was killed. Gordon also does some investigating to find more information about Batman as well, and stumbles across video footage of the shootout which killed the agent and realizes something's wrong with it.

It has the introduction of a kid named Robin who serves as one of the many partners this Batman has. Robin builds stuff for him. They make a reference to Oracle, when the young girl partner hacks into a top secret, high security computer system too.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I saw a review on AOTS, and just picked them up.

[boywondernerdDC]

i love this arc i can't wait for number 3

[Mister J]

Supposedly, reprintings of #1 and #2 are due next week.

[ToddIsDead]

Just read number 2 yesterday. Good stuff. I'm really digging the story and the art.

[Fledermaus]

My comic shop didn't get issue 2. anybody else have this problem?

[Cobblepot]

I 've seen it it looks great, I'm getting the trade though. That looks better on my shelf.

[Nightdevil]

Depending on how this goes, I wouldnt mid it sa an ongoing.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

It might be understocked in alot of places. I don't everybody thought it would be this good of a book.

The art is good for the story. Gritty.

Lee and Sale......different styles for different takes. Neither is any less of an artist for it, although I prefer Lee.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Am I the only one that caught that DKR reference? It was pretty cool a thing to have, I think I even read a review that coined this book as a POSSIBLE sequel to DKR.

[CrimsonMist]

Am I the only one that caught that DKR reference? It was pretty cool a thing to have, I think I even read a review that coined this book as a POSSIBLE sequel to DKR.

yea i caught that. I mentioned it in my little blurb somewhere on this page. I thought it was cool. I also liked the Detective Comics #29 & 30 references with Doctor Death. Basically, this is in the same time line as those old Golden Age stories, the campy era and DKR.

I really want to know where they're taking this. This is a really good damn book.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Yeah, and really....the mystery of who the Batman is will really be a tough one too. I mean, it should be interesting when we find out who he is.

[CrimsonMist]

Yeah, and really....the mystery of who the Batman is will really be a tough one too. I mean, it should be interesting when we find out who he is.

yea, im hoping there's a cool twist at the end: someone we never even thought of.

I hope it isnt stupid though, where Bruce is really alive through a lazerus pit, or it's dick or Bruce's son(from this whole Son of the Demon thing) or Terry McGuiness.

someone no one ever expected would be a real nice touch

[SpideyInATree]

Am I the only one that caught that DKR reference? It was pretty cool a thing to have, I think I even read a review that coined this book as a POSSIBLE sequel to DKR.

No, a ton of people caught the reference. We're comic book nerds...if we didn't notice we should have our nerd licenses stripped from us.

I really dig how Pope has made the future in this miniseries. Technology and what not has changed but for the most part many things still stick around. A more realistic take on the future. I like those kinds of things as opposed to super flying cars and buildings that look like they were given to us by aliens or something.

And what's up with the Robin this Batman has? I wonder if he has a costume too or he's just a regular guy who just backs up Batman from time to time. And what is UP with those damn FANGS!!! :eek:

Either way I'm digging this miniseries fully and can't wait for the next issue. Mostly to see whats up with the fangs but partly because this is a pretty kick ass story.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I dunno, I mean....the new Batman could be an unknown for all I care really. If it's Bruce, it might not be so bad. If it's his son.....I might find that pretty cool too.

If it's an unknown.....I dunno, wouldn't really bother me....but might be the "easy" way out almost.

[Nightdevil]

I'm gonna say the son of Bane.

[ChrisBaleBatman]

of Bane....?

I dunno.....with all the roids he was on, I'd be surprised if he could even muster HALF an erection to even do the do.

[ToddIsDead]

Could some one maybe point out the DKR referance. I read it pretty fast and must have completely missed it, since I know DKR backwards and forwards.

[CrimsonMist]

Could some one maybe point out the DKR referance. I read it pretty fast and must have completely missed it, since I know DKR backwards and forwards.

page 8 at the top, it's the two TV screen panels. Gordon and his men are talking about the information they have.

[ToddIsDead]

Yeah, I know. I reread the whole book after I watched the Sopranos. I can't believe I didn't pick up on it the first time. I missed a lot the first time I read it.

[Nightdevil]

of Bane....?

I dunno.....with all the roids he was on, I'd be surprised if he could even muster HALF an erection to even do the do.


Who knows?

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Talia.....might.

[deadboy700]

Paul Pope always kicks ass, and this is another fine example of his ass-kicking abilities.

Can't wait for issue #3.

[lujho]

This is definitely not exactly in Earth 2 continuity.

Earth 2 continuity doesn't go from 1939 to DKR in 1986 - DKR is definitely NOT in that timeline because Batman's only 55 in it (he'd be 70+) and besides, DKR didn't take place in 1986 anyway - it was published then but took place in the future.

No, Pope's using a completely different continuity - one that started out similar to the Golden age Earth 2 but just kept on going far longer than Batman possibly could have. It's more of a meta-textual version of Batman's continuity, rather than the timeline of any single incarnation.

I think the Batman in it is probably a generational thing, and while it started out as Bruce Wayne, it eventually had to change over to others. The current one in the story is probably just "some guy".

Either that or Bruce is somehow immortal. And I don't see pope using any Ra's/Lazarus stuff in this very gritty, realistic take.

But this is definitely NOT pure Golden Age/Earth 2 continuity. Anyway, official Earth 2 continuity DID go on into the 70s(?) and the Bruce Wayne of that timeline is very much dead.

I'm loving the book, and am very much looking forward to seeing what kind of world Pope is having this take place in. Very strangely, the book doesn't say "Elseworlds" on the cover, but logically it HAS to be.

[SpideyInATree]

This is definitely not exactly in Earth 2 continuity.

Earth 2 continuity doesn't go from 1939 to DKR in 1986 - DKR is definitely NOT in that timeline because Batman's only 55 in it (he'd be 70+) and besides, DKR didn't take place in 1986 anyway - it was published then but took place in the future.

No, Pope's using a completely different continuity - one that started out similar to the Golden age Earth 2 but just kept on going far longer than Batman possibly could have. It's more of a meta-textual version of Batman's continuity, rather than the timeline of any single incarnation.

I think the Batman in it is probably a generational thing, and while it started out as Bruce Wayne, it eventually had to change over to others. The current one in the story is probably just "some guy".

Either that or Bruce is somehow immortal. And I don't see pope using any Ra's/Lazarus stuff in this very gritty, realistic take.

But this is definitely NOT pure Golden Age/Earth 2 continuity. Anyway, official Earth 2 continuity DID go on into the 70s(?) and the Bruce Wayne of that timeline is very much dead.

I'm loving the book, and am very much looking forward to seeing what kind of world Pope is having this take place in. Very strangely, the book doesn't say "Elseworlds" on the cover, but logically it HAS to be.

It's not official, of course not. But Paul Pope is allowed to make tiny nods to the past Batman stories throughout the extremely long history the Batman comics have had.

And it was a neat nod to DKR. No big deal.

[boywondernerdDC]

issue 3 tomorrow the cover is sweet i love the line from #2 about that bike when bats is like "how's it look?" robin -"ugly as sin boss"
http://dccomics.com/media/covers/5189_180x270.jpg

[ToddIsDead]

I can't wait. I've really enjoyed it so far. I probably won't be able to get it until the weekend though.

[CConn]

I finally got around to reading my copy of #2. I'm really enjoying it myself. As lujho just said (a few weeks ago :o), this doesn't quite fit in with Earth-2 continuity, but I will say, in terms of the setting and the mood, I can see it fitting pretty perfectly with the original Kane/Finger comics. It sorta has a dry grittiness to it that most Batman books don't quite have - at least in the style of the original comics.

[Mister J]

Good stuff. I like the old school gritty versions. I'll be picking up #3 tomorrow, though I probably won't get to read it for a few weeks. The magical reprinting of #1 is still a couple of weeks off. :mad:

[not_a_victim]

I'm getting really hyped about this series, and I am thinking of picking them up but I have a question.
Does this reimagine Bats as STARTING in 2039, or does this story say Batman has been in more or less continous existence for 100 years.
WHat I mean, is this a "Year One" that starts in 2039?

[Mister J]

Everything I've read about this, without trying to spoil the first issue for myself, says that Batman shouldn't exist; that he's an anomaly. Gordon's grandson is the Commish. From that, I'm guessing it's Bats 100 years after he was first spotted, not Year One taking place in 2039.

[CrimsonMist]

correct. This takes place in 2039, 100 years after Batman first appeared back in 1939. The continuity is very strange as Lujho and Spidey in A Tree posted.

but issue 3 kicked ass. Basically, Batman attempts(and succeeds) in escaping from the FPC building he broke into in Issue 2, found out(somewhat) what he needed to know, and is trying to put the pieces together behind his set up. Gordon comes to realization that all is not what it should be in terms of him being a cop in the GCPD and tries to investigate who this Batman is, by digging around in his grandfather(Commisioner Gordon)'s files and such.

the ending is a major cliff hanger and it made me shout "WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!?!" It's great. This issue reminded me very much of Batman: Year One issue 3. So go back, read that issue, and then read Batman: Year 100 and notice the similarities. Outstanding book. Im more than excited for issue 4 to come out.

[Nightdevil]

Like I said, wouldnt mind this as an ongoing.

[boywondernerdDC]

Like I said, wouldnt mind this as an ongoing.

i agree my fine feathered friend

[ToddIsDead]

I know I'm a little late, but I just read issue 3. Really good stuff. I'm really enjoying this so far.

[SpideyInATree]

Just read # 3 yesterday afternoon. This was a hell of an exciting issue. Many of the plot developments dropped in the first two issues are getting elaborated on now. Interesting stuff about Gordon's grandson running Arkham and how they took care of all the supervillains. I'm digging Pope's futuristic take more and more.

But the biggest twist of all...seeing Gordon's grandson get into the laptop's hidden files. Next issue is gonna be a hell of a ride and it'll be interesting to see who it is that's taking the Batman cowl. :o

This is definitely something every Batman fan should be checking out.

[Mister J]

Thank God DC finally got around to putting out that reprinting of #1 in this arc. Now I can actually read 2 and 3 instead looking at the pretty, pretty covers.

[SpideyInATree]

I was reading in Comic Shop News that Batman: Year 100 is the first prestige format book to go to a second printing. Major props to a pretty kick ass miniseries. :up:

[deadboy700]

Just finished issue #4.

Cracking series. Absolutely cracking, and with a huge mystery left hanging and potential for it to continue...

C'mon, Pope! Annouce the sequel!

[The Red Skull]

I really enjoyed this mini, but for the price I was expecting something more self-contained.

Great art, great characters, great story... but issue 4 came off as a shot for a second mini, or even an ongoing.

[Fear of god]

I want it. But I'll wait for the tpb.

Is it already announced?

[Nightdevil]

Damn it DC! Make this into an ongoing!!

[CrimsonMist]

i was disapointed with the last issue. WHO THE HELL IS HE?!

then again, i came up with a theory that it's not really too necessary to know who he is. He's an idea that stands for good and that's really all that matters.

....becuase i absolutely refuse to believe it's Bruce Wayne.