New Batman Graphic Novel, kindly help.

[jthom19802]

Typically, I do not spend my money on anything other than Superman or Batman, which is probably 80/20 towards Superman as I'm a Superman guy. However, my job kind of allows me the freedom to buy something if I want it so I don't really have a list or anything. Thus, there currently isn't really any impressive GN of Superman's that I want or don't already own.

So, imagine my surprise when Amazon randomly sent me a $25 gift card for being such a swell customer. There really isn't any small purchase of any kind I have in mind at the time so I figured "well, what a neat little opportunity to grab a Batman GN for the collection".

I have narrowed it down to 'Batman: Year One' and 'Arkham Asylum'.

Have it superhero-people. Kindly share which one you would go with and why - in a civil manner of course; not trying to start a new 30 page argument over which is "better". Just interested in which you prefer.

Yes. I'm long winded.

GO! (and thanks in advance)

 

[Drz]

Arkham Asylum is like a european horror film that goes over the top on the grimdark Batman while also showcasing the relationship between Batman and Joker. The trade comes with a script which is a plesant read itself and showcases all the symbolism the book has to offer such as Clayface being a sex disease and whatnot. It's very violent and dark story of Batman surviving Arkham Asylum's horrors and his inner demons, think about Batman: Arkham Asylum video game as horror instead of action.

Batman Year One is pretty much Batman and James Gordon as they struggle thru Gotham's corruption and we can see the first inspirations and political level that Batman persona brings, women becoming inspired to fight crime, mobsters realizing its time to up the game and so forth so forth. Really Batman Year One is about Batman and James Gordon fightning corruption. No Joker or Penguin whatsoever.

Which one of those sounds the more pleasant story for you? Also Batman: Year One is getting an animated movie version this year (coming in Autumn) so theres that aswell.

 

[jthom19802]

Generally when it comes to Batman, I find the character itself (himself?) more interesting than much of what he actually does if that makes sense. So it sounds like Arkham Asylum might be the way to go.

Would you say that Year One might be sort of an origins story without an actual origins story in it?

 

[Mace Dolex]

^ Year One is more like Batman's first night on the job with the origin such as his parents getting murdered told through flashbacks, it doesn't really go into detail like Batman Begins where we see how Bruce Wayne gets all his crime fighting arsenal.

 

[Drz]

Would you say that Year One might be sort of an origins story without an actual origins story in it?

Depends how you define an origin. Batman Begins is one of the few/only stories that show Bruce's training and how he becomes Batman. Miller focuses on Bruce's return and Gordon joining the Gotham Police Department as they start their war againts crime.

 

[jthom19802]

Well that's why I said origins story without an actual origins story. As you said, BB is pretty much the most in depth they've gone, so if we're talking like starting day 1 (or day 10 or whatever) of the relationship of Batman with Gordon and the city of Gotham, then for the sake of the history of Batman in comics, I'd consider it "origins-sort-of", which would also interest me.