Two-Face: Year One

[marksable]

Which is why this is just some shameless promotion for the TDK movie.

I'll be passing on this.

You're free to pass on this, Joker, but I don't think this is shameless promotion. I mean, obviously this book probably wouldn't be out if it weren't for the movie, but I mean...if you are DC, why not use this as an opportunity to promote a great character that a) most non-comics fans haven't heard of and b) many, many Batman fans love.

There are far more "shameless" things being done by companies other than DC (like, say magazines) that are exploiting Heath Ledger's death.

 

[marksable]

From what I'm reading it's going to be more of a Harvey Dent Year One and lead into TLH. But I could be wrong.

I'm also thinking this is more of a TDK tie-in. It's release timing is not a coincedence...

Not a coincidence, although as I said to Joker I don't think there's anything wrong with that. This isn't a movie tie in. I haven't read TDK's script (I wouldn't even if I could, who wants it spoiled). It's firmly set in DCU continuity. I actually wanted to use Rachel Dawes Batman Begins and introduce her to the DC universe but DC very much wanted to keep the lines clear.

At the risk of being redudant - first book - Harvey Dent Year One. Second issue - Two-Face Year One (running for re-election etc.) Anything resembling TDK would be purely coincidental.

 

[marksable]

I don't know, on one hand I would like to get movie tie-in stuff but on the other hand it always has bad art and pretty bad writing.I mean have you seen Batman Begins comic? Batman has some ******ed goofy smile at the end.

This really isn't a movie tie-in. I never read the Batman Begins comic or but in general, yeah, tie-ins that are trying to make what worked on screen work in a comic don't fly.

I won't speak to my own writing, but Jesus Saiz's art is great and I promise there will be no goofy smile at the end. Batman will be revealed to be ******ed though

Nice art on your deviant page, by the way.

 

[marksable]

i think i'm with Joker on this one.... i'll be passing on this... i love Two-Face, but i already have The Long Halloween & Face the Face (which most bat-fans don't even give a chance) & i dunno something tells me this won't be great!

That something inside you that's telling you this won't be great...it's wrong. It's like that voice in Harvey's head...you've got stop listening to it, or it will drive you crazy.

Seriously, this is not Long Halloween redux, I promise promise promise.

 

[marksable]

I'm up in the air about FC I mean I really think Morisson wouldn't take on a project of that scale unless he has something interesting up his sleeve and he understands the DCU so it's on my radar. I was just thinking though this Two Face: Year One thing would've been infinitely more interesting if it covered Harv's first year as Two-Face.

Showing us his perspective when he first turned and how he felt like the Batman's way wasn't the way to properly dispell justice and bring Gotham back. Showing him as more of an anti-hero than a villain and how he felt he could right the wrongs and everything with a much larger time frame then what he had in TLH. That story still hasn't been told and would've been a much more interesting approach. I'm still copping it but it seems like a missed opportunity.

I agree, and I think that's part of what sold DC on my take. There is definitely a big chunk of the book devoted to Harvey trying to clean up Gotham the right way, and how Batman, although an ally, can be something of an impediment than that. I certainly wrote Harvey as an anti-hero. So hopefully I didn't miss that opportunity.

 

[marksable]

I think ending the story with Dent being disfigured and becoming Two-Face is the easy way out. A ballsier move would be to end the story on a big triumph for Dent, with him being celebrated as a hero of Gotham. It would create a quietly bittersweet feeling, knowing how far he's going to fall in the future.

Maybe even do an "Aviator" style storyline, where you have Harvey Dent battling mental issues to ultimately succeed against the odds. But then you end on the darker note that his demons aren't gone, they're merely biding their time...

You're on to something with the Aviator analogy...

 

[marksable]

That's what I would like to see. I'd be especially interested to see how Batman first contacts Dent, and Dent's initial reaction to his proposed partnership. I really hope that's what this turns out to be, because I think that there's a hell of a story in there.

And as a huge Year One fan, I'd love to see the story involve/culminate in Batman dumping Falconi's Rolls Royce into the river to show Dent that he can get close to the Roman.

Wish there was room for Harvey and Bats first meeting...I agree that's a good story to tell (although hard not to have it be too similar to Batman and Gordon in Year One). And what about the first meeting of Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne, though?

 

[Nepenthes]

Mark I'm gonna buy the first issue simply for the fact you registered on the board to talk about your work . That and you make it sound fairly interesting (shameless promotion what? )

Did you look to any other Two-Face stories to get a feel of how you wanted to present him (apart fom TLH and DV)? any favourites?

It's Harvey vs. not only the mob and crooked cops, but even Batman whose very existence makes it hard for him to put people in jail.
...
I tried to remain as respectful to The Long Halloween and Dark Victory as I could without being repetitious, so I don't think there's really any retconning.
...
This is probably closer in town to Gotham Central more than anything else

Batman will be revealed to be ******ed though

This is all great






I also don't get how an origin book coinciding with the release of TDK is automatically "shameless". Seriously how long have you guys been comicbook fans, this is nothing out of the ordinary at all, GET A GRIP (that last bit's supposed to be read in the voice of Biggie Smalls)

 

[Keyser Soze]

Hey Mark, I think it's awesome that you signed up to discuss "Two-Face: Year One". Your enthusiasm about the title has certainly added to my own, and I'm now looking forward to it even more. Thanks for replying to my posts too.

I like the idea of Two-Face running for DA AS Two-Face. An interesting story idea, to say the least. I think in certain circles, being a nutjob who slaughters crooks rather than trying and failing to prosecute them could probably make you MORE popular with voters! t: But seriously, it raises some intriguing points. And from the way you've described it, I'm expecting some thought-provoking moral conundrums about the question of law VS justice to be raised.

 

[BubbaGump]

The second issue is completely new stuff. It's Harvey as Two Face - STILL RUNNING FOR D.A. Still keeping things street level, but having him run an INSANE election campaign. His argument is that Gotham is so corrupt your more likely to get justice from a flip of a coin than a Gotham jury.

THIS is more like it.

But let me get this straight, Harvey gets scarred before he's actually D.A.?

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Not a coincidence, although as I said to Joker I don't think there's anything wrong with that. This isn't a movie tie in. I haven't read TDK's script (I wouldn't even if I could, who wants it spoiled). It's firmly set in DCU continuity. I actually wanted to use Rachel Dawes Batman Begins and introduce her to the DC universe but DC very much wanted to keep the lines clear.

At the risk of being redudant - first book - Harvey Dent Year One. Second issue - Two-Face Year One (running for re-election etc.) Anything resembling TDK would be purely coincidental.

That's too bad about Rachael Dawes, man. That would have been cool.

 

[The Joker]

You're free to pass on this, Joker, but I don't think this is shameless promotion. I mean, obviously this book probably wouldn't be out if it weren't for the movie, but I mean...if you are DC, why not use this as an opportunity to promote a great character that a) most non-comics fans haven't heard of and b) many, many Batman fans love.

Hello Mark. Nice of you to join the forum to speak to us

If this were a Two Face story that we had not seen before, or that had been told poorly before, I'd pick this up post haste.

But it's not. It's a retelling of what was magnificently done in The Long Halloween with slight tweaks. It's the equivalent to a Hollywood remake of a classic movie, IMO.

There are far more "shameless" things being done by companies other than DC (like, say magazines) that are exploiting Heath Ledger's death.

Yes, I'm not buying them, either

 

[itsthebatman]

Dent's scarring has been getting redundant over the years, but he's one of my favorite Batman villains so screw it, shameless TDK promotion or not.

I'm getting this.

Ditto. I am also a shameless Two-Face ****e. Give me everything you've got!

Has the first meeting between Batman and Dent ever been written?

As I think about it, in Year One Gordon goes to question Dent and Batman is already in Dent's office, hiding behind his desk. Later, in TLH Gordon notes that Bats and Dent already know each other. So unless I'm missing something, it seems like there's a little window of time there that hasn't been covered yet.

If that's what this book is going to be, then I'd be pretty excited to read it.

Eye of the Beholder details their first rooftop meeting with Gordon introducing them.

No, I mean a Joker: Year One. They did Ra's Al Ghul: Year One, and Scarecrow: Year One when Begins came out, and now they're doing Two-Face: Year One...so he's the only major villain from the movies they havent done/havent announced yet.

I would think we've had enough early Joker stories recently, what with The Man who Laughs and the Batman: Confidential arc.

The Man who Laughs is Joker's year one. Heck, even the latest Batman Confidential Joker origin could be considered a year one story, too.

Hey! that was my point!

You could argue that Dark Victory is "Two-Face: Year One" as you see it.

I think the best niche that's yet to be filled I've heard proposed is a story set BEFORE the "Harvey Dent becomes Two-Face" arc that's been covered so often. A story chronicling Dent's first year in Gotham, how he first came to know Batman, and how he gained his reputation as Gotham's "white knight", as The Dark Knight marketing puts it.

True. A Dent story set in Year One, before the events of TLH. There's a year and a half there for us to see the exploits of Harvey and Batman together.

 

[BubbaGump]

But it's not. It's a retelling of what was magnificently done in The Long Halloween with slight tweaks. It's the equivalent to a Hollywood remake of a classic movie, IMO.

But TLH was also a retelling of the magnificently done Batman annual #14...with slight tweaks.

 

[The Joker]

But TLH was also a retelling of the magnificently done Batman annual #14...with slight tweaks.

Hardly. The Annual was a mere thirty something pages. It didn't delve into Harvey's relationship with Batman, Gordon, his campaign to bring down the mob, his relationship with his wife etc.

 

[Dirt Like Me]

Your memory serves you well. The first issue deals with his fall more than his rise. We'll flashback to him in law school, but it's about Harvey's trying to enforce justice and run a clean election campaign in a corrupt town. It's Harvey vs. not only the mob and crooked cops, but even Batman whose very existence makes it hard for him to put people in jail.

Very cool of you come on here and discuss the book, Mark.

What I've highlighted above sounds very much like what I'd want to see in a Harvey Year One story--epecially Batman actually impeding the criminal process. It seems like a lot of convictions could be tossed out because of unlawful seizures of evidence by Batman. (Full disclosure: I'm a fanboy who's wrapping up law school soon. Comics and casebooks are all I've read for the past three years, so seeing them come together would be perfect for me).

I don't know if your story will cover it, but I think that there's some room to show Harvey really wrestling with the idea that he has to violate the Constitution, and cover things up, in order to help Gotham. I think that'd be gut-wrenching for a D.A. who sincerely wants to help people. (If Gilda Dent is involved, it could raise the emotional stakes, too).

As for Harvey meeting Bruce: I think it might be cool to see, but I never liked the cartoon version where they were good friends. I think Harvey wouldn't have much use for an aloof, self-centered playboy. Plus, I like the idea of Harvey being more blue-collar than blue-blooded; so any prep school meeting wouldn't really fit my ideal.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing the books this summer. It sounds like you've got some great stuff in the works.

 

[itsthebatman]

Hardly. The Annual was a mere thirty something pages. It didn't delve into Harvey's relationship with Batman, Gordon, his campaign to bring down the mob, his relationship with his wife etc.

It did, just not in as much detail. TLH really fleshed out most of the themes of EOTB, and ignored or sidelined others (Harvey's relationship with his father, for one).

 

[RobC]

I'll probably get it, mainly because Two-Face is my favourite villian, he's so tragic it's unreal...

 

[BubbaGump]

Hardly. The Annual was a mere thirty something pages. It didn't delve into Harvey's relationship with Batman, Gordon, his campaign to bring down the mob, his relationship with his wife etc.

It had 56 pages and more characterization and words per page than TLH could ever hope for.

 

[The Joker]

It did, just not in as much detail. TLH really fleshed out most of the themes of EOTB

Aye. That's what I meant when I said it didn't delve into them like TLH did.

and ignored or sidelined others (Harvey's relationship with his father, for one)

Right. Because that was one element that was sufficently covered in Batman Annual #14.

It had 56 pages and more characterization and words per page than TLH could ever hope for.

Your opinion, Bubba. I don't agree.

 

[Watson]

Mark I'm gonna buy the first issue simply for the fact you registered on the board to talk about your work . That and you make it sound fairly interesting (shameless promotion what? )

Absolutely. Thanks so much Mark for coming on and explaining more! I really like the concept for the second book so that should be a really interesting read.

 

[The Guard]

Hey, I didn't say I don't want to see more details, but the basic story has been told. Hence the smiley.

I'm not saying it cannot be bettered, or fleshed out, and I'm all for that, I love that kind of stuff, but we've seen this story. I'm all for honoring what came before and being a bit fresh.

So, other than Batman's vigilante nature and the legal issues that arise from his presence (which has also been done), what new themes and ideas about the character will TWO-FACE: YEAR ONE bring to the character?

Tell you what, Mark, if you send me a free copy of this, and I feel I should eat my words, I'll eat my words and write a glowing review of it. Free comic equals free publicity...

 

[marksable]

Mark I'm gonna buy the first issue simply for the fact you registered on the board to talk about your work . That and you make it sound fairly interesting (shameless promotion what? )

Did you look to any other Two-Face stories to get a feel of how you wanted to present him (apart fom TLH and DV)? any favourites?



This is all great






I also don't get how an origin book coinciding with the release of TDK is automatically "shameless". Seriously how long have you guys been comicbook fans, this is nothing out of the ordinary at all, GET A GRIP (that last bit's supposed to be read in the voice of Biggie Smalls)

Thanks. I re-read Long Halloween and Dark Victory (along with Batman: Year One) to make sure I wasn't screwing up continuity. Not specifically for this, I also read a lot of Gotham Central and other of Greg Rucka's Two-Face stories...I think he's done some interesting work with the character. I stayed away from Peter Milligan's book. I think he's a great writer, but as it was explained to me that focused on the genesis of his split personality, he did that well, and this story needed to start later than that. So without giving anything away...he's kind of in treatment for mental issues during the story, although that's a small part of it.

 

[union_jak]

Hi Mark, welcome and well done for braving us. Generally the most harsh critics are the ones who care so much about their beloved characters.

How much of your story takes place after The Long Halloween/Dark Victory and is Gilda referenced at all? She seemed to just vanish after TLH.

 

[marksable]

Hey Mark, I think it's awesome that you signed up to discuss "Two-Face: Year One". Your enthusiasm about the title has certainly added to my own, and I'm now looking forward to it even more. Thanks for replying to my posts too.

I like the idea of Two-Face running for DA AS Two-Face. An interesting story idea, to say the least. I think in certain circles, being a nutjob who slaughters crooks rather than trying and failing to prosecute them could probably make you MORE popular with voters! t: But seriously, it raises some intriguing points. And from the way you've described it, I'm expecting some thought-provoking moral conundrums about the question of law VS justice to be raised.

Thanks Keyser. It's my pleasure to come on and talk about it, and yeah, I'm enthusiastic about this. This is without a doubt the project I've had the most fun writing. I'm glad to see that fans are still passionate about Harvey one way or the other. I know I can't please everybody but the fact that people care is what matters.

My hope is that the book provokes thought but most of all I hope it's a fun read.