There are a lot of comics out there but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we take a look at DC Comics’s “The Riddler: Year One”
Who’s This By?
Written by the most recent actor to play the quizzically insane baddie, Paul Dano tries his hand at writing a comic book following Edward Nashton’s journey to becoming Gotham’s feared terrorist, The Riddler. Scripting an expanded story based on behind the scenes details and personally created character notes, Dano is crafting how a simple, but incredibly smart man can turn from a nobody to a true villain. Coming mostly a background in advertising, and having only worked on a few comic book projects, artist Stevan Subic (“Elric: The Dreaming City”) this is probably his most in-depth project, providing the illustrations and colors for this six issue limited series. Industry legend Clayton Cowles (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) provides the lettering and aside from the usual lettering style, brings some interesting, story-centric flair to the series.
What’s This All About?
Set in the world of Matt Reeves’s 2022 hit, The Batman, “The Riddler: Year One” follows the story of an exceptionally smart loner whose life takes a turn sending him on a path to match wits with the Batman. With Dano wanting to expand the story of his interpretation of the famed Batman Rogue, we are getting a dark, twisted, and at times emotionally riveting prequel story as a misguided man decided to take matters into his own hands.
So, Why Should I Read This?
It’s going to be quite a while before we get The Batman Part II and it may be even longer still until we see Dano return to this role. This story provides not only a return to this character, but this iteration of Batman and Gotham City. This series allows you to be immersed in world created by Matt Reeves who so ingeniously blended gritty realism and beloved comic book characters in a way that hasn’t been done before, not even with Nolan’s previous Bat-eration. And that is just the jumping off point. This is a haunting and heartbreaking look at a sick mind that uses a cult of personality aimed at those who have felt discarded by society. It’s a scary concept that we see all too often in real life and both the film, and Dano’s storytelling in this comic delve into that. While he lived within the character’s head for month, Dano doesn’t just automatically give us a sympathetic look at Edward Nashton, but we do understand him.
It is safe to say that Dano’s script isn’t breaking any new ground or taking things in ways that are wholly surprising, but it is good writing and it is a solid story in its own right. It has turned out much better than I ever expected it to. And that isn’t even a knock at Dano personally. It’s just that there are many examples of those trying to break into a field they are unfamiliar with and floundering to the point of embarrassment. It is safe to say that isn’t the case here and that is most likely due to Dano and the wonderful art by Stevan Subic. Pairing perfectly with the the spooky and nasty script, the grit, grime, and downright horror of the story is on display in every way. The pages feel like they are going to bleed on you, cut you, and burn a question mark into your skin. If you were impressed by the film, and obviously by Dano’s performance then this is the book for you. It fits right where it needs to in that continuity.
How Can You Read It?
This week, issue five, the penultimate issue has arrived, and you have plenty of time to catch up before the sixth and final issue drops. Found anywhere comic books are sold.
