In another extended issue of “Batman”, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo bring ‘Zero Year’ to a exciting and emotional finish.
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Greg CapulloIt’s been one hell of a year in Gotham City, and it all comes down to this: Batman vs. The Riddler! Gotham City and the Dark Knight will never be the same! Don’t miss this special, extra-sized finale of “Zero Year!”
It’s been over year since ‘Zero Year’ began way back in “Batman” #21, and even longer from when the storyline was first announced in the winter of 2013 only to be met with skepticism and downright cynicism. Batman has one of the most famous origin story in comics, along with Spider-Man and Superman, which has been told and retold several times already. Adding to the potential animosity was the fact that this story would render Frank Miller’s ‘Year One’, one of the most beloved of all Batman stories and the character long-time official origin, obsolete. Short of adding nipples to the Bat-suit, there were few things DC could have done to enrage die-hard fans even further. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo braved the storm of naysayers, and now that their story line is complete, its presentation of the Dark Knight’s legend has come into full focus.
For the finale to such long story that has filled with collapsing buildings, bat-cycles, bone-monster fights, and raging lions, this issue is surprisingly light on action. This should have come as no surprise, as the creative team’s choice of the Riddler as the main villain seems to rule out epic one on one fights. Edward Nygma is no brawler, and Scott Snyder made wisely uses the character to explore what truly makes Batman unique: his mind. Anyone can put on a costume, only Bruce Wayne can be the world’s greatest detective while wearing that cowl.
By having Batman physically immobilized for the majority of his confrontation with the Riddler, after almost a dozen issues detailing the vast physical training he has undergone, Snyder forces the character’s signature intelligence to the surface. The readers have already seen Batman get into a knock-down-drag-out fight against Doctor Death in ‘Zero Year’, and if it wasn’t for a timely lighting bolt Batman would have lost that fight. Snyder knows that there are years of punching bad guys in store for Batman, but having the character’s first battle against the first of his signature villains be won by wits instead of fists sets a vitally important brick in the foundation of the Dark Knight legend.
It would seem like having a big climatic “fight” scene amount to two characters in strange costumes standing still and talking to each other would make for some boring and repetitive art, but not with Greg Capullo on the book. Each scene and panel is filled with the high level of detail that has become a trademark of the series. From the Riddler’s lair to vine-infested skyline of Gotham, everything looks lush and fleshed out, like it’s a real world and not just characters in front of monochrome canvas.
The fact that Batman and Riddler barely move gives Capullo the chance to show off how great he is with just the body language of the characters. Every glimpse of a locked jaw, gritted teeth, and bulging muscles on top of muscles on top of muscles demonstrates the tension and anger that Batman is feeling, with no words necessary. By contrast, the Riddler’s relaxed and downright slithery posture displays his arrogance and narcissistic amount of self-confidence. Even if there were no dialog, Capullo’s art is strong enough that the emotions of the scene are still apparent.
The pacing of this issue is excellent, and is truly its most stand out element. The scenes alternate between Batman and the Riddler facing off, Jim Gordon frantically trying to stop the incoming fighter jets, and the steady approach of the planes themselves that threaten to level the city. It is incredibly tense and cinematic, to the point where playing the Batman: The Animated Series soundtrack while reading would be an excellent idea. The entire sequence is a perfect blend of Snyder and Capullo’s skills. The way that Batman’s dialog gets more and more terse and urgent, and the framing of Gordon’s increasing desperate face contrasted with the jets rushing over Gotham’s shores all works together perfectly.
Continued belowThe emotional climax of the issue, and really the entire story-arc, comes after (SPOILERS) Batman escapes the trap and the Riddler gets a satisfying boot to the face. Batman sacrifices himself to save the city, only to be resuscitated by Alfred. This story is really how the relationship between Bruce and Alfred became the unbreakable base of the entire Bat-family. Alfred disobeyed Bruce’s order and ended up saving his life, again, another moment in a long series that shows their devotion to each other. The denouement of the story occurs a month later as Gotham recovers from the Riddler’s control, and Alfred tries to set Bruce up with an old girlfriend. Bruce is appreciative but is quick to dismiss any chance of a normal life for himself. It doesn’t stop Alfred from imagining an alternate future for Bruce, perhaps the one he could have had if his parents had lived. It’s a touching scene, one that Snyder keeps from getting too saccharine, and Capullo adds plenty of nice touches to the future-set panels, like Bruce’s awesome mustache.
This issue invokes the entirety of the story-arc, and the arduous journey Bruce takes to become the Bat. The reader sees the character at his highs and contemplating-dangerous-medical-procedures lows. The one thing that is perfectly clear is that there was a void inside Bruce, one that he spent years trying to fill. Once Bruce finds a purpose, one that lets him channel the anger and confusion of a frightened child into something positive, Alfred knows that he will never stop. In ‘Zero Year’, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have crafted on origin story that is not about how Bruce Wayne put on a costume, but how he found a purpose for dressing up like a giant bat and choosing a life in the shadows.
And it kinda made sense of all the editorial mandated New 52 continuity changes without being really lame.
Final Verdict: 9.5 – A new origin that manages to stay true to the character while providing plenty of unexpected and excited moments.
