Pro Teaches n00bs: Lesson 50: Batman: Year One vs Superman: Year One

We've reached 50 lessons of Pro Teaches n00bs already everyone! To Celebrate, Tristen of Nerdette's Newsstand has joined me to talk about Frank Miller's two Year One stories about DC Comic's World Finest! Why? Well the first lesson was about the different superman origin stories so it was only fitting.

Now naturally Batman Year One is a classic. It set the standard for Batman's origins, his history, how Gordon acts, etc etc. So many people take from Batman Year One that it is still felt to this day! A modern classic! David Mazzucchelli's artwork is also timeless.

Now SUPERMAN Year One...yeah that's another story. Where as Batman Year One could fit in for BOTH the mainstream DCU AND Miller's Dark Knight Universe...this story can ONLY fit in the latter. And...it's NOT that bad! There are some rough spots here and there, sometimes Frank indulges in either his usual cliches OR his purple prose. But for the first issue and a half, it felt like he had a great handling of the character! But THEN the second issue and a half were so up and down...especially the very last half of the third issue where it just went full on into the Dark Knight material, as if Frank forgot until the last second "Oh right this fits in with All Star Batman & Robin!" The artwork by John Romita Jr is some of the best he's done in a long time too!

It's no contest Batman Year One is the best, it's a classic...but Superman Year One is NOT utter trash! Frank DOES understand Superman...when he's on his own. Once he's with batman and wonder woman...it's like his writing deteriorates.

Thank you all so much for getting me here to 50 lessons! Here's to the next 50 and beyond!

#dccomics #frankmiller #superman #batman