Absolute Batman Year One Overview | Color Comparison | The Greatest Comics Origin Story Ever |

The Retroviews are back! Absolute Batman Year One from DC Comics. This is the story that defined what a comic book origin story should be. I take a look at the two books collected in here.
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[@joshuatehhonguan]

Batman Year One was the very first TPB I ever bought. To me, it is the best superhero story ever, with Spider-Man Blue and Superman For All Seasons its only peers. The day I purchase this Absolute will be the day I finally stop collecting - it is the only appropriate full stop.

[@dano157]

I love how you can read year one followed by long halloween and dark victory awesome trilogy

[@Kaulso93]

Both the old and "new" colors of the book are done by Richmond Lewis. But in reallity the "new" colors were present in the trade paperbacks in the 80s, because the colorist felt that the story in other diferent format need other type of coloring. In the extras in many of the editions shows how much different are the colors and is done whitout computers, is direct coloring that Lewis used.

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you brother for that info.

[@giantsizegeek]

Thanks for that information. I have a hardcover from 1989 called The Complete Frank Miller Batman with the new colors. I think I prefer those over the original, more muted and fits the story.

[@jimmydurmody2490]

Im one of those people who are buying absolue editions without reading books, Im collector of media and popular art, and when something is influencial enough I want to have it in collection. Also art just looks so much more epic in large format.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed it does

[@Kalel0042]

Year One is my favorite Batman story, but I've never been able to justify the cost of this one.

[@juselara02]

I agree. Personally I dont see a lot of value of having the same story 2 times. I know about the recoloring and all of that but, what will you do with both books? Put them side to side and keep convincing yourself you like one of the other more? I guess you will do that once, then you would read the one you prefer and forget about the other.

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

I am happy with the trade paperback version.

[@paulseidler1644]

@@juselara02 you're clearly looking at it purely from a readers perspective. The content in this absolute is actually dense enough to practically act like a college course in crafting a masterpiece story to any aspiring comics creators out there. The original full script by Miller, several sketches and thumbnails, and the original colors in book 2 to provide a color study in approaching a story. I don't mean to sound pompous, but if you have no interest in the creative process of comics, you couldn't possibly understand the value in this collection.

[@uncle_ben_rices_nephew]

@@paulseidler1644 Plus with it being his favorite Batman story, why not have it in arguably it’s best format?

[@Flagz69]

​@@juselara02 it's the only way to have original color in absolute format, period.

[@carrion_man3700]

This is a MUST own. I have it and I'm not upset about it, lol! It's not just the story, it's the mastery of pacing. Just a classic of sequential art. And the color treatment is masterful. Just get it if you don't have it.

[@stephenjohnson9745]

As an aspiring writer, I might get this just for that script in the back to study. I love the story and have it in one of the numerous trades from over the years

[@bige6678]

Great review. I always enjoy when you talk about the importance of a story to you. This book to me is the best book I've ever read in any format, it's expensive but it warrants the price tag.

[@goosey235]

Excellent overview - and speaking of Mazzucchelli, now let's convince Marvel to do something similar for Born Again 😉

[@paulmcgrew2932]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MP.860]

Such a great Absolute Edition. Think you might do one on Absolute Batman: The Killing Joke? That one also has both colorings and the script.

[@hamzadawud]

I love this edition, and was thankfully able to find a copy on the Amazon Marketplace for about $65 some months back. As a fan of the Absolute format and the original colors of this particular story, I don't regret my purchase.

[@arthursantileone227]

In Brazil is about $40 today.

[@GuardianKyle]

"Say. . . " 🕰 "It's Miller time."

[@minime220]

I bought the TP when I was still new to buying comics so I didn’t research editions prior. I got so jealous when I saw my friend’s Deluxe Edition of Year One. I plan on buying this Absolute Edition because it’s tied with Court of Owls as my favorite Batman comic and this buy will be a milestone for me as a newbie collector because this will be my first time “upgrading”. All my GNs right now are the only versions of them that I own.

[@imtheaaiden]

Have been looking around and waiting to find this for the right price, 100% need to add it to my collection at some point. Such a great story.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed😊

[@davidc1664]

Wish Marvel would do this with Simonsons Thor

[@callmetopgun45]

I’d buy this in a heartbeat, but man it’s expensive lol. I’ll wait for a deluxe edition

[@danwidner6721]

Im sure someone else has made this comparison before, but maybe a good way to describe the color difference I like "VHS vs 4K". "You watched that old vhs back in the day until the tape wore out..." kind of thing. As an artistic person myself, I appreciate the original colors but maybe prefer the new color from what I see in the video. New colors give it that noir feel similar to Brubaker and Phillips. I still haven't read this yet though. I'm really hoping DC will reprint the deluxe edition. I'm more of a deluxe guy anyway for the size and price reasons.

[@ryanp8021]

For me, this is a top 5 Batman story and I like getting my favorite stories in the best format possible, but the pricing on this one in particular is egregious, especially compared to Absolute Killing Joke, or the giant books Image puts out from Rick Remender etc. Still an all time great book that everyone should read in their format of choice. Great overview, thanks Omar

[@mr.elixer2455]

Would love a reprint of the deluxe edition.

[@1297skypred]

Not only is this the definitive origin and best place to start reading Batman, it’s honestly a great place to start reading DC. Brief and subtle nods to Superman and Joker, Gotham established as one of the main settings and Batmans origin. This is a great way to start your DC journey

[@spitzkopflarry6155]

Definitely a story worth the Absolute edition 🦇🦇

[@nicktroisi6347]

I don’t care if DC gives Batman a new origin every few years, this is his DEFINITIVE Origin and you can’t change my mind. Any person who wants to get into comic books or wants to start with Batman, tell them to read this first, this is the book you start with for DC. That and COIE 😂.

[@erwingu]

Still my favorite batman story of all time. Thank you for this retroview Mr. Uncanny!

[@realdopecomics]

I’ve been looking for the Deluxe edition to this

[@RMarsupial]

Dang man don't know how I feel about "recolourings". This example is interesting because, as you say, they aren't *massively* different. I wouldn't be surprised if the "new" colours are more what the original artists actually intended, but there are definitely things I like about the old colours more. I really like a lot of the more prominent pinks. The other big thing for me is so many of the backgrounds in modern comics/recolourings looks like a photoshop/windows movie maker type computer-generated "gradient" whereas the backgrounds in the original colourings are far more "organic" looking.

[@johncotton29]

Hi Omar, thanks for this overview. I see that there is four script pages per page in Vol. 2. Would you say that the font is still big enough to read comfortably?

[@robertday4390]

A double dip in the same slipcase! Brilliant story and art but I’m happy to stay with my deluxe edition even though the absolute format is so good.

[@toeknee1505]

Thanks for the overview, Omar! I own the Deluxe Edition.

[@just23bulls]

An utmost worthy book to do a retroview for! :) Algorithm gang!

[@NearMintCondition]

My man!

[@netman2988]

​ @Near Mint Condition Forgot to tell you. I personally own two copies of the 2005 hardcover deluxe edition right now. One is already opened. Another one is still fresh shrink wrapped and is on my shelf.

[@marcelo-ramos]

So much I have heard about the different coloring, I expected something more drastic. I like the story, but I'm fine with the Deluxe Edition.

[@21roy_]

Old coloring all day! BUT- the new coloring is great too

[@colonelweird]

0:46 Organic Priced Books sent you this book but Cheap Graphic Novels is still your sponsor? That seems kind of unusual. I just read Year One for the first time, using the current trade paperback. Great comic, but much too short. I kept hoping there'd be more. It's possible to find this Absolute for around $75, but I'm not sure I need it that much. Please do more overviews of older titles - I really liked this one.

[@netman2988]

Nice review on the famous story of the decades. But that's one thing you got wrong. The recolored was originally done in the first trade paperback and hardcover in 1988, not the 2005 edition you own. The 2005 edition simply reprinted the same pages from the 1988 edition with Mazzucchelli only supplied bonus materials and designed the cover.

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, someone else brought that up earlier and I found that really interesting. Thanks for sharing too.

[@OrangeGeemer]

I've been looking into the trades and I think they always had the updated colors, the original colors are only found in the single issues.

[@The.Crystal.Clods.]

Easily one of the best absolutes I’ve bought

[@JB-ou6fl]

For those interested in this book, it is currently available at Hamilton Book for $44.95. That is a very good price for this Absolute Edition.

[@vincentimbesi3947]

Very nice overview. For me the new colors are SO much better! And I own the original comics. 👍🏼

[@kytim89]

Is Batman Year One a prequel to the Caped Crusader and the Dark Detective trade paper backs?

[@christophergrant5280]

Hey man I was wondering because I want to get into Wolverine but I don't know where to start I was wondering if you put that on patreon for a reading order

[@NearMintCondition]

I am writing ideas down this weekend. For sure

[@maths1995]

Do you guys think that its a must buy?

[@jenna9562]

Anyone know if the deluxe edition has all those extras? An absolute for 4 issues is too steep for my wallet and too tall for my shelves but I would love to read all those letters and the scripts.

[@NearMintCondition]

I don’t know if they have original colors but they did have the extras in the back.

[@jenna9562]

Awesome, thanks for the reply!

[@Joseph-cp6du]

Got the deluxe edition. I'm good.

[@amanwithouthope9475]

Never read this story before but i know i want a hardcover but its also 75 dollars and it would be my first read so old or new colors don’t really effect me so i dont know what to do my lcs has a deluxe trade paperback

[@amanwithouthope9475]

I bought the trade might upgrade once the price of this goes down its a good story

[@fil27010]

I hope DC will reprint the Deluxe Edition!

[@Phantom.468]

one of my favorite batman stories but idk about the cost of this absolute

[@HistoriaenCeluloide]

I don't think there is a compilation of Batman year One Two and Three 😎

[@turtleanton6539]

Nope

[@Krypton_Ken]

I have the deluxe edition but I'd like to pick this up also. Next to Killing Joke and Dark Knight Returns, Year One rounds out my holy trinity of favorite Batman stories.

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

Year one is definitely a masterclass in how to create a superb comic. Problem for me is it feels like it has a abrupt finish. Really needed another few issues to flesh the characters out more and have a more definitive start to Batman's career. mazzucchelli is suited perfectly for Batman though. Personally I like Zero year better.🙂

[@jetrolappalainen6497]

Spot on! Felt empty after reading this

[@turtleanton6539]

Sicc

[@Martin_TheCollector]

Easily my favorite Batman tale by crazy uncle Franky. I used to really enjoy TDKR, but now I think it's a bit overrated and half of the art is somewhat terrible. Must be because Klaus Janson left the project early. Year One is elevated a ton by David's majestical artwork. Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum aren't as great yet I also own their absolute editions. Almost got Black Mirror in this format too, a deluxe edition is perfectly fine though. Still waiting on that.

[@turtleanton6539]

Xd

[@sasquatchgeddes4059]

🤘🚑🇨🇦

[@shadowl3gion641]

Is batman year one part of the batman: dark knight saga

[@theotherguy21]

No it's kinda It's own thing with the dark knight returns I think all star batman and robin is in the same universe

[@shadowl3gion641]

@@theotherguy21 ok cool mate thanks for help

[@deadmousyplutaprestige8771]

I was all in till I heard 125 bucks. I'll stick with my softcover from Goodwill for 1.99 thank you.