DC Comics is reprinting Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli’s Batman: Year One.
DC Comics announced it will be reprinting Batman: Year One with special facsimile editions this coming December.
DC revealed in its December solicitations that Batman #404-407, originally published in 1987, will be reprinted with its original covers and all, including the era-specific advertisements. DC will release the special facsimile editions weekly starting Dec. 5, with each comic having a special foil variant cover. Batman #404’s reprint will also have a blank sketch variant. In addition to the facsimile editions of Batman #404-407, DC is also planning a hardcover edition of the stories to be published as David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One Artist’s Edition expected for release in 2024.
BATMAN #404 FACSIMILE EDITION
- Written by FRANK MILLER
- Art and cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
- Foil variant cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI ($5.99 US)
- Blank sketch variant
- $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 12/5/23
BATMAN #405 FACSIMILE EDITION
- Written by FRANK MILLER
- Art and cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
- Foil variant cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI ($5.99 US)
- $3.99 US | 32 pages
- ON SALE 12/12/23
BATMAN #406 FACSIMILE EDITION
- Written by FRANK MILLER
- Art and cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
- Foil variant cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI ($5.99 US)
- $3.99 US | 32 pages
- ON SALE 12/19/23
BATMAN #407 FACSIMILE EDITION
- Written by FRANK MILLER
- Art and cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI
- Foil variant cover by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI ($5.99 US)
- $3.99 US | 32 pages
- ON SALE 12/26/23
Batman: Year One Story and Influence
The issues of Batman that make up the Year One arc tell the story of Bruce Wayne’s early days as Batman, showcasing his first year in the bat suit while also covering Jim Gordon’s start in Gotham and exploring the relationship between the two. “Before Batman became synonymous with striking fear into the hearts of cowardly and superstitious criminals, there was just Bruce Wayne, an orphaned millionaire who was Gotham City’s prodigal son by day and an angry vigilante by night,” said DC. “In order to inspire real change, he will need to become something more than a man…he will need to become a symbol. Lieutenant James Gordon is a good cop who’s tired of the corruption that has infiltrated every aspect of Gotham, including the GCPD. Together, these two might stand a chance of restoring some sense of order in Gotham City—if the mob or dirty cops don’t take them out first!”
The Year One story has become one of the most well-known runs in Batman history, going on to influence the films Batman Begins and The Batman (2022). The comics also inspired an animated film in 2011 where Ben McKenzie voiced Bruce Wayne. He would later go on to play the role of James Gordon in the TV series Gotham. Joining McKenzie in the animated Batman: Year One was Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston as the voice of Gordon.
DC’s Batman: Year One reprint will begin with Batman #404 Facsimile Edition, which will be released in comic book shops on Dec. 5.
Source: DC Comics