Book club to tackle ‘Batman: Year One’
Word Balloons #1219: Acclaimed graphic novel to kick off series of discussions
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to dive back into the murky world of a crime-infested Gotham City in the early days of the Batman, Speeding Bullet Comics has an opportunity for you.
In conjunction with the Pioneer Library System, Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N. Porter Ave. in Norman, Oklahoma, will host a book discussion of “Batman: Year One” at 6 p.m. June 20.
This is the first in the series of comics-based discussions facilitated by Dave Brown.
The discussion is aimed at adults, and registration is required.
Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s “Batman: Year One” is a comic-book classic, recounting the early adventures of Batman and police Lt. James Gordon in a corrupt, crime-infested Gotham City. The story was originally serialized in issues 404 through 407 of DC Comics’ “Batman” title in 1987.
“Year One” has been influential in nearly all the Batman adaptations in other media since, including “Mask of the Phantasm” and Christopher Nolan’s Batman films.” Miller’s darker takes on Batman in “Year One” and the earlier “Dark Knight Returns” were influential on the 1989 “Batman” film and the more recent Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson performances.
Miller was the writer of the series; Mazzucchelli provided the art. Longtime “Batman” writer and editor Denny O’Neil was the editor for the “Year One” story.
Digital & physical copies are available to check out via the Pioneer Library System and available to purchase at Speeding Bullet.
To register or for more info, visit https://bit.ly/3yGQdcc
For Frank Miller fans, this June is a good month – the writer/artist is appearing at Fan Expo Dallas this weekend, and the film documentary Frank Miller: American Genius will screen in theaters for one night only on June 10.
Cinemark describes the film as follows:
FRANK MILLER: AMERICAN GENIUS documents the unique journey of an unparalleled American artist. The film explores the near half-century career of the legendary comic book artist and writer. Made for his fans following a near death experience, the documentary delves into Miller’s radical and defining influence on art, storytelling and culture. Following his small town beginnings in Vermont, to New York City, Hollywood, and beyond; this intimate documentary delves into his failures, successes, self-destruction and re-discovery.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.