| There have been well-written and drawn graphic novels about Batman over the years. Batman: Year One and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns certainly sits up top of the heap for most books being bought as a collection or borrowed several times in a library. Of course, that counts for digital formats that has become part of the norm since the pandemic it is the only way you can find time to acquire them unless you’re nearby library to be able to physically borrow a copy or two.
But a good digital read in the form that tells the tales of a modern Batman gives you something to look forward to now that today is Batman Day. Sure, there won’t be gatherings this year due to COVID-19 though to celebrate this year is sharing a good read of anything related to the cape crusader as the character is 81 years young after appearing in Detective Comics #27 seems a stretch for saying it was just yesterday. Currently, Detective Comics is now on issue no. 1027 and its timely to have the opportunity to reads six-issue run of the Batman series from 2016, which was compiled as Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham, which feature Tom King with Scott Snyder and also features David Finch artwork that also includes Mikel Janin, Ivan Reis, Matt Banning, Danny Miki, Sandra Hope, Scott Hana, Joe Prado, and Oclair Albert as the creative team for the duration of the first six issue of the series. |
Published: 11 January 2017
Age Rating: Teen
Language: English
It was part of the Rebirth range of books from DC Comics after DC Comics rebooted their franchise with The New 52 that takes the fans and readers-alike back to where they know this Batman in a new look namely the costume as well as the introductions of the new characters.
The first few pages see how Batman rely assistance from Alfred through communications and also at the same time this is the first appearance of Duke Thomas who would later become The Signal. David Finch is known to fans as being one of the favorites illustrating Batman as he did had a previous run several years ago, and had the opportunity to interview him when he visited Manila in 2012.
Tom King a prolific writer takes the reigns in writing the series and it’s a good jump on point for new readers without the need to collect the individual issues, though for serious collectors the first issue is the one they’ll take from the series due to the importance of Duke Thomas who would later become part of a new team that Batman would form be part of the Outsiders.
Though not a hardcore fan this series is a good enough read, but not as spectacular as the well-known graphic novels that chronicle the adventures of Batman it gives the weird vibe and the complex understanding how a character named Gotham & Gotham Girl would fit in the narrative. The main baddie in this tale is the return of Hugo Strange and the super villain known as the Psycho-Pirate, which also takes you to revelations in deep that also connect Amanda Waller as well, which is one bad lady to deal with that makes this for something that ties to the Suicide Squad.
But the focus is the narrative of Gotham & Gotham Girl how this book would wrap up, but leaves some bread crumbs for future stories. It gives you that different take on how Tom King crafts this one and tries to also give you the resolve you need the weirdness towards the end of the pages. Despite that element of narrative there are notable best parts of this book, namely the modern reintroduction of Calendar Man, which originally was a campy character that Tom King and Scott Snyder put together to make him interestingly dark character. The other seen in this book is the small appearances of Kite Man though not as impactful as Calendar Man you can get a chance to see this character too .
Overall this book is a good start for someone who would be interested in Batman and the world he moves in, but entirely for the casual it is a good read though not the best as there are other Batman graphic novels out there that really shine. This one doesn’t grow immediately ever stick to that landing zone, but it was good read nonetheless.
Libby App and Marion Library
This digital copy of Batman Vol.1, I Am Gotham was borrowed through Marion Libraries using the Libby App, which is good for 21 days and it’s free of charge. All you need to do is download the app on your mobile phone and have your library card. The app has partnered with libraries and online reading sites all over the world. It is a digital library that lets you access ebooks, audio books, and magazines, all for the reasonable price of free. Sign in, link your library card, and go—it’s that simple.
Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham is a digital copy loaned at Marion Libraries through Libby App. Check your local comic shops and bookstores for its physical copy availability.
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