This review contains spoilers.

And so it Begins. Zero Year, the new origin by which all others will most likely be judged. So? Is it good? Is it re-doing Year One? Do Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo do it again? All will be answered right here , my friends.

Zero Year is NOT Year One, which was the origin of The Batman for the 1980’s Zero Year is one for a modern Batman who grew up in a more modern world. Right from the start of the book you know that Zero Year is going in a completely different direction.

The Book starts six years ago in Gotham, and the opening segment clearly takes place further down the road than the main story. It hints that the Red Hood Gang may be taking over Gotham, putting it in a post apocalyptic – esque state that forces Batman to take the city back. The story cuts to the present day , with Bruce trying to thwart the Red Hood Gang, much like in the Zero Issue from last September. We see how cocky and headstrong Bruce can be during this segment. The Issue then transitions to some history of Gotham, as well as some of Bruce’s new backstory in New 52 continuity. We get some nice heart-toheart between Bruce and his father. And at the end of the main story, the arc’s villain is revealed.

Year One was meant to establish Batman and James Gordon . Zero Year , however, will focus on more than Bruce’s transformation into Batman; it strives to show Bruce becoming a just, and heroic man without the mask. The back-up by James Tynion IV and Snyder (with art by Rafael Albuquerque) really hammers this idea home showing how Bruce as a 19 year old can be heroic.

THE POSITIVE

Zero Year was exactly what I was hoping for. It’s a fresh origin for Bruce , and doesn’t try to emulate Year One ’s style. It has so much to live up to, but if this issue is any indication , Zero Year will certainly be on par with any Batman origin story to date.

What else needs to be said about Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo ? They are master craftsmen. Snyder weaves a story that pulls you in right from the beginning, and holy hell can Capullo draw Batman! He gets better with every issue, and the inks by Danny Miki are sick.

Tynion really understands how Bruce works as a character, and Albuquerque’s art is full of energy and action. Pretty much every department of this issue is stellar. We are also going to finally see Snyder try his hand at writing Riddler (back-up stories aside) as a big villain of the book along side the Red Hood Gang. Batman issue #2 leaves you frothing at the mouth for more.

THE NEGATIVE

Wait what? Negatives? I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking me. The only negative I can think of is that the three different time periods occurring in this book requires a lot of attention on the part of the reader , but there isn’t much to complain about here.

THE VERDICT: (5/5)

What were you expecting? This book goes above and beyond my expectations. There is so much set up that you can’t help but be excited for the next 10 or so issues. Snyder, Capullo and friends have set up something really special that should be a treat for all Bat-Fans old or new . This is the perfect jumping – on point for people who were waiting for the perfect time to start reading Batman.