Episode 305


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Tweaking the origins of superheroes is nothing new, but in 1985 DC rebooted their entire line of comics - allowing a handful of creative masterminds the opportunity to reshape classic characters. The three biggest, of course, were comprised of DC's Trinity: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. In this edition of Waiting for the Trade, Dan and Mike take a look at those stories (Batman: Year One, The Man of Steel and Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals) to see how well they did their job, and if they withstood the test of time. [ 1:17:44 || 35.7 MB ]

The above is from: http://www.earth-2.net/theshow/episodes/e2ts_305.mp3

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Without a doubt, Gordon knows. Looking back at the book, I *don't* think Barbra knows. She might, but it just doesn't lend itself to the future of the character.

EDIT: And it's been retconned that Selina was posing as a hooker to rob the "johns".

EDIT #2: I like Year One, a lot. But I do actually think Killing Joke is better.

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Remember though, this isn't the Batman we've come to know over the years. This was Batman as he was in that first year. So he made a lot of bad decisions and choices he would never make today. In my mind, he took his helmet off to show Barbara he wasn't one of the bad guys, that Jim was right about him being Batman. And if her son was to be saved, she had to trust him just as he was trusting her.

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EDIT: And it's been retconned that Selina was posing as a hooker to rob the "johns".

That's lame, 'cause she was still hooking.

EDIT #2: I like Year One, a lot. But I do actually think Killing Joke is better.

The Killing Joke is an excellent story, but Year One has so much more depth.

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Guest DCAUFan1051

listening now..... again I hate to say it in every new episode thread but it must be said..... awesome podcast artwork! And I must say even though my comics knowlege is very limited ever since I found E-2 The Show I've wanted to get back into comics. The problem is the lack of funds.

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Yoda, you are of course right tin saying that modern Daredevil is very much the product of the styling of Year One and of course it owes a great deal to the work of Frank Miller on that very title during the late 70's and 80's. However the direct influence of Year One on the current creative team of Brubaker and Lark can be seen on their earlier collaboration with Greg Rucka on what I consider the finest most consistent Bat-book in recent history, Gotham Central. In particular the art style of Lark goes to great lengths to replicate the black and grey very simple Batman we see in Year One, so far in fact that even though they are set in completely different eras and scarcely feature any of the same characters I consider them companion pieces due to their similarities. Gordon's role is fleshed out into an entire department and the Batman becomes what so many people write him as, a mythical unbeatable champion that is frustratingly always 5 steps ahead. Its a natural progression of what Miller created.

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It almost makes me angry when people try to argue whether or not Gordon has known who Batman was since year one. OF COURSE HE DOES.

Another storyline to point at to further push the point, Blind Justice. In that one Gordon seeks out Bruce and to tell him his opinion that if Batman ever wanted to retire, that he had earned it. Now why in the world would Jim Gordon seek out Bruce Wayne, just to tell him his opinion like that?

Also, Gordons response to the story about the Waynes in R.I.P. He was FURIOUS! But why would Gordon be so upset about some story about a couple dead billionaires, unless he had a close personal friend that might be effected by the story?

I also believe the Joker knows who Batman is, but doesn't care. He has no interest in Bruce Wayne, but Batman... that's another story.

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Where does Barbara go from here? She and Jim divorce, but is she seen in comics after this?

She's still in the continuity in The Long Halloween which takes place obviously after Year One. She tehn leaves Jim off-screen, but comes back to him in Dark Victory. They then adopt Barbara in the Haunted Knight trade. She then leaves Jim for the final time and takes James Jr. with her in the Turning Point trade.

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  • 4 months later...
Guest birdleson

I just listened to this one as there is no World's Finest Podcast this week.

A couple of notes. I was just out of college when BATMAN: YEAR ONE cam eout. IT was a big deal, but it did not make the splash that THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE WATCHMEN did a couple of years earlier.

from the first read, I took it as a given that Gordon saw that it was Wayne. Reread THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, it wa set-up there.

Mazzuchelli had taken over the art chores from Miller and Jansen several years earlier, that's the connection.

In response to the Bizzaro issue of THE MAN OF STEEL being a throw away issue, it was. I had met Byrne at a convention in Ithaca, NY a year before (he was very nice about going over my portfolio). That was where he first announced that he was doing Superman from scratch. He laid out the six issues, just as they appeared, BUT, their was a JLA issue. Apparently DC ended up putting the Kibosh on that and Bizzaro was thrown in as a replacement. I hate that Lance Armstrong.

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