Batman: Year One

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's definitive 1988 reimagining of the Dark Knight's origin, published by DC, strips Batman down to his gritty, human core. This four-issue prestige-format story follows a young Bruce Wayne's first year as a vigilante in a corrupt Gotham, paralleling his journey with that of a newly transferred Lieutenant James Gordon. Its stark, realistic art and noir-influenced storytelling set a new standard for the character, influencing decades of Batman comics and adaptations.