Batman: Zero Year

"Zero Year"
PublisherDC Comics
Publication dateJune 2013 – July 2014
Genre
Title(s)
Batman #21-27, 29-33
Action Comics #25
Batgirl #25
Batman Annual #2
Batwing #25
Batwoman #25
Birds of Prey #25
Catwoman #25
Detective Comics #25
The Flash #25
Green Arrow #25
Green Lantern Corps #25
Nightwing #25
Red Hood and the Outlaws #25
Main character(s)Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, Red Hood Gang, Edward Nygma, Superman, Barbara Gordon, Luke Fox, Black Canary, Catwoman, James Gordon, Barry Allen, John Stewart, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Kate Kane
Creative team
Writer(s)Scott Snyder
James Tynion IV
Artist(s)Greg Capullo
Rafael Albuquerque
Inker(s)Danny Miki
Letterer(s)Nick J. Napolitano
Taylor Esposito
Dezi Sienty
Colorist(s)Dave McCaig
FCO Plascencia
Editor(s)Mike Marts
Katie Kubert

"Zero Year" was a yearlong comic book crossover event published by DC Comics that began in June 2013 and ended in July 2014, featuring the superhero Batman. The series was written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV with artwork by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Rafael Albuquerque.

The story is intended to redefine the origin of Batman in The New 52, being a fresh story unconnected to other interpretations such as Batman: Year One. The story does, however, incorporate several elements from Batman: Year One, such as Bruce Wayne's long absence from Gotham City and his first attempts at vigilantism.[1]

Initially conceptualized as a Batman storyline,[2] it was announced that in November 2013, various titles would tie in directly to the "Zero Year" story line.[3] Writers of various titles in The New 52 were given the option of writing a tie-in to the storyline,[4] which would include their connections to Gotham City and first encounter with Batman.[5]

Snyder announced in December 2013 that issue 28 would no longer be a part of the event, as he had written much material that felt "too cramped" and extending the issue at this point would not give Capullo ample time to properly draw the new scenes. Thus, the original story from issue 28 was moved to issue 29, with issue 28 becoming a preview issue to the future storyline in Batman and the weekly, Batman Eternal. Issue 28 was written by Snyder and Tynion, with Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs providing the artwork.[6] The entire crossover received critical acclaim.

  1. ^ Robinson, Iann (August 14, 2013). "Batman #23: Becoming The Bat". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  2. ^ Moore, Matt (March 11, 2013). "BATMAN'S MYTHOLOGY GETTING NEW BOOST FROM DC". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  3. ^ Burlingame, Russ (August 9, 2013). "Batman: The Zero Year Will Tie Into The Flash, Action Comics, Green Lantern Corps, More". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  4. ^ Greenfield, Dan (June 10, 2013). "Zero Week EXCLUSIVE: 'Batman: Zero Year' event in November". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  5. ^ Wilson, Matt (August 7, 2013). "Back To Square Zero: 'Batman' Group Editor Mike Marts Reveals 'Zero Year' Tie-Ins [EXCLUSIVE]". MTV Geek. MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  6. ^ Snyder, Scott (December 10, 2013). "A bat-announcement!". TwitLonger. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.