Batman: Year One - Chapter 1

DC High Volume: Batman

This episode adapts Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's seminal *Batman: Year One* comic, introducing parallel origin stories for Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon as they arrive

Key takeaways

• Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham after 12 years abroad, using a fabricated Hollywood scandal to mask his reconnaissance work while training under Alfred's guidance beneath Wayne Manor.
• Lieutenant James Gordon transfers from Chicago to Gotham, immediately clashing with Detective Flass and facing intense pressure from Commissioner Loeb to conform to departmental corruption.

Main topics

• Gotham City corruption
• dual protagonist origins

Notable quotes

"This is no place to raise a family."

Conclusion

The episode effectively establishes the gritty, grounded tone of Mille

Transcript preview

Speaker 3 (0:00) You're listening to DC High Volume, Batman. Speaker 3 (0:05) Lieutenant James Gordon, a recent transfer from Chicago, is on his way to Gotham City and about to learn of the rot that eats at its heart. Speaker 2 (0:16) Meanwhile, Speaker 3 (0:17) prodigal son Bruce Wayne returns after years abroad to honor a vow he made to his murdered parents. He will become the greatest crime fighter the world has ever known, Speaker 7 (0:28) but Speaker 3 (0:29) it Speaker 7 (0:29) won't be easy. Speaker 3 (0:31) And now, Year One, Chapter One. Speaker 5 (0:57) Gotham City. Speaker 5 (1:01) Maybe it's all I deserve now. Speaker 5 (1:05) Or maybe it's just my time in hell. Speaker 5 (1:12) hours. Speaker 5 (1:13) My stomach's been trying to eat itself for the last five. Speaker 5 (1:21) Barbara's flying it. I don't care how much it costs. Train's no way to come to Gotham. In an airplane, from above, all you'd see are the streets and buildings. Speaker 5 (1:32) Fully under thinking it's civilized. Speaker 6 (1:52) Clean shafts of concrete and snowy rooftops. Speaker 6 (1:56) who died generations ago. Speaker 6 (2:02) like an achievement. Speaker 6 (2:06) I should have taken the train. Speaker 6 (2:09) I should be closer. Speaker 6 (2:12) I should see the enemy. Speaker 5 (2:21) By now Barbara's gotten her tests back. I only hate myself a little for hoping to come out negative Speaker 5 (2:28) This is no place to raise a family. Speaker 4 (2:30) Nice book for a small donation? No, Speaker 5 (2:31) please. Speaker 4 (2:32) Gordon? Lieutenant James Gordon? Yeah, yeah, that's Speaker 7 (2:35) me. That's a Speaker 4 (2:35) nice book. Speaker 7 (2:36) Look Speaker 4 (2:36) at Speaker 7 (2:36) the picture. Speaker 4 (2:37) Walk, skinhead. Sorry. Thanks a lot, Lieutenant. Detective Flass. Commissioner Loeb sent me to make sure you didn't miss your appointment with him. Good to meet you, Flass. Hope you don't mind if I call you Jimmy. Well, I... Speaker 4 (2:54) Welcome to Gotham, Jimmy. It's not as bad as it looks. Especially if you're a cop. Cops got it made in Gotham. Speaker 5 (3:13) Welcome home, Mr. Wayne. How's it feel to be back, Mr. Wayne? Speaker 6 (3:22) The Speaker 1 (3:22) 25-year-old heir to the Wayne Millions declined to comment on rumors of romance in his life or on his plans on his return to Gotham after 12 years abroad. We'll keep you posted on Gotham's richest and best-looking native son. Tom? Speaker 2 (3:36) Thank you, Jackie. Following the disappearance of a key witness, Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent has withdrawn conspiracy charges against Police Commissioner Gillian Loeb. Commissioner Loeb had been accused of accepting... Speaker 7 (3:51) You know, we're all delighted to have you on the team, Lieutenant. You'll get my best work, Commissioner Loeb. I promise. And we are a team. A team needs team spirit, don't you think? Yes, it does. And your record shows you've got what it Speaker 5 (4:07) takes. I know I made my mistake, sir. I'm grateful for this chance to prove myself. Speaker 7 (4:14) If there's one thing I can't stand, it's smoking. Speaker 7 (4:22) What mistakes have you made, Lieutenant? Speaker 7 (4:28) You kept the media away from him. That's the bottom line, isn't it? Yes, it is. Speaker 5 (4:35) I'd feel better about toughening out the nicotine fit if I didn't have to smell those eucalyptus cough drops of his. I Speaker 7 (4:40) swear you won't have to worry about my honesty, Commissioner. Last thing on my mind. Speaker 7 (4:46) Last thing. Speaker 5 (5:04) Alfred? I trust you've been well, Master Bruce? Speaker 6 (5:12) Built as a fortress, generations past. To protect a fading line of royalty from an age of equals. Speaker 6 (5:26) It's good to be back. Speaker 4 (5:43) I knew you'd like the Commissioner, Jimmy. And he'll be just as good to you as you are to