Comics Review: "The Riddler: Year One" - A Loaded Question Mark

 

One of many highlights of "The Batman" was Paul Dano's performance as the Riddler. To prepare for the role, Dano developed ideas for Riddler's backstory, which director Matt Reeves was impressed with so much that he arranged a meeting between Dano and DC to portray them in a comic book. This would lead to "The Riddler: Year One", a six issue miniseries published through DC's Black Label imprint that acts as a prequel directly leading into Reeves' film. As we wait for the sequel and spin-off shows, this miniseries helps tide us over by giving us more insight into the Dark Knight's enigmatic enemy.

This book was so enthralling that I had to read it all in one sitting. In the beginning, Edward Nashton was a forensic accountant with dangerously low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts, eventually discovering the Renewal conspiracy as we saw in the film. This comic goes into detail of Nashton's thought process as he lays out his plans to root out the corruption in Gotham and how his idolization of the Batman leads him to create his own masked persona. While I admittedly found some ideas here derivative of the Joker movie, the comic adds new layers to Dano's performance and the Riddler's goals and motivations, as well as a hint of sympathy.

Assisting Dano with artwork on the series is Stevan Subic, who does a great job at showing Nashton's point of view of the world and his memories. For the most part, the art style has a grittiness similar to "The Imposter" (which is an apt comparison given that book's own connections with the film). But the parts that really stand out are Nashton's dark thoughts not only seen in his own mind but also corrupting his view of the real world. It brings such a surrealness that evokes Dave McKean's artwork from the 1989 Arkham Asylum graphic novel and to some degree the animated segments of Pink Floyd's "The Wall".

The fourth and fifth issues of the series were true standouts to me.
Issue four flashes back to Nashton's life in the orphanage up to taking the forensic accountant job. This is where the surrealness of Subic's artwork does wonders, with a good use of dark and light colors and stylistic choices as we travel through Nashton's perceived memories.

For a majority of issue five, we sift through one of Nashton's journals like we're actually reading one of the binders found in his apartment. The further in you go by reading his feelings and how he's conceiving his plans, the more deranged the handwriting and drawings become. While it's easy to read it in Dano's voice, it's like you can even hear the inflections in his voice like in the movie just from how the words look written on the page. While I said I read this book in one setting, I actually had to take a few minutes to return to reality before moving on to the final issue. I know Dano had been inspired by serial killers in his performance, but the manifesto that was issue five alone shows just how dedicated he was to the role.

In conclusion, if you enjoyed "The Batman" and want to learn more about what drove Edward Nashton's crusade, "The Riddler: Year One" is a must-read. As you take a trip through this character's psyche, you'll gain even more appreciation for an already stellar performance.