The Dark Knight Rises: New Graphic Novel Shows Batman in Different Light

In the midst of the long awaited upcoming move "The Dark Knight Rises," Batman fans have a chance to read about the "Caped Crusader" once more in the graphic novel "Batman: Earth One."

"Batman: Earth One," written by Geoff Johns with artist Gary Frank, gives a different perspective of the Batman everyone knows in the upcoming movie.

According to USA Today, the new graphic novel places Batman at the start of his career, "where his Bat-grappling hook is glitch and falling down the side of buildings is not unusual."

"I like starting out this early, where it's just a guy in a suit and a couple of things that don't work," Johns says. "Everyone takes for granted that Batman's just really good at what he does and that he knows what he's doing and it's all about the villains."

"Gary and I took a step back and said, 'This is about this guy, Bruce Wayne. This is about Alfred. This is about Gotham. This is about the other characters around him.' And really make it a story about a person before it's a story about Batman."

The hardcover graphic novel recently hit comic book shops (July 4), just weeks before Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises," which will be released on July 20.

In addition to crafting a different Dark Knight for a different time, the writer explores a Gotham City with tweaked but familiar places and characters and a more human story, USA Today reported.

There's no giant penny in a Batcave, and actually no Batcave. Bruce Wayne's "Batmobile" is an ordinary car with tinted windows. There's no Arkham Asylum jam-packed with costumed bad guys - the Penguin is stripped down and makes an appearance in a different way than ever before, and there is a knowing, artistic nod to Two-Face in a single panel.

There is also a difference in the crime fighter's eyes. Instead of cold and white, Johns replaced them with ones that show Bruce Wayne's emotional and vulnerable sides.

According to the Examiner, the novel is relevant for new readers and "angst-ridden teens."

"He just doesn't have a lot of experience in life, he's been really sheltered and the only real teacher he's had in his life is Alfred," Johns said of his Wayne revived, according to the LA Times. "He speaks with a totally different voice and point of view [than the Batman in DC titles]. All the characters are changed."

In the comic book, Batman has only one agenda: to solve his parents' murder and get revenge.

DC Comics described Batman saying, "Batman is not a hero. He is just a man. Fallible, vulnerable, and angry."

"Batman: Earth One" will be released in bookstores everywhere on July 10.

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