Batman: Year one is based on the comic book written by Frank Miller and drawn by David Mazzuchelli done back in the late 1980's. The animated feature stars James Gordon who just transferred to Gotham City Police Department and Bruce Wayne who has just returned to Gotham after 12 years of traveling the world. It also features the start of Selina Kyle's new life as Catwoman.

Gordon and Wayne both make their entrance to Gotham when it and its citizens are in the most need of saving. Not only is crime high but the local law enforcement is corrupt and working with criminal organizations.

The movie starts with Gordon being picked up at the station by his new fellow co-worker Detective Flass. Flass immediately shows his love for using force by throwing a man trying to sell literature to Gordon out of the way. Later we get to see Flass also beat up a young man in the street for no reason. Gordon decides to keep it to himself and wait so he can gather enough proof to be able to put a stop to it down the road. His fellow officers aren't fans of Gordon. He's actually doing good and not playing by their game. That game being taking bribes and participating in various other crimes. Flass and a few others decide to teach him a lesson and don masks and use bats when they ambush Gordon. The ambush also comes with a threat to Gordon's newly pregnant wife. Gordon retaliates back later on and ambushes Flass while he's driving home. He beats Flass up then leaves him naked and handcuffed as a message to keep away. Flass got the message.

Bruce Wayne on the other hand has been working hard training for the last 12 years. He decides to go out and stake out the city while in disguise. A young prostitute tries to get his attention which angers her pimp because she's not doing it right. Wayne and the pimp exchange words which starts a fight with a bunch of people that work for the pimp. The young prostitute stabs Wayne's leg which causes him to force her away. This catches the attention of Selena Kyle who decides to join the fight to defend her young friend. Police finally show up and one of them shoots the unarmed Wayne because as the police officer says, he was probably going to attack them anyway. While bleeding in the back seat Wayne come to and fights the officers which causes the police car to crash. He manages to pull the two knocked out police men away from the vehicle before it explodes and finally manages to make it home. Bleeding he begs his long dead father for a sign of what he should do. That's when a bat crashes through his window and gives him that sign he's been looking for.

As the months go on both men start making a mark in Gotham. Despite Gordon becoming a hero to the people the commissioner and his cronies finally decide Gordon's going to have to play ball. At the same time the masked vigilante known as Batman has also been making an impression by stopping crimes and making a difference just like Gordon. Things are coming to a head though because the police have been told to put a stop to the Batman. At the same time the corrupt police force is going to try to also get rid of the only man on the force actually doing good for Gotham.

DC gave this one some love animation and design wise. The animation was good and the designs were very nice. The extra lines on the faces gave it a much more realistic look which I really enjoyed. Voice wise it was decent. Eliza Dushku (Doll House, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) does the voice for Selina Kyle (Catwoman), and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), voices Sarah Essen. Both are great as are most of the cast. Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcom in the Middle), was great as Jim Gordon. Ben McKenzie (The O.C.), on the other hand just sounded unimpressive. It could just be the script but for some reason he sounded out of place. His voice wasn't bad, it just didn't seem to fit the character.

Bonus materials includes an animated short starring Catwoman. Once again voiced by Eliza Dushku using the more contemporary costume. We also get a look at the next DC animated movie which looks great. Justice League: Doom. This one brings back most of the voice cast from the animated series so I'm sure it will please many fans. The story will be a cross between The Legion of Doom from the old animated show and Justice League storyline Tower of Babel. If you haven't read that one make sure to pick it up. It's awesome.

If you are a Batman fan and must have everything with the caped crusader then Batman: Year One is another disc to add to your collection. It is worth watching. The art design alone was personally worth it for me. But this felt more like something you may want to catch on a video stream like Netflix or a DVD rental than to purchase.