Batman Black and White, Vol. 1 by Katsuhiro Ōtomo and Ted McKeever and Bruce Timm and Joe Kubert and Howard Chaykin and Archie Goodwin and Walter Simonson and Jan Strnad and Kent Williams and Chuck Dixon and Neil Gaiman and Klaus Janson and Andy Helfer and Matt Wagner and Bill Sienkiewicz and Dennis O'Neil and Brian Bolland and Jo Duffy

"A man doesn't live forever-- a legend does. From the moment he declared war on crime, the Batman knew his story would eventually come to an end. But for each soul he has touched, either as an ally or an enemy, a lover or a friend, an inspiration or an obsession, the life of the Dark Knight-- and its tragic conclusion-- is viewed differently. Now those closest to the Caped Crusader gather for his memorial service. Stories are told, feelings are revealed and tears are shed in a final retrospective of Batman's long and astonishing career. And for those of you who think you know the Dark Knight, prepare to find out you never did" -- dust jacket flap.

Oh man. What a retelling of the dark knight's beginning's, definitely the definitive Batman origin story for his time as a young man returning to Gotham. What was really cool for me was seeing how moments from the Batman Begins and The Dark Knight movies were directly inspired by this key entry in the mythos. Some scenes felt a bit cut-up or cut short, but overall the graphic novel gives a great story with some very cool moments.
What surprised me was the dual-perspective of Lieutenant Gordon and Bruce Wayne, which meant less time with Batman but more time with the inhabitants and city of Gotham itself. It is presented as a dark, gritty and very adult world but the dialogue and brilliant art draw the reader in. And the theme of luck concludes in the beginning of a long-term friendship that adds realism to the tale by considering what is and isn't plausible in the Batman world.

Frank Miller's vision of an ageing Bruce Wayne once again taking up the mantle of Batman in the near future is one of the most well told and defining points in the Batman mythos. A must read for fans of Batman and comic lovers.