The editorial team asked one of our very talented interns with limited knowledge of Batman’s story outside of the movies to check out I Am Batman #0 and see if it’s accessible to newer readers as well as more seasoned fans.
I Am Batman #0, the debut issue of the series from writer John Ridley and artist Travel Foreman, puts a fresh and timely spin on a classic hero’s story. The comic picks up where Second Son presumably left off, allowing readers to dive deeper into the complexity of Tim “Jace” Fox’s character. He is a vigilante, yet peacemaker.
Whether you’re a comic fan or not, we’ve all gone through periods of uncertainty leading to self-discovery. We constantly grow and evolve, uncovering new facets of ourselves that we did not even know existed. As the issue begins, Jace faces an internal struggle. He has vowed to become a force for good in the city in which he grew up, yet he’s unsure if he’s ready for the obstacles to come. Jace’s experience with putting on the batsuit for the first time is more relatable than one might think at first glance, especially me. It goes to show how daunting it is to fill someone else’s shoes, especially those of Bruce Wayne. Imposter syndrome is real, even for superheroes.
Much of issue #0 revolves around a dispute between mask-wearing protestors and law enforcement. The imagery of cops cracking down on protestors, often with force, is something that is hugely familiar today. More times than not, protests start out peacefully but often turn into riots as a result of excessive pushback from authorities—or in this case, extremists planted within the group of protestors looking for trouble. In an interesting twist, the demonstrators in I Am Batman are protesting for their right to wear masks in a city in which the air has turned toxic, while the government has taken an anti-mask stance. Although these scenes are quite literally the opposite of reality, they still draw striking parallels to our own society. Pulling imagery from familiar and timely experiences is a great way to bring this comic to the current era.
To read the full breakdown for I Am Batman #0, head over to DC Comics!
Have you checked out I Am Batman #0 yet? Let us know what you think in the comments! 
