DC’s The Riddler: Year One #1 expands the story of fan-favorite villain, The Riddler, played by Paul Dano, from Matt Reeves’ film, The Batman, and adds depth and intrigue to the life of Edward Nashton. Written by Paul Dano, this story brings readers back to the terrifyingly twisted character they met in The Batman, exploring the character’s origins. Dano takes Director Matt Reeves and Writer Mattson Tomlin’s masterfully crafted character and builds an emotional backstory. With art by artist Stevan Subic making his American comics debut, this first issue shows how one man refused to go through life unnoticed.
The Riddler: Year One #1 introduces readers to Edward Nashton as he puts his intellect to work as a forensic accountant in Gotham City. Edward is quiet, awkward, and a loner. He goes through his days battling intrusive thoughts that cross his mind and show just how tortured Nashton truly is. When he stumbles across online forums about a masked man making a difference in Gotham, he begins to transform into the shocking and disturbed villain viewers saw in The Batman.
Paul Dano crafts a beautifully tragic and deranged backstory. When his dialogue hits the page, it’s hard not to read it in his voice. The Riddler: Year One #1 makes the reader feel each emotion alongside Nashton, especially when he sees Batman for the first time. Dano doesn’t hold back when showing how dark the mind of Nashton can get. Whether the Riddler’s thinking about ending his life or getting so worked up he forgets to breathe, Dano puts Nashton’s pain on full display. Readers won’t know whether to relate to Dano, be afraid of him, or want to help the desperate man.
Each page is full of unique Subic’s unique artwork. The Riddler: Year One #1 could be completely wordless, and the art would still be able to tell the story flawlessly. Subic captures Dano’s likeness incredibly well and illustrates the dark corners of Nashton’s mind to show the disturbing life he leads. Subic draws Gotham as a grimy city and uses contrasting colors to highlight moments of high distress. Each time Nashton has a dark thought, the artist forces the audience to confront it with him to create a visceral and compelling reading experience. Cowles’ lettering makes for a quick and easy-to-follow story for this debut issue.
The Riddler: Year One #1 takes what viewers saw in The Batman and skillfully expands on it to display Edward Nashton’s transformation into a twisted and iconic villain. Dano’s writing brings a unique perspective to the character. This issue brings readers to the darkest corners of the mind of a man society has forgotten. With disturbing images to match the dialogue, The Riddler: Year One #1 is an excellent addition to The Batman universe.
