Published in 1987, Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli appeared in Batman #404-407. The narrative follows two parallel journeys: Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham after years abroad and his first attempts at vigilantism, and Lieutenant James Gordon's arrival as an honest cop in a thoroughly corrupt police department.
The story strips Batman to his essentials, a determined man with no superpowers facing overwhelming odds. Key moments include Bruce's first failed mission, his inspiration from a bat crashing through his window, and Gordon's struggle against corrupt colleagues.