Up until now, Scott Snyder's excellent run of Batman has focused largely on exploring the rich history of Gotham. The Court of Owls will no doubt continue to cast shadows over Batman's city for years to come. Now, Snyder has chosen to take a far bolder step, by returning to topics already well-trodden by some of the all-time great comic writers. A Batman origin story titled "Zero Year" cannot but evoke memories of Frank Miller's iconic year one. And, as "Zero Year" centers on Bruce Wayne donning the cape after he's been out-maneuvered by a sinister anonymous genius in the Red Hood, we likewise must recall the still evocative "Killing Joke." I've long considered Snyder one of the best writers in the DC bullpen, but I still can't but be amazed by the sheer audacity of boldly reworking material already covered by Miller and Moore. And, as much as I wanted to resist "Zero Year," by the end Snyder had me totally under his spell. 
 As with "Year One," Snyder's origin gives us a Bruce Wayne trained and newly returned to Gotham, committed to his war on crime yet unsure of how best to accomplish his mission. Yet instead of the various crime families and corruption of Miller's work, Snyder's Wayne funds the Red Hood, a mysterious villain bent on demolishing the city. Since we are at the beginning, we likewise see Bruce and Alfred's testy relationship as it restarts. Here Alfred doesn't so much disapprove of Bruce's goals as he does of his pre-Batman methods, believing that Gotham needs a symbol. Snyder also resurrects certain older characters, such as Batman's uncle Philip Kane. 
 Where Snyder best hits his mark, however, is with the villains. Familiar readers know the Red Hood's ultimate fate and "Zero Year" sets this up brilliantly, the Hood demonstrating both genius and madness as well as a carefully maintained anonymity. Indeed, my major complaint about this book is Snyder's decision - I presume - to toss the classic Red Hood mask in favor of a tall half mask. Hard to take a master villain seriously, no matter how murderous, when he at best looks like a roller pen. The other stand out villain here is Edward Nigma, not yet become the Riddler, but given his rightful place at the dawning of the Batman legend. While many quite rightly understand the Joker at Batman's spiritual dark reflection, Snyder recognizes that Nigma is the reflection of Batman's intellect. I for one was thrilled to see him at last get his due. 
 A final and excellent bonus are the Batman "training" stories. Again, other readers have looked at this period of Bruce Wayne's pre-Batman life before, but it makes for some excellent reading here as backup material. 
 With "Zero Year" Snyder takes a bold step in putting his own mark on the more than half-century old Batman legend. It was a risky move - the writer could have fallen flat. Instead, he mostly soars.