Five years after he disappeared Bruce Wayne has returned to Gotham City, determined to wage a secret war on crime. The city is in the merciless grip of the Red Hood gang, many of whose members have been blackmailed into a life of crime by the mysterious Red Hood Number One. Before long Bruce is forced out into the open and his return becomes public. In order to continue his fight he decides that he must become something more - the Batman! Contents: Batman #21-26

This excellent hardback book is the second part of Batam Zero to collect the stories of Batman, explaining how Bruce Wayne donned the cape and cowl for the first time and how the Dark Knight became Gotham City's most significant protector. The first image of Batman in the Zero Year storyline was intriguing. It showed the hero astride a steam-powered motorcycle, wearing ripped para-military attire, and armed with a lasso and a crossbow, as seen on the front cover of this hardback book. This tantalising image was a flash-forward. Now, over half a year later, it was about to be explained. The story so far Gotham City had a new hero. Inspired by the bats that haunted the network of caves beneath his family mansion, Bruce Wayne had created a new identity – the Batman. With the Red Hood Gang’s crime wave seemingly at an end, Batman has to face the dual threat of Doctor Death and the Riddler. Aided by allies Jim Gordon and Lucius Fox, Batman faces a desperate battle to take back control of Gotham City power supply and stop the catacombs from being flooded. But will the memories that haunt Bruce Wayne help or hinder his vital mission? Batman #27 + 29-33

Set in the Year One time frame, Batman must confront the sinister Dr Hugo Strange, a man with a deadly secret, out to stop and, if necessary, kill the Dark Knight. Who is the bloodthirsty Night Scourge, how does he link in with the police department, and where exactly does the mysterious Catwoman fit into all this? Collects Legends of the Dark Knight #11-15!