The trade paperback for Batman Vol. 1 Daylight hits shelves this week and takes our undisputed crown for the Most Anticipated Trade Paperback (MATP). If you missed the single issues when they kicked off last autumn, this collection is the ultimate reason to head down to your local comic shop this Wednesday. Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez team up to breathe electric new life into DC’s flagship title, offering a phenomenal jumping-on point that celebrates everything cool about the Caped Crusader. It is a massive, episodic adrenaline shot that respects recent history while charting a completely distinct, visual-forward path that you absolutely need on your bookshelf.
An Overwhelmed Hero and an Organized Underworld
Fraction does not waste a single page establishing this fresh era, making it an incredibly rewarding pickup for readers wanting a modern entry point to Gotham. Instead of hitting a hard reset, the story builds directly on the heavy institutional cracks left behind by Chip Zdarsky. Gotham is currently trapped in the iron grip of Police Commissioner Vandal Savage, who has weaponized the GCPD into a paramilitarized force actively hunting down vigilantes. This leaves an isolated Batman dealing with an overwhelming onslaught of moving pieces over three hectic days and nights. From handling a volatile Killer Croc to balancing his friction with Damian and coping with Tim Drake’s impending retirement, Bruce Wayne is pushed to his absolute limits.
The criminal underworld has changed too, shifting away from chaotic gimmick thugs toward ruthless, corporate efficiency. Readers get introduced to the Minotaur, a sophisticated banker in a sharp three-piece suit who handles the finances for a massive conspiracy known as Torus. The stakes skyrocket when the story reveals that Savage’s criminal allies have done the unthinkable: they have turned the historic Wayne Manor into their primary base of operations to dismantle the city.
The Visual Masterpieces of Jiménez and Morey
While Fraction’s fast-paced script keeps the narrative moving with clever episodic structure, the visual storytelling is the absolute heartbeat of this volume and the main reason this book demands a spot in your physical collection. Jorge Jiménez and colorist Tomeu Morey prove why they are the absolute dream team for Gotham City. Every single page explodes with dynamic motion, from the sweeping mechanics of the Bat-hook gun to the bone-crunching choreography of a massive cage match fight inside a police transport van.
Morey’s coloring choices are nothing short of iconic. The decision to return to the classic blue-and-grey Batsuit brings a bold, vibrant texture to the panels that contrasts perfectly with the gritty earth tones of Gotham’s streets. The Batmobile gets a phenomenal muscle-car-inspired upgrade that feels completely tailor-made for this run. Backed by excellent lettering from Clayton Cowles that gives every gadget rollout a punchy impact, this is easily one of the most gorgeous books you will pick up all year.
Batman Vol. 1 Daylight TP (Get the Trade)
