MARK SABLE ON TWO-FACE YEAR ONE

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

The person you are on the outside and the person you are on the inside. In some cases it's the same, but admit it. There are some things you don't let out.

Assistant DA Harvey Dent had that problem, and you might know how that went. But Harvey's decent into the criminal mastermind known as Two-Face is an origin worth studying deeper, and not just because of the upcoming movie. In the two-issue miniseries Two-Face; Year One, DC comics examines the fated path of the Assistant DA through fire with friends such as Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne try to save their friend while battling a deadly new nemesis.

Two-Face: Year One writer Mark Sable is coming into his own with the recently debuted DC Special: Cyborg miniseries and a string of independent work including Hazed, Fearless and Grounded. Teaming with artists Jesus Saiz and Jeremy Haun, Sable is set to unfold Two-Face's origin with new wrinkles beginning July 16th.

For more, we talked with Sable.

Newsarama: Everyone knows who Two-Face is, but it's hard for the man he was before that to get out of his shadow. So Mark, the question is this: just who is, or was, Harvey Dent?

Mark Sable: He Gotham's first crusader for justice in the modern age, pre-dating not only Batman but Jim Gordon as well. He's the first to challenge a system that's rotten to the core, and he doesn't have a gun or a Batarang to back him up.

He's also someone that's deeply troubled even before he gets acid thrown in his face. I don't delve to deeply into the source of Harvey's split personality, but I do show that he and his psychiatrist are aware of what ails him before he becomes Two-Face.

Part of the original twist I'm adding to the Two-Face mythos is that this psychiatrist decides not to integrate Harvey's fracturing personalities, but rather to get him to channel his dark side into doing something good. I liken it to the Showtime series Dexter, where the cop father of a serial killer tries to get his son to only kill "bad" people to relieve his urges.

In both cases, sick people are aided by noble - if misguided - father figures that wind up creating monsters.

NRAMA: How does this work with the already established origin of Two-Face?

MS: The first issue (of two) concerns Harvey's transformation into Two-Face.

The actual origin...I try to be extremely faithful to what's come before, particularly Year One and The Long Halloween/Dark Victory stories. Certain things are set in stone, like Maroni throwing the acid in his face. At the same time, there would be no point in me telling this story if I was just regurgitating what's come before. So expect to see things from a different perspective, and to see characters and events both new and old tie in to Two-Face's origin in ways we haven't seen before.

By the second issue, Harvey has already become Two-Face. Because he's still on the ballot, he decides to run for re-election against the acting District Attorney, a former mob lawyer who had a hand in Harvey's demise. Two-Face's election platform is that, in a city as corrupt as Gotham, you are more likely to get justice from a flip of the coin than from a judge and jury that are most likely bought and paid for.

NRAMA: Harvey's origin isn't a one man tale - who are the other big players in this series?

Well, you can't tell a Two-Face tale without Batman and Jim Gordon. Bruce Wayne - 1e establish a previously unseen relationship between Harvey and Bruce that's separate from his dealings with Batman. The Falcone and Maroni crime families. Just about every freak I could fit in, from the big guns to some really obscure villains as well. And I don't want to spoil all the cameos by Batman's supporting characters, but longtime fans should find plenty of Easter Eggs.

There's also original characters, chief among them Mort Weinstein, the aforementioned acting D.A. He starts out as a law school rival and becomes a mob lawyer when Harvey edges him out for an assistant D.A's position.

But, like many a real life mob lawyer, he crosses the line from advocate to consigliere, and by the time he's ascended to D.A. he becomes Gotham's ultimate power broker. He's the arch-villain of this story, more ruthless in many ways than any Freak.

NRAMA: Rumors is said to have some ties to the classic Gotham Central book from a few years back. Are we crazy, or is there some truth to that?

MS: Yes. Jim and Harvey assemble the few honest cops they can find in Gotham to take down Salvatore Maroni, who then find themselves tasked with taking down Two-Face and Batman. This group of "untouchables" will one day become the core of Gotham Central (a superb book whose tone I very much tried to capture). I'll leave it to the readers to see who exactly they are.

NRAMA: Getting back to the lead in this… No one views themselves as the villain. How does Harvey see himself before and after his turn to Two-Face?

MS: Before Harvey's turn, he sees himself as the one man in Gotham who is willing to stand for justice, until he becomes part of an alliance with Gordon and Batman. He's also someone who recognizes he has a problem and is trying to treat it.

But as the odds get stacked against him, and he takes more and more...questionable measures to fight crime, he becomes alienated from Gordon, Batman, and his shrink, leaving him more vulnerable to his sickness - and less able to see that it IS a sickness.

Once he makes the turn to Two-Face, I think he finds it oddly liberating. He sees himself more as a vigilante than a villain. In fact, he thinks he is even more true to himself than Batman, because he's willing to cross the lines that Batman won't.

NRAMA: If it's true what they say that a great hero needs great villains, then the inverse must be true as well. Can you tell us about the rivalry between Batman and Two-Face in this early days?

MS: To me, Two-Face is an even better matched villain for Batman than the Joker. He's the external embodiment of Batman's internal struggle with his dual identity. Like Batman, Two-Face was also born from tragedy, and I think he scares Batman because he's serves as a reminder of what Batman could become if he lost just a bit more sanity.

Of course, the friendship between the two makes Harvey's transformation heartbreaking for Batman. No matter what he says, Batman can never look at Two-Face without blaming himself for what happened. And by extensions, that brings Batman back to that age old question about whether or not he inspired the freaks that plague Gotham to this day.

NRAMA: The other side to this coin so to speak is two artists - Jesus Saiz and Jeremy Haun. What's it been like working with them, and what do you think of the pages you've seen so far?

MS: I've only seen Jesus' pages so far and they are phenomenal. He brings a sense of realism to what is at its heart a hard boiled crime story without sacrificing the dynamic storytelling that makes superhero action work.

I haven't seen Jeremy's pages yet, but I'm a huge fan of his. Battle Hymn, the Image book he did with B. Clay Moore is one of my favorite things to come out in years. It's a 40's period piece, and I wrote the flashbacks in Two-Face: Year One with a nod to noir that should fit his style perfectly.

I should also mention two other members of the art team - inker Jimmy Palmiotti and cover artist Mark Chiarello. Both legends who I feel lucky to have I still on one of my books.

With everyone involved, what I think is great is that no one is aping any of the previous Year One era books stylistically, they are all putting their own stamp on it.

NRAMA: The "Year One" concept is an interesting established way for DC to profile the origins of characters in their universe. Founded by Frank Miller and David Mazuchelli in Batman: Year One, what's it like following in those kinds of footsteps?

Daunting. That's one of those books, along with The Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen and Sandman that completely changed the way I look at comics.

I should also give props to Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's aforementioned Long Halloween and Dark Victory, which I think are worthy successors to the Year: One mantle, and in many ways just as terrifying to follow up.

At the same time...I love the early period as established by the above creators. It's always been a grittier, more visceral Gotham for me than any other time frame - past, present future or Elseworlds. Everyone is still unsure of themselves and more prone to make mistakes. To me, this makes them more human, and that much more fun to write.

NRAMA: Dan Didio has said that Two-Face is his favorite Batman villain. Any apprehension of messing up the boss' favorite?

MS: It's funny, Dan told me that at WonderCon right after my car was totaled in an accident (by a Prius, which Dan likes to ridicule me about), and I felt like I'd been hit again. Then at NYCC Geoff Johns told me about his fondness for Cyborg (whose mini-series I'm writing and is on stands now). And at Emerald City I got to meet Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, who were responsible for creating and/or defining the Gotham Central characters I use. So yeah, just a bit of pressure, there.

NRAMA: Before we go, let's look at the big picture. This book comes out two short days before the highly anticipated Dark Knight movie which features the begins of Two-Face. Have you had a chance to see the movie, and how do you feel your comic and this play together?

MS: I've been a huge Aaron Eckhart fan since In The Company of Men, which heavily influenced my creator-owned graphic novel, Hazed. And Batman Begins is my all time favorite super-hero film. It's probably at least an unconscious influence on anything Batman related I write.

But I haven't seen the movie or read the script, which I think is a good thing. This is set firmly in the DCU. The movie and the book only tie together in that they offer different takes on some of the best characters in comics history.

What I'm really hoping is that I wrote a book that's not only appealing to discerning, long-time Batman afficianados, but accessible to however many first time comic readers are inspired by the film to pick up the book.

Two-Face: Year One #1 (of 2) hits shelves on July 16, 2008.

[Impulse2k1]

Yeap going to be all over this

Edit: As the old rama dies I finally get a first post on the main page.....I think I just teared up a little

[Simon DelMonte]

This comic is just unnecessary. We don't need to revisit and rewrite Harvey Dent's origin again. Better they do something interesting with him in the present.

[Johnny Triangles]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

This comic is just unnecessary. We don't need to revisit and rewrite Harvey Dent's origin again. Better they do something interesting with him in the present.

I agree but holy crap are Mark Chiarello's covers nice. His Joker is the best I've seen since his first appearance.

[Xeero]

It's not unnecessary. Sure, we already have an "origin" of Two-Face, but this is taking another spin. For one, we've never seen Two-Face try to take back his DA position. And besides, we can never have too much Two-Face!

[Rhuen]

On the surface this seems like an interesting comic, however inlight of the existance of its rival company Marvel doing all these First Class and Origins comics for a slew of it characters this feels like what breakdancers call "biteing".

If it were a movie tie-in (which granted Marvel has also done), it wouldn't be as bad.

I hope though that its not an attempt to squeeze out important details that may be needed before going into the movie as the movie from having three villians might not have time to properly protray Two-Face's past (he is still in the movie right? I havn't seen him in any previews yet).

[kalorama]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

This comic is just unnecessary. We don't need to revisit and rewrite Harvey Dent's origin again. Better they do something interesting with him in the present.

Couldn't agree more. I really don't get this seemingly overwhelming drive with retelling already told stories.

[GLG]

This has been done. It was called "The Long Halloween".

Two-Face has always been my favorite Bat-villain for some reason so I'm usually a sucker for something involving him, but why do Two-Face year one again?

[Jeremy Williams]

Originally Posted by Rhuen

On the surface this seems like an interesting comic, however inlight of the existance of its rival company Marvel doing all these First Class and Origins comics for a slew of it characters this feels like what breakdancers call "biteing".

If it were a movie tie-in (which granted Marvel has also done), it wouldn't be as bad.

I hope though that its not an attempt to squeeze out important details that may be needed before going into the movie as the movie from having three villians might not have time to properly protray Two-Face's past (he is still in the movie right? I havn't seen him in any previews yet).

Well I for one thing think First Class is pointless too. But some people like this stuff because ultimately one comic is always someone else's first.

I think Two-Face's origin has been told so many times(the best one being in a DC special drawn by Chris Sprouse). But I still am going to buy this because we never know if the newer elements added to the character will be interesting. And if you like the character, why not try it?

[hondo]

although I would prefer to see new stories instead of reinterpretations.

I've always said that some of the old stories would be cool to see redone removing some of the weak points, adding to it to make it stronger, and have at the very least a different artistic vantage.

I'm not as crazy as some here about Two Face, but this does look to be interesting.

[JasonJalen]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

This comic is just unnecessary. We don't need to revisit and rewrite Harvey Dent's origin again. Better they do something interesting with him in the present.

I absolutely agree. I can't remember the last time I read a Batman book that made good use of Two Face.


-Jason Jalen

[johnnygo]

People who think that THE LONG HALLOWEEN is the definitive Two-Face origin seriously need to reread the book. It's not even a good Two-Face origin.

LONG HALLOWEEN is a deeply superficial book, more interested in misdirection and splashy empty action scenes than actual character and psychological depth, which may not be important for all characters but is essential for Harvey Dent. It spends far more time on horribly cliched dialogue, oblique references to the Godfather, and a murder mystery that just absolutely makes no sense (I could shoot holes though ______ being the killer for hours) than devoting anything more to Two-Face's origin than the following:

"Harvey is a good guy. Harvey is angry. He's now Two-Face. The end."

It goes no deeper than that.

I'm convinced that if Tim Sale hadn't been doing the gorgeous, gorgeous art, no one would care about LONG HALLOWEEN. Try to imagine it without Sale's art, and imagine if you'd still be interested. Maybe you would, but I bet many, many would see right through that painfully mediocre script. (Here's a fun drinking game: every time Loeb uses an ellipsis, take a shot! You'll be wasted by page three)

Honestly, do you want the true definitive Two-Face origin? Seek out BATMAN ANNUAL # 14, "Eye of the Beholder," by Andrew Helfer and Chris Sprouce. Not only did LONG HALLOWEEN ride its coat-tails just as hard as it did GODFATHER and YEAR ONE (right down the Harvey's assistant Adrian... oops, I mean Vernon Fields... groan), but it told his story with far power power, depth, weight, and tragedy. It's such a shame that it's not in print. It should have been included in the upcoming TWO-FACE TPB.

While Mr. Sable is not approaching Harvey the way I'd ideally like to see it done (or do myself), I applaud him for doing something decidedly different and unique with the origin. Give it a chance.

[monthly fan]

Originally Posted by GLG

This has been done. It was called "The Long Halloween".

Two-Face has always been my favorite Bat-villain for some reason so I'm usually a sucker for something involving him, but why do Two-Face year one again?

To stay in keeping with Scarecrow: Year One, and Ra's Al Ghul: Year One that came out when Batman Begins was released.

DC always brings out a comic featuring the villains of the current Batman flick. This goes back all the way to Batman Returns with Catwoman: Defiant, and Penguin: Triumphant.

[Simon DelMonte]

Originally Posted by monthly fan

To stay in keeping with Scarecrow: Year One, and Ra's Al Ghul: Year One that came out when Batman Begins was released.

DC always brings out a comic featuring the villains of the current Batman flick. This goes back all the way to Batman Returns with Catwoman: Defiant, and Penguin: Triumphant.

Those tie-ins, though, were not retellings of old stories. The Penguin tie-in, in fact, was a very clever and funny (if not exactly mind-blowing) look by Ostrander at what makes Oswald Cobblepot tick, and the last Two-Face movie tie-in was JM DeMatteis exploring the psychosis of Harvey Dent in a way that was very pleasing to me (if very much in the DeMatteis style).

[monthly fan]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

Those tie-ins, though, were not retellings of old stories.

I'm referring to the other posters comments about why we're getting another Two Face mini, not to the content of the mini.

However, I could do without another Two Face mini. I've never found the Two Face minis to be all that interesting. The last movie tie-in, Two-Faces, Two-Face Strikes Twice. He's just always been one of Batman's least interesting villains to me. The only time I can remember Two-Face being interesting was during No Man's Land with the whole Renee Montoya thing.

[Hawkangel]

The short version.

2 origins you can choose from :

1. The Batman Animated series one.
2. The Batman Forever one.

There ya go, I saved you all some money

[GotReekstah?]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

This comic is just unnecessary. We don't need to revisit and rewrite Harvey Dent's origin again. Better they do something interesting with him in the present.

So, uh.. who says they won't do both?

You don't have to buy this mini.

Personally, I think it sounds pretty cool.

[AJ Ryan]

There has been some foreshadowing that Two face is going to have some kind of important interaction with Nightwing. This was mentioned in JLA #0 and it is being solicited as part of Batman RIP.

I am just hoping that it will be the end of the whole Two-Face is a bad guy thing which I think is what has most hurt the character over the years.

he is supposed to be a tortured character, a tragic character, but not an out and out bad guy. As another poster mentioned, the story from No Man's Land was a great example of how he should be presented. Similarly in Arkham Asylum and some other well written books it is shown that he is just sick, not genuinely evil.

I was happy that they made him a good guy for a bit after Hush, but then they went right back to the terrible and very very tired move of making him become Two Face again.

[Capt_Piett]

The second half of the series where Two-Face decides to run for DA reminds me of the book that came out a few years ago by Graham Nolan and (can't remember the writer) where the Joker was finally found guilty of one of his crimes and was sentenced to death. The twist was, he was convicted for a crime he actually had NOT committed, IIRC. I really need to dig that issue out and read it again. Had some beautiful art by Nolan.

I will probably give this a shot to see how it goes. And for the record, I really enjoyed Loeb's work on Long Halloween/Dark Victory.

[HNutz]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Two-Face: Year One #1 (of 2) hits shelves on July 16, 2008.

At least they got the number right....

[samnoir]

Originally Posted by monthly fan

To stay in keeping with Scarecrow: Year One, and Ra's Al Ghul: Year One that came out when Batman Begins was released.

DC always brings out a comic featuring the villains of the current Batman flick. This goes back all the way to Batman Returns with Catwoman: Defiant, and Penguin: Triumphant.

Given the fact that it tied in with the release of The Worst Batman Film of all time, I'm not surprised that everyone always overlooks this gem.

Paul Dini expanding on the Batman TAS series origin of Mr Freeze for the DCU, with Mark Buckingham on art!



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[Unit99]

Looks GREAT! Can't wait!

[jpritchett]

I'll definitely be checking this one out. Looks like another winner from Sable. Seriously, this guy's on his way to being the next Brian Michael Bendis (except with a lot more hair)--it seems like he's booking a new writing gig every week. I'm glad to see true talent rising to the top.

[LowKey Loki]

Originally Posted by Rhuen

On the surface this seems like an interesting comic, however inlight of the existance of its rival company Marvel doing all these First Class and Origins comics for a slew of it characters this feels like what breakdancers call "biteing".

If it were a movie tie-in (which granted Marvel has also done), it wouldn't be as bad.

I hope though that its not an attempt to squeeze out important details that may be needed before going into the movie as the movie from having three villians might not have time to properly protray Two-Face's past (he is still in the movie right? I havn't seen him in any previews yet).

Really? REALLY?!?! Marvel does an origin story for some of it's characters so DC can't do any? DC has been doing "Year One" stories for a while now. Do you think Marvel invented the concept of retelling an origin?!?!?!

[CommandDee]

why am I seeing a Two Face origin story for the tenth time in the past twenty years, and some older characters (namely Allen Scott and the sort) havent had their orgins properly told since their debuts 70 years ago????