'Batman: Year One' review

Mr. Gordon, meet Mr.Bat.

This is easy.

If you liked the 1987 comic book series of stories from Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, you're going to love this animated adaptation from Bruce Timm.

If you've never read what was officially known as "Year One," you're going to like it anyway.

Is it faithful to the series? Very.

Is it perfect? No. We missed the gravelly voice of Kevin Connroy as the Caped Crusader.

What makes it special? More than a Batman origin story, it offers insight into the character of Lt. James Gordon - in particular, his introduction to the seedy world of Gotham City police work and his own questionable morality. After all, almost anyone can recite the Batman origin from heart. The story of Gordon adds another human element to the legacy.