What are the best stories of Bruce's pre-Batman years?

[Lightning Rider]

I've been interested in reading and also writing about this period of Batman's life, so what are the best stories of Batman's adolescence and development prior to donning the cowl? His travels and training, principally.

Also, I've often read Wildcat taught Batman to box. Where was this depicted? Thank you.

[bat39]

The 'Man who Falls' Secret Origins special from the 80's is a great companion piece to Year One in that regard. It does a good job covering some of Bruce's training, especially the martial arts training, and served as an inspiration for Batman Begins.

'Zero Year' also had some back-up stories that provided some interesting vignettes about where and how Bruce picked up certain specific skills/inspirations.

[JBatmanFan05]

"The Man Who Falls" (reprinted in a Batman Begins tie-in tpb) & the Det, Batman, Shadow #0s from around Zero Hour are the best I've read.

"The Man Who Falls" is just easily the best and a wonderful tie in to Year One. Denny O'Neil fills out the key stuff that Year One doesn't cover.

Batman Shaman covers two timeframes, pre and post Batman. Fantastic read.

[masahikotahara]

The Man Who Falls and Shaman would be the ones to go with, and the #0 issues from Zero Hour (just after Knightfall, I think?) were also pretty good, indeed.

The Man Who Falls is available in the trade paperback ''Secret Origins'' and (more recent) in the comic book adaptation/tie-in of Batman Begins.

As for Shaman, the first few issues of Legends Of The Dark Knight (#1-5) should be easy to find. To get Shaman in trade paperback, you'd better wait for the reprint to come out. It should be released by now, but I believe there has been some kind of delay. I bought it in the original trade and it was pretty expensive.

Secret_Origins_TPB.jpg

928full-batman-begins-(2--disc-deluxe-edition-w-slash--comic-book)----region-3-photo.jpg

Batman_Shaman_TP.jpg

[Lightning Rider]

Thanks a lot everyone. Glad to see there are a few recognized titles.

(Nobody knows the Wildcat bit though?)

[masahikotahara]

Thanks a lot everyone. Glad to see there are a few recognized titles.

(Nobody knows the Wildcat bit though?)

Robin #31

robin31-wildcat.jpg

[masahikotahara]

52 #23

fiftytwo23-wildcat.jpg

[masahikotahara]

Batman/Wildcat #2

batmanwildcat2-batprofile.jpg

[The Kid]

Batman Begins

[Kingcrimsonprog]

I would read an ongoing series about Bruce's training.
Like set later than the Gotham show, but earlier than 'I shall become a bat.'
I want to see the first half hour of Batman Begins as a 500 issue series.

[JBatmanFan05]

I would read an ongoing series about Bruce's training.
Like set later than the Gotham show, but earlier than 'I shall become a bat.'
I want to see the first half hour of Batman Begins as a 500 issue series.

Much as maybe it could work with the the very best crew of diverse talent, I'm not sure I'd want that. I like it that Bruce's training is a little mysterious and this long tapestry that many different writers create via flashbacks and references over decades. No one series or creative team could do justice to how cool and exotic all of Batman's training was.

[batnbreakfast]

Thanks a lot everyone. Glad to see there are a few recognized titles.

(Nobody knows the Wildcat bit though?)

Could be of interest for you as well... the first years
http://community.comicbookresources....-years-stories

[Lightning Rider]

Robin #31

robin31-wildcat.jpg

52 #23

fiftytwo23-wildcat.jpg

Batman/Wildcat #2

batmanwildcat2-batprofile.jpg

Thanks a ton! Same to everyone else.

[Lightning Rider]

Could be of interest for you as well... the first years
http://community.comicbookresources....-years-stories

Awesome, thank you!

[kevink31593]

I just finished re-reading "Tao" from Legends of the Dark Knight #52-53 ( 1990s series ). It has several flashbacks that deal with Bruce's training in the Orient, and an old adversary, Dragon, comes back to confront him in the present. It was written by Alan Grant. I really enjoyed it. Recommended.