A couple of days ago, we told you that SWAMP THING, VOL. 1: RAISE THEM BONES and WONDER WOMAN, VOL. 1: BLOOD made AMAZON.COM’s list of Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2012.

Today, we’re pleased to announce that BARNES & NOBLE has released their top picks of the year, and making the list of “Best Quirky, Beautiful, Different Books of 2012” was DC Comics’ BATMAN: EARTH ONE.

In case you missed it when it hit shelves this past summer, BATMAN: EARTH ONE is an original graphic novel re-imagining the World’s Greatest Detective as a flawed and fallible young man fumbling his way through feelings of isolation by pinning them on a quest for vengeance. This Batman is no protector of innocents; he’s an angry vigilante with little interest in heroics, and with a lot to learn about the city’s mean streets.

BATMAN: EARTH ONE comes to you from the acclaimed and reunited creative team of #1 New York Times bestselling author Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank. Together, these two talents have presented a new vision of the Batman mythology – not as a caped crusader, but as a lonely young man lashing out at the city that robbed him of his family. In this book, Johns and Frank explore the story you think you know, but with new twists on the well-known origin, new interpretations of classic characters and a gritty, contemporary setting as the narrative’s backdrop.

“BATMAN: EARTH ONE is a modern retelling of the beginning of Bruce Wayne and Batman and it’s a look at the man more than it is the mask,” Johns told BUZZFEED upon the book’s release in July. “For Gary and I, we wanted to take a very human approach to these characters … you’ll see a very different Gotham and a very, very different Alfred and a Bruce Wayne who is not quite the Batman that everyone knows. He’s not very good yet, he’s not a fighting machine. He’s just a guy who is seeking vengeance.”

Click here to check out BARNES & NOBLE’s full “Beat Quirky, Beautiful, Different Books of 2012” list. Congratulations to all!

 BURBANK, Calif., July 18, 2012 – DC Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company and home to iconic brands DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD, announced today the recently released Batman: Earth One by acclaimed writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank is now available on the iBookstore. Batman: Earth One is the first of many graphic novels from DC Entertainment that will soon arrive on the iBookstore.

“Our banner year for DC Entertainment digital comics continues and we’re thrilled to bring one of our bestselling graphic novels to iPad,” stated DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “This is a key distribution milestone that will bring our iconic characters to iBookstore's extensive audience of digital readers.

Batman: Earth One is by the acclaimed creative team of #1 New York Times bestselling author Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank. Together, these two talents present a new vision of the Batman mythology – not as a caped crusader, but as a lonely young man lashing out at the city that robbed him of his family.

Download Batman: Earth One from the iBookstore on iPad here.

When it comes to "highly anticipated titles" it really doesn't get any highly...ier than BATMAN: EARTH ONE, the original graphic novel by award-winning writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.

But with the title now out in comic shops and available for digital download, feel free to stop anticipating and instead put a pillow under your face. Because you'll want a cushion for when your jaw drops to the floor!

That horribly cheesy line aside, the beautifully illustrated, brilliantly written graphic novel truly is something worthy of its own BatCave-based trophy case. Why, you theoretically ask? Well, here are 5.2 Reasons Batman: Earth One Rocks!

1. Geoff Johns and Gary Frank
The collaborations between Johns and Frank are like that of Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro—whenever they're together, you know it's going to be good. Batman: Earth One aptly fits this analogy and reaches the comparative level of "Casino" and "Goodfellas."

2. Johns Finally Dons the Cape and Cowl
From the Flash and Green Lantern to Superman and even Aquaman (seriously, that feat seemed impossible), Johns manages to bring out the sheer awesomeness of any character. Yet, other than guest appearances and in team titles, he's never actually tackled the Dark Knight—until now.

3. "Why Do We Fall?"
Most of us are used to a Batman leaping across rooftops and kicking the crap out of about 20 thugs at once... while simultaneously making out with Catwoman. Earth One introduces us to a very different Dark Knight, one still early in his career and learning how to get back up again after he falls—literally in some cases.

4. Anything Can and Will Happen
Since we want to keep this spoiler free, we'll keep this one a little vague. But with a whole new world to play in free from the shackles of continuity, Johns and Frank craft a tale filled with great and unexpected twists and turns and that ends with one heck of a bang.

5. A Cinematic Experience
Between the pacing of the story, the clever characterizations, and the beautiful art, Earth One plays out like a Batman origin tale worthy to stand beside the likes of "Batman Begins."

5.1 Ends on a pretty big unanswered question—but one that leaves you salivating for more!

5.2 Alfred. Pennyworth.



Be sure to tell us below what YOU loved or are looking forward to about Batman: Earth One! And be sure to swing on by again next week for another installment of 5.2 Reasons!

Free BATMAN Comic Book Offered to Fans Awaiting
This Summer’s Most Anticipated Film

DC Entertainment and comic book retailers across North America are declaring Thursday, July 19 “The Dark Knight Rises” Day to celebrate the arrival of this summer’s most anticipated film opening in theaters and IMAX ® on Friday, July 20.   Fans who visit their local comic book retailer on July 19 will receive a free, special edition comic book featuring several exclusive previews of current and upcoming Batman comic books and graphic novels. More than 500,000 copies of the free Batman comic book will be handed out that day on a first-come, first-served basis.

 
The free Batman: Earth One Special Preview Edition comic book features the first chapter of the highly anticipated graphic novel Batman Earth One written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank, as well as a preview of Batman Vol. 1 The Court of Owls, the New York Times #1 best-selling graphic novel collection of the hit series written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo.
 
“The arrival of The Dark Knight Rises in theaters is a seminal moment for comic book readers and moviegoers; what better way to mark the occasion than with a free Batman comic book that rewards a broad range of fans and taps into the unprecedented excitement surrounding this film,” stated DC Entertainment Vice President of Marketing, John Cunningham.

Fans can find a comic book retailer in their area by visiting Comic Shop Locator.