The Riddler: Year One is a psychological thriller comic book limited series based on the DC Comics character the Riddler. The six-issue series—written by Paul Dano and illustrated by Stevan Subic—is a tie-in prequel to the film The Batman (2022), in which Dano also played Edward Nashton / the Riddler, with the series focusing on the character's life and his descent into criminality before the events of the film. It was published bimonthly under DC's adult-oriented Black Label imprint from October 25, 2022, to August 23, 2023.
Plot
Soon after his birth, Edward Nashton is left on the doorstep of the Gotham Orphanage by his mother. Some time later, she is committed to Arkham Asylum, where she eventually dies in an apparent suicide. Edward grows up displaying high intelligence and an interest in puzzles but suffers from harsh conditions due to a lack of funding for the orphanage and bullying from his peers. One day, he performs in a choir with other orphans during Thomas Wayne's announcement to run for mayor and the creation of Renewal, a charitable fund aimed at improving the lives of those in need. When Wayne and his wife are suddenly murdered, Edward feels jealous of their son Bruce because he is rich and everyone's attention is on him. Edward also receives his first rejection letter from the Renewal Program, to which he would keep applying many more times, always with the same result.