Batman #24 is a comic book issue that features a young Bruce Wayne who is fearless. In part one of Dark City, Batman is making his presence known throughout the city. The discussion by several members of the Red Hood Gang about The Dark Knight is reminiscent of scenes in the 1989 film, Batman and in Batman Begins where criminals are clearly frightened about encountering Batman. It is clear that while the character is still in his beginning stages as Batman in Zero Year, Bruce Wayne is forming what will eventually become his path toward protecting Gotham City. It is an unexpected choice to show a young Bruce Wayne with a buzz cut. The little details such as Bruce Wayne's new haircut show that Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are making this yearlong story their own by remaining faithful to the Bruce Wayne character but inserting some unforeseen changes along the way. Scott Snyder gets to the heart of why Bruce is an inspiration on more than one occasion in this issue. In an effort to unite the city against the Red Hood Gang, Bruce speaks publicly about why he loves Gotham City. He says that Gotham challenges people to become something more than they are and that the city changes them. Bruce continues his uplifting speech by saying that if people can endure the obstacles that Gotham presents and not give up that they will become stronger in the process. Snyder's writing of Bruce's speech is an example of why Bruce Wayne is an admirable hero in comics. The interesting twist in this issue is that Snyder chooses to show that Bruce Wayne can be just as effective of a hero through his encouraging words rather than engaging in physical confrontations as Batman. Another panel that stands out is Bruce's conversation with the leader of the Red Hood Gang. Based on previous comic book stories involving the Red Hood such as in The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, the dialogue of the Red Hood Gang leader in Zero Year and what happens to the leader of the Red Hood Gang in this issue, the leader will likely turn out to be the individual who has the reputation of being Batman's greatest foe. The leader can usually be seen smiling underneath his helmet throughout the course of the first four issues of this story arc. Through dialogue that is similar to the memorable interrogation scene in The Dark Knight involving Batman and the Joker, there is another surprising turn of events. After the leader of the Red Hood gang speaks with Bruce, Bruce responds by saying that the Red Hood Gang leader is simply an evil man who pretends his life has meaning. Bruce uses a similar approach in his conversation with the leader of the Red Hood Gang that the Joker does in the interrogation scene with Batman in The Dark Knight. During that scene, the Joker says that everything Batman stood for and his purpose has no meaning. Snyder's brilliant writing portrays a Bruce Wayne who is brave and wise. The leader of the Red Hood Gang said to Bruce in a previous issue of Zero Year that the death of Bruce Wayne's parents changed his life and proved to him that life is meaningless. During their conversation in Batman #24, Bruce says that what people do before they die is what gives their lives meaning. Snyder does an outstanding job of portraying a heroic Bruce Wayne who shines without dawning the cape and cowl. Lieutenant James Gordon is introduced and has an encounter with Batman at the end of the issue. It should be interesting to see how there alliance forms in the upcoming issues of Zero Year. At the end of the issue, the Red Hood Gang is defeated but another threat rises in Gotham. Edward Nygma debuts as the Riddler at the end of the issue and is the next foe Bruce Wayne will encounter in Zero Year. Batman #24 is simply one of the best issues by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. Batman #24 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo is available now.