Each week, DC Comics will be releasing a free—that’s right, FREE—digital comic book issue featuring a sample chapter from one of our 25 Essential Graphic Novels as well as sample pages from the 2014 Essentials catalog. These special issues, which will be available for free for one week, are ideal for new fans looking to learn more about DC Universe and its mature readers imprint Vertigo, and provide the perfect reading guide for those looking to wade the waters of DC Entertainment’s extensive library of graphic novels and collections.

This week: Batman: Earth One #1!

You may think you know Batman’s story, but you don’t know it like this. InBatman: Earth One (not to be confused with last week’s similarly-titled DC Comics Essential Read, Batman: Year One), superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank reimagine a new mythology for the Dark Knight. It may begin with the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, but what follows is entirely something else.

Oswald Cobblepot, the Penguin, is at his most terrifying and sadistic here as Gotham City’s corrupt mayor. Alfred Pennyworth is a former Royal Marine who trains Bruce, and he’s the badass we never knew we needed (but totally deserve). Batman: Earth One also features appearances from a disillusioned James Gordon, young Barbara Gordon before she becomes Batgirl, Lucius Fox as an intern at Wayne Medical, and a disgraced Harvey Bullock looking to regain fame by transferring to Gotham and solving the Waynes’ murder.

Batman: Earth One is a great jumping-on point for new readers (especially for those of you enjoying Gotham, which draws some influence from Batman: Earth One), but is also a fresh take for more seasoned Batman fans to enjoy. Don’t miss out on this accessible, ground-breaking take on the Dark Knight’s origin and pick up DC ESSENTIALS: BATMAN: EARTH ONE #1 for FREE starting November 18 until November 24 by clicking right here!