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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns By Frank Miller ( DC Comics )
Release Date: 1997-05-01
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Product Description
If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known also for his excellent Sin City series and his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the top contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. The great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argued that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon, and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, street gangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite
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If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known also for his excellent Sin City series and his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the top contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. The great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argued that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon, and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, street gangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite
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 This is the stuff! ( harleyrain )
This book is worth every bit of praise it gets. Frank Miller created a masterpiece with this work. And even a die-hard Marvel fan that I am came to appreciate the Dark Knight through this book. The book itself is almost a legend among comics, but don't buy it for that. Buy it for the story and the insidious art that doesn't have much appeal at first, but by the end you can't picture the story being told in any other style. At least I can't.
Frank Miller did something special with this. He gave Batman such a blistering air of realism and depth that the character was changed forever. This work is something any comic fan should read to call themselves a comic fan. It has stood the test of time and is still on the top of the pile.
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Best Batman Stories Ever Told ( dasn0wman )
This is really good material for a 3rd Batman movie. Batman has retired. Gotham in ruins. An old-aged Batman returns and tests his limits as he battles the Joker and other nemesis to once again clean the streets of Gotham. But not everyone agrees with Batman's approach or his behavior which does not match that of a model superhero like Metropolis' Superman. The final story is quite epic as Batman battles Superman to the end. The new Robin (why would anyone want to be Robin given the history?) is the best Robin yet, a girl! The writing is gritty and exciting. The illustrations are actually not bad and some of my favorites as they give a different take of Batman and correctly so given he has aged a bit. This book is a milestone in comics as it brought it back once again to its original dark roots.
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 Excellent story, average artwork.
Blood and Rain
Blood for the Masses
Originally published by SavageNight Ezine
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
By Frank Miller
Intro- Alan Moore
Reviewed by
B.L.Morgan
4 Stars
According to the introduction by Alan Moore at the time when Frank Miller reintroduced Batman in its softcover form, the general audience still perceived him like Adam West had portrayed Batman in his TV series; That of an almost comical, certainly a camp representation of a comic book hero.
It was time for a change.
Frank Miller created a huge change in character and tone for the Caped Crusader, one closer to the movie versions that came later but darker than had ever been seen before The Dark Knight Returns.
Batman comes out of a ten year retirement as a middle-aged man. He tires quicker that he'd like in fights, gets sore and gets beat up. But through grit and determination and ingenuity he makes it through. Frank Miller's Batman is also slightly psychotic. The criminals have changed in his absence. They are meaner and more bloodthirsty. Batman goes after them with a vengeance.
Sometimes he's more bloodthirsty than they are.
A lot of social commentary takes place during the four stories that make up The Dark Knight Returns. The copyright on this book was 1986. It surprised me how little the attitudes expressed in this Batman book have changed.
The police are frequently handcuffed by the very laws they are supposed to uphold and are prevented from being effective crime fighters. All too often the victims of crime are treated worse that the criminals by the media and court systems.
My, how times flies. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The artwork in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns was for the most part just average. Moody, but average. Where Miller really shined was in his storytelling ability. This was a story on an epic scale that had a personal feel to it. Batman became a living breathing person during The Return Of The Dark Knight.
Batman: The Return Of The Dark Knight comes highly recommended. Check it out. You won't be sorry.
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A classic
With only the acclaimed Watchmen as a peer, this is a must-read for any Batman fan. Miller's artwork takes some getting used to, but he can sure tell a story well. The only drawback is that some knowledge of the Batman universe is required going into the comic, so first-time comic book readers would be better served picking up Watchmen. That's not to say TDKR is a bad comic - far from it, it's one of the best ever. But not for first-timers.
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Miller's Best Work ( skylarkthibedeau )
I got the four part series several years ago before I sold off all my comics in the late 80's. I recently decided to renew my aquaintance with the series upon seeing Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight".
It is sometime in a dystopian future. Batman has disappeared. Batgirl is in a wheelchair somewhere. Robin is dead. Superman defends a corrupt government.
In book I 50 something Bruce Wayne is disturbed by what he sees happening in Gotham City and decides to resurrect The Batman to combat Punk street gangs who have taked over the streets. In the course of fighting he is rescued by Geek Girl Carey Kelley Who becomes the new Robin. In the end he is victorius and finds many imitators among former gang members.
In Book II Harvey Dent is released from Arkham Asylym. Supposably he is cured and has had plastic surgery to restore his face. In the end of what is a great psychological tour de force he reverts to being two face.
In book III The Joker is cured and released from Arkham and his appearance on a certain late night talk show might presage what Leno has in mind for its host. We see retired Selina Kyle put in danger in this one and Batman and the Joker have their final confrontation.
In book IV Batman and Green Arrow team to fight Superman and a corrupt US Government(since this was the late 80's it is Reagan but we're used to comics only showing GOP administrations as corrupt). In the end he loses or does he????
This is a fine set of stories and I agree with someone who said earlier it is like Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven". I could sorta see Clint play the part if it was made into a movie.
I'd reccomend it for batman and Frank Miller fans.
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