Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Book Review: Batman, the return to his beginning at the time of the end
Summary: 5 Stars
Welcome to Gotham City, home to a populance long since riddled with crime. It is here that the vigilante known as Batman has spent many years defending it's citizenry, now the Batman has faded into legend and instead Bruce Wayne fills his days with other activities. Meanwhile a bloodthirsty gang known as the Mutants make their play for control of Gotham, unable to fight his true nature any longer Bruce once more dons the cape and cowl of the Dark Knight and the world's greatest detective Batman lives again.
Batman takes the mutant's down and then must deal with political condemnation (from the crazed leader of the USA who even sends Superman to talk some sense into Batman), the appointment of a new Commisoner who hates Batman's guts (akin to Batman's early years when he was not sanctioned by the police) following James Gordons' retirement and a Gotham in flames..
Old friends such as Alfred, Commisioner Gordon, Green Arrow (sans costume) and Superman make their appearances as do old foes such as the Joker and Two-Face.. New friends are introduced too as Carrie Kelley takes on the mantle of the Robin..
Even though the Dark Knight returns to where he belongs he learns that there is no easy path for him and not only does he stand toe-to-toe against former friend Superman but he also faces the loss of his home, his friend (Alfred) and his civilian identity..
In short Miller, Janson and Varley et al present one of the most influential Batman stories to date.
The four-part follow-up (The Dark Knight Returns Again) was, in my opinion as a Bat-fan of nearly thirty years), sadly a disappointment I wish had never been released but thankfully you can choose not to read it and instead let the Batman bow out at the end of the Dark Knight Returns to carry on his crusade albeit in a clandestine fashion..
Book Review: A suitably dark tale, for a suitably Dark Knight.
Summary: 5 Stars
This has to be one of the best Batman tales I have ever read. The story follows an aging Bruce Wayne at 55 years old, returning to the Batman mantle after a 10 year retirement. And let's just say, the City is very much in two minds about his return. Featuring apperances from Two Face, the Joker, Green Arrow, Superman and even a new Robin, this is a very cleverly written and well drawn tale. Frank Miller portrays Batman as very Human, and also adds the elment of age very well. While I am not a fan of the man of steel, he bends to this tale very well and I was very impressed by his bitterness. The Joker is suitably disturbing, the dialouge and writing is exceptionally clever and the way the story is split by media coverage and other peoples points of view is genius!
On the down side, I can't really take this new Robin seriously. A sling shot? Bruce taking her in so easily? She barely underwent any training either, which to me, seems very odd for Batman to have her out there so early, especially after Jason. I also found the ending slightly disappointing, but it didn't take away from the story too much.
A thoughly enjoyable read and a MUST for any fan of Batman.
Book Review: Matured Well
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first graphic novel I have ever read, I'm not a big fan of comics on the whole so didn't know if I was going to like this. I have to admit that it took me a little while to get used to the format having only usually read books but once I was past that I quickly realised that this was a fantastic story.The basic premise is that Batman has retired and only Bruce Wayne exists now. Gotham is slowly crumbling under the weight of all the crime and violence though and especially a new gang known as the Mutants. Bruce can hold it in no longer and dons the cape to become a 60 something Batman intent on taking the streets back. This all coincides with Commisioner Gordon retiring and a new Commisioner being appointed as well as Two Face and The Joker both also making their respective returns to crime after a long period in care. It gets even worse for Batman when the new Commisioner then turns the police on him aswell. Luckily there is a new Robin to help out and even Superman makes an appearance.
This is a wonderful new twist on Batman. The story is well told and portrays Batman as a real person who hurts and bleeds like everyone else but also conveys the duality of him and the anger that drives him. Make no mistake, this is a real story with fantastic artwork. Thanks to the brilliant experience with this graphic novel I will definately be reading more.
Book Review: The most revolutionary and compelling comic book series ever
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to Frank Miller's work on the character, Batman was generally seen as as a campy comic book character that belonged in the "swinging 60's". That all changed however when Miller teamed up with artist Klaus Jenson to create "The Dark Knight Returns". Miller's dark edge story telling and movie like narration combined with Jenson's moody and sometimes gritty looking art was the perfect combination to provide the re-birth of a character that had be flawed for far too long and now has trancended into the phenomonom that we see in recent comic book series, TV shows and movies. Look at all the great Batman comic stories that we see today from Jeph Loeb, Alan Moore, Brain Azzarello, Grant Morrisson etc. they all mirror Miller's work and style.
Based on a near future Gotham were the streets are crime ridden and being controlled by a gang calling themselves "The Mutants" (no they're not the X-Men). A pushing-60 Bruce Wayne who had retired from figiting crime as The Dark Knight for over 10 years decides to dawn the cape and cowl one last time and save Gotham from the vast crime that had nearly crippled it. He makes a triumphant return by taking down his old nemesis Two Face but the media and many members of the political circuit are sceptical of his return and many believe he's up to something bigger. Batman finally takes down "The Mutants" with some help with a new Robin by his side but this leads to some bigger issues like one last showdown with his arch-enemy The Joker and even a face off with....Superman!
Overall it's an excellent comic with perhaps only some minor flaws like Superman and Batman's interactions, why does Superman always have to seem like the dumb one of the duo? He is the last surviving member of possibly the smartest race that ever lived you know? Apart from that, this is THE Batman story to own weather you're a long time Bat fan or someone just discovering Batman, this along with Miller's other Batman masterpiece Year One are the perfect places to start.
Book Review: Forget the films, read this instead.
Summary: 5 Stars
This gets five stars because the writing is consistently fabulous. The dialouge smarts with gritty panache and the plot is superb. It's very comicy in style, but the book in general seems very, very real.
Miller also draws and his work is relective of the story, everything is very noirish, very down beat. From this simplisity comes great emphisis on the dynamics of the characters. It's definatly a visual piece, as the story is told entirely through the pictures, exposition never really struck me. Miller uses his writting to add deapth, claerly construct character voice and generally highten the importance of the visuals.
I prefer this book to V for Vendetta and Watchmen because it takes a perception of an established character (who I'm sure many people recognise the world over, Batman is probably one of the top three comic charcters) and changes it totally. So there's this easy way in, but then you're lost and it's too late to get out because you're hooked and you have to read all the way to the end.
The stuff with Superman is fantastic, he's a god but he's a tool. Stuff with Joker, who's just insane and deadly - that's even more wicked. All the supporting characters like Lana Lang. They all up the stakes. It's so much a character piece.
I love it. If you like Batman you must read this, I doubt you'll be dissappointed.