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 revisited
Summary: 5 Stars
Read this as a thirteen year old kid and it left a impression on me. For years images kept leaping on me from these pages. I had been looking for a change to read this one again for almost twenty years and though I had seen this one in the book stores in several occasions, I had never bothered to buy it. Maybe I thought that it would be a let down like so many other things I had revisited from my youth. Well finally I bought it and I was really surprised to notice, that this one was still a strong experience- as strong as ever maybe. I realized that this made all the Batman movies (Batman Begins included) seem quite silly and pointless. This has so much more grip, drama, exitement and humanity and even humour than all those films combined. You could say that Batman became really alive in this book. No wonder that this one has a big status as a classic. Not fair to consider this only as a superhero comicbook, because this is more dramatic than most of the so called serious works (comics and novels both included). Frank Millers work has energy and class and a great sense of drama. Yes of course at times this is a bit silly, but that happens when you make (science)fiction.
Really can't understand why this one has not been made for a movie. Does the idea of a old Batman scare studios or what? Well, it doesn't really matter because this book exists, than thats good enough. Probably it would be impossible to adapt this one into a film with good results.
I may not ever become a big fan of superherocomics and this one probably makes an exception. Only "Watchmen" has the same quality and caliber than this one, so there is not that many so called superherocomics that are rewarding in every way. Not just some afternoon entertainment, but something that can elevate you in many levels. One of the truly great comic books ever.
Book Review: Genius piece of graphic novel...
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit, I was pretty hesistant about buying this graphic novel. Being very inexperienced in reading such a genre (had only read Sin City 1-6 graphic novels previous to this one) I didn't really want to branch out to anything vastly different from what I had already experienced. With that in mind, I thought Frank Miller would be a pretty good bet. From his Sin City series, I had grown a certain respect for his art and storytelling so was eager to find something by him. After finding Batman: Dark Knight Returns and seeing its average of 5 stars, I was pretty reassured that this was the right graphic novel to buy. Thankfully Miller reproduces his gritty images and language to give a whole new perspective to the life of Batman. Throughout the book you see the darker side of the 'Dark Knight' and the troubles he has to cope with in such a plagued city. The whole story is excellent, both in the polictical aspects as well as the action sequences. I would seriously recommend this to an inexperienced graphic novel reader.Book Review: Overrated
Summary: 1 Stars
I don't care what anybody says, this is the most overrated piece of tripe in comic-book history. The art-work is too faint and out of proportion. I couldn't even tell what was going on in some pictures. All I could see was a bunch of lines put next to each other in no particular order.
Basically, Batman complains throughout the entire story about how slow he has become, and how fast his enemies have become in the process. Big wow. The plot as a whole is a complete snorefest. Every page is drowned with pictures of news reporters saying that Batman is the bad guy... it's like, "yeah, we got it the first time." The Mutants are always talking rubbish- another pointless addition to this catastrophy of a comic-book.
Frank Miller is totally overrated, and I was majorly dissapointed with this comic-book to say the least. I'm not even going to bother with THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES again- the mere thought of reading a sequel to this disaster sends a shivver running down my spine. Yeah, let's read another book about Batman complaining about how slow he has become. No thanks.
This one gets a big, far zero out of ten. Stay away from this book.
Book Review: Just fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't add much. Just fantasic. The Miller artwork is quirky, chunky and a delight throughout. I LOVE the female Robin, rendered so human, right down to her slightly buck-teeth. The Whole 4 act structure works deliciously, with a great crisis in each act, and Superman is rendered with such dignity. A whipping boy of the right, yes, but meaning well, meaning so well. It's tragic. Never has Bruce Wayne/Batman seemed so like a supervillain and the idea that his psychosis birthed the supervillain concept in the first place is a convincing one. This is a contender for the best comic book ever, jostling with From Hell, Top Ten and Watchmen. The art places it way above Watchmen, even as it doesn't have quite as much to say. Marvellous in every way. (Should that be DC-ous?)Book Review: A brilliant Batman tale
Summary: 4 Stars
Much has been written about Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, however to describe it as "overrated" would be pure folly. This tale of hope and redemption may not be delivered in a familiar fashion, but its story hides a real heart which is has been rarely matched in the intervening years.
The story relies on a lack of subtlety which is aimed at key figures in popular culture and society (such as President Reagan), however this is no negative point and the way the book aims to place a morally dubious character (Batman) in a world characterised by murky dealings and violence is a brilliant aspect to the series.
The way in which the series is best viewed is the fact that it created a universe in which comic books and superheroes could deal with real problems to society, in a fashion which relied on intricate storylines mixed with art which was eye-catching and bold.
Buy it and enjoy it.