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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Batman)

by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson (Illustrator), Lynn Varley (Illustrator)

4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 · rating details · 62,731 ratings · 1,449 reviews

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 l...more

Paperback, 140 pages

Published November 8th 1986 by Warner Books (first published 1986)

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Jun 18, 2007 Missy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphicnovels

When I was growing up, comic books (this was years before 'graphic novels') were frowned upon in my household, but I was addicted to them anyway. X-Men, to be precise, because, OMG, Jean Grey was smart and tough (at least until Dark Phoenix) AND had both Scott Summers and Wolverine in love with her. (I do love a good soap.) Batman was a joke back then, thanks to that moronic TV show. But Batman, the real Dark Knight, wasn't a joke--if Superman is who America yearns to be; Batman is who we're afr...more

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Jan 27, 2013 StoryTellerShannon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-very-best-reads, graphic-novels, owned, need-reviewing, action

This is a totally different spin on Batman.

Don't expect it to be like the old cartoons.

Definitely not like the Adam West Batman from the 60s.

Not the Justice League of America.

Batman and Superman are hardly on speaking terms. The governments have passed laws against vigilante super heroes so most of them are in prison or banished, or, like Superman, secretly working for the government.

Batman, after a series of traumatic incidents, has not been seen in the last ten years. The Joker and Two Fa...more

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Sep 10, 2011 Stephen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics-graphic-novels, to-re-read

........................ FIRST A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON................

................BEFORE "The Dark Knight Returns".............................

HOLY ASSCLOWNS BATMAN

and don’t forget (though I know you WANT TO)

UHH, UMM....I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY TO THIS AS IT IS JUST TOO PAINFUL....WAITER....CHECK PLEASE!!!!
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.
.
BUT THANKFULLY........
.
.
.

.....................AFTER "The Dark Knight Returns"....................

WE WERE GIVEN........

HOLY REVERSAL OF FORTUNE, THE DARK KNIGHT IS A SCARY DUDE AGAI...more

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Nov 10, 2010 Buck rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sequential-art

Call it art if you want to, but at the end of the day it’s still a dopey comic book about a guy in a form-fitting outfit who runs around beating people up. Am I missing something?

But really, I’m just mad at myself for giving four stars to Batman: Year One the other day, apparently during a manic episode. So I’m downgrading this bad boy. Year One has the stronger artwork anyway, and its ectomorphic Batman is drawn on a more human scale, with some of the ludicrous pathos of a young Adam West still...more

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May 06, 2013 Jonathan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels, personal-favourites, want

Before Christopher Nolan came alone and further redefined the idea of superheroics, Frank Miller was doing well enough to keep Batman fresh and interesting in his own way. The Dark Knight Returns tops my list of best graphic novels ever written for what it did for the genre, what it did for Batman and what it stands as today. Though Watchmen is universally accepted as the greatest graphic novel I personally believe this is greater in that it was written previously and from what I've read appears...more
Before Christopher Nolan came alone and further redefined the idea of superheroics, Frank Miller was doing well enough to keep Batman fresh and interesting in his own way. The Dark Knight Returns tops my list of best graphic novels ever written for what it did for the genre, what it did for Batman and what it stands as today. Though Watchmen is universally accepted as the greatest graphic novel I personally believe this is greater in that it was written previously and from what I've read appears to have 'opened the door' for Watchmen to become so accepted.

This is not the glossy Batman of the television shows, movies or recent comics. This is the ultimate representation of Batman as the Dark Knight. As a man straddling the line between hero and vigilante, as a man with a dark past he keeps running from and with villains who rise up against his heroic light. He is a man who keeps running from his past but can never escape the fact of the legend and icon he is. No wonder recent Doctor Who writers noted that there was a sense of Batmanification about the Doctor's latest incarnation. In short this novel fully explores many of the deep philosophical and psychological aspects of who and what Batman is as a symbol.

Essentially this is a semi-dystopian novel in graphic form. A tale of what happens when governments allow crime to run rampant, when superheroes are outlawed and when the Batman returns. Because essentially that is what the Batman is, a figure outside of the law who can do the things the law should but cannot.

The artwork is not neat or beautiful as some artwork is. But it fits the story perfectly, providing a further dark, gritty and rough edge to complement the plot. And that is what strong artwork should do in a graphic novel, it should fit the story rather than try and bedazzle the reader into believing the story is strong. Frank Miller certainly appears to have understood how to make a piece of art which is edgy and gives you both barrels in its artwork and story.

The story features an older Batman returning to action in Gotham - hence the title. But this is a Gotham devoid of the heroes of the past, this is a Gotham where heroes do not live. This is the dark incarnation of Gotham, a city of crime. And therefore Batman returns, a legend come to haunt the criminals of the city. And rising up alongside him is a new, female version of Robin.

The real theme of the story explores the idea of the hero or the vigilante. It questions whether, when evil and similarly chaos arise, a hero and order also arise. In the case of this novel, this hero is naturally Batman. The question is also raised that when one devotes oneself to fighting evil so incessantly if there is a cost, and the idea that Batman is a man who fights on only to keep running is again brought up.

This is a masterpiece and if you are into graphic novels a must read work. If you are wanting to begin reading Batman, here is as good a place as any to begin, because Frank Miller (genius that he is) takes the essence of what Batman is and spins it out into a new and gritty setting, while also exploring deep themes. In this regard this work is literature because it combines thematic expression with imagery. (less)

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Nov 27, 2010 Mykle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

(UPDATE: just to be pedantic ... reading the other reviews, I've come to realize that people use "The Dark Knight" as a nickname for any old Batman these days -- like calling Satan "Old St. Nick," or George Bush "Dubya". So to whomever may have said "Frank Miller isn't my favorite Dark Knight writer" I'd just like to point out that FRANK MILLER INVENTED THE DARK KNIGHT! If there's any earlier use of that phrase in history, I'm bat-ignorant. Back in the day, everyone else called him Caped Crusade...more

12 likes · like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Zaki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The artwork is brilliant and the stories are riveting. The Joker is as menacing as ever.

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 14, 2008 Heather rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: home-library

I know I'm alone in this, but I didn't really like The Dark Knight Returns. I struggled with the story structure -- all the perspective switching left me frequently scratching my head to figure out who was speaking, where we were, and what the Heck was happening. I was confused by some characters (the guy with the freaky flying baby bombs?). I was bothered that there was no discussion of Ellen/Robin's family -- we have VERY little information on her or why she wants to join Bats, how she really...more

20 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2008 Bryce Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics

Oh Frank Miller you might now be a batshit looney whose books are entertaining only because of how unbelievably stupid and gonzo they are. But once you where golden.

Nobody writes the apocalypse better then Frank Miller, he captures a horrifying feel as society destroys itself with a mix of apathy, anarchy, and entropy which no one can or even cares to stop. Ronin, Martha Washington, and Sin City all capture this elusive, terrifying, and strangely beautiful tone. But DKR did it the best.

It's gr...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Ronyell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Hardcore Batman fans!

Shelves: 6-star-reads, action-adventure, best-books-of-2012, american-hero-or-heroine, cult-classic, dc-comics, drama, dystopian-world, favorites, frank-miller, graphic-novels-comics, my-blog-reviews, mystery, read-in-2012, reviewed-books, sexy-bad-boy-hero, strong-hero, young-adult-teen-books, ronyell-s-epinions-reviews, books-i-already-own

5.5 stars!

It is 1960s “Batman” vs. 1980s “Batman!” Guess which one will win!

Batman

Introduction:

For many years, I have actually grown up with the darker version of Batman when I was little, thanks to the animated TV series that came out of the 90s. But a few years back, I have realized that there was a 1960s TV series where Batman seems a bit campy, but I had enjoyed it for what it was. Now, I had heard of a particular “Batman” story that was the one that really changed Batman’s character over the...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Kedar rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, to-reread, read-in-2012

My first thoughts after reading this one - I surely need to read this one again!

But then:

OH, COME ON!

The story moves around in different concentric circles. There is, of course, Batman, Two Face, The Joker, Robin, and oh yeah Superman in this book. Apart from Superman and Robin, the rest of the chums are plain crazy. (My Mommy says, "Crazy is as Crazy does.") That's the thread that binds these unstoppable forces and immovable objects.

Batman fights his friends and then fights that inexpugnable...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Stefan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I didn't think that this was bad by any means, but it didn't even come close to my expectations.

Overall, the artwork throughout the book ranges from very good to excellent. Where I found this book to be lacking was in the dialog and to some extent the storyline. Things just seemed very long and drawn-out and there were times where I was a bit confused as to what exactly was going on. I have previously 300 (another graphic novel by Frank Miller) and it also got me lost a couple of times along th...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Tony rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comic-graphic, classic, have-reread-more-than-once

I originally read the comics when they were released in 1985, and they were a ground breaking piece of work. Taking place during the Reagan era, all the heroes have been driven into retirement, some by force. No one has seen Batman for a decade, till he mysteriously returns.
Brilliantly written, Frank Miller questions not only what it means to be a hero, but also what price we are willing to pay for our own security. It also asks the question, what would we as people think, if we knew that god...more

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Jun 19, 2012 William rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Alan Moore's Watchmen gets a lot of the credit for bringing literary legitimacy to the comic book and ushering in the era of the 'graphic novel' but while I enjoyed Watchmen and the praise is well-deserved, I think The Dark Knight Returns is a stronger work in many ways. Moore's superheroes are recognizably based on established archetypes, but lack the primal power of the legends. The genre lends itself much better to reinvention than invention, and Miller's reinvention of the Batman pulls the c...more Alan Moore's Watchmen gets a lot of the credit for bringing literary legitimacy to the comic book and ushering in the era of the 'graphic novel' but while I enjoyed Watchmen and the praise is well-deserved, I think The Dark Knight Returns is a stronger work in many ways. Moore's superheroes are recognizably based on established archetypes, but lack the primal power of the legends. The genre lends itself much better to reinvention than invention, and Miller's reinvention of the Batman pulls the character back from the brink of campy obscurity and into relevance by imagining him middle-aged, unwillingly retired, and still firmly in the grip of what this book presents as a deep psychosis. In Miller's view, the billionaire playboy is the mask, and Bruce Wayne is a slave to the Batman persona rather than its master.

Come to this book expecting a straightforward superhero adventure story and you're going to be disappointed. It's sophisticated and complex. There are shifting narrative points of view, social commentary, complicated characters, and lots of history and backstory that is mostly only obliquely referenced. Although other familiar characters–Superman, the Green Arrow–appear, this isn't a Saturday morning Justice League cartoon. Superman (referred to throughout only as 'Clark' or 'Kent', depending on who's speaking to him) has become an agent (official or otherwise) of the US Government and takes his orders from a president who's a thinly-veiled caricature of Ronald Reagan. He exists in the book mainly to present a distaff view of heroism and help Miller examine the question of whether it's better to obey or resist.

Miller doesn't flinch from the moral ambiguity of the Batman's extrajudicial war on crime. It's surely not a spoiler to say the author is ultimately sympathetic to Batman's vigilantism, but he doesn't let its problematic aspects go by unexamined. One of the main subplots in the novel is the ongoing debate–on the street and in the media–over whether Batman is a hero or a villain, and whether his actions will save Gotham or contribute to its downfall.

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Aug 21, 2012 Marsha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book almost took the spot of my favorite Batman comic (Killing Joke just edges it out). Unbelievably well written story with a fantastic plot. Was not a big fan of year one, but this comic more then lived up to the hype. Overall the book is a must read for batman fans and I especially loved the story at the end which shed more light into the plot and gave the reader an alternate ending to the story in the novel.

The book is separated into 4 sections (dark knight returns, triumphant, hunt th...more This book almost took the spot of my favorite Batman comic (Killing Joke just edges it out). Unbelievably well written story with a fantastic plot. Was not a big fan of year one, but this comic more then lived up to the hype. Overall the book is a must read for batman fans and I especially loved the story at the end which shed more light into the plot and gave the reader an alternate ending to the story in the novel.

The book is separated into 4 sections (dark knight returns, triumphant, hunt the dark knight and dark knight falls). The premise is that Batman has been retired for 10 years but Gotham is still a hell hole and only getting worse. Gordon is about to retire and the entire city is in turmoil. It is being overrun by a gang called the mutants who brutalize and terrorize the citizens of Gotham. Wayne is struggling to keep Batman at bay and finally lets him loose. Before this Harvey Dent was apparently rehabilitated and let loose into society, but even though his face is fixed he still becomes Two-face (and is captured by Batman later on). The return of Batman also brings Joker out of a 10 year coma and gives him new life and he plans his escape.

Batman saves 2 girls from the mutants and one of them (Carrie Kelly) decides to done the Robin costume and help Batman. She saves his life from the Mutant leader (who is some genetic freak and almost kills Batman). She proves to be a fantastic side kick and proves her worth throughout the book. Meanwhile the politicians do not take a definite stand on the return of Batman, rather passing the responsibility to the next person. With Gordon leaving they hire a woman to replace him who believes Batman should be arrested and put on trial for his crimes. The mutants and their leader are being held by the police, but the Mayor in a vain attempt to rationalize w/the mutant leader (and gain positive publicity) gets himself killed. Gordon lets the leader escape where he faces off w/Batman again and this time Batty prevails (using a mud pit to equalize the playing field). some of the mutants not having any leader then form a "sons of batman (SOB)" group who go after criminals.

Joker revitalized from the return of Batman escapes and then goes on a massive killing spree. Batman decides that enough people have died because he lets Joker live, and plans on killing Joker. During the fight Joker wounds Batman tremendously, and when Batman has the opportunity to kill Joker, he cant do it, instead he paralyzes him. However Joker gets the last laugh and twists his neck until it breaks, killing himself and placing the blame for his death on Batman (the straw that broke the camels back, now Batman is labeled as a killer which guarantees the police will come after him).

With the return of the Batman the president urges Superman to talk to him. Kent does but then has to fly off to avert a crisis in a south american country (where the US and Russia are facing off). We learn that the superheroes have formed a pact w/the politicians in order to keep the media out and save lives at the same time. primarily do the fear that operate outside the law. most of them do not fight crime anymore w/the exception of superman. superman averts the crisis BUT russia launches a warhead that he diverts over a dessert but it detonates. thus creating an environmental disaster (and almost killing superman) since the cloud of debris knock off the sun for a couple days. Batman although seriously injured from the fight w/the Joker goes out w/Robin and restores order to Gotham w/the SOB's. Although Gotham is one of the few cities not having safety issues (primarily due to batman & co) the presidents orders superman to bring him in. thus leading to an EPIC fight between superman and batman. batman dones a suit that gives him super strength and uses some weapons to get superman weaker (batman things kent is a goody goody who sold out the heroes). but just as batman is about to get the upper hand his heart stops. the next panel is Alfred blowing up the batcave and wayne manor. we see bruce wayne being buried (age:55) and the news reporting that he was batman and that all his bank accounts are empty. right before kent leaves, he hears a heartbeat coming from the grave and smiles. Batman has survived, Wayne did not, and superman will leave him alone as long as he stays quiet. it ends w/batman giving orders to some the of SOB's and establishing a new cave w/Robin.

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Sep 18, 2008 Katie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I know that this is one case where there must be something wrong with *me* and not with the book, because it's been lauded as one of the greatest graphic novels in superhero history, and I thought it sucked.

The story is very difficult to follow - and this coming from someone who is well-versed in Batman lore, and who is used to the comic book medium for storytelling. Poor writing.

The pictures are sometimes difficult to interpret - it's hard to even figure out what's...more

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Aug 10, 2008 Amie R. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

I can't really see why this is considered one of the best Batman stories ever. There's nothing here that really makes it special. It has a slow-moving, weak plot and less than stellar artwork. There is too much word repetition - you already said that 10 pages back, I did not forget already. Along with the stupid repetition are phrases which make absolutely no sense whatsoever. I guess it was an attempt at future slang, but it failed miserably. "Balls rad"? What the HELL does that even mean? Anyw...more

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Mar 22, 2008 Kevin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels

For 30 straight years, the Batman has battled the enemies of Gotham City. For the next 10 years, Bruce Wayne, the Batman’s alter ego, has watched from the sidelines as he struggles to enjoy his “retirement” and purge himself of the guilt he feels over all that he had to sacrifice to clean up Gotham. Now, with Commissioner Gordon on the verge of retirement, Harvey Dent (AKA Two Face) about to be released from Arkham Asylum, and the Joker ready to explode at any moment, Wayne feels himself being d...more

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Jan 26, 2008 Hillary rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oh my lord. What I learned is that Frank Miller is an effing nutjob. I should have learned that earlier, and it doesn't mean he's not talented or that this isn't a good book, but there is something quite messed up in his head. The art is a bit lumpy throughout and just sort of not clean enough, and it feels like there are panels missing that could provide a little more exposition (thank god for the script of the last issue that's provided at the end of this edition, or I would have definitely mi...more

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Apr 30, 2007 Michael Alexander rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: comic fans, geeks, libertarians

Completely revitalized the genre, yes. Superman as fascist enforcer for Reagan, amazing. Batman vs. Superman in an actually conceivable battle, makes the 14 year old in me jump for joy while the adult goes "oh CRAP!"

But I just can't stop being creeped out by Frank Miller and his moral universe, which seems to think psychotic vigilantism is actually pretty okay compared to the Evil Namby Pamby Liberals who Don't Mind Letting Psychos Chop Good Citizens To Pieces. Somehow I really, really don't thi...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Robert rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novel

Awfully bad.

A lot of people have given credit to this book because it marked the return of Batman to the mainstream and set the stage for the 1989 movie. But, this book is pretty awful. The artwork is poor and detracts from the action. Using TV news to move the plot along is an amateurish device. Frankly, I am sorry that I wasted my time with this. The artwork is just so poorly drawn and executed, it makes it difficult at times to follow the action of the story.

Terrible.

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Sep 27, 2011 Reformed Pirate added it · review of another edition

I had never read a single thing by Frank Miller before picking up this graphic novel. After reading this, however, I immediately found the sequel and devoured it as well.

There's something about the way that Frank Miller tells this story that sucks you in from the very beginning and won't let go. Straight from the introduction you get the feeling that this comic is his tribute to someone that has had an incredible overwhelming influence on his life.

I loved the fact that Frank took the time to d...more

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Apr 03, 2013 B-rad So rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think Batman: The Dark Night Returns by Frank Miller is an over the top action packed graphic novel. The whole time I was reading this book I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next. I personally felt this way about this book because there is action on almost every page of the book and when there is no action you're behind the scenes seeing what all the mutant gang members are plotting to try and take down The Dark Knight. The drawings also caught my attention,...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, graphic-novels

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 28, 2013 Nadia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 06, 2013 Helmut Barro rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics, superheroes

Kein Zweifel

Dies ist ein Meilenstein der Comicgeschichte. Nach diesem Buch war nichts mehr wie vorher, und mit ihm ging das "Bronze Age" der Comics zu Ende und das "Modern Age" begann. Weg ist der lachende, witzelnde Technikbastler mit Heldenambitionen der 50er und 60er, weg ist der Detektiv der 70er und 80er. Hier ist der Psychotiker, der zerfressene, getriebene dunkle Ritter, der Faschist, der Vigilant, der das Recht in die eigene Hand nimmt. Waren die problembehafteten Marvel-Helden der 60er...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Chance rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Comic book fans

Recommended to Chance by: Internet

Alright first thing is the authors main purpose for writing this book is to entertain its audience. The story is a narrative told through the dark knight himself (if you didn't know The Dark Knight is Batman). The style is different compared to other books for the big reason that it is a graphic novel which is basically a long comic book which allows 2 types of style, the art style and the style of writing. The writing style is a totally serious tone and it is very dark and gritty and not for l...more Alright first thing is the authors main purpose for writing this book is to entertain its audience. The story is a narrative told through the dark knight himself (if you didn't know The Dark Knight is Batman). The style is different compared to other books for the big reason that it is a graphic novel which is basically a long comic book which allows 2 types of style, the art style and the style of writing. The writing style is a totally serious tone and it is very dark and gritty and not for light readers. It also very political involving panels of tv news broadcasting to further the plot or bring up points that make the batman setting more in depth and 3-dimensional when topics such as batman is the reason that bad guys exist being argued on a talk show.

The underlying theme is very hard to see and is hidden between layers but and after some thought and some consideration I think the theme is redemption and rebirth. The theme is actually harder to find the what the author is trying to say about a topic and there are a couple such as justice over law and the challenge to rise up against the law to do what is overall right. Another is rebirth which sounds kind of weird even for batman but what it does in the story is showing how he can't go on with letting crime run rampant while he stands idle by and lets it happens so he comes out of retirement to retake the mantle and become reborn as the batman.

As I said before this style of writing is a narration type of story. Like I said before as well this is a dark, gritty, and pretty violent book told through the eyes of batman of how crime is at an all time high in Gotham city and it makes batman come out of retirement to fight against it. The real question is however is the writing in a narrative effective? Batman is probably one of the only comic book characters known for narratives no matter who writes him whether it'd be the inner monologues for batman to help explain the story or the fantastic side characters to help the pacing. Frank Miller does the narration perfectly, sucking you into this dark and gritty world which keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.

My personal opinion of this graphic novel is that it is a great read for any comic book fan or batman fan who wants to explore and learn more about the batman mythos. I know I really enjoyed it but I realize it is not for everyone such as people who have only seen the movies may not enjoy it because it is drastically different but it's all preference. What I really liked is the political aspect of batman's affect on the general public and the government. I also enjoyed the dark tone it took it shows that batman is not for kids but sometimes it was a little over the top. Even though I have given this book a ton of praise there are a couple things I didn't like about it (I am not going to mention too much due to spoilers) I didn't like the art too much which is kind of weird because I like drawing myself and that what makes up the entire book to help visualize along with the story but the art to me was a little hard to look at times and it sometimes didn't look consistent but it's not a huge deals and doesn't take away from keeping the story going. The other thing I didn't like was that at times it jumped around which was meant to keep the pacing going but sometime it felt like there was no break to the chaos of events in the story which I think is what the author is trying point out there is constant chaos in Gotham and with Batman. Like other comics or graphic novels I've read it usually consist of the same thing which is a dark narrative about batman dealing with being batman and fighting crime.
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Feb 07, 2013 Bob rated it 5 of 5 stars

It has been a long time since I took my increasingly worn copy of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns off of the shelf. I just watched the animated version of Frank Millers epic tale of The Dark Knight (which I enjoyed) and was immediately compelled to go to the source material. I first read this (and many times since) not long after it was first released and it still has a powerful impact. This graphic novel redefined Batman. I also believe it helped redefine comics in general.

This is a dark tale a...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Robert Kent rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade-ninja-reviews

Oh, Esteemed Reader, I'm not sure if I can contain my asploding nerdiness today. I've often wondered how I might answer the 7 Questions I've been bugging other writers with for years now. I will face them one day as soon as I have a published book to link to. By far, the hardest of the questions is the first one: What are your top three favorite books? It's a question so cruel I encourage writers to cheat, but if I were answering, there would be no cheating allowed.

Speaking of 7 Questions, we'll...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Sophia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Short thoughts:

Old man revenge fantasy? Maybe a little. Everyone is a simplified stereotype. The lines these people say, it's ridiculous. Like you couldn't get more cliché than these talking heads.

Batman has a Dark Passenger. I wonder if all men with power who act do. The usual 'good creates evil' moral dilemma shows up here.

I like how being Batman is empowering; these alter egos lend something more than human. There's the thing in Watchmen when Nite Owl II can't be sexually potent without the...more

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About Frank Miller

Frank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the...more

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Quotes from Batman: The Dark Knigh...

“This should be agony. I should be a mass of aching muscle - broken, spent, unable to move. And, were I an older man, I surely would ... ... but I'm a man of thirty - of twenty again. The rain on my chest is a baptism - I'm born again ... ” — 36 people liked it

“Of course we're Criminals” — 20 people liked it

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title link	preview: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
avg rating	preview: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Goodreads rating: 4.27 (62731 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/656975.Batman?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327254005l/656975.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/656975.Batman?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller[/url]

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Batman)

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