Rating: 
Summary: Superb!
Review: I've not been into comics for a long time, but one of my good friends owns a comic shop, and this was one of the first books recommended to me by the regulars there. I must say, it lives up to it's expectations! It follows the story of an aging Bruce Wayne, who, at the age of 55 (I think) has seemingly retired from the masked vigilante business. Of course, if that were it, we wouldn't have much of a story, now would we? Batman comes out of retirement, and the rest of the story unfolds from there. I don't want to get too in depth with you, in case you haven't read it, but I highly recommend this to ANYONE looking to get into comics or even if you're just looking for something cool to read.
Rating:
Summary: Batman grows up
Review: Along with The Watchmen and Daredevil, The Dark Knight Returns was part of the "new wave" of comics in the 80's that introduced new possibilities to the staid comic lexicon: adult themes, complex storylines, and, most radically for the time, a blurring of the line between hero and villain. These new approaches not only became core attributes of the burgeoning graphic novel genre, but also helped to modernize comics and introduce the medium to a new -and more mature- audience. Miller's at his best here when he explores the many paradoxes that inform the Batman; clearly, the past constructions of Batman as mere 'superhero' did the character a great disservice, since he's much more interesting here as a morally ambiguous and complex person. The expert television commentaries sprinkled throughout the narrative not only poke fun at the shallowness of contemporary news programs, but also well exemplify Batman's nebulousness and how he symbolizes different values (social deviant, victims' rights crusader) to different agendas. The dramatic, full-page illustrations also add to the richness of the book. Clearly, Miller is no slave to tradition. He kills off some rather important comic characters in this text, nearly does away with others, and re-imagines Batman's trusty sidekick, Robin, as a young woman. Entire pages go by without any dialogue: Miller positions us inside the mind of the characters where we're privy to their innermost thoughts. The Dark Knight is nothing if not unpredictable, a refreshing change from the "good guy wins, bad guys die" formula of the comics of old. This really was (and still is) a groundbreaking and important work. Miller deserves accolades not only for having written an engrossing story, but for also having paved new and exciting directions for the modern comic.
Rating: 
Summary: only one
Review: There is only one true Batman and everything else is a lack of creativity. Go back to the drawing board.
Rating:
Summary: definitive
Review: This is one of the most definitive batman stories to come out in many years! The story is great and the art is a dear companion to the story and the characters. Frank retold the story the way we KNOW it should have been told! Bruce can't stay young forever right? this is one of the best graphic novels to pick up. Frank's sense of humor is not sugar coated and his dry wit and dark humor is poured into this work very well.
A well accomplished masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: Once in a lifetime....
Review: Once in a lifetime you come across some stuff like this. Something totally new, different from the Batman you're used to read, even these days. A long time has gone by, a lot of water under the bridge, but every time I read it I realize it's one of the best graphic novels I've ever bought.
Rating:
Summary: HARDCORE!!!!
Review: Without a doubt the best Batman story ever told. The final showdown against Superman is mind blowing. Frank Miller is a genius, who captures the true essence of what Batman ought to be.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Graphic Novels to date
Review: Comic books are rarely ever thought for its good writing. When most people think "comic book," they think of a childhood past, where batman had every gadget ready for any situation. I think that this graphic novel breaks the mold of good comic book writing. Batman is no longer in his prime, in his retirement age, and yet he fights harder then he ever had before. Through this comic, Batman as a character is probably one of the strongest I've read. Batman is reborn! This is a must read for anyone! simply anyone. No other comic has ever given me chills like when Batman says "this isn't a mud hole, this is an oporating table... and I'm the surgeon."
Rating:
Summary: Believe the hype
Review: Doubtlessly one of the most talked about comic book storylines of the past twenty years, its reputation is well founded. While material that was as hyped as The Dark Knight Returns is often ultimately disappointing, or seems outdated decades later, every time one reads The Dark Knight Returns he'd be more convinced that this is indeed a perfect piece of modern literature; and comics, American comics most of all, very rarely got this good. The Dark Knight Returns is one of a handful of graphic novels (e.g. Watchmen, The Sandman and Marvels) that achieve the status of genuine and timeless classics. In the time of its release in the early 80s, The Dark Knight Returns was revolutionary, in every aspect. Frank Miller, already an acclaimed artist for his work on the early issues of Wolverine, already proved himself as a writer in 1984's brilliant and groundbreaking mini-series Ronin, but The Dark Knight Returns in 1986 was his break into the world of mainstream comics, and remains his most important achievement. But while his work on the series was within the world of super-hero comics, and within the financial safety of publishing under the DC Comics banner, Miller took mainstream comics to disturbing new places and super-heroes were never looked at the same way again. Taking inspiration from the groundbreaking work of the Dennis O'neil / Neil Addams team who revolutionized super-hero comics in the late 70s, and from his own former partner Chris Claremont, Miller made super-hero comics darker, more reflective and more mature than was ever made before. For that he took darkest character in the DC Universe, the Caped Crusader himself, and took him 20 years into the future, well into retirement. The new Batman is well into his 50s, sad and tired, and a much rougher kind of hero than he was before. Miller's very modern look on the Dark Knight was disturbing and discomforting to say the least; Dark Knight Returns is not an adventure story, it's a moral examination of his character and the problematic nature of his actions. Never before was Batman judged so harshly by his own author, and it's difficult for the reader to accept it - since, while Batman's actions are here presented as problematic to say the least, if not criminal, but he is also more human and more recognizable than we'd ever seen him before. But it's not just the view of Batman's character that makes Dark Knight Returns so disturbing - it's the view of the world. Miller's future is dark and bleak, and eerily realistic. He goes to great lengths to create a realistic and convincing world, right down to creating a new slang for the new young generation. Through countless minor characters and little stories, each one rounded and well-constructed by its own right, Frank Miller creates a Gotham City we can know, a Gotham we can relate to. It's a city living in fear, a city that's in the grip of a merciless gang more ruthless and vicious than the criminals Batman faced in his prime. In Bruce Wayne's own words, it's a city that's 'given up hope, like the whole world seems to have'. And as the city lies in the shadow of the fear of the Mutants gang, so the world lives in the shadow on nuclear holocaust. It is in the middle of this reality that a real hero is proven. And despite all the doubt and all the misgivings, the Batman presented here is more heroic than he ever was. It takes one kind of hero to fight madmen on a daily basis and thwart their diabolical schemes; it takes quite a different one to face himself and the world and not give up. Batman isn't the only character who is given fantastic care on The Dark Knight Returns. Commissioner James Gordon, a character who had become much more important and more sophisticated in the last twenty years, is an important part of the story, and his part in it is fascinating, although more thought would be given to him on Miller's second Dark Knight expedition - Batman: Year One in 1988. The Dark Knight Returns also features a young and energetic Robin, who serves the role that Robin should have from the beginning - to provide contrast to the character of the Batman. Interestingly, though, the death of Jason Todd is often referred to, though it was released three years before Jason actually died in the comic continuity - and even then, his death was decided by a readers' poll. Hmm... Alfred Pennyworth, of course, completes the classic team. As for villains to battle - Two of Batman's most classic enemies, The Joker and Two-Face, return on The Dark Knight Returns - mainly as subplots, and to serve as reflections for Batman himself. This story is not about fighting madmen. There is, though, a grand final showdown at the end, in which Batman fights a surprising enemy... As for the art: Frank Miller's artwork is an acquired taste. So is Lynn Varley's coloring, which is subtle and pale and may seem somewhat outdated to modern readers. Miller's drawing on The Dark Knight Returns is not as impressive and appealing as his work on Sin City, but if you enjoyed his early artwork, especially on Wolverine and Ronin, you'll like this one too. The artwork really is brilliant, if you take the time to see its subtleties. At any rate, on The Dark Knight Returns Miller had the benefit of not only the wonderful coloring of Lynn Varley (who also collaborated on Ronin) but also one of the finest inkers in the world of comics, Mr. Klaus Janson, who contributed to the series beyond words, gave it a lot of its atmosphere and created some of the darkest and most impressive images of Batman and Gotham City. In every possible way, The Dark Knight Returns is a masterpiece. If you like comics, and not just super-hero comics, by all means read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Mostly Good
Review: Stephen King thought highly of Dark Knight. I would value his opinion. The story is a bit over the top at times, and the ending is a pleasing, refreshing take on Batman. On the minus side, the illustration and coloring is way outdated and an annoying eyesore to look at. Still, this is one of those "classics" that everyone on their amazon.com guide will tell you to buy. I don't believe that this should be the case though. Check it out at your library first, or borrow from a friend, then decide if you want a copy of your own.
Rating:
Summary: Did he really return? Didn't seem like him to me.
Review: I was extremely disappointed with this book. It is one of the only graphic novels that I have deliberately traded back to the store for credit. I did not recognize the Batman character at all in this portrayal of his "future self". The whole novel was about Batman using huge weaponry and little of his cunning to subdue whole armies of evil-doers without any of his original motivations of his parents death. I read it to the end, waiting for a plot twist, or a sudden redemption of the story line, but it simply didn't happen. If you want good Batman, read No Man's Land, Bruce Wayne: Murderer, or Batman: Hush. Now THAT was good writing.
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