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Summary: The proof that graphic novel is first and foremost a novel
Review: So there I was thinking that comic was only easy fun when I stumble over Dark Knight Returns. Miller gives such life to the illustration! but the really important part is the character's inner life, his doubts and fears and how ultimately he can not betray what he is and the responsibility that came with the decisions he made so far ago.
All and all an excelent book which happens to have amazing drawings in it
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Summary: This "comic book" needs to be read in middle-age.
Review: This is a "comic book" that needs to be read in middle-age. It is a book that needs to be read long after the corruption, the lies, and the injustice have stopped you from believing in much of anything. That is because this is a tale of rebirth. The language is powerful: "A MAN has risen to show us that the power is, and always has been in our hands, we are under siege- he's showing us that we can resist." In light of recent events this story is even more eerily powerful and relevent. You see, it begins with a plot to blow up "Gotham's twin towers" with two aircraft. It doesn't happen though, because instead of leaving the safety of the city up to the professionals, HE is there- only him. Combined with later scenes you truly wonder about the parallels.... The rebirth and resistance theme strikes a cord deep inside one. At least it does if you have a soul, or as the text says: "You know it in your soul, for I am your soul." Yes, if you are tired to death of a "world plagued by worse than thieves and murderers" this book will speak to you, and speak deeply.
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Summary: Best Piece Of Comic Art I Ever Read
Review: The language, the art, and the storyline was excellent! The suprise appearance of Superman made it impossible for me to put the book down. I enjoyed seeing and reading about new antagonists and the new female Robin. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
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Summary: Frank Miller really hit the mark with this one!
Review: Batman is my favorite comic hero. I admire him for many reasons, but what stands-out the most is his humanity and self determination. Batman doesn't have any super powers that he can use, but he's not an ordinary man. What he lacks as far as super powers go is more than made-up for by his wits,creativeness, physical strength, and just plain guts. Batman is a great self- made man, but he can grow old and that brings me to the point I would like to make about this book. Frank Miller captured the essence of the Batman that I love and accurately portrayed him as a man of retirement age, but he's still got it in him! This story is a real page turner and the artwork is visually pleasing and not overdone. This story accomplished what I feel was intended for it to do and reaffirmed my belief that while Batman may grow old, he will never die.
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Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: This book is amazing! Any Batman or comic fan should read this at some point in their life. This is a book that I couldn't put down once I started reading it--literally. I just had to keep reading. At first, I thought the art would get in the way of the story, as it's not traditional comic art, but once I started reading, it complemented the story more than traditional art would have. Ever since I finished this book, I've been anxiously waiting for "The Dark Knight Strikes Again", the sequel to "The Dark Knight Returns". Check out both titles, now that DK2 is finally out...
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Summary: read me
Review: tooo good.
the comic that set a standard
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Summary: Miller's Masterpiece
Review: One of the problems with writing about a genre classic nearly fifteen years after its original release is that so many will have tried to surpass it since then (mostly unsuccessfully). Such is the case with Miller's Dark Knight Returns. In the wake of superior product like Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and From Hell, inferior product like McFarlane's insipid Spawn series, and middling product like Miller's own Sin City limiteds, it's hard to understand what a splash was made by The Dark Knight Returns on its original release. Even in light of Miller's work on classics like Ronin, Elektra: Assassin, and the great Wolverine limited series, Dark Knight was something special, something so dark and twisted and mature, it all but demanded that the rest of the genre mature toward its standard, and almost literally forced establishment critics to take the genre seriously at last. No small feat, especially when considering the character Miller chose to work with -- after all, Batman to most people meant Adam West hitting Cesar Romero with a resounding POW! Not exactly the best way to reenergize a medium, right? Except Miller did it -- boy, did he ever. Dark Knight was and is one of the most powerful pieces of comic art it's ever been my privelege to own. From the Miller/Janson team's gritty illustrative style, expertly suited to the material, to Lynn Varley's exquisite sense of color and mood, to Miller's expertly-written story, Dark Knight is everything a graphic novel should be. Take as just one for-instance the story: It's a brilliant reimagining and reinterpretation of the entire Batman mythos, bridging the gap between every era of the Masked Manhunter's long career, from the dark noir of the early days, through the "Boy Scout" period of the forties and fifties, and even a little of the "science fiction" and tv-era Batman (though thankfully not much of either), and on to the modern Darknight Detective period. Miller takes Bruce Wayne into his mid-fifties, retired but still troubled in his heart, and sets up a chain of circumstances which force Batman's emergence from that retirement, even as Jim Gordon is being forced out of his job, Two-Face is supposedly "cured" by self-aggrandizing doctors, and the deadly Mutant gang, a "purer breed" of criminal, practically owns the streets of Gotham. Miller ties all of these disparate elements together in unique ways, and weaves from them a story so enthralling, and so full of mythical echoes, that few have been able to equal it, even today. As one example of the mythical resonances in Dark Knight, have a look at Miller's dramatic depiction of Batman's old pal Superman. Here the "big blue schoolboy" (as one of the characters hilariously describes him) is shown as Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster always meant him to be: an earthbound god among mortals. One panel in particular is key to this image: Superman holding the tank up over his head (with the memorable caption, "We must not remind them that giants walk the Earth."), a very dramatic (and very deliberate) redrawing of the cover of Action Comics #1. The panel is meant to remind us of the basic difference between DC's two primary exponents: Batman is a mere costumed crimefighter, but Superman is, well, Super, man! From Part 3 on, the conflict between the two characters seems inevitable, and promises to be spectacular. Then there is the Batman himself -- and here Miller has done something so astounding it beggars description. For example, consider Bruce Wayne's intensely-rendered flashback to his parents' murder, done in a series of still-frame-like panels, with no dialogue, narration or sound effects, just the horrifying images: a finger tightening on a trigger, Thomas Wayne's huge hand falling away from his shocked son, the strand of pearls splitting apart as the gun is fired again -- this is a dark sort of visual poetry, so immediate and visceral it makes you understand at last just why Bruce Wayne was so damaged in those fleeting, horrifying moments. Similarly, the HUGE bat crashing through Bruce's window (symbolizing the futility of resisting destiny, the second coming of Batman, the spirit of "the finest warrior, the purest survivor" and about a half-dozen other things), takes Bob Kane's original idea and expands it once more into the realm of myth -- this is not just a bat but a Bat, the soul and spirit of someting bigger than Bruce Wayne, Gotham City, or even Superman himself. This is the stuff, as Alan Moore once noted, of legend. There's so much else in this rich tale, from brilliant caricatures of David Letterman, Ronald Reagan, and Dr. Ruth (not to mention a totally undeserved slam at Harlan Ellison -- "eating our babies for breakfast," indeed!), to Miller's brilliant reimagining of Robin (no longer a boy wonder but a girl wonder!), that 1000 words simply can't shower Dark Knight with enough praise. If you're a Bat-fan, this volume should definitely be in your collection. If not, it will make you see what you've been missing. In any event, what are you sitting around reading this for? You could be reading Dark Knight instead! Waste no more time!
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Summary: wow
Review: "Wow" is the only word that comes to mind when i read this. I've read it about 8 times from start to finish without a break and it gets better every time. Miller's writing has more depth to it than most modern novels. I've never read a comic book or graphic novel(other than watchmen) with this much depth. This writing is on a level of its own. Batman becomes a three demensional character under the creative control of Miller. The fact that this miniseries was published in 1987 and still holds water today is a testament to its greatness. The only complaint i have about the work is the artwork towards the end. While it is dark and dirty the whole way through(this is good, it fits the story) it gets sloppy towards the end. It's almost as if Miller drew the whole thing in one sitting and by the end his hand was killing him.
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Summary: Greatest Batman tale ever.
Review: I remember when I first read this I didn't like it too much. Years, later, upon my second reading I REALLY REALLY like this book. It's not as good as the Watchmen but what is. The only thing I still don't like are the Joker's flying robot toddlers. Those were just weird. Toddlers aside, The Dark Knight Returns begins with a 55 year old Bruce Wayne who, like every other hero except Superman is retired (Superman is a secret agent for the government). Bruce obsession for fighting crime rises once again and at the best time. Two-Face is missing and a gang called the Mutants are after Commishoner Gordon. But Batman may have bitten off more than he can chew when the Joker returns. Watch as a new Robin arrives, Batman inspires violent vigilantes and a final battle between Superman and Batman! Filled with Frank Miller's brand of dark social satire, Gotham's future mfeature psychiatrists claim to be curing villains just to get national attention, Ronald Reagan is still president (what is it with cool comics having crappy presidents? Watchmen had Richard Nixon) and Gotham is much much more violent. Each battle is epic (I really liked Batman Vs. the Leader of the Mutants Round 2) and the ending is very satisfying. I'm worried about the upcoming Drak Knight Strikes Back but even if it is a quarter as good, that's good enough for me.
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Summary: Top of the heap?
Review: I'd heard all the hype for years. When I finally picked it up, I was definately not let down. Simply put, this is possibly the best super-hero story ever written. Miller gives us a Batman we truly want to see, and defines the character. The action is flawless, with each of Batman's battles building up to the next, each pushing him to new limits. There are some truly inspiring moments here, and you never know just exactly what to expect. Flaws? I can't think of any. Maybe the fight with the Joker could have ended differently, but I don't want to spoil anything. Some readers may be put off by Miller's apparent lack of a real stance on any of the issues in the story. Personally, I feel it's the only way to go. Miller takes substantial jabs at just about everything, from new-age psycho babble to cold war politics. At times, it seems as though Batman is the only one on the planet who has a real clue and is willing to do anything about it. Superman fans may cringe at his portrayal, but again, it's tough to imagine him in a different role. Superman becomes a huge part of the story in the end, and the whole would greatly suffer without him. This comic is constantly put up against the Watchmen. I feel that they are so different that comparison is useless. Let me put it this way, if you want a true super hero story with a character you really want to root for, Dark Knight Returns wins hands down. Miller's rep is enormous, but it's tough to slight him once you read this.
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