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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

List Price: $24.95
Your Price: $16.47
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Over the top yet subtle
Review: Their are points in this book that are over the top, like all good superheroe comics. There is also subtle satire. Some parts seem like opera. I could here Wagner's Ride of the Valkries when Batman attacked the Mutants in a tank. Yet, you have many moments that are very quiet. Plus- it proves once and for all that Batman is better than Superman.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A little secret.
Review: Here's a little secret for you as a reader of Batman: the Dark Knight Returns, whether you've read it before or are reading it for the first time: Frank Miller knows what he's doing. This story is quite depthy, and had a long lasting appeal to it. Frank's art while it can be considered a little sloppy is still some of the best ever put to paper. Why? The construction of the story. There aren't many in this field that can construct a story in the ways that Frank Miller can, and it shows in Dark Knight. From simple panel set ups, to an almost slow-motion like pace towards the beginning of the novel. Frank knows what he's doing. This isn't as one dimentional as readers below have cited, some books they say as being better than DKR have even weaker representations of the Batman in them--the Long Halloween readily comes to mind. There is more story here than what's in the text, this is a comic book--a visual medium, and there is no nead for copious amounts of text to describe what can be describes with a subtle facial expression. This book very comfortably confronts the strong and weak points of the Batman character, and sheds away the archtypes that followed it as what they are: shallow imposters. It struggles with the dual nature that Bruce Wayne/The Batman has to deal with on a daily basis, and it works. Tremendously so. It also deals with several situations that were happening in the real world at the time, and how Frank saw these characters fit to deal with them. I've read a lot of complaints about the violence level within this book and so forth, and well, yes, the book is violent, but not just for violence's sake. Batman's been retired for ten years, everything's different, the criminals are different, the gangs used to be suits with guns in mafioso-like settings, now they rape, murder, and do plenty more than what Batman was used to before he retired. The level of violence fits. Frank knows what he's doing. This book has very powerful views and statements on the superhero genre and how the real world reflects it. Read just a little below the surface and you too will see that Frank knows what he's doing.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dark Knight - A Modern Comics Classic
Review: Frank Miller's groundbreaking 1986 comic book series still packs a punch today. (I first read it only a few years ago.) This was the story which proved superhero comics can be powerful drama and social commentary. This tale of a middle-aged Bruce Wayne returning one last time to fight crime as the Batman is an original and interesting mixture of ironic frivolity and serious themes. It is the themes in the subtexts of the story that most make this work intersting. These themes include the issue of pure justice (as typified by the Batman) versus the corruptible system, and whether the power of justice best belongs in the hands of the legal system or to individuals. Miller offers scathing satirical sketches of spineless politicians, vacuous mass-media, and criminal-coddling pop psychology. Miller's fascinating portrait of Batman as a complex, tortured, and three-dimensional human being cannot be soon forgotten. The Dark Knight Returns is a compelling story of of a troubled hero in an unheroic world.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Disturbing, Beautiful, Brutal and Poetic...
Review: The Batman in retirement, trying as hard as he can to lie to himself and believe that we can ignore our darker sides, and the by extension he can ignore his.. Two-Face in Arkham, a symbol of duality to Batman, is now having his face repaired in a publicity stunt funded by the kind millionare Bruce Wayne, who thinks that if Two-Face can shed his darker side, it'll be proof that such things are possible. Upon release, Two-Face is now reduced to one face, so he must choose one side of his personality to settle on, and scarred as he is, he or course chooses evil. "At least both sides match..."
By not addressing our darkness, we allow it to become the thing that consumes us, and the Batman must now come out of retirement to fight evil, instead of staying at home and fighting himself. The Joker, comatose for nearly 10 years after Batman left him and life became somewhat meaningless, suddenly breaks into a grin and his hair gets back a little of its original green luster. Anxious to make themselves look competent again, the wards of Arkham allow the Joker to appear on television to show his progress.. And it's all downhill from there.
That's the premise that allows Frank Miller to cut to the core of Batman with a vicious brilliance, changing nothing about the character other than to show us what an extraordinary metaphore he always has been. This story's all about Batman, but Batman's a symbol. The villians present serve to illuminate Batman's nature, and to pose the hard questions. Two-Face, of course, has always been a sort of funhouse mirror image of Batman himself, and in an odd way the Joker has always been in love with the Bat, because he truely needs someone that's capable of understanding just how sick he really is, and it's a comfort to him. He and Batman end up together at a Carnival, in the tunnel of love. Catwoman, who has always been in love with Batman in a more romantic way, is here a very sad figure, as she always has been. She's not really insane enough to warrant a lifetime in Arkham, so what's to become of her? She ends up doing the only thing she has experience with: running an escourt service. Poetic retribution for her hatred of men, and illustration of the fact that none of these characters will ever escape their demons. And of course, the fact that Catwoman is now running a Cathouse is typical of the brand of dark humor and sharp wit that run throughout the book.
So of course, the writing is something brilliant from page 1, extremely clever with its parallel plotting and level of detail, but it's always functional to the themes. It's good to say that the art matches the writing. Dark, dirty, ugly, and gorgeous, all at the appropriate moments, and the coloring is the best I've ever seen in a comic. Best comic book ever? Maybe a 3 or 4 way tie, with Watchmen and From Hell all up there with it, but this is definitely one of the top few, and a masterpiece in its own way.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing IS Fair Enough...
Review: I trust that if a graphic novel is on so many people's TOP 10 List, it should be... good. I expect it to have some aspects that compel people to recommend it so highly. After I struggled through the book the second time (I lost interest at the beginning on my first read), I was truly and sadly disappointed.

Among all the Superheroes, I admit, I like Batman the most. The reason is simple, and shared by many: He is a vulnerable mortal, who uses wit and intelligence, to solve his problems, fight crimes, and defeat interesting villanes. If there is ONE element that writers NEED to almost always remember when creating a Batman story IS... Character. I was quite IRRITATED by the 2-dimentional Batman portrayed in this series.

There are 110+ reviews written already on this book... Most of them rivet it as one of the best, comparing it side by side to Alan Moore's "Watchman". I HAVE to step up... be the unfavorable Vigilante and straight-out express my Distaste for this portrayal of the Dark Knight! I am sorry, I look real hard but I cannot lie and say that this series have any redeeming value. The Art? The Plot? The Writing? No... I can't...

I just hope this candid review will not only help people who is gathering opinion before spending money on this book, but also echo the minority of people who share the same opinion. I do not and cannot recommend this book at all.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The classic
Review: I am not exactly the age for reading comic books anymore, and I hadn't read any in probably 30 years until a friend of mine recommended this. It came out 15 years ago, and has since become a classic, and I had heard of it now and then, and the impression it had made on Batman and comic book fans, but hadn't actually read it until now. And as I mentioned, although I'm not exactly young anymore, I have to say this book is quite a "graphic" experience for a comic book, or any book. In a lengthy and intelligent introduction to the work (for a comic book), the editor discusses the problems of creating more believable and sophisticated comic book characters in an age where the old audience is aging, and the younger audience is developing more sophisticated tastes at an earlier and earlier age.

This book was the brilliant answer to this problem. Batman comes alive as you've never seen him before, a darker and more troubled Batman to match the darker and more troubled Gotham city he's come out of retirement to protect. Miller's complex and rich story line touches on many themes and aspects of Batman's and Gotham City's past and present, interweaving them in a complex tapestry of violence and intrigue. Now, Batman himself is the underdog, hunted by Police Chief Gordon's successor and maligned in the press as a disturbed and fanatical vigilante. Another nice touch is the appearance by Superman at the end. And of course, the Joker, Batman's long-time and greatest nemesis, is an integral part of the story. If you've never read The Dark Knight, you're in for a rare experience. This is one book that truly transcends the comic book genre and stands in a class by itself.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply astonishing
Review: Though I hold graphic novels and serial comics in higher regard than the average snoot, I've never been particularly fond of the superhero genre. In most books, authors avoided believable self-examination as a literary option, which definitely turned me off. How fortunate I was to have this book recommended to me! Miller's careful inspection of Batman's character, his addiction to his crusade, and his parallels with his enemies, is unequaled in any superhero story I've read before.

Here we have finally and stunningly displayed the essential contradiction of Wayne's character: he sees the world in black and white, while himself living in the shadows between. The key to the greatness of this book is that Miller illustrates that living either in the black-and-white world (as Superman does) or in the world where everything is shades of gray (as do the politicians and psychologists) is even worse than accepting the insanity of self-contradiction that Wayne embraces. Miller beautifully builds a world where Batman, Harvey Dent, and even the Joker, are the only ones who have a true grip on reality, while everyone else just goes around ignoring the world's insanity.

The art perfectly complements the story -- striking and clean when appropriate, gritty and even ugly when necessary. I'm particularly struck by the scene where Batman leaves the Joker in the tunnel of love... the art in the final panel eloquently matches the brutality of the moment.

The Batman story is still enough a part of the national consciousness that I would feel comfortable recommending this novel even to those (like myself) who haven't read extensively in the Batman lore. With only the most casual knowledge of the backstory, you will find yourself moved by Wayne's internal conflict, disturbed by Miller's prophetic take on the decay of public morality, and completely unable to put the book down. Eminently re-readable, _Batman: The Dark Knight Returns_ deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone not too pretentious to appreciate the artistic value of graphic novels.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: BEST DAMN BATMAN COMIC EVER
Review: Ive never been a big fan of batman untill i read this ! its proably Frank's best art and writing yet.It is an end to a story that started back in the thirtys (or BATMAN:YEAR ONE also one of frank millers best)i also like the fact that robin is a girl in this story which is mush better than some whimpy 14 year old wearing short shorts. I hope you enjoy this story as much as i did and i look forward two its sequel BATMAN:THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Trust Me, I Know Good Batman Stories and this is one!
Review: There have been many Batman stories. Most come and go, but this particular story, 'The Dark Knight Returns' by acclaimed writer Frank Miller is truly a must-read for either the long-time comic fan or for the beginner not sure what they want to read. The beginner will be surely hooked (possibly for life) and the fan will be entertained considering all the stuff that is usually out there. This story, told in four creative and wonderful chapters, is the grim tale of a fifty-something Bruce Wanye coming out of retirement to stop a violent crime syndicate. Miller's writing is brilliant and the artwork is perfect for the themes and style being presented. I ask, no I urge you to drop everything and get this book. Put down that donut, turn off that TV, and by this book now. In the end, you'll thank me and that's all the praise I need.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not a revolution, but pretty darn good
Review: I'm aware that Batman had become a little soft around the edges back in the 70's and 80's, yes. But I must say that, in spite of those who say otherwise, _The Dark Knight Returns_ does not strike out into new territory. To say that it does is to reveal a lack of knowledge of what Batman had been in his earliest days--popping crooks like flies. Of course, his murderous days are over, but he was always theoretically dark.

That aside, this is a good book. Superman fans such as myself will surely always refuse to allow it any space in DC continuity, but as an examination of some questions (what's going on in his head; what would happen if...and so on) that are really fairly important to the mythos, this is a pretty good work. My own advice: if you want a Batman story that really seems to fit into continuity, as opposed to this, which seems more like a suggestion of what might be, you should read Batman: Year One, also by Frank Miller. However, if you've got enough cash for both, certainly this one also deserves attention. I'd even call it "non-fan" friendly.


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