Batman: The Dark Knight
Returns Review
...And kicks Superman's ass to
boot.
by Hilary Goldstein
June 17, 2005 - Few writers
are fortunate enough to write
one great Batman story in
their lifetime. Frank Miller
has written two. In fact, he's
written the two best. That's
saying something. Within the
span of one year, Frank
more

Batman: The Dark Knight
Returns Review
...And kicks Superman's ass to
boot.
by Hilary Goldstein
June 17, 2005 - Few writers
are fortunate enough to write
one great Batman story in
their lifetime. Frank Miller
has written two. In fact, he's
written the two best. That's
saying something. Within the
span of one year, Frank Miller
absolutely revolutionized the
Dark Knight and his influence
can be felt throughout comics,
even 20 years later.

Following the death of Jason
Todd (which, incidentally, had
not happened yet in
continuity), the Batman has
retired. Skip ahead ten years
and millionaire Bruce Wayne
appears comfortable in his
role as philanthropist. He
cannot forgive himself for the
death of Todd, but he finds it
difficult to ignore the
nagging voice in his head that
he is needed back on the
streets.

To make things even more
difficult, Gordon is just days
from retirement and his
replacement has a very firm
stance against vigilantism.
The world has followed suit in
this regard. It isn't just
Batman who has hung up the
cape. Wonder Woman has
returned to Paradise Island,
Green Lantern has disappeared
in the stars and Superman has
become a covert tool for the
government (run by Ronald
Reagan, surprisingly enough).
The world has lost its heroes.
Without Batman, the streets of
Gotham have gone to hell.
Crime is rampant and a new
gang, calling themselves the
Mutants, have the city in
fear. Without a symbol to
respect (and to fear), Gotham
has fallen to chaos.

When Harvey Dent, having
apparently been physically and
psychologically made whole,
begins committing crimes again
Bruce is compelled to don the
mantle of the bat once more.
Batman's return jars his
oldest nemesis, Joker, from
ten year's of catatonia. Once
and for all, Miller declares
that Joker could not exist
without the Batman and
vice-versa.

What follows is a true
masterpiece of storytelling.
Scene after unforgettable
scene propels Batman into
near-fatal conflicts with the
police and one final showdown
with the Joker. It ends with a
spectacular battle against
Superman, perhaps the most
memorable moment in DC's
history. It is in this book
that the Batman of the next 20
years is forged. Indeed,
Batman does return.

Category Movies & Trailers

Tags Batman, Dark, Knight, Trailer