Comics Review: "The Dark Knight Returns"

"The Dark Knight Returns" is a seminal graphic novel by Frank Miller, and along with "Watchmen," is one of the biggest graphic novels ever made. The story starts with a retired Batman, ten years later, as Two-Face is made whole by plastic surgery and released. Gordon, still Commissioner, is against it, but Wayne feels people need a another chance. Years before "Batman Begins," Miller paints Batman as the man, and Wayne as the costume. Batman keeps trying to break out of Wayne, but Wayne decided not to release him, not after Todd's death. However, after seeing news broadcasts of continued unrest in Gotham, the title rings true, and the dark knight returns. It seems that Two-Face is physically cured, but not mentally, as he still strikes havoc, causing a bomb to potentially explode if he doesn't get $5 million. Joker helped make the bomb, though he's in prison. Batman stops him, closing out book one. We are also introduced to Carrie, the next Robin. I hate the artwork, it's really a drawback and an eyesore, but the story is good, and I like Miller's style and characterization of Batman.

 

The bat mobile has a resemblance to the tumbler. This is the biggest thing I noticed in the second issue of TDKR, which showcases batman's takedown of the mutant gang, who caused ruckus in the first issue. The gang kills more people, and even tries to take out Gordon, so Batman goes and almost defeats them. Although the leader is captured, Batman is injured badly in the process, and is saved by the new Robin. Batman accepts her, despite Alfred's reservations. Meanwhile, the mayor tries to make peace with the mutant gang leader, and is killed by him in the process. Gordon is forced to retire, and a female commissioner takes his place. Batman has had enough, so once healed, he helps free the mutant leader out of prison, only to embarrass him in front of his gang, thereby defeating them. Without a leader for them to worship, they're powerless. Two asides show Superman speaking tied the president, being asked to help stop Batman, since there's a public backlash against his vigilante activities. This is a point the novel highlights well, showing the various viewpoints on Batman and his return. Another aside seems to show an effort to help give the Joker a public appearance. The artwork is beginning to grow on me, but it's still not nice to look at. At all. The story isn't bad, but I was expecting more by this point. Perhaps we will see more in the next issue, which promise a hunt for Batman.

 

As the next issue begins, Batman is hiding in a fat suit to fight some remnants of the mutant gang, with the assistance of Robin. Robin is a bit rebellious, not quite following orders. Meanwhile, Superman thwarts Batman's fight, stating that he needs to stop. It seems that there was a crackdown on heroes, and many of them either left, like Hal Jordan, or acquiesced, like Superman. Batman retired, but we get the feeling he was opposed to it from the beginning, and considered them all, himself included, to be criminals. Meanwhile, Joker is released to a talks show, but as expected, kills everyone there and escapes. Joker's goons, remnants of the mutant gang, are bombing certain areas as well. Meanwhile, nuclear struggles are going on, which forces Superman to leave for a bit. A final showdown takes place between Batman and the Joker at a carnival, where Batman stabs Joker in the spine to paralyze him. Unfortunately, Joker twists his neck purposefully to kill himself, and a severely injured Batman flees the scene. The artwork was better this time, I don't know if it's the more vibrant colors, or it's just growing on me. I like aspects of the storytelling style, like the TV excerpts showing us various viewpoints from politicians to news anchors to DC mainstays like Lana Lang. We also got a cameo from Selina Kyle, who's running an escort service, and who's escorts fall prey to Joker's mind control lipstick, causing various politicians to kill themselves.

 

As the final issue begins, the cops find out Joker's dead, but Batman has to fight them to escape. Robin thankfully get the copter in range, and gets Batman to Alfred in time to save him. Superman again comes to talk to Clark, but when news of Russia sending a coldbuster missile to the US surfaces, Clark rushes to stop it. The bomb is diverted but still explodes, temporarily de-powering Superman and causing Batman to rise back into action. As rioting runs the streets of Gotham, Batman rallies both the mutants and his own previously unauthorized gang of supporters to help quell the riots. Then, Superman comes to stop Batman. I had to read wiki a bit to understand why, and it seems Clark is a tool of the government, and Batman is am embarrassment to the government and thus they call Supes in to bring him to justice. Kind of a stretch, in my opinion. Anyway, they fight in Crime Alley, where Bruce's parents died, and after Oliver Queen shoots a kryptonite arrow, Batman defeats Superman. Unfortunately, he has a heart attack and seemingly dies. With his death, Alfred sets off bombs to destroy Wayne Manor. Batman's identity is made public, as 55-year-old Bruce Wayne, but his secrets are gone with the explosions. Alfred dies from a major stroke. At the end, it turns out Batman is alive, and gone unground to create an army to fight crime.

 

Overall, I found TDKR to be a bit odd. The storytelling style was good at times, in showing multiple viewpoints, but it also had some odd aspects to it. Why would the mutant gang suddenly follow their enemy? Why did Superman become such a lackey? I got the feeling that things happened between the panels that we weren't privy too, and that took away from the story, for me. Also, why did Batman accept Robin so readily? Why did she even become Robin? Certain things were just a bit odd. The focus on the struggle between Batman and Wayne was good, as was how an aging Batman was showcased. I wasn't a fan of Superman's involvement, though. I wish I got more insight into the characters and their motivations, instead of trying to piece some things together on my own. It was a decent story. But unlike with "Watchmen," I can't understand as much why this became a landmark in comics history. Maybe I need to reread it, or maybe the artwork was just a bad apple in an otherwise good work of art. Either way, decent but not mind-blowing, to me.

 

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