Long ago, when his stories began, Batman was dark and serious with a tragic backstory. However, in the decades after first appearing, the Dark Knight became light-hearted and less serious due to real-world fears of comics being a bad influence on children. Eventually, in the 1970s and the 1980s, after the conclusion of the Adam West Batman show, DC began to steer their caped crusader back into his darker roots and comics became more than just for kids. In the late 80s, with Frank Miller, DC created Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
The story follows an older Batman as he emerges from retirement and takes on a gang of mutants before coming into conflict with The Joker one more time, then he battles Superman after The Joker dies. Oh, and there's a female Robin. I got this comic after signing up for a college class that involves graphic novels and manga, even though I planned to take a break from getting comics for a time early in 2026. And yet, this one is worth the read. Dramatic, intense, dark, The Dark Knight Returns is entertaining and pulls no punches with iconic moments such as Batman taking down the mutant gang leader as he says, "This isn't a mudhole. Its an operating table. And I'm the surgeon.
Frank Miller set out to make Batman serious and he succeeded, his writing is powerful and the imagery is so strong, you can't look away. I enjoyed reading it and I can't wait to read it again when I get the chance, Batman is one of DC's best characters to date, no matter what stories he has told in either the campy tone or the dark and serious edges of stories like this. I'd highly recommend this to Batman fans who have not touched it yet, but be warned, this isn't for the kiddies. This comic was an influence on future Batman stories for years to come, especially Zack Snyder's Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice in the DC Extended Universe, and it received a two-part animated movie adaptation along with a brief segment in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series season three aka The New Batman Adventures. 9/10.
See you next time, crusaders of justice. And remember... He is vengeance, he is the night, HE IS BATMAN!!!
-James M
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