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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 | 0 |
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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2 | 0 |
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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #3 | 0 |
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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4 | 0 |
(spoiler alert)
Recognized for creating the era of adult themed comics, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is undoubtedly one of the best graphic novels of the 80s. This is the most realistic version of the caped crusader, and realism is something I often look for in comics.
As most of you know, this action takes place in a future crime-filled Gotham, where the Dark Knight has long retired. Seeing the things get out of control, he does get back into action, and this is where the epic story begins.
All the villains, heroes and characters are totally changed and given dark personalities. For example, Harvey Dent gets his face back, but he doesn't forget who he really is. So he gets back to comitting crimes, and Batman gets in, understanding his problems, but leaving us to wonder about what they actually did after, just like The Killing Joke did. And the book is filled with such epic conclusions, one of which I must mention is Joker's death.
So, The Dark Knight Returns is all about how Batman's relationships with his villains will end, and how he will be after a life of fighting crime. But these endings are so good, they make most of his other adventures look like child's play.
Also, the drawings are perfect, and the dark palette completely matches the sombre atmosphere of the story.
In conclusion, this is a 10/10 example of what a graphic novel should be.
P.S.: Don't take the user score in consideration, because there is this idiot who gave everything The Dark Knight Returns a 1.0.
What's there to say? One of the most influential comic book stories ever written that helped change the way we look at comic books. A story with many layers and great art that has some of the best Batman moments ever. This is truly one of the best Batman stories.
With work this revered and universally acclaimed it almost feels pretentiously contrarian to have anything bad to say about it. Given how long of a review I left here for it's sequel, I can't even think of any reason to break up this one into paragraphs.
Dark Knight Returns treats it's story of obsession, legacy and perseverance like a footnote to it's sloppily drawn panels upon panels of clichė dystopian socio-political babble, flat characters with no growth or change throughout it's 4-issie run, and would-be stylish action sequences, had they been drawn by literally anyone else but Miller. There is very little here of substance - none of it's first sequel's post-modern commentary, it's second sequel's grand, epic scale, or Year One's weight and importance.
I did however enjoy it in the context of it's supposed cult following and resonance in further Batman media. It was nice to trace the Cape Crusader's dark side to it's roots. Even mere holding it in my hands felt strangely important. It's a mysterious and mystic allure, I just wish there was something more tangible to it once you actually read through it.
Also, "balls nasty". What a ring it has! It's gotta be Millers most "Miller" line of dialogue ever.
© 2024
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