Customer Review(s)
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Excellent story, average artwork.
Comment: Blood and Rain
Blood for the Masses
Originally published by SavageNight Ezine
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
By Frank Miller
Intro- Alan Moore
Reviewed by
B.L.Morgan
4 Stars
According to the introduction by Alan Moore at the time when Frank Miller reintroduced Batman in its softcover form, the general audience still perceived him like Adam West had portrayed Batman in his TV series; That of an almost comical, certainly a camp representation of a comic book hero.
It was time for a change.
Frank Miller created a huge change in character and tone for the Caped Crusader, one closer to the movie versions that came later but darker than had ever been seen before The Dark Knight Returns.
Batman comes out of a ten year retirement as a middle-aged man. He tires quicker that he'd like in fights, gets sore and gets beat up. But through grit and determination and ingenuity he makes it through. Frank Miller's Batman is also slightly psychotic. The criminals have changed in his absence. They are meaner and more bloodthirsty. Batman goes after them with a vengeance.
Sometimes he's more bloodthirsty than they are.
A lot of social commentary takes place during the four stories that make up The Dark Knight Returns. The copyright on this book was 1986. It surprised me how little the attitudes expressed in this Batman book have changed.
The police are frequently handcuffed by the very laws they are supposed to uphold and are prevented from being effective crime fighters. All too often the victims of crime are treated worse that the criminals by the media and court systems.
My, how times flies. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The artwork in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns was for the most part just average. Moody, but average. Where Miller really shined was in his storytelling ability. This was a story on an epic scale that had a personal feel to it. Batman became a living breathing person during The Return Of The Dark Knight.
Batman: The Return Of The Dark Knight comes highly recommended. Check it out. You won't be sorry.
Customer Rating: Summary: Miller's Best Work
Comment: I got the four part series several years ago before I sold off all my comics in the late 80's. I recently decided to renew my aquaintance with the series upon seeing Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight".
It is sometime in a dystopian future. Batman has disappeared. Batgirl is in a wheelchair somewhere. Robin is dead. Superman defends a corrupt government.
In book I 50 something Bruce Wayne is disturbed by what he sees happening in Gotham City and decides to resurrect The Batman to combat Punk street gangs who have taked over the streets. In the course of fighting he is rescued by Geek Girl Carey Kelley Who becomes the new Robin. In the end he is victorius and finds many imitators among former gang members.
In Book II Harvey Dent is released from Arkham Asylym. Supposably he is cured and has had plastic surgery to restore his face. In the end of what is a great psychological tour de force he reverts to being two face.
In book III The Joker is cured and released from Arkham and his appearance on a certain late night talk show might presage what Leno has in mind for its host. We see retired Selina Kyle put in danger in this one and Batman and the Joker have their final confrontation.
In book IV Batman and Green Arrow team to fight Superman and a corrupt US Government(since this was the late 80's it is Reagan but we're used to comics only showing GOP administrations as corrupt). In the end he loses or does he????
This is a fine set of stories and I agree with someone who said earlier it is like Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven". I could sorta see Clint play the part if it was made into a movie.
I'd reccomend it for batman and Frank Miller fans.
