In the world of graphic novels and comics, there are stories that for their respective characters, don’t just become canon, but completely change how that character is perceived and portrayed by both comic book creators and the general public. Such was the impact of Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns”.
Before this series was published in 1986, DC’s “Batman” was in deep trouble. Despite sterling efforts from the DC creative team at the time, sales were dropping, and talks of cancellation were being circulated. Like many of the DC characters of the time, Batman needed re-energizing and quickly, before the character vanished forever. Frank Miller’s vision of Batman not only gave the character the necessary impetus to survive, but secured Batman’s future, and arguably the future of the entire DC universe for the following decades to come.
Without “The Dark Knights Returns” there would be no Batman films, possibly no DC films or TV at all – yes, it’s THAT important. Frank Miller’s wonderful storytelling is complemented by Klaus Janson’s impressive artwork, which was so good that almost all the modern versions of Batman take something from it.
Miller’s story starts 10 years after Batman’s retirement from crime fighting, and follows Bruce Wayne as he takes up the mantle of the Bat once again to save his city once more from the doom that threatens it. I won’t say any more, as I wouldn’t want to spoil the story for you, but I’ll just say this - there are 3 Batman books that every fan should read. “The Dark Knight Returns” is the first of them.
Do yourself a favour and get a copy. Then sit back, and wallow in its gloriousness.
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