Batman: Dark Knight Returns appeared in four mini-series Feb. – Jun, 1986. At the same time published Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, and The Shadow: Blood and Judgement by Howard Chaykin. All has the same thesis: old superheroes are forced to return to their last battle.
Superman is an alien, and he has tryed to buy his place in society for patriotism, but has come abused. Green Arrow is a old leftist. Robin the Boy Wonder has past away, and his boots has taken a girl, Carrie Kelly. Dr. Bartholomew Wolper believes that he has cured Two-Face, but mistakes. Catwoman is an old lady, who has lost her beauty and dignity. (Continues below)
Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns is a story of a ordinary people in the middle of everyday crime. At the beginning the heat and the muggy air emphasize the tense atmosphere. Pressure dissolves in to a thunder storm, which digs the children of the night out of their holes.
Batman is an old man, the hero from the past against the new generation. The world has become violent and absurd, crimes are made without a reason. The rules have changed harder, as well as Batman's and all superheroes criticism.
People are looking for a strong leader who would show their true and meaningful life. They don't care is it Batman, Joker or Richard Nixon. Can violence stop the violence, is the war right response to war? Is Batman as crazy as his enemies who has escaped from mental hospital?
Miller humanizes Batman. A hero is no longer just a dark avenger who puts things right to his fists. In his monologue Batman defames himself and his age, and thanks to his good luck. The story is dark and sad. It's only a matter of time when Batman's luck runs out. These are the last days of superheroes.
The Dark Knight Returns creative team:
Story and pencils: Frank Miller
Inker: Klaus Janson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Lynn Varley
Editors: Dick Giordano and Dennis O'Neil
In 2001-2002 appeared a sequel, Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, starring Catgirl, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Captain Marvel, The Atom, The Flash, Plastic Man, The Superchix, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Saturn Girl and Bat-Mite.
The Dark Knight movie by Christopher Nolan premiered in 2008, starring Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Heath Ledger (The Joker), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two-Face), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes), Gary Oldman (James Gordon), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) and Cillian Murphy (Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow). Heath Ledger reached very well the Joker, who Miller shows in The Dark Knight Returns: over 700 men killed sociopath, who is just interested seen a laugh on dead face.
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