Dark Knight Returns for $10.19 currently at Amazon
One of the classic Batman comics, considered a must-read, and I gotta say I agree, but Frank Miller goes over the top here.
You’ve got a unique art style that works well for the comic, even if some of the illustrations of people look ridiculous. They sometimes don’t make any sense and look like someone took a hammer to their faces/bodies. Some of the other illustrations really knock it out of the park and they’re gorgeous. So yeah, the few crappy parts don’t take away too much from the rest of the art, it’s just a mixed bag.
Now we’re on to the story and writing. Batman is in his mid 60s and has been in retirement for around a decade. Superheroes for the most part have retired. Gotham’s gone to shit, there’s tons of crime, and a huge gang of mutated dudes are getting ready to attack Gotham. It’s a pretty good start and a solid enough reason for Batman to get into the action. The story develops well and it’s an interesting idea, which is why I’m sure the premise was somewhat used in Batman Beyond (though obviously, he’s even older in that and fully retired).
Writing wise, I thought Miller did a much better job on Year One. It seemed for Dark Knight Returns he was let loose and the impression I got was he really hates : the media, the government, criminals, liberals, Superman, basically everything except Batman, since he’s the only voice of reason. It’s not so bad at first, but he keeps hammering away at it for pages on end. Yeah alright, Batman is great, without the strong moral authority of Batman the world has went to shit, blah blah.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to get past that and enjoy this for what it is.
3.5/5.
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