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roboxa's review
5.0
Originally posted on Roberta's Literary Ramblings
I love Batman. I have always loved Batman ever since the days that I sat in front of the TV and watched the 90's cartoon. I've always been attracted to dark, mysterious, and conflicted characters. They're more interesting, and Batman has these characteristics in droves.
This graphic novel does a great job of encompassing all of these traits, resulting in a work that is both fascinating and terrifying. Frank Miller has once again proven to us that he is not only an amazing storyteller, but a true Batman fan. Throughout the book, figures from Batman's past find their way into the story including Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Superman, and Joker. This so happens to be one of my most favorite combos of characters as this also occurs in Batman: Hush, which I also love. Also, there is a female Robin which makes me smile big feminist smiles since she's smart, strong (both emotionally and physically) and the Robin costume is the same so there are no obnoxious cleavage close-ups! (Thank you, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley.)
As for the story, Miller does an amazing job of not only showing us the physical obstacles that Batman must overcome in his old age, but also the psychological ones as he feels compelled to once again take up the mask and fight the criminal element that is running rampant throughout Gotham. After the Joker manages to escape from Arkham, Batman is faced with his biggest challenge yet when he feels the pressures of holding to his one rule (never kill) while Joker murders hundreds of innocent people all in an effort to finally break Batman's tenuous hold on sanity.
Completely immersing and at times heartbreaking, The Dark Knight Returns is one of the best Batman graphic novels out there. And I would put it as one of the best graphic novels overall. It is artistic on many levels, thought provoking, and sometimes gut wrenching (in a good way). For these reasons, The Dark Knight Returns has earned the elusive 10/10.
I love Batman. I have always loved Batman ever since the days that I sat in front of the TV and watched the 90's cartoon. I've always been attracted to dark, mysterious, and conflicted characters. They're more interesting, and Batman has these characteristics in droves.
This graphic novel does a great job of encompassing all of these traits, resulting in a work that is both fascinating and terrifying. Frank Miller has once again proven to us that he is not only an amazing storyteller, but a true Batman fan. Throughout the book, figures from Batman's past find their way into the story including Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Superman, and Joker. This so happens to be one of my most favorite combos of characters as this also occurs in Batman: Hush, which I also love. Also, there is a female Robin which makes me smile big feminist smiles since she's smart, strong (both emotionally and physically) and the Robin costume is the same so there are no obnoxious cleavage close-ups! (Thank you, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley.)
As for the story, Miller does an amazing job of not only showing us the physical obstacles that Batman must overcome in his old age, but also the psychological ones as he feels compelled to once again take up the mask and fight the criminal element that is running rampant throughout Gotham. After the Joker manages to escape from Arkham, Batman is faced with his biggest challenge yet when he feels the pressures of holding to his one rule (never kill) while Joker murders hundreds of innocent people all in an effort to finally break Batman's tenuous hold on sanity.
Completely immersing and at times heartbreaking, The Dark Knight Returns is one of the best Batman graphic novels out there. And I would put it as one of the best graphic novels overall. It is artistic on many levels, thought provoking, and sometimes gut wrenching (in a good way). For these reasons, The Dark Knight Returns has earned the elusive 10/10.
tawfek's review
3.0
i have been reading this for a few days now
and i can tell you its poorly executed but its still damn fine
ignore all the wrongs really
the mutants
the joker's death i mean like finally !!!
batman beating up superman and getting away with it leaving a grieving Clark Kent
its damn fine i tell you
we know how good batman is with his disappearing act from the movies
but this was before the movie
this graphic novel was actually in the days that all comic books companies where in a really awkward position they have a certain recipe for comics and it sells and they don't want to improve their recipe they don't want to experiment with the world they have under their hands
or maybe they didn't even realize that there was more to this than just your plain old adventures of the heroes who never age and the comic book series that will never end
and i am also glad that they made this into 200 pages comic book even tho i think if it was 150 it was going to be much better
one more thing i didn't like was the art it wasn't the art that will make you on the edge of your seat really it was the story and what a story it was
i read the graphic novel and i read the original planned 48 pages which were pretty good but not as good ofc as what we have in our hands
and the lettering really didn't make it easy to tell who is talking and when or was it the switching between talking characters
overall its an epic that i would like to read with a different art team not sure if we can hope for a more refined writing as well it would be a true masterpiece then
and i can tell you its poorly executed but its still damn fine
ignore all the wrongs really
the mutants
the joker's death i mean like finally !!!
batman beating up superman and getting away with it leaving a grieving Clark Kent
its damn fine i tell you
we know how good batman is with his disappearing act from the movies
but this was before the movie
this graphic novel was actually in the days that all comic books companies where in a really awkward position they have a certain recipe for comics and it sells and they don't want to improve their recipe they don't want to experiment with the world they have under their hands
or maybe they didn't even realize that there was more to this than just your plain old adventures of the heroes who never age and the comic book series that will never end
and i am also glad that they made this into 200 pages comic book even tho i think if it was 150 it was going to be much better
one more thing i didn't like was the art it wasn't the art that will make you on the edge of your seat really it was the story and what a story it was
i read the graphic novel and i read the original planned 48 pages which were pretty good but not as good ofc as what we have in our hands
and the lettering really didn't make it easy to tell who is talking and when or was it the switching between talking characters
overall its an epic that i would like to read with a different art team not sure if we can hope for a more refined writing as well it would be a true masterpiece then
debsuvra's review
5.0
There is a lot to Batman even without the reboot of Batman movie franchise by Christopher Nolan, and he did get some of the best works in the history of graphic novels to prove it for himself. Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns paints such a dark, gritty picture of Batman that it is often unnerving and unbelievable. One of the most detailed, hard hitting, influential works in the history of this form of literature - the book rightfully demonstrates why Batman is called the Dark Knight. More than recommended, not just for the graphic novel fans but for anyone interested in the Dark Knight.
lindakat's review
4.0
This whole comic broke my heart, I was really intrigued by what will happen when Batman is in his twilight years and at his absolute limit... I thought it would be sad but not like this.
His self-hatred, Selina's escort business... guys what happened to you???
I like Carrie Kelly as Robin, this was my first real introduction to her and her young enthusiasm is uplifting but at the same time really emphasizes what Bruce became, which I imagine, that juxtaposition, is the point.
What I didn't like about this comic was the art style and anything to do with Superman, his presence was needed but Superman becoming nothing but a lap dog for those in authority??? Come ON man, SUPERman, where's the super? Kinda pathetic.
What I did really appreciate was the lyrical, reflective narration that spans this story. It really captured the mood and set the scene well.
Four out of five, not my favourite but beautifully written, too sad, however, how the mighty fell.
His self-hatred, Selina's escort business... guys what happened to you???
I like Carrie Kelly as Robin, this was my first real introduction to her and her young enthusiasm is uplifting but at the same time really emphasizes what Bruce became, which I imagine, that juxtaposition, is the point.
What I didn't like about this comic was the art style and anything to do with Superman, his presence was needed but Superman becoming nothing but a lap dog for those in authority??? Come ON man, SUPERman, where's the super? Kinda pathetic.
What I did really appreciate was the lyrical, reflective narration that spans this story. It really captured the mood and set the scene well.
Four out of five, not my favourite but beautifully written, too sad, however, how the mighty fell.
chomal's review
4.0
Amazing. Smeared with brilliant artwork, Frank Miller has spawned a masterpiece throwing a past-one's-prime Cape Crusader to his casual neighborhood to mingle with the thickening political hatred co-authored by media and criminals. Plot channels us through Dark Knight's rotting enemies, Two-Face and Joker and grasps the climax at a duel against Man of Steel, himself. What embeds the story above all is the brilliant style Miller has mastered on inking how an aging vigilante will cope with modern day affairs when superiors in Gotham City cum USA openly express their animosity and issue warrants.
One of my favorite moments was when Batman finds Catwoman dressed in Wonder Woman's costume. Even though there's no explanation, Frank Miller's obsession with Wonder Woman must have intrigued the idea. Story failed a minuscule bit on denying to explain what happens with teenage Robin's parents and in confusing dialogues although black, blue, yellow and green background colors were mixed to denote who's relating the story. Regardless, flying toys rigged with explosives, infused with a vicious looking fifty-five year old Bruce striving to get the upper hand in a battle against a young, energetic Clark concocted with a determined sidekick, Robin was absolute art. This will be one of my all time favorites. Enjoy!
One of my favorite moments was when Batman finds Catwoman dressed in Wonder Woman's costume. Even though there's no explanation, Frank Miller's obsession with Wonder Woman must have intrigued the idea. Story failed a minuscule bit on denying to explain what happens with teenage Robin's parents and in confusing dialogues although black, blue, yellow and green background colors were mixed to denote who's relating the story. Regardless, flying toys rigged with explosives, infused with a vicious looking fifty-five year old Bruce striving to get the upper hand in a battle against a young, energetic Clark concocted with a determined sidekick, Robin was absolute art. This will be one of my all time favorites. Enjoy!
trisa_slyne's review
5.0
It took me a minute to adjust to the older style but the storyline was riveting! I love the idea of Bruce retiring and then coming back. Carrie Kelley is so cool as Robin- I would like to see more of her.
adelaidemetzger_robotprophet's review
5.0
AWESOME! Because of Frank Miller's Batman, I see that character as something so much more. Miller is a genius with psychological, superhero, thrillers.
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