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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
The Dark Knight Returns is a popular starting place for any novice Batman fan, and for good reason. Though the term may be overused, the story is truly gritty, raw, and dark. Miller masterfully creates a world that isn't so much dystopian as it is simply dark and depressing. His artwork and storytelling evoke the noir period of Batman's first issues, creating what may truly be considered timeless.
The story is gripping, and almost perfectly paced, suffering from a few points that I feel are rushing through the Mutant and Joker storylines. Miller, Janson, and Varley's art is astonishing for the time, and absolutely cinematic. The art matches the writing perfectly, being grand or being focused when the scene calls for it.
And the characterisation of Batman is nothing short of perfect, giving the reader perhaps the first truly modern Batman: always prepared, always ready to defend the innocent, and still stuck in tragedies past.
Carrie Kelley is a plucky, fun Robin that balances out Bruce and his Batness, while Alfred is still his smart English self.
The entire story exudes a sense of longing for the past, for simpler times when things were not necessarily easier, but less confusing to understand. Batman, Gordon, and Superman all exemplify this sentiment, but in different yet complementary ways. The layers to each of them are cleverly written so that the conflict between Batman and Superman goes beyond the story itself.
A near-perfect Batman comic.
9/10.
The story is gripping, and almost perfectly paced, suffering from a few points that I feel are rushing through the Mutant and Joker storylines. Miller, Janson, and Varley's art is astonishing for the time, and absolutely cinematic. The art matches the writing perfectly, being grand or being focused when the scene calls for it.
And the characterisation of Batman is nothing short of perfect, giving the reader perhaps the first truly modern Batman: always prepared, always ready to defend the innocent, and still stuck in tragedies past.
Carrie Kelley is a plucky, fun Robin that balances out Bruce and his Batness, while Alfred is still his smart English self.
The entire story exudes a sense of longing for the past, for simpler times when things were not necessarily easier, but less confusing to understand. Batman, Gordon, and Superman all exemplify this sentiment, but in different yet complementary ways. The layers to each of them are cleverly written so that the conflict between Batman and Superman goes beyond the story itself.
A near-perfect Batman comic.
9/10.
Brilliant and novel ideas, yes, but lazy execution (bad art, unclear dialog, storyline with bad transitions). It was like reading the very first draft of what could have been a great comic book.
I enjoyed meeting Carrie Kelley though. She was great.
I enjoyed meeting Carrie Kelley though. She was great.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I'm more of a Marvel fan, but Batman TAS was a staple of my adolescence, so I do have a soft spot for Bruce. Since this got such raves, I figured I'd read it. And while I loved it, I think the accolades might have inflated my expectations. Definitely a good read, but I have 20/20 and the print was mighty small for me. So break out your specs for this one.