A review by citrine
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

God where do I begin....Frank Miller's politics are surface level fascism with just enough self awareness to confuse the hell out of me. The ideas core to this book, particular regarding crime, are unbelievably noxious shit - superpredators turned up to 11. The political commentary is the kind of shit men who call themselves Sigma males would unironically think is "so insightful." Its just thoroughly saturated with so many wrongheaded notions, about who commits crime, why people commit crime, the possibilities of change and repair. Theres misogyny, racism, and that agonizing and infuriating idea that only criminals care about their rights (mostly). Its the "tough on crime" shit that superhero comics still cant escape from. And its so, so racist.
For the handful of positives; I do think the character work in it is pretty good, Superman's political placement is good, and the art is phenomenal. Like outstanding, out of this world phenomenal. 
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