The Dark Knight Returns

Last updated
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Dark knight returns.jpg
Cover of Issue #1
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Format Limited series
Publication dateFebruary – June 1986
No. of issues4
Main character(s)
Creative team
Written by Frank Miller
Penciller(s) Frank Miller
Inker(s) Klaus Janson
Letterer(s) John Costanza
Colorist(s) Lynn Varley
Editor(s) Dick Giordano
Dennis O'Neil
Collected editions
Trade Paperback ISBN   0930289137
Hardcover ISBN   0930289153
Trade Paperback (Warner Books) ISBN   0446385050
Trade Paperback (Titan Books) ISBN   0907610900
11th Anniversary Edition ISBN   156389341X
2002 Edition ISBN   156389341X
Absolute Edition ISBN   1401210791
Noir ISBN   1401255140
Deluxe Edition ISBN   1401256910
30th Anniversary Edition ISBN   1401263119
Book with Blu-ray & DVD set ISBN   1401264271
Gallery Edition ISBN   1401264433
Collector's Edition ISBN   1401270131

The Dark Knight Returns (alternatively titled Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) is a 1986 four-issue comic book miniseries starring Batman, written by Frank Miller, illustrated by Miller and Klaus Janson, with color by Lynn Varley, and published by DC Comics. It tells an alternative story of Bruce Wayne, who at 55 years old returns from a decade of retirement to fight crime while facing opposition from the Gotham City police force and the United States government. The story also features the return of classic foes Two-Face and the Joker, and culminates in a confrontation with Superman, who is now a pawn of the government.

Contents

When originally published, the series was simply titled Batman: The Dark Knight, with a different title for each issue (The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Triumphant, Hunt the Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Falls), but when the series was collected into a single volume, the title of the first issue was applied to the entire series. Some of the earliest collected editions also bore the shorter series title. The story introduces Carrie Kelley as the new Robin and the hyper-violent street gang known as the Mutants. In the Pre- Flashpoint DC Multiverse, the events of The Dark Knight Returns and its associated titles were designated to occur on Earth-31. [1]

The miniseries has since been followed by a number of sequels: The Dark Knight Strikes Again , The Dark Knight III: The Master Race , and Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child. A one-shot prequel, Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade, takes place ten years before the original series. Both Batman: Year One and All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder , are considered by Miller to be canon. Likewise, Superman: Year One takes place in the Dark Knight universe.

The Dark Knight Returns is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential Batman stories ever made, as well as one of the greatest works of comic art in general, and has been noted for helping reintroduce a darker and more mature-oriented version of the character (and superheroes in general) to pop culture during the 1980s. Various elements of the series have since been incorporated into depictions of Batman in other media, while a direct animated adaptation of the story, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, was released as a two-part film across 2012 and 2013.

Plot

Part 1: The Dark Knight Returns

In a dystopian version of 1986, Bruce Wayne, aged 55, [2] has given up the mantle of Batman after the death of Jason Todd 10 years prior. Crime is running rampant throughout Gotham City, much of which is being committed by a gang of juvenile delinquents called "The Mutants". After watching news reports about the Mutants' crimes, Wayne decides to return to his role as a vigilante. He stops multiple assaults – including one on two young girls, Carrie Kelley and her friend Michelle – and targets the Mutants. Batman's return is reported on the news and stimulates his archenemy, the Joker, to awaken from catatonia at Arkham Asylum.

While foiling an armed robbery, Batman learns that the criminals are working for Harvey Dent. Previously known as Two-Face, Dent underwent extensive therapy and plastic surgery to reenter society before disappearing. Batman informs close-to-retirement Commissioner James "Jim" Gordon that Dent may be planning a larger scheme. Soon after, Dent announces his intention to hold Gotham ransom with a bomb. After Batman defeats Dent and his goons, he discovers that Dent's mind has completely warped into his Two-Face persona.

Part 2: The Dark Knight Triumphant

At the White House, Superman and President Ronald Reagan discuss Batman's actions, with the latter suggesting he may have to be arrested. At Gotham, Kelly, inspired by Batman, buys an imitation Robin costume and searches for him. Batman attacks the Mutants at the city dump with the Batmobile, but the Mutant Leader goads him into a hand-to-hand fight. Batman, due to his age and a decade of physical inactivity, is beaten and almost killed. Kelley creates a diversion that allows her and Batman to return to the Batcave, where Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth tends to his wounds. Impressed with her bravery, Wayne decides to make Kelley his new protegee. Batman strategically defeats the Mutant Leader in a fight surrounded by the Mutants. Seeing Batman defeat their leader, most of the Mutants disband into smaller gangs. One of these gangs renames itself the "Sons of the Batman", using excessive violence against criminals.

Part 3: Hunt the Dark Knight

Clark Kent talks with Wayne and is then deployed by Washington to the Latin American country of Corto Maltese, where he fights Soviet combat forces in a conflict that may escalate into World War III.

Gordon's successor as commissioner, Captain Ellen Yindel, declares Batman a wanted criminal for his vigilantism. Meanwhile, Joker manipulates his caretakers to allow him onto a television talk show, where he murders everyone with his trademark toxin and escapes. Batman and Robin (Kelley) track him to a county fair while evading a Gotham police pursuit. Batman fights Joker, vowing to stop him permanently, feeling responsible for every murder the villain has committed. Batman paralyzes Joker but is unable to take his life. Disappointed with Batman's refusal to kill him, Joker breaks his own neck and dies.

Part 4: The Dark Knight Falls

A citywide manhunt for Batman begins. Elsewhere, Superman diverts a Soviet nuclear warhead which detonates in a desert, nearly killing him in the process, and survives only by absorbing the sun's energy from the plants in a nearby jungle. The United States is hit by an electromagnetic pulse as a result and descends into chaos during the following blackout. In Gotham, Batman and Robin turn the remaining Mutants and Sons of the Batman into a non-lethal vigilante gang, making Gotham the safest city in the country. The U.S. government orders Superman to take Batman into custody. Superman demands to meet Batman, and Wayne chooses Crime Alley.

Superman tries to reason with Batman, but Batman uses his technological inventions to fight him on equal ground. During the battle, Superman compromises Batman's exoframe. However, an aging Oliver Queen manages to shoot Superman with a kryptonite-tipped arrow to weaken him. Standing over the defeated Superman, Batman has a sudden heart attack, apparently dying. Alfred destroys the Batcave and Wayne Manor before suffering a fatal stroke, exposing Batman as Bruce Wayne, whose fortune has disappeared. After Wayne's funeral, it is revealed that his death was staged using an antiarrhythmic agent that suspended his vital life signs. Clark attends the funeral and winks at the disguised Carrie after hearing Wayne's heartbeat. Some time afterward, Bruce Wayne leads Robin, Queen, and the rest of his followers into the caverns beyond the Batcave and prepares to continue his war on crime.

Characters

Background and creation

Comic creator Frank Miller at the 1982 San Diego Comic-Con Frank Miller.jpg
Comic creator Frank Miller at the 1982 San Diego Comic-Con

Since the 1950s, when the Comics Code Authority was established, the character of Batman had drifted from his darker, more serious roots. It was not until the 1970s when the character began to feature in darker stories once again; however, Batman was still commonly associated with the campy theme of the 1960s Batman TV series, and was regarded more as a father figure to Robin rather than as his original identity as a vigilante. [3]

In the early 1980s, DC Comics promoted Batman group editor Dick Giordano to editorial director for the company. [4] Writer-artist Frank Miller was recruited to create The Dark Knight Returns. Giordano said he worked with Miller on the story's plot, and said, "[t]he version that was finally done was about his fourth or fifth draft. The basic storyline was the same but there were a lot of detours along the way." [5]

"With Batman, you've got a character that you can describe in just a few seconds: His parents were murdered by criminals; he's warring on crime for the rest of his life," Miller explained in the documentary Comic Book Confidential. "He was created in 1938, and the character was just ruthless in his methods, terrifying to criminals. Over the years, that got softened and softened, because people started thinking that comics had to be just for kids... and Batman had to be made much nicer. And eventually, no kid could relate to him anymore." [6]

During the creation of the series, fellow comics writer/artist John Byrne told Miller, "Robin must be a girl", and Miller agreed. [7] Miller said that the comic series' plot was inspired by Dirty Harry, specifically the 1983 film Sudden Impact , in which Dirty Harry returns to crime-fighting after a lengthy convalescence.[ citation needed ] The series employed a 16-panel grid for its pages. Each page was composed of either a combination of 16 panels, or anywhere between sixteen and one panel per page. [8] Giordano left the project halfway through because of disagreements over production deadlines. Comics historian Les Daniels wrote that Miller's idea of ignoring deadlines was "the culmination of the quest towards artistic independence". [9]

While the comic's ending features Batman faking his death and leading up the Sons of Batman to continue with his crusade against crime, symbolizing that Bruce Wayne dies but Batman lives on, this wasn't the original intention. During the MCM London Comic Con 2018, Miller revealed that in his original plans for the ending of The Dark Knight Returns, Batman was going to be gunned down by the police while fighting them, but the story got away from him and changed his mind. [10]

The issues of The Dark Knight Returns were presented in packaging that included extra pages, square binding, and glossy paper to highlight the watercolor paintings by colorist Lynn Varley. [11]

Collected editions

The entire series has been collected in trade paperbacks, hardcovers, an absolute edition, a noir edition, and a deluxe edition.

Reception

Despite the cost of the single-issue packaging, The Dark Knight Returns sold well. [11] Pricing it at $2.95 an issue, DC Comics promoted The Dark Knight Returns as a "thought-provoking action story". Time said the series' depiction of a "semi-retired Batman [who] is unsure about his crime-fighting abilities" was an example of trying to appeal to "today's skeptical readers". [12] More than one million comics were printed. [13]

Retrospectively, the series is today widely considered one of the greatest works in the comic medium. IGN Comics ranked The Dark Knight Returns first on a list of the 25 greatest Batman graphic novels and called The Dark Knight Returns "a true masterpiece of storytelling" with "[s]cene after unforgettable scene." [14] In 2005, Time chose the collected edition as one of the 10 best English language graphic novels ever written. [15] Forbidden Planet placed the collected issue at number one on its "50 Best of the Best Graphic Novels" list. [16] Writer Matthew K. Manning in the "1980s" chapter of DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle (2010) called the series "arguably the best Batman story of all time." [3] It was placed second in a poll among comic book academics conducted by the Sequart Organization. [17]

The series also garnered some negative reviews. In April 2010, Nicolas Slayton from Comics Bulletin ranked The Dark Knight Returns second in his Tuesday Top Ten feature's Top 10 Overrated Comic Books behind Watchmen . Slayton wrote, "[t]here is no central plot to the comic, leaving only a forced fight scene between Superman and Batman as an out of place climax to the story." "Gone are the traits that define Batman," he said, also citing "misuse of the central character." [18]

Influence

Miller signing a copy of the book during a 2016 appearance at Midtown Comics 9.17.16FrankMillerByLuigiNovi20.jpg
Miller signing a copy of the book during a 2016 appearance at Midtown Comics

The immense popularity of The Dark Knight Returns served both to return the character of Batman to a central role in pop culture, but also (along with Watchmen ) started the era known as the Dark Age of Comic Books (also known as the Modern Age and the Iron Age). [19] The grim, seedy versions of Gotham and Batman updated the character's identity from the campy Adam West version from the 1960s Batman TV series, and proved critically and commercially successful enough that a new wave of "dark" superheroes were either created or re-popularized, and preexisting heroes were redesigned or retooled to fit this new trend.[ citation needed ]

The Dark Knight Returns was one of the two comic books, alongside Watchmen, that inspired designer Vincent Connare when he created the Comic Sans font. [20]

Sequels, prequels, and spin-offs

Batman: Year One (1987)

Spawn/Batman (1994)

The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001)

The Dark Knight III: The Master Race (2015)

The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade (2016)

Superman: Year One (2019)

The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child (2019)

According to Miller, the unfinished series All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder can be considered a prequel.

In 1994, this version of Batman appeared in the Zero Hour: Crisis in Time crossover event playing a small role. In March 2018, he appeared in a brief cameo in the sixth and final issue of the Dark Nights: Metal event.

In 2018, it was announced that this version of Robin, Carrie Kelley, would receive a spin-off in the form of a young adult graphic novel to be written by Miller with art from Ben Caldwell. In November 2021, when Miller said "[The Carrie Kelley book] is shaping up great; Ben is just a powder keg of talent. It'd probably be out now but it just keeps growing, due to his enthusiasm and output. I'm already kind of tugging at his sleeve about doing something else after this." [21]

In 2023, Miller's Batman appeared in Batman #135, which marked the milestone of the 900th issue. He joined forces with various versions of Batman from different media across the multiverse. [22]

In other media

Television

Live-action

  • Stephen Amell appears as an older Oliver Queen in the Legends of Tomorrow episode "Star City 2046", with a grey goatee and missing his left arm, a nod to the portrayal of the character in The Dark Knight Returns. [23] This version of Oliver appears again in the crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" which designates the events of "Star City 2046" not just as an alternate timeline but taking place on Earth-16.
  • In the episode "The Gentle Art of Making Enemies" of Gotham , the show's first Proto-Joker, Jerome Valeska (played by Cameron Monaghan), confronts Bruce Wayne in a house of mirrors after the GCPD raid Jerome's carnival populated by his cult followers, which pays homage to Batman and Joker's final confrontation in The Dark Knight Returns. In addition, Monaghan's performance as the second Proto-Joker, Jeremiah Valeska, took some influence from the Joker in the comic.
  • In the Batwoman episode of the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover, Kevin Conroy appears as Bruce Wayne from Earth-99. This version is more violent to the point of killing, as Joker is dead. While confronting Supergirl, Bruce quotes the comic while talking about how Clark always said "yes" to anyone with a badge or a flag, giving them too much power. Bruce says "Life only makes sense if you force it to" before attacking Supergirl with Kryptonite.
  • In the Gotham Knights TV series, Carrie Kelly plays a prominent role as one of the main characters. In the episode "Under Pressure", Carrie defeats the Mutant gang leader who is given the name of Vernon Wagner, stoking conflict between the Mutant gang against the GCPD. In the same episode, Carrie relates the circumstances of her first meeting with Batman, which seemingly involve Batman being tossed by the Mutant gang into her fire escape outside her window, a description that is identical to the comic's depiction.

Animation

  • In the episode "Legends of the Dark Knight" of The New Batman Adventures , a scene is directly based on both of Batman's fights with the Mutant leader, who was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. Michael Ironside voiced The Dark Knight Returns version of Batman. [24]
  • The first episode of Batman Beyond , "Rebirth", depicts a similarly aged Bruce Wayne repeat the book's line "never again" upon deciding to give up the Batman mantle.
  • Two members of the Mutant gang are shown throwing snowballs at an older Beast Boy in a cage in the episode "How Long Is Forever?" of Teen Titans . [25]
  • The Batman episode "Artifacts", set in a future Gotham, mostly references Miller's work, with the future Batman depicted as similarly tall and muscular and Mr. Freeze going so far as speaking the sentence "The Dark Knight returns" upon meeting his nemesis. [26]
  • There are some references in Batman: The Brave and the Bold . In the season 1 episode "Legends of the Dark Mite!", Bat-Mite transforms Batman into alternate versions of himself, one of which has his look from The Dark Knight Returns. [27] In the season 2 episode "The Knights of Tomorrow!", the Mutant gang is seen robbing a bank in a future where Bruce Wayne's son, Damian, is the new Batman. [28] The battle between Batman and Superman is featured in the season 3 episode "Battle of the Super-Heroes!", where Batman wears a similar armored suit as well as some moments of the fight taken straight out of the comic. [29]
  • In the episode "Play Date", from Justice League Action , Batman's entrance uses the iconic cover pose.

Film

Live action

  • Along with Batman: The Killing Joke , Tim Burton has mentioned that The Dark Knight Returns influenced his film adaptation of Batman. [30]
  • In the 1995 film Batman Forever , director Joel Schumacher uses some elements of the comic: when Bruce remembers falling into the cave as a child, and in a deleted scene when GNN News gives Batman a bad reputation after his fight with Two-Face in the Gotham Subway and when he follows Two-Face in a helicopter.
  • According to Schumacher, he proposed a film adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns when Warner Bros. commissioned him and writer Akiva Goldsman to create a sequel to Batman Forever , but the idea was shelved in favor of Batman & Robin . After the cancellation of Batman Unchained , Schumacher proposed an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns, which Warner considered during their attempts to revamp the character. [31] Michael Keaton (who portrayed Batman in Batman and in Batman Returns ) and Clint Eastwood were considered to play Batman while singer David Bowie was considered again to play the Joker. However, the project was finally canceled in favor of the also shelved Batman: DarKnight . [32]
  • The Tumbler in Batman Begins (2005) was inspired by the Batmobile in The Dark Knight Returns.[ citation needed ] Both Batmobiles are designed as large, military vehicles built for special purposes.
  • In the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises , director Christopher Nolan used a number of stories including The Dark Knight Returns as influence for the film. [33] After the death of Rachel Dawes, Bruce Wayne retires from Batman and spends the next eight years in a depressed state caused by his experiences as a vigilante. Bruce decides to return as Batman when he realizes that The League of Shadows has returned to Gotham; Bruce uses a special brace for his leg to compensate for his frail physicality, similar to the comics, in which he uses a brace to support his damaged arm; During a police chase, two officers witness Batman's unexpected return and the older officer comments to his younger partner, "You're in for a show, kid", a line from a similar scene in the comic. After Harvey Dent dies in The Dark Knight , Batman is falsely accused for his death and becomes a fugitive, as in the comic. In both works, Bruce fakes his death at the end; to fight crime secretly in the comic and to have a normal life with Selina Kyle in the film.
  • Director Zack Snyder stated that although the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice features an original premise, the film does borrow some elements from The Dark Knight Returns. In both, Batman is older and hardened, in his mid-50s in the comic and in his 40s in the film. Similarly, Robin has died, although his identity is never stated in the film, with Snyder intending for him to be Dick Grayson [34] and a behind-the-scenes video as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood stating it was Jason Todd. [35] Batman is also less averse to using lethal force to the point of using guns to dispatch enemies. Further, Batman has a fateful confrontation with Superman, who is coerced to fight him, although by Lex Luthor instead of the U.S. government as in the comics. The Batsuit and the armored suit also both closely resemble the ones shown in the comic. [36] There are also a few shots in the film directly taken from the pages of Miller's work.
  • The talk show host David Endochrine from The Dark Knight Returns served as inspiration for the character Murray Franklin in the 2019 film Joker , played by Robert De Niro. Joker is interviewed on a talk show, similar to the comic. [37] [38] In both portrayals, the interview ends with the Joker committing murder on the set. The elderly sex therapist from the book, Dr. Ruth Weisenheimer, who Joker forcefully kisses during the interview also appears in the film, named Dr. Sally instead.
  • The 2021 film Zack Snyder's Justice League featured a version of the Batmobile similar to the one from The Dark Knight Returns. In the film's epilogue, Batman is seen standing on a Batmobile (as it is seen in Miller's miniseries) after apprehending the Mutants. [39] [40]
  • In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Zack Snyder expressed interest in returning to DC Films if he were to direct a live action adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns as a "true representation of the graphic novel". [41]

Animation

  • DC Entertainment produced a two-part animated film adaptation, starring Peter Weller as the voice of Batman. [42] [43] Part 1 was released on DVD/Blu-ray on September 25, 2012, and Part 2 on January 29, 2013.
  • The 2018 animated film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies had Robin dream up a sequence which seems to parody The Lion King , where he is lifted up by the Batman from The Dark Knight Returns continuity. Later on, Robin appears in a musical sequence where he parodies the iconic Dark Knight Returns cover where Robin poses against a lightning effect with the title: "Robin: The Dark Hero Returns"

Comic books

Merchandise

In 1996, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the graphic novel, DC released a new hardcover and a later softcover release. These included original rough script text for issue #4 with some sketches by Miller. There was also a limited edition slipcased hardcover that included mini poster prints, collected media reviews, and a sketchbook by Miller. DC Direct released a limited edition statue of Batman and Robin designed by Miller. It was released in full size and then later as a mini-sized statue. [45] [ unreliable source? ] DC Direct released a series of Batman action figures based on The Dark Knight Returns in 2004. It included figures of Batman, Robin, Superman, and The Joker. Later, a Batman and Joker Gift Set was released, including both characters with new color schemes to reflect earlier points in the story, and a 48-page prestige format reprint of The Dark Knight Returns #1 was also released.[ citation needed ] An action figure of Batman as he appears in The Dark Knight Returns was released by Mattel in 2013, as part of their Batman Unlimited line of action figures.[ citation needed ]

In 2022, Cryptozoic Entertainment released a Batman: The Dark Knight Returns board game [46] designed specifically for solitaire play. The game uses extensive amounts of art from the graphic novel and follows the story of The Dark Knight Returns, including 4 games mirroring the books as a campaign.

Miscellaneous

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batman</span> Comic book superhero

Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book Detective Comics on March 30, 1939. In the DC Universe, Batman is the alias of Bruce Wayne, a wealthy American playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist who resides in Gotham City. His origin story features him swearing vengeance against criminals after witnessing the murder of his parents, Thomas and Martha, as a child, a vendetta tempered by the ideal of justice. He trains himself physically and intellectually, crafts a bat-inspired persona, and monitors the Gotham streets at night. Kane, Finger, and other creators accompanied Batman with supporting characters, including his sidekicks Robin and Batgirl; allies Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon; love interest Catwoman; and foes such as the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face, and his archenemy, the Joker.

<i>Batman: Year One</i> 1987 story arc in Batman comic book series

Batman: Year One is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli. Year One was originally published by DC Comics in Batman #404–407 monthly issues format in 1987. The story recounts Batman's first year as a crime-fighter as well as exploring the life of recently transferred Gotham police detective Jim Gordon, building towards their first encounter and their eventual alliance against Gotham's criminal underworld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gotham City</span> Fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Batman

Gotham City, or simply Gotham, is a fictional city in the Eastern United States that serves as the primary city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. It is best known as the home of the superhero Batman and his allies and foes. Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, the city was first identified as Batman's place of residence in Batman #4 and has since been the primary setting for stories featuring the character. In most of its incarnations, Gotham is depicted as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin (character)</span> Fictional character

Robin is the alias of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson to serve as a junior counterpart and the sidekick to the superhero Batman. As a team, Batman and Robin have commonly been referred to as the Caped Crusaders and the Dynamic Duo. The character's first incarnation, Dick Grayson, debuted in Detective Comics #38. Conceived as a way to attract young readership, Robin garnered overwhelmingly positive critical reception, doubling the sales of the Batman titles. Robin's early adventures included Star Spangled Comics #65–130 (1947–1952), the character's first solo feature. He made regular appearances in Batman-related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1940 through the early 1980s, until the character set aside the Robin identity and became the independent superhero Nightwing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-Face</span> Comic book supervillain

Two-Face is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bob Kane, and first appeared in Detective Comics #66. He has become one of the superhero Batman's most enduring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred Pennyworth</span> Fictional character throughout the DC Universe

Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, originally Alfred Beagle and commonly known simply as Alfred, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, most commonly in association with the superhero Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Gordon (character)</span> Fictional character in the DC Universe

James W. "Jim" Gordon Sr. is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, most commonly in association with the superhero Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane as an ally of Batman, the character debuted in the first panel of Detective Comics #27, Batman's first appearance, making him the first Batman supporting character ever to be introduced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batman: Hush</span> Story arc in Batman comics

"Batman: Hush" is an American comic book story arc published by DC Comics featuring the superhero Batman. It was published in monthly installments within the comic book series Batman, running from issue #608–619 in October 2002 until September 2003. The story arc was written by Jeph Loeb, penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams, and colored by Alex Sinclair, under the editorship of Bob Schreck.

<i>The Dark Knight Strikes Again</i> 2001–02 comic book series by Frank Miller

Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, also known as DK2, is a 2001–2002 DC Comics three-issue limited series comic book written and illustrated by Frank Miller and colored by Lynn Varley, featuring the fictional superhero Batman. The series is a sequel to Miller's 1986 miniseries The Dark Knight Returns. It tells the story of an aged Bruce Wayne who returns from three years in hiding, training his followers and instigating a rebellion against Lex Luthor's dictatorial rule over the United States. The series features an ensemble cast of superheroes including Catgirl, Superman, Wonder Woman, Plastic Man, Green Arrow, The Flash, and the Atom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bat-Signal</span> Distress signal device to call Batman

The Bat-Signal is a distress signal device appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, as a means to summon the superhero, Batman. It is a specially modified searchlight with a stylized emblem of a bat affixed to the light, allowing it to project a large bat symbol onto cloudy night skies over Gotham City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie Kelley</span> Comics character

Caroline Keene "Carrie" Kelley is a superheroine from Frank Miller's graphic novels The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and its sequels The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001–2002) and The Dark Knight III: The Master Race (2015–2017). She becomes the new Robin in The Dark Knight Returns when she saves Batman's life. Later in The Dark Knight Strikes Again, she adopts the identity Catgirl, and in The Dark Knight III: The Master Race, she adopts the identity Batwoman. She was the first full-time female Robin in the history of the Batman franchise, though Julie Madison had passed off as Robin for a brief time in a Bob Kane story published in Detective Comics #49 in March 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Wayne</span> Comics character

Thomas Alan Wayne, M.D. is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the father of Bruce Wayne (Batman), and husband of Martha Wayne as well as the paternal grandfather of Damian Wayne. Wayne was introduced in Detective Comics #33, the first exposition of Batman's origin story. A gifted surgeon and philanthropist to Gotham City, Wayne inherited the Wayne family fortune after Patrick Wayne. When Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street mugging, Bruce is inspired to fight crime in Gotham as the vigilante Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin in other media</span> Superhero Robin in non-comicbook media

In addition to DC Comics books, the superhero Robin also appears in other media, such as films, television and radio. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne are examples of the characters who use the name Robin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batman in film</span> Film adaptations of the DC superhero

The Batman franchise, based on the fictional superhero Batman who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, has seen the release of various films. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the character first starred in two serial films in the 1940s, Batman and Batman and Robin. The character also appeared in the 1966 film Batman, which was a feature film adaptation of the 1960s television series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, who also starred in the film. Toward the end of the 1980s, the Warner Bros. studio began producing a series of feature films starring Batman, beginning with 1989's Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns, and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever, with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel Batman & Robin, which starred George Clooney. Batman & Robin was poorly received by both critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of a sequel titled Batman Unchained.

<i>Batman: The Dark Knight Returns</i> (film) 2012 two-part animated film directed by Jay Oliva

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is a two-part direct-to-video adult animated superhero film, an adaptation of the 1986 comic book The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and is set in the same continuity as Batman: Year One. It was directed by Jay Oliva, who worked as a storyboard artist on Man of Steel, Under the Red Hood, Year One and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Several other Batman veterans were also involved in the film. Part 1 was released on September 25, 2012, and Part 2 was released on January 29, 2013. A deluxe edition combining both films was released on October 8, 2013. Part 1 is the 15th film, and Part 2 is the 16th film, of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

<i>The Dark Knight III: The Master Race</i> 2015–2017 comic book limited series co-written by Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello

The Dark Knight III: The Master Race, also stylized as DK III: The Master Race and later collected as Batman: The Dark Knight – Master Race, is a 2015–2017 nine-issue DC Comics limited series co-written by Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Miller, Andy Kubert, and Klaus Janson.

The Mutants is the name of a fictional street gang appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. While the Mutants were first seen in The Dark Knight Returns, there were other incarnations of the Mutants that appeared in later Batman comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two-Face in other media</span> Fictional character Two-Face in media

The character Two-Face was created by Bob Kane and first appeared in Detective Comics #66. However, he did not appear outside comics until half a century later in Batman: The Animated Series. Two-Face has since been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, such as feature films, television series and video games. Two-Face has been voiced by Richard Moll in the DC Animated Universe, Troy Baker in the Batman: Arkham series, Billy Dee Williams in The Lego Batman Movie, and William Shatner in Batman vs. Two-Face. His live-action portrayals include Billy Dee Williams in Batman (1989), Tommy Lee Jones in Batman Forever, Aaron Eckhart in The Dark Knight, Harry Lawtey in Joker: Folie à Deux, and Nicholas D'Agosto in the television series Gotham. In 2009, Two-Face was ranked #12 on IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time.

Bruce Wayne (<i>Dark Knight</i> trilogy) Fictional film character

Bruce Wayne, also known by his superhero vigilante persona Batman, is a fictional character who is the main protagonist in Christopher Nolan's trilogy of superhero films, based on the DC Comics character of the same name, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Portrayed by Christian Bale, this version of Batman is arguably explored more in-depth compared to that of the previous film series by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, as the Dark Knight film series provides a full arc for the character and was intended by Nolan to be more realistic than previous portrayals.

References

  1. ↑ "Batman: The Complete Guide to Frank Miller's Dark Knight". Screen Rant . 25 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Miller, Frank. The Dark Knight Returns - Volume 4. DC Comics. p. 45.
  3. 1 2 Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1980s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 219. ISBN   978-0-7566-6742-9. It is arguably the best Batman story of all time. Written and drawn by Frank Miller (with inspired inking by Klaus Janson and beautiful watercolors by Lynn Varley), Batman: The Dark Knight revolutionized the entire genre of the super hero.
  4. ↑ Daniels (1999), p. 146.
  5. ↑ Daniels (1999), p. 147.
  6. ↑ Comic Book Confidential (documentary film, 1988)
  7. ↑ Daniels (1999), p. 151.
  8. ↑ Hitch, Bryan (2010). Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Comics Studio. Impact Books. p. 22.
  9. ↑ Strike, Joe (July 15, 2008). "Frank Miller's 'Dark Knight' brought Batman back to life". Daily News. New York.
  10. ↑ Johnston, Rich (October 28, 2018). "Frank Miller's Original Original Ending For Batman: The Dark Knight Returns". Bleeding Cool . Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Daniels (1999), p. 149.
  12. ↑ Henry, Gordon M.; Forbis, Deborah (October 6, 1986). "Bang!". Time. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  13. ↑ "DC Comics Publishes Frank Miller's Batman Sequel To The Legendary Dark Knight Returns". Business Wire (Press release). Berkshire Hathaway. December 5, 2001. Archived from the original on January 24, 2002. Retrieved June 21, 2019– via Yahoo.com.
  14. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (June 17, 2005). "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Review". IGN.
  15. ↑ Grossman, Lev (March 6, 2009). "Top 10 Graphic Novels: The Dark Knight Returns". Time .
  16. ↑ "50 Best Of The Best Graphic Novels". Forbidden Planet. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  17. ↑ Carpenter, Greg (January 13, 2014). "On Canons, Critics, Consensus, and Comics, Part 2". Sequart Organization. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  18. ↑ Slayton, Nicholas (April 27, 2010). "Top 10 Overrated Comic Books". Comics Bulletin. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  19. ↑ Domsch, Sebastian; Hassler-Forest, Dan; Vanderbeke, Dirk (2021-07-05). Handbook of Comics and Graphic Narratives. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. ISBN   978-3-11-044683-8.
  20. ↑ Steel, Emily (April 17, 2009). "Typeface Inspired by Comic Books Has Become a Font of Ill Will". The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  21. ↑ Arrant, Chris (11 November 2021). "Frank Miller returns to Batman - Dark Knight Returns playground for a Carrie Kelley YA graphic novel". Newsarma. Games Radar. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  22. ↑ writer, Sam Stone Contributing (2023-05-02). "Through the looking glass: Batman's odyssey through the multiverse finally brings him home". Popverse. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  23. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (January 28, 2016). "Legends of Tomorrow: Stephen Amell to appear as future Oliver Queen". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  24. ↑ Robinson, Tasha (December 5, 2001). "Frank Miller interview". A.V. Club.
  25. ↑ "How Long Is Forever?". The New Batman Adventures.
  26. ↑ "Artifacts". The Batman.
  27. ↑ "Legends of the Dark Mite!". Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
  28. ↑ "The Knights of Tomorrow!". Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
  29. ↑ "Battle of the Super-Heroes!". Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
  30. ↑ Burton, Tim (2006). Burton on Burton. London, England: Faber and Faber. p. 71. ISBN   0-571-22926-3.
  31. ↑ Munro, Shaun (July 4, 2013). "10 Batman films that almost happened".
  32. ↑ "8 Unmade BATMAN Movies".
  33. ↑ Brooker, Will (June 7, 2012). "Clues from the Comics About Batman's Fate in The Dark Knight Rises". io9. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Snyder Erases Any Doubt About Identity of Batman v Superman's Dead Robin". CBR. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  35. ↑ "Warner Bros. Confirms Batman V Superman's Dead Robin Is Jason Todd". ScreenRant. 2016-05-22. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  36. ↑ "Batman vs. Superman: Snyder Talks 'Dark Knight Returns' Factor & Affleck". Screenrant.com. February 10, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Joker's Shocking Climatic Scene is a Major Dark Knight Returns Easter Egg".
  38. ↑ "Joker (2019): 10 Movies That Inspired Todd Phillips' Dark DC Movie". Screen Rant . 28 September 2020.
  39. ↑ "Zack Snyder's Justice League Epilogue Gives a Nod to Dark Knight Returns". 26 March 2021.
  40. ↑ "Zack Snyder's Justice League Dark Knight Returns Easter Egg Confirmed". Screen Rant . 20 April 2021.
  41. ↑ Kit, Borys (2023-11-29). "Zack Snyder's Next Cut: No Capes Allowed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
  42. ↑ Connelly, Brendon (April 14, 2011). "Movie Version Of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns In The Works". Bleedingcool.com. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  43. ↑ Allstetter, Rob (July 23, 2011). "Comic-Con 2011". comicscontinuum.com. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  44. ↑ Esposito, Joey (April 5, 2013). "The Dark Knight Returns' Carrie Kelley is Back" . Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  45. ↑ "1996 Dark Knight Returns statue". Under the Giant Penny. August 8, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Board Game". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  47. ↑ "Girl Meets the New Teacher". Girl Meets World.
  48. ↑ "Solaricks". Rick and Morty.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.