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Batman Comics
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Description edit
If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known also for his excellent Sin City series and his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the top contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
A retired hero realizes he's incapable of stopping then causes more problems the more he helps.
Characters/People edit
- Clark Kent/Superman: Superman is the same Boy Scout he's always been. He takes orders from the government now, and does their dirty work like fighting the Soviets. Something went on between him and the Green Arrow, and any superheroes still living or relevant have lost all respect for Clark Kent.
- Bruce Wayne/Batman: Everything's correct about him. Miller's batman is as we all like him to be... gritty, mean, brooding and the ultimate bad-ass who takes crap from no one, not his friends, not from his only well wisher, not the government and certainly not from a god-like alien, one who can shake the earth with his bare hands. He is a scarred man living with a demon trapped inside him. He has scars that never heals with time and he remains the ultimate strategist.Ever.
- Alfred: Same old butler we know, still alive even though he was ancient when Bruce was only a child.
- Commissioner James Gordon: Batman's ally still, continuously bending the rules to justify the odd actions of a vigilante.
- Harvey Jones/Two Face: In this novel he is the mirror image of batman..A deranged man who is slowly losing himself into the other part of his personality. After getting operated upon , his face is restored to normal but his mind is far beyond repair.
- The Joker: He lied in a catatonic state upon the Batman's retirement. Seeing batman after 10 years joker once again springs back to his diabolic state.
- Carrie Kelly/Robin: Inspired by batman, this young girl takes on the mantle of Robin. Though seeming to be bookish in nature, she's actually a computer whiz and a brave kid who sharpens her talents under batman's intense training.
- Commissioner Yindel: Coming from Chicago to succeed Commissioner James Gordon, she starts by issuing an arrest warrant for the Batman. Once in place however, she realizes that police work and wrong and right aren't as black and white as she had hoped.
- Haggard: Add a description of this character.
- Lola Chong: News reporter
- Merkel: Minor police character who supports the ascension of Commissioner Yindel.
- David Endochrine: A humorous take on David Letterman.
- Dr. Bartholomew Wolper: A psychologist at Arkham Asylum treating patients like Harvey Dent and The Joker. Ultimately, proven wrong about everything.
- Lana Lang: A well known character from Superman comics, she is now the editor of the Daily Planet.
Quotes edit
-
“This would be a good death but not good enough”
-
“You are puny.. you are small.. you are nothing.. a hollow shell ...a rusty trap that cannot hold me”
Bruce Wayne -
“You don't get it boy...This isn't a mudhole.It's an operating table... and I'm the surgeon.”
batman, while breaking the mutant leader's leg -
“They'll kill us if they can Bruce. Every year they grow smaller. Every year they hate us more.We must not remind them that giants walk the earth.”
Superman -
“Do you remember why you retierd Bruce? No.. just look at you.. You'd do it again and like a murderer, you'd cover it up again. nothing matters to you except your holy wars. But now the storm is gathering again. They'll hunt us down again. Because of you.”
Superman, reflecting Jason's death -
“No joker. you are playing the wrong game. The old game. Tonight you're taking no hostages. Tonight...I am taking no prisoners”
batman -
“I always knew it would get down to you and the big blue schoolboy. Planet's too big for the two of you. When it all comes down, I want a piece of him. A small piece will do.”
Oliver/Green Arrow -
“Bruce.. this is idiotic.. you're only meat and bones.. just like the rest”
Superman -
“You sold us out, Clark. You gave them the power that should have been ours. Just like your parents taught you to. My parents taught me a different lesson. Lying on the street .. shaking in deep shock..dying for no reason at all..they showed me the world only makes sense when you force it to..”
batman -
“Wrist.. crushed. Ribs.. moving with a life of their own.. and Clark.. just broke a sweat..”
batman -
“Oliver.. I've finally gotten him angry..It's now or never..(Oliver fires the kryptonite arrow) It wasn't easy to synthesize, Clark.. took years and cost me a fortune..Luckily I had both..You're begining to get the idea Clark.. this is the end.. for both of us..We could have changed the world.. Now.. look at us.. I've become a political liability.. and you.. you're a joke. I want you to remember Clark, in all the years to come..in your most private moments..I want you to remember my hands at your throat.. I want you to remember the one man who beat you”
Batman, last lines
Setting & Locations edit
First Sentence edit
I've got the home stretch all to myself when the readings stop making any sense... I switch to manual
Table of Contents edit
Intoduction
Book One: The Dark Knight Returns
Book Two: The Dark Knight Triumphant
Book Three: Hunt the Dark Knight
Book Four: The Dark Knight Falls
Gallery
The Original Plot
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Batman Comics. (standard series)
This book is in Batman Universe. (community list)
This book is in DC Elseworld. (standard series)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Frank Miller (Author) - Writer / Penciller
- Klaus Janson (Artist) - Inker
- John Costanza (Artist) - Letterer
- Lynn Varley (Artist) - Colorist
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: DC Comics
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: 0930289153
Page Count: 224
Publisher: DC Comics
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: 0930289153
Page Count: 224
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PN6728.D34 M55 1986
- Dewey: 741.5973
Subjects edit
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