The Dark Knight Returns (commonly abbreviated to DKR) is a superhero comic book story published by DC Comics between 1985 and 1986, starring Batman and was written and drawn by Frank Miller. A miniseries, in a serial storytelling medium, is a production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. ... Frank Miller Frank Miller (born 27 January 1957 in Olney, Maryland) is an American writer and artist best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. ... Superman and Batman, two of the most recognizable and iconic superheroes. ... DC Comics is one of the largest American companies in comic book and related media publishing. ... The DC Comics superhero Batman (originally and still sometimes referred to as the Batman or the Bat-Man) is a fictional character who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... Frank Miller Frank Miller (born 27 January 1957 in Olney, Maryland) is an American writer and artist best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. ...

DKR is especially notable as the series which dispelled Batman's former campy image which had been a result of the 1960s television series. The term camp—normally used as an adjective or a noun, even though earliest recorded uses employed it mainly as a verb—refers to the deliberate and sophisticated use of kitsch, mawkish or corny themes and styles in art, clothing or conversation. ... Batman was the title of an exceptionally popular 1960s TV series based on the comic-book character Batman that aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) for 2 1/2 seasons from 12 January, 1966 to 14 March, 1968. ...

Overview

The series was originally published as a four-issue limited series in a then-new printing format called prestige format. This format would later become commonplace. The series was written and drawn by Frank Miller; inker Klaus Janson and colourist Lynn Varley were also part of the creative team for the series. Frank Miller sought to create a fitting "end" for the character of Batman: just as the Norse myths had their Ragnarok, so would Batman eventually meet his end. A miniseries, in a serial storytelling medium, is a production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. ... Prestige format is a term coined by DC Comics but now in wider use to refer to a square-bound comic book with cardstock covers. ... Klaus Janson is an American comic book artist, working primarily for Marvel Comics and DC Comics. ... Lynn Varley is an artist who has been responsible for the coloring of several comics. ... Norse or Scandinavian mythology comprises the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people, including those who settled on Iceland, where the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... Look up Ragnarok in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The Dark Knight Returns takes place in a timeline that has not come to pass in the continuity of current DC Comics, but is still considered at least partially canon as it makes use of post-Crisis characters. Moreover, certain elements of Miller's tale did subsequently make it into the main DC Universe, most notably some of the backstory of the series. For example, Miller's Batman is haunted by the death of Robin, which would later be incorporated into continuity with the death of Jason Todd, as would an explanation of how Miller's Green Arrow lost his arm, although in this latter case, continuity deviates somewhat from DKR. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... DC Comics is one of the largest American companies in comic book and related media publishing. ... In the context of fiction, the canon of a fictional universe comprises those novels, stories, films, etc. ... Crisis on Infinite Earths was a twelve-issue comic book limited series (identified as a 12 part maxi-series) and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 in order to simplify their fifty-year-old continuity. ... The DC Universe (DCU) is the fictional shared setting where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. ... A classic image of Batman and Robin reinterpreted by painter Alex Ross. ... Batman: A Death in the Family is a Batman comic book story arc first published in the late 1980s which gave fans the ability to influence the story through voting with a 900 number. ... Green Arrow (Oliver Jonas Ollie Queen) is a DC Comics superhero. ...

Synopsis

"The Dark Knight Returns"

The book is thought to be set during the cold war, but the intro mentions it being in the future. It is a dark, depressing world where criminals run amok in the absence of superheroes. Gotham City is terrorized by a gang of vicious and aimless teenage murderers, the Mutants. A now 55-year-old Bruce Wayne has been retired for ten years following the death of the second Robin, Jason Todd (murdered by The Joker). Attempting to bury his guilt over Jason's death, Wayne has turned to alcoholism, near-suicidal recreational activities, and has funded the rehabilitation of Two-Face in an attempt to prove to the world - and to himself - that a man's demons can be truly exorcised. On the eve of Commissioner Gordon's forced retirement, however, two events push Wayne to reestablish the presence of his alter ego: a major crime wave hits the city, and Two-Face's rehabilitation goes awry. An enormous bat crashes through the windows of Wayne Manor, symbolizing the psychological return. Clockwise from top: United States President John F. Kennedy and Soviet General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev meet in a 1961 summit held in Vienna; East German border guards at the Berlin Wall; the first Soviet nuclear weapon Joe 1 is tested; American soldiers land in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; Sputnik... Gotham Citys skyline, as it appears in the 1989 Batman movie. ... The Joker is a fictional DC Comics supervillain, widely considered to be Batmans arch-enemy and the most well known villian in comic book history. ... Two-Face (Harvey Dent) is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. ...

Re-donning the cape and cowl, Batman must deal with a world where even the petty criminals are homicidal maniacs who kill for thrills. He no longer has the absolute support of the police, public, or government. Miller's interpretation of Gotham (and of America) is a place of deep moral ambiguity. Reporters and psychologists see the Joker as a victim and Batman as the madman. The new Police Commissioner is upstanding, capable, and smart, a fitting replacement for Gordon - yet she has no love for the Batman, and hunts him ruthlessly. Even Superman himself has been twisted into a covert agent for America's Cold War agenda, putting his loyalty to the American government above his fight for the American Way. Batman spends no time fretting over these ambiguities; instead, he seeks to impose his stark black-and-white view on a world of relativism. The Dark Knight Returns deals in large part with Wayne's uncompromising obsession with his dual identity, in opposition to a world where duality has gone by the wayside. In this bleak landscape, Batman's obsessions and demons finally, completely, submerge Bruce Wayne, and the Dark Knight is given free rein to wage his war without inhibition. Superman is a fictional character and superhero of DC Comics who first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and is considered one of the three greatest superheroes of the world, the others being Batman, also of DC Comics, and Spider-Man of Marvel Comics. ... Clockwise from top: United States President John F. Kennedy and Soviet General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev meet in a 1961 summit held in Vienna; East German border guards at the Berlin Wall; the first Soviet nuclear weapon Joe 1 is tested; American soldiers land in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; Sputnik... Relativism is the view that the meaning and value of human beliefs and behaviors have no absolute reference. ...

Much of the story takes place on a television screen where journalists, experts, politicians and the public debate the rights and wrongs of Batman's methods and influence: some like Lana Lang praise him for reclaiming the streets from the criminals, while others criticise him for not observing the civil rights of these same criminals. Art by Phil Noto. ... Civil rights or positive rights are those legal rights retained by citizens and protected by the government. ...

The series begins with several introductions. An aging Bruce Wayne is drinking too much and driving too dangerously; a wistful James Gordon is on the verge of being forcibly retired; and a heat wave has ratcheted the city's crime levels to new horrific highs. Still, Wayne seeks to accomplish good by financing the correction of Two-Face's disfigurement and attempting to return him to the persona of Harvey Dent. Meanwhile, the violence from the Mutants runs rampant, murdering whole families simply out of boredom and to taunt the aging Commissioner Gordon. Finally spurred to discard his despondent idleness, Wayne returns as Batman to meet this new breed of street criminal with equal viciousness, stopping just short of his own refusal to kill. But Batman has changed since he last put on the cape: though still quite strong and up to the physical task of apprehending ordinary criminals, Wayne is forced to acknowledge to himself that his advanced age and long period of inactivity have diminished both his skills and his ability to withstand and recover from injury. And, unknown to anyone, the Joker has likewise emerged from retirement. Catatonic (and without his trademark evil grin) in Arkham Asylum for the ten years of Batman's absence, the Clown Prince of Crime reawakens to his twisted, hateful obsession of the Dark Knight. Jim Gordon is also the name of an American musician of the 60s and 70s. ... The Joker is a fictional DC Comics supervillain, widely considered to be Batmans arch-enemy and the most well known villian in comic book history. ... Arkham Asylum as it appeared on Batman: The Animated Series. ...

The issue culminates with an out-of-control, nearly suicidal Two-Face threatening to blow up Gotham's Twin Towers; however Batman is able to deduce and foil the scheme. In their struggle, Batman removes the bandages that have been covering Dent's face, expecting to find Two-Face's visage split in its classic dichotomy. Instead, he sees Dent whole and handsome on the outside, but fully lost within his own mind. In Dent, Batman sees a "reflection": just as the restoration of Harvey's face led to the final destruction of his sanity, the Batman persona has become all the stronger for having lain hidden under Bruce Wayne for a decade. A persona is a social role, or a character played by an actor. ...

"The Dark Knight Triumphant"

The second part chronicles Batman's struggle against Gotham's newest (and most realistic) criminal threat, the vicious Mutant gang and their anonymous leader. As he walks to work, contemplating his upcoming retirement, Jim Gordon is almost killed by a 17-year old boy with an Army assault rifle. In the course of rescuing a young child, Batman discovers that a cash-broke Army general and war hero has been arming the Mutants, in return for the money to help his sick wife. When Batman confronts him, the General commits suicide. Meanwhile, the Mayor has appointed a qualified woman as Gordon's successor, Ellen Yindel, who worships Gordon but despises vigilantes. And a young girl who owes her life to Batman, Carrie Kelly, decides to seek out her hero and takes on the role of Robin. A gang is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. ... Suicide (from Latin sui caedere, to kill oneself) is the act of willfully ending ones own life. ... A classic image of Batman and Robin reinterpreted by painter Alex Ross. ...

Following his leads, the Caped Crusader succeeds in tracking down the Mutant lair and defeating them with the Batmobile (which Miller reimagines as an armored supertank, with large cannons and machine guns that fire rubber bullets). In a brutal hand-to-hand fight, Batman is defeated and almost killed by the Mutant Leader, as the aging Caped Crusader tries to prove to himself (and Alfred) that he is a force at any age. Luckily, Carrie, in her new Robin costume, has been following Batman, and manages to save him. Batman returns to the Batcave where Alfred tends his wounds (and argues with him over the danger to Carrie); meanwhile, the Mutant Leader is brought into custody. The Leader's absolute animalistic nature (and, hence, the animalistic nature of his underlings) is fully revealed when the Leader manages to tear out the Mayor's throat while in custody. Gordon and Batman conspire to defeat the Mutants psychologically by staging a fight between Batman and the Leader in front of the whole Mutant gang. Using his greater experience and his environment, Batman cripples the Mutant Leader in full view of his followers. While many of the Mutants are arrested, many more now latch on to Batman as their role model, dubbing themselves the "Sons of Batman." However, their interpretation of Batman's quest will leave much to be desired. The issue ends with James Gordon, looking forward to his retirement from the madness of Gotham and regretting the predicament that Batman will find himself in: caught between criminals and the police. The original 1966 Batmobile was built by George Barris from a Lincoln Futura concept car. ... Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional character existing in the DC Comics universe. ...

"Hunt The Dark Knight"

"Hunt The Dark Knight" returns Batman to his classic struggle, against the incomprehensible madness of The Joker. Newly awakened from his catatonia, the Joker has been slowly returning to his mad schemes while still incarcerated. He convinces his psychiatrist, the fame-seeking (and Batman-hating) Dr. Bartholomew Wolper, that he is not only sane but regretful. Seeking to discredit Batman, Wolper intends to exhibit the Joker on a late-night show ("David Endocrine", parodying Late Night with David Letterman) in order to "prove" that the Joker is actually a victim of Batman's own "psychosis." Not pleased with this turn of events, Yindel places a heavy guard on the building. However, she still sees the primary threat as Batman and intends to arrest him if he appears. As the police are occupied with attacking Batman, the Joker murders everyone in the studio (including Endochrine and Wolper) with his "smile gas" and escapes. Batman follows him to Selina Kyle's, where the Catwoman has become a depressed, alcoholic and overweight madame. The Joker beats her and leaves a clear clue for Batman to follow, continuing what the Joker sees as their mad romance. With the police on his heels, Batman, accompanied by Robin, tracks the Joker down to a county fair. They arrive too late to prevent the Joker from poisoning to death a group of young Cub Scouts, but Robin is dispatched to prevent the Joker's accomplice from blowing up a rollercoaster loaded with riders. Robin succeeds in surprising fashion, and proves herself a worthy heir to the role of Batman's sidekick. Meanwhile, Batman pursues and defeats Joker in a bloody and violent showdown. Throughout the past days, the Batman has been preparing to do what he never could before: kill the Joker and end the cycle of meaningless deaths once and for all. But, in the end he still cannot bring himself to kill his old enemy, stopping himself before fully killing the Joker, leaving him paralyzed instead. The Joker, laughing madly, commits suicide by twisting his own broken neck, intending for the police to charge Batman with murder. The Joker is a fictional DC Comics supervillain, widely considered to be Batmans arch-enemy and the most well known villian in comic book history. ... Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that studies and treats mental and emotional disorders (see mental illness). ... David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American late night talk show host, comedian, and television producer, and Indy Racing League car owner (Rahal Letterman Racing). ... This article is about the mental state. ... Catwoman (real name Selina Kyle) is a DC Comics character created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Throughout this episode, Superman has been introduced as an undercover agent for the American government (under a nameless President who is nonetheless recognizable as Ronald Reagan). He travels to Gotham to persuade Batman to keep a low profile. However, tensions with the Soviet Union are reaching a head over U.S. support for a South American country named Corto Maltese (a reference to the comic strip by Hugo Pratt) , and Superman is called away to "deal with it." Also, the Sons of the Batman have begun to make their presence known, taking an even more brutal - and deadly - tack towards criminals than Batman. Despite Batman's non-involvement, the actions of the "SOB's" only incenses the growing anti-Batman forces in the government and media further. Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... Corto Maltese Corto Maltese is a fictional character, a sailor-adventurer created by Italian comic book creator Hugo Pratt. ... Hugo Pratt Hugo Pratt (June 15, 1927, Rimini, Italy - August 20, 1995, Grandvaux, near Lausanne, Switzerland,) was an Italian comic book creator who combined his strong storytelling talent with extensive historical research on Corto Maltese and his other series. ...

"The Dark Knight Falls"

Cover to "The Dark Knight Falls". Art by Frank Miller.

All these threads clash in "The Dark Knight Falls", when the USSR launches a nuclear warhead in response to Superman's presence in Corto Maltese. Superman manages to divert the missile to an uninhabited desert area before it detonates, but the damage is done nonetheless. The warhead was designed to disrupt all electronics and communications in the Western Hemisphere as well as throw millions of tons of dust and debris into the atmosphere. Deprived of the sunlight that gives him his powers, Superman nearly dies before absorbing solar energy through plant life. Gotham descends almost immediately into chaos as the blackout hits, with rioting and looting rocking the city. Airplanes crippled by the electromagnetic pulse crash into buildings, feeding the panic. A few citizens, including Jim Gordon, pull together to fight the fires and retain some semblance of humanity among the reversion of civilization until the power is restored. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (400x608, 271 KB)Cover to The Dark Knight Returns #4. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (400x608, 271 KB)Cover to The Dark Knight Returns #4. ... Corto Maltese Corto Maltese is a fictional character, a sailor-adventurer created by Italian comic book creator Hugo Pratt. ...

Though near death from wounds inflicted during his fight with the Joker and the police, Batman applies his ingenuity to restoring law to Gotham. He and Robin muster a force of SOBs and train them in non-lethal methods as a means to stop looting and ensure the flow of needed supplies. Gotham, ironically, soon becomes the safest and best-fed city in America. Seeing this as an embarrassment rather than a blessing, the U.S. government dispatches Superman to take the Dark Knight down. Warned of their plans by Oliver Queen, the former Green Arrow who is now a bitter one-armed revolutionary, Batman prepares for his ultimate clash. A powered exoskeleton, the Batmobile, kryptonite and a mysterious pill are his only resources. In a final showdown at Crime Alley, where Wayne's parents were murdered decades earlier, Batman manages to defeat the weakened Superman, only to have a heart attack. At precisely the same moment, Alfred oversees the destruction of the Batcave and Wayne Manor, suffers a fatal stroke immediately afterward (his last thought as he realizes that he is dying is "how utterly proper"). Green Arrow (Oliver Jonas Ollie Queen) is a DC Comics superhero. ... An exoskeleton, in contrast to an endoskeleton, is an external anatomical feature that supports and protects an animals body. ... Superman, Phantom Zone criminals, and Jimmy Olsen, in front of a display of kryptonite models. ... The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics superhero Batman, (the dual identity of millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne), consisting of a series of subterranean caves beneath his residence, Wayne Manor. ... In DC Comics, Wayne Manor is the personal residence of Bruce Wayne, who is also Batman. ... A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted. ...

The news that Bruce Wayne was Batman spreads throughout the world; however, Wayne's stocks and funds have been sold and liquidated, Wayne Manor and Batcave destroyed, and all evidence as to his methods and tools wiped out. At a funeral attended by Gordon, Kyle, Yindel, Carrie, and others, Superman (as Clark Kent) is plainly ravaged with sadness and guilt. Just as he turns to leave, however, he hears a faint heartbeat coming from the interred coffin. After staring at Carrie for a few silent moments, Kent gives her a wink and leaves. Wayne has faked his death with planning, skill, and his knowledge of chemistry; Carrie digs up his living body as soon as possible. Wayne had hoped to keep the secret even from Superman; with his wink, however, Kent confirms Wayne's hope that he would play along with the charade. Bruce Wayne, finally looking forward to his life, leads Robin, Green Arrow, and his army deep into the unexplored caverns beyond the Batcave, preparing to continue his fight for justice in a more low-key, but equally important, way than in his "previous life."

Characters

Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, 55 years old. He gave up the Batman identity ten years ago, strongly hinted as a reaction to the death of the former Robin, Jason Todd. But when he sees violence running rampant and his personal demons can no longer be denied, he is forced to return. The DC Comics superhero Batman (originally and still sometimes referred to as the Batman or the Bat-Man) is a fictional character who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ...

Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne's trusty butler and assistant. Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional character existing in the DC Comics universe. ...

Robin, aka Carrie Kelley, 13 years old. She becomes Robin, and is accepted by the Batman after saving his life. A classic image of Batman and Robin reinterpreted by painter Alex Ross. ...

James Gordon, Commissioner of the Gotham Police, 70 years old. James Worthington Jim Gordon is a supporting character in the Batman comic books published by DC Comics. ...

Two-Face, aka Harvey Dent, whose face is reconstructed with plastic surgery, but is still Two-Face in his mind and cannot refrain from criminal acts. Two-Face (Harvey Dent) is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. ...

The Joker as a catatonic prisoner of Arkham Asylum. He becomes a criminal again when he sees Batman returning, and sets in motion a final confrontation with him. The Joker is a fictional DC Comics supervillain, widely considered to be Batmans arch-enemy and the most well known villian in comic book history. ... Arkham Asylum as it appeared on Batman: The Animated Series. ...

The Mutant Leader, head of a gang of teens called the "Mutants" who terrorizes Gotham. The leader is a strong, savage brute who puts a hit on Gordon, beats Batman in their first encounter, goes to jail, kills the mayor (while still in jail), escapes, and is beaten by Batman.

Dr. Bartholomew Wolper, the Joker's psychiatrist and staunch opponent of Batman's "fascist" vigilantism. Fascism (in Italian, fascismo), capitalized, was the authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. ... For the aircraft, see A-5 Vigilante. ...

Ellen Yindel, James Gordon's successor. She starts off as Batman's fiercest opponent, but doubts herself after the Joker debacle (part 3) and is strongly hinted to protect him from prosecution at the end of the book.

Green Arrow, aka Oliver Queen. He has undertaken a clandestine career of terrorism against government oppression. He lost his left arm years ago and has a grudge against Superman because of that. Green Arrow (Oliver Jonas Ollie Queen) is a DC Comics superhero. ... The term terrorism is largely synonymous with political violence or the threat of violence, and refers to a strategy of using coordinated attacks that typically fall within the time, manner of conduct, and place commonly understood as unconventional warfare. ...

Superman, aka Clark Kent, a military superagent for the United States government. He has agreed to stay out of sight and do as he's told, and in exchange he is allowed to continue saving lives. Superman is a fictional character and superhero of DC Comics who first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and is considered one of the three greatest superheroes of the world, the others being Batman, also of DC Comics, and Spider-Man of Marvel Comics. ...

Catwoman, aka Selina Kyle, who now runs an escort service. Catwoman (real name Selina Kyle) is a DC Comics character created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. ... Escort agencies in theory exist to supply attractive and well-mannered escorts for social occasions. ...

Lana Lang, TV broadcaster and fierce defender of Batman's vigilantism. Art by Phil Noto. ...

Reputation

Upon its publication, The Dark Knight Returns turned the comic book industry on its ear. It helped to introduce an era of more adult-oriented storytelling to the mainstream world of superhero comic books, and it received media attention the likes of which had never seen before in a medium long believed to be little more than children's entertainment.

This story, along with Alan Moore's Watchmen (published in the same year) and Art Spiegelman's Maus, helped to raise the medium to a more mature level of literature, and it ushered in the popularity of graphic novels as a form of literature that truly differs from "child-oriented comic books." Critics have accused this story of giving birth to the era of "grim and gritty" comic books that lasted from the late 1980s through the early 1990s, when comic books took many adult-oriented themes (especially explicit violence and sexual content) to "the limits of decency." Although the Batman has rarely been as obsessive and powerful a figure as Miller depicts him here, The Dark Knight Returns was tremendously influential; since the work was originally published, Miller's portrayal of the character as a dark and compulsive figure has dominated most Batman projects to at least some degree. This includes the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton which drew upon DKR (as well as Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's graphic novel The Killing Joke) as a major influence. Alan Moore Alan Moore (born November 18, 1953, in Northampton, England) is a British writer most famous for his work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. ... Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. ... Art Spiegelman (born February 15, 1948) is a comics artist, editor and advocate for the medium of comics, best known for his Pulitzer Prize winning comic memoir, Maus. ... Cover Maus: A Survivors Tale is a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman that recounts his fathers struggle to survive the Holocaust as a Polish Jew. ... A graphic novel (GN) is a long-form comic book, usually with lengthy and complex storylines, and often aimed at more mature audiences. ... Batman DVD cover, 1997 release version Batman was released in U.S. theaters on June 23, 1989 by Warner Bros. ... Tim Burton Timothy William Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American film director, poet and designer known for his off-beat and quirky style. ... Alan Moore Alan Moore (born November 18, 1953, in Northampton, England) is a British writer most famous for his work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. ... Bollands cover to Hellstorm: Prince Of Lies #16. ... Cover to Batman: The Killing Joke. ...

Another innovation is the way in which the superheroes address one another by name (i.e. as "Bruce", "Clark" or "Oliver"). The U.S. officials always refer to Superman as "Kent". The name "Superman" is never even used in the story. The super-heroes look upon their relationship with humans as a "them" and "us" situation, and Batman is criticized for not realizing "how they've changed"!

However, Miller's innovations were not solely limited to characterization. He adopted innovative visual styles and "tricks," many adapted from movies (especially film noir). These included dividing pages into many more frames than usual to give the impression of slow motion (possibly the best comic interpretation of Thomas and Martha Wayne's murders is achieved by this technique). Also, Miller contrasts many smaller frames against grand backdrops of Batman leaping or brooding over the cityscape; creates "montages" of fast-paced events through rapidly changing commentators, alternated with snippets of the actions being described; and builds suspense to the appearance of classic characters by hiding their actions and appearance in shadows (not just the first depiction of Batman, but Superman and Green Arrow as well). Miller also heavily featured television "talking heads" throughout the work. This still from The Big Combo (1955) demonstrates the visual style of film noir at its most extreme. ... Slow motion is an effect resulting from running film through a movie camera at faster-than-normal speed. ... MONTAGE MONTAGE [1] American pop group (1991-current) consisting of singer/songwriter Chris Jones, drummer/songwriter Andrew Doss and various guitarists. ... Talking head is slang for interview footage shot in a locked down medium shot of the subjects head and shoulders. ...

Numerous public figures were blatantly lampooned, including Ronald Reagan, Dr. Ruth, David Letterman, and the hosts of Crossfire, all of which add to the suspension of disbelief that made the comic not realistic, but an example of the hyperrealism that would later reach its peak in Miller's Sin City. While there is a generic and omniscient narrator, the most important narration comes from inside various character's heads: Batman, Jim Gordon, Robin, Catwoman, Alfred and even the Joker all are opened up to examination. Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... Dr. Ruth Karola Westheimer (born Karola rith Siegel June 4, 1928), or just Dr. Ruth, is a popular American sex therapist. ... David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American late night talk show host, comedian, and television producer, and Indy Racing League car owner (Rahal Letterman Racing). ... December 6, 2004 edition of Crossfire. ... Hyperreality (not to be confused with surrealism) is a concept in semiotics and postmodern philosophy. ... Cover of Sin City shows Marv walking through the rain. ...

The trade paperback has become one of DC's best selling books and has remained constantly in print. The book is also available in several hardcover editions. A trade paperback can refer to any book that is bound with a heavy paper cover that is generally cheaper than the hardcover but more expensive than the regular paperback version. ...

In 2001 and 2002, DC Comics published The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Miller's sequel to The Dark Knight Returns. Despite a heavy promotional campaign by the publisher, the book failed to gain the same acceptance from some fans that the original story received. The sequel, which differs drastically in style from the original, received mixed reviews but was one of DC's biggest selling titles of the time. The Dark Knight Strikes Again (also refered to as DK2) is a Batman graphic novel by Frank Miller with Lynn Varley. ...

Despite the high rating given by reviewers, many fans felt that Frank Miller shouldn't have been allowed to pencil both books as the art was a bit cartoonish, but the Batman Animated Series even looked better. The artwork appears to be rushed with not much effort given on simple details such as backgrounds, character physiques, and shading.

Other media

Harbinger #13 from Valiant Comics.

An accurate animated recreation of Batman's fight with the Mutant leader appeared in the New Batman Adventures episode Legends of the Dark Knight as a tale shared between a trio of kids. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (791x1200, 297 KB) Summary Harbinger #13 by VALIANT Comics (Dark Knight Returns homage) Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (791x1200, 297 KB) Summary Harbinger #13 by VALIANT Comics (Dark Knight Returns homage) Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Company logo Valiant Comics was a comic book publishing company founded by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and writer/artist Bob Layton in 1989. ... Animation refers to the process in which each frame of a film or movie is produced individually, whether generated as a computer graphic, or by photographing a drawn image, or by repeatedly making small changes to a model (see claymation and stop motion), and then photographing the result. ... The New Batman Adventures was the successor to the highly acclaimed television program Batman: The Animated Series. ... // Comic Book Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, commonly referred to as simply Legends of the Dark Knight is a DC comic book featuring Batman. ...

The segment also featured the tank-like Batmobile and Carrie Kelly as Robin. The girl who told the tale also greatly resembled Carrie in appearance.

Homages and parodies

The cover of DKR#1 as well as the art and story itself has been the subject of parody and homage by many creators. Notable examples include Frank Miller's cover for 'Mazing Man #12 and the cover of Harbinger #13 by David Lapham. Miller's Dark Knight style was featured in the Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth one-off special written by Warren Ellis. Mazing Man #1 Mazing Man is a comic book created by Bob Rozakis and Stephen DeStefano and published by DC Comics. ... Harbinger #1 by Valiant Comics This article is about the VALIANT comic book; for the DC Comics character, see Harbinger (DC Comics). ... Laphams cover for Stray Bullets #1 (1995). ... Planetary is an American comic book series created by Warren Ellis (writer) and John Cassaday (artist), published by the Wildstorm imprint of DC Comics. ... This article is about the comic book author. ...

The character Darkwing Duck of Disney's animated series, who is obviously inspired by Batman, in one episode (Time and Punishment) stars in a dark alternate reality in which violence and injustice run rampant. In this episode, the normally campy, cheerful Darkwing Duck is reimagined as an older, embittered DarkWarrior Duck, a mentally unhinged, violent vigilante who goes over dead bodies to fulfill his goals and rules over his city of St. Canard with an iron fist. He wields a vast array of hand-held weapons, a powered exoskeleton and also a battle tank, very similar to the tank featured in DKR. The character of Darkwing Duck as seen on the series Bonkers. ... The Walt Disney Company (most commonly known as Disney) (NYSE: DIS) is one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world. ... An animated series or cartoon series is a television series produced by means of animation. ... DarkWarrior Duck is an alternate future version of Darkwing Duck that appeared in the episode Time and Punishment. ... St. ...

DarkWarrior Duck is arguably an older, embittered alternate-reality version of Darkwing Duck like the DKR Batman is of mainstream Batman. The episode itself is also regarded as a spoof of DKR. DarkWarrior Duck is an alternate future version of Darkwing Duck that appeared in the episode Time and Punishment. ... The character of Darkwing Duck as seen on the series Bonkers. ...

External links

• The complete works of Frank Miller
• DKR and Dark Knight Strikes Again discussed at sequart.com
• The Religious Affiliation of Characters in The Dark Knight Returns