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greenjelly's review against another edition
4.0
An older, darker Batman story. What the Batman v. Superman movie aspired to be but fell stunningly short. We don't get to know the new Robin very well, but what I see I liked very much, and the fight with Superman felt deserved and natural.
beetlebrennan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
martyrbat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Blood, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Death of parent, and Alcohol
shadylane00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chris_dech's review against another edition
4.0
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.
dragix's review against another edition
2.0
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.
i_like_bats's review against another edition
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
3.0
5lastofhisname's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marcasdeb's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0