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A review by isauldur
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
5.0
Note: Below, my review is split into two parts. The first gives my general thoughts on the novel, and the second details spoilers and major plot points. Be warned.
Part One: Overview
First of all, I must preface the whole thing by stating that I've read very few graphic novels in my life, or at least very few that count. When I was perhaps 13, I read an origin-story graphic novel about Aquaman that I hardly remember. Any other graphic novels I may have read were intended to reach much younger audiences, and as such, I shall not place them on the level of The Dark Knight Returns. With that said, I could not help but see this as both: a movie that almost was, and the movie it definitely was not. Reading this graphic novel, I've come to see why it is hailed to be among the best. The tone changes very much from beginning to end, but it does so gradually and so intelligently that you feel the story evolve organically.
Without going into too much detail, I can even see that the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice drew much from this novel to "fuel" the Batman side of the story. However, unlike Dawn of Justice, the novel can actually stand on its own. The characters are very well developed from beginning to end, and although background information can definitely help the reader, it is not needed. This was the first anything I ever read about Batman (all my previous experience came from the movies), and I can tell you that's more than enough. The motivations of the characters are very clear, and make much more sense than those made by their movie counterparts. Whether you liked the film or not, I can assure you, the graphic novel is miles better.
The art is beautiful, fitting perfectly with the darkness of Batman as both a hero and a man. Some of the panels are worthy of being framed, so well done they are. Some scenes are very detailed and brutal, and, for anyone out there who doesn't know, this is not meant for children.
The story, discussed in more detail below, is sometimes political, but that fits the atmosphere and tone of the novel so well that even when the president himself is on the page, it makes sense. This graphic novel has done something that very few books have done, lately: it gave me chills. Reading through the story, going from panel to panel, I could almost see the next image, the next big reveal that was just on the next page, but it was because of this that when I did get it, I was astonished. When Batman is first revealed, I could almost see him, flying in the night with the suit he wears in the films, but when I see the one on the page, I realize it's even better.
Absolutely a must-read for anyone who values and enjoys good art, good stories and, most of all, great superheroes.
Part Two: Spoilers and Detailed Discussion
One of the biggest things I noticed in this novel was the aged Batman. I know it's called The Dark Knight Returns, but returning from where? As I read it, I see that this means, of course, his return from retirement to continue the fight against crime. The identity of the Batman, and the deaths of his parents, still haunt Bruce as he tries to leave the past behind. Also, we see that he lost two previous wards who took the name of Robin, and this has forced him to be alone, isolating himself from even Alfred. This makes his return into the suit all the more dramatic, because we know how much it pains him, and how much his age is beginning to weigh on him. Consistently throughout the novel, he calls himself "too slow" or "already out of breath" or "old man." We know that Bruce is getting tired of being the Batman, but he can't leave the profession any more than he can forget it.
And just as he returns, so does everyone's favorite villain, the Joker. Having been in Arkham for a long time, the Joker suddenly returns from a comatose state into full awareness, regaining his maniacal personality and even breaking out of Arkham, pretending to be cured and going on as a guest on a talk show. As the Joker gains attention from the Batman, he begins hatching a plan that seems, at best, simplistic: kill people. But the importance of the Joker's return is actually that Batman is, at long last, fed up with his arch nemesis. He keeps tally of how many lives the Joker has taken, and of how many people he's killed in this latest of schemes. As the Joker and Batman fight it out at a carnival ride, Batman comes to the realization that even after all the crimes the Joker has committed, after all the atrocities the Clown Prince has partaken in, he can't kill him, and opts to cripple him, braking his neck and paralyzing him. The Joker, however, wants to have his last laugh and kills himself by breaking his neck to death, mocking Batman even as he does. The relationship between the Joker and Batman is so clearly stated here, that eve though this encounter is but a minor sublpot in the novel, it still leaves the reader with a powerful impression. After all, Batman is ready to kill the Joker as he goes into the ride, ready to give up his one rule and make sure the Joker won't kill again, but when it all comes down to it, he can't do it. And, because of it, the Joker laughs and does the one thing that Batman, after all these years, couldn't do: kill.
This is a key theme throughout the novel, where people argue back and forth whether Batman is good, and how many people Batman has killed, and what his crimes are. This argument goes so high up, in fact, that the president himself orders Superman to try and make Batman more reasonable and less violent and brutal. Superman, of course, warns his fellow superhero that a time may come when he will have to fight Batman an be unable to stop it. This clear contrast between the two heroes is further explained by Superman's internal monologue, about how all the other heroes adapted and changed to fit the changing times. How Hal Jordan left Earth, how Wonder Woman returned to Themyscira, and how Superman himself began to work closely with the US government. Batman, on the other hand, remained a rogue until he finally retired. but upon his return, he came back crueler and more brutal than before, drawing the attention of the entire country.
All this occurs during the tenser years of the Cold War, when nuclear war seemed absolutely imminent. A relatively peaceful resolution is found to one conflict occurring in the Caribbean, but a single nuclear bomb is let fly. Superman comes in and deflects it, landing it safely in the desert. However, it still has an effect of blocking sunlight throughout the Americas and shutting off the electricity. This weakens Superman, which allows Batman, when the fight between the two heroes finally comes, to actually win. He, however, seemingly dies of a heart attack at the end of the fight, claiming a last victory over Superman. During their duel, Batman argues with Superman, claiming that his parents taught him that the world only makes sense if you force it, a much harsher lesson than that taught to Clark. During this showdown, we see the almost polar opposites that Batman and Superman are. One of them is hopeful and ruled by a rigid moral code, while the other has his own moral code and is hopeless in humanity even as he fights to protect it from itself. As he dies, Bruce lets Superman know that the world is much harsher than Clark may have initially thought. His death is fake, however, and as Clark stands near Bruce's grave, he hears the latter's heart beating.
I rather enjoyed the younger Robin, she's only thirteen years old, since it allows for many powerful scenes during her team-up with Batman. When they both go to try and stop the Joker, she watches the several people the clown has killed in his scheme, and Batman mutters that she's matured now. She didn't grow up neatly and brightly like Clark, but rather cruelly and quickly like Bruce, being exposed to the dark side of reality rather quickly. This relationship develops into an almost father-daughter dynamic, since we see Robin grow very fond of Batman, helping him defeat the leader of the Mutant gang and even hugging him a couple of times in the book. Likewise, Batman grows fond of her and regrets having "hired" her when she almost loses her grip and falls from a glider they're both riding. Alfred repeatedly reminds Bruce of what happened to the other Robins in the past, but even though he's aware of this and even haunted by it, Batman refuses to let this new Robin go. He knows that he can't work alone, even though that's what he needs to do. She saves him a couple of times throughout the novel, proving her worth to him, and even stays there with him at the end, when he and the former Mutant gang plan on fighting crime in relative secret from the Batcave, when the whole world thinks Batman is gone.
The Dark Knight Returns is very dark and grim, feeling rather hopeless in most parts, but it keeps enough of a spark up and running to make the reader continue and even know that, somehow, despite everything being broken and lost and haunted, it'l be okay. And, in a way, it is. Batman doesn't die, but continues on his crusade. Superman is beaten, but he acknowledges that Batman is actually close to being a friend. Robin sees harrowing scenes during her adventures with Batman, but she stays by his side because she cares for and after him. Alfred does die, but he acknowledges this as fitting because Bruce no longer needs him as a butler, assistant and de facto father.
Definitely a must-read, as I said above. The story, the art, the pacing...everything comes together to deliver on an unforgettable tale about the one superhero we never seem to get tired of.
Part One: Overview
First of all, I must preface the whole thing by stating that I've read very few graphic novels in my life, or at least very few that count. When I was perhaps 13, I read an origin-story graphic novel about Aquaman that I hardly remember. Any other graphic novels I may have read were intended to reach much younger audiences, and as such, I shall not place them on the level of The Dark Knight Returns. With that said, I could not help but see this as both: a movie that almost was, and the movie it definitely was not. Reading this graphic novel, I've come to see why it is hailed to be among the best. The tone changes very much from beginning to end, but it does so gradually and so intelligently that you feel the story evolve organically.
Without going into too much detail, I can even see that the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice drew much from this novel to "fuel" the Batman side of the story. However, unlike Dawn of Justice, the novel can actually stand on its own. The characters are very well developed from beginning to end, and although background information can definitely help the reader, it is not needed. This was the first anything I ever read about Batman (all my previous experience came from the movies), and I can tell you that's more than enough. The motivations of the characters are very clear, and make much more sense than those made by their movie counterparts. Whether you liked the film or not, I can assure you, the graphic novel is miles better.
The art is beautiful, fitting perfectly with the darkness of Batman as both a hero and a man. Some of the panels are worthy of being framed, so well done they are. Some scenes are very detailed and brutal, and, for anyone out there who doesn't know, this is not meant for children.
The story, discussed in more detail below, is sometimes political, but that fits the atmosphere and tone of the novel so well that even when the president himself is on the page, it makes sense. This graphic novel has done something that very few books have done, lately: it gave me chills. Reading through the story, going from panel to panel, I could almost see the next image, the next big reveal that was just on the next page, but it was because of this that when I did get it, I was astonished. When Batman is first revealed, I could almost see him, flying in the night with the suit he wears in the films, but when I see the one on the page, I realize it's even better.
Absolutely a must-read for anyone who values and enjoys good art, good stories and, most of all, great superheroes.
Part Two: Spoilers and Detailed Discussion
One of the biggest things I noticed in this novel was the aged Batman. I know it's called The Dark Knight Returns, but returning from where? As I read it, I see that this means, of course, his return from retirement to continue the fight against crime. The identity of the Batman, and the deaths of his parents, still haunt Bruce as he tries to leave the past behind. Also, we see that he lost two previous wards who took the name of Robin, and this has forced him to be alone, isolating himself from even Alfred. This makes his return into the suit all the more dramatic, because we know how much it pains him, and how much his age is beginning to weigh on him. Consistently throughout the novel, he calls himself "too slow" or "already out of breath" or "old man." We know that Bruce is getting tired of being the Batman, but he can't leave the profession any more than he can forget it.
And just as he returns, so does everyone's favorite villain, the Joker. Having been in Arkham for a long time, the Joker suddenly returns from a comatose state into full awareness, regaining his maniacal personality and even breaking out of Arkham, pretending to be cured and going on as a guest on a talk show. As the Joker gains attention from the Batman, he begins hatching a plan that seems, at best, simplistic: kill people. But the importance of the Joker's return is actually that Batman is, at long last, fed up with his arch nemesis. He keeps tally of how many lives the Joker has taken, and of how many people he's killed in this latest of schemes. As the Joker and Batman fight it out at a carnival ride, Batman comes to the realization that even after all the crimes the Joker has committed, after all the atrocities the Clown Prince has partaken in, he can't kill him, and opts to cripple him, braking his neck and paralyzing him. The Joker, however, wants to have his last laugh and kills himself by breaking his neck to death, mocking Batman even as he does. The relationship between the Joker and Batman is so clearly stated here, that eve though this encounter is but a minor sublpot in the novel, it still leaves the reader with a powerful impression. After all, Batman is ready to kill the Joker as he goes into the ride, ready to give up his one rule and make sure the Joker won't kill again, but when it all comes down to it, he can't do it. And, because of it, the Joker laughs and does the one thing that Batman, after all these years, couldn't do: kill.
This is a key theme throughout the novel, where people argue back and forth whether Batman is good, and how many people Batman has killed, and what his crimes are. This argument goes so high up, in fact, that the president himself orders Superman to try and make Batman more reasonable and less violent and brutal. Superman, of course, warns his fellow superhero that a time may come when he will have to fight Batman an be unable to stop it. This clear contrast between the two heroes is further explained by Superman's internal monologue, about how all the other heroes adapted and changed to fit the changing times. How Hal Jordan left Earth, how Wonder Woman returned to Themyscira, and how Superman himself began to work closely with the US government. Batman, on the other hand, remained a rogue until he finally retired. but upon his return, he came back crueler and more brutal than before, drawing the attention of the entire country.
All this occurs during the tenser years of the Cold War, when nuclear war seemed absolutely imminent. A relatively peaceful resolution is found to one conflict occurring in the Caribbean, but a single nuclear bomb is let fly. Superman comes in and deflects it, landing it safely in the desert. However, it still has an effect of blocking sunlight throughout the Americas and shutting off the electricity. This weakens Superman, which allows Batman, when the fight between the two heroes finally comes, to actually win. He, however, seemingly dies of a heart attack at the end of the fight, claiming a last victory over Superman. During their duel, Batman argues with Superman, claiming that his parents taught him that the world only makes sense if you force it, a much harsher lesson than that taught to Clark. During this showdown, we see the almost polar opposites that Batman and Superman are. One of them is hopeful and ruled by a rigid moral code, while the other has his own moral code and is hopeless in humanity even as he fights to protect it from itself. As he dies, Bruce lets Superman know that the world is much harsher than Clark may have initially thought. His death is fake, however, and as Clark stands near Bruce's grave, he hears the latter's heart beating.
I rather enjoyed the younger Robin, she's only thirteen years old, since it allows for many powerful scenes during her team-up with Batman. When they both go to try and stop the Joker, she watches the several people the clown has killed in his scheme, and Batman mutters that she's matured now. She didn't grow up neatly and brightly like Clark, but rather cruelly and quickly like Bruce, being exposed to the dark side of reality rather quickly. This relationship develops into an almost father-daughter dynamic, since we see Robin grow very fond of Batman, helping him defeat the leader of the Mutant gang and even hugging him a couple of times in the book. Likewise, Batman grows fond of her and regrets having "hired" her when she almost loses her grip and falls from a glider they're both riding. Alfred repeatedly reminds Bruce of what happened to the other Robins in the past, but even though he's aware of this and even haunted by it, Batman refuses to let this new Robin go. He knows that he can't work alone, even though that's what he needs to do. She saves him a couple of times throughout the novel, proving her worth to him, and even stays there with him at the end, when he and the former Mutant gang plan on fighting crime in relative secret from the Batcave, when the whole world thinks Batman is gone.
The Dark Knight Returns is very dark and grim, feeling rather hopeless in most parts, but it keeps enough of a spark up and running to make the reader continue and even know that, somehow, despite everything being broken and lost and haunted, it'l be okay. And, in a way, it is. Batman doesn't die, but continues on his crusade. Superman is beaten, but he acknowledges that Batman is actually close to being a friend. Robin sees harrowing scenes during her adventures with Batman, but she stays by his side because she cares for and after him. Alfred does die, but he acknowledges this as fitting because Bruce no longer needs him as a butler, assistant and de facto father.
Definitely a must-read, as I said above. The story, the art, the pacing...everything comes together to deliver on an unforgettable tale about the one superhero we never seem to get tired of.