This is also the only book in the series that is canon to the main comics all star batman and robin. The first edition of the novel was published in 1986, and was written by frank miller. The dark knight returns is a gripping story of the legendary comic book hero. Robin narrowly escapes the bomb makers grasp, and he is decapitated on the roller coaster tracks. The dark knight returns is a 1986 fourissue comic book miniseries starring batman, written by. The dark knight returns alternatively titled batman. 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. While theres an argument to be made that the dark knight returns or the dark knight as it was originally called. This lavish 400page book tells the complete history of batman from his 1939 debut in detective comics to the current day.
For better and worse, the dark knight returns dkr changed the course of superhero comics. The series is spun out of the events of the return of bruce wayne and the road home. He singlehandedly redefined the presentation of comic book characters and heroic fiction with his granddaddy of graphic novels, the dark knight returns. Robin goes after the bomb building villain with a doll bomb, and batman chases the joker. Summary characters superman lana lang green arrow publishing history batman. Im debating buying a copy of this online, and since ive never had a second printing and only want first printing. The dark knight returns dc database fandom dc wiki. This is the book that begat the batman of the movies. Frank miller is one of the seminal creative talents who sparked todays onslaught of motion pictures featuring comic book characters and concepts. The dark knight returns rise of batman pt1 incomplete. Through the narration we see batmans dark thoughts of his countless plans that he has constructed to kill the joker. The dark knight, with a different subtitle for each issue the dark knight returns, the dark knight. The dark knight returns 14 previously published in book form in 1986 the dark knight returns the dark knight triumphant hunt the dark knight the dark knight falls. Batman the dark knight returns 1986 internet archive.
Dc black label is an imprint of american comic book publisher dc comics consisting of original miniseries and reprints of books previously published under other imprints. Several other batman veterans were also involved in the film. The dark knight rises by frank miller and superman 1998 words 8 pages. Batman dark knight returns collection 3 books set batman dark knight returns collection 3 books set by frank miller. Debuting in february of 1986, frank millers fourpart miniseries offered a bold reinterpretation of batman and his world, one that aggressively worked to shatter the popular perception of the character created by the batman tv series of the 60s. The anniversary celebration of frank millers epic interpretation of the dark knight s future continues with this new slipcase edition that reprints each issue of the original dark knight returns miniseries in its own hardcover volume, all in a beautifully designed slipcase.
Credit allows you to download with unlimited speed. The dark knight returns that wiped out all communication, stopped all electronics, and caused major harm to the environment. The dark knight returns is a 1986 fourissue comic book miniseries starring batman, written by frank miller, illustrated by miller and klaus janson, and published by dc comics. And i saw that the the dark knight returns was on the designated earth31, also considered the miller universe. Jul 26, 2019 owing to this subjectivity, its hard to say the dark knight returns is not a comic book, although it might be a stretch to call a single issue of howard the duck a graphic novel. There also exist reprints in two books, and in larger books including other batman material. The dark knight returns endures as a comic book classic. Conflicted throughout most of his life, bruce waynes mission never changes. Knowledge waits is a feature where i just share some bit of comic book history that interests me today, reader bob garlen wrote in and wanted to share some exhaustive research he did into batmans age during frank millers various batman comic book stories and bob did such a fine job that i am more than willing to share it with you all. The dark knight returns 30th anniversary edition 9781401263119 by miller, frank and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. It remains an undisputed classic, one of the most influential stories ever told in comics, and is a book cited by the filmmakers as an. Frank miller comics this study guide consists of approximately 27 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of batman. Frank miller gave us the best batman and the worst vox.
Jul 05, 2008 im debating buying a copy of this online, and since ive never had a second printing and only want first printing. The st the dark knight returns is a batman story written by frank miller. If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then the dark knight returns by frank millerknown also for his excellent sin city series and his. The first book of the four in the graphic novel still gives me chills when the batman returns in full force after being. Both sides were worried about the other having weapons of mass destruction, like the one mentioned in batman. How can you tell the difference between 1st and 2nd. Set 20 years in the future, this story finds that in the absence of superheroes, criminals have run amok, and a gang called the mutants are terrorizing gotham city. Frank millers fascist dark knight is a very modern archetype. The dark knight is a comic book series starring batman. The dark knight was originally released as a four issue. The dark knight returns, is a 1986 fourissue comic book miniseries starring batman, written by frank miller, illustrated by miller and klaus janson, and published by dc comics. Gotham is in a heat wave, and it has been ten years since the last sighting of the batman. The dark knight returns is a batman story written by frank miller with illustrations.
The figures that represent the authority should be selfless and work only to. Frank millers eyes for dramatic lines, klaus jansons inking and lynn varleys coloring lift this literature up to the top of mainstream comics. The authority should be a moral force and represent justice. It is a limited series set in a possible future, portrayed as batmans last adventure. One of the most highly anticipated prequels of alltime is finally here in the dark knight returns.
The dark knight returns casts a long, enduring shadow on. Dark knight returns death of batman incomplete story. The dark knight returns comic books for sale online. A major superhero had never felt this real before all stubbly chin and aging sinews and black thoughts. It is ten years after an aging batman has retired, and gotham city has sunk into decadence and lawlessness. The story also features the return of classic foes such as twoface and the joker, and culminates with a confrontation against superman, who. Forced to take action, the dark knight returns in a blaze of fury, taking on a whole new generation of criminals and. The dark knight returns the illustrated book essay.
Batman the definitive history of the dark knight in comics. Originally published as a four issues series, later reprinted usually in one book. A vicious gang forces batman out of retirement, but once hes out of the cave, all his old foes come back out to play too. The dark knight returns the history of the batmobile. Mar 06, 2009 a brutal reboot of one the greatest comic book characters ever created.
The master race, the third and final book in the dark. The dark knight returns is 1986 comic story about batman coming out of retirement as a superhero. Comic books dramatically read by the eligible monster team. The accompanying information said that it looked forward. Superman is featured heavily in books three and four.
After stirring up outrage lambasting muslims and wall street protesters, the dark knight returns creator has been awol from the comics world. Frank miller, along with cowriter brian azarrello and artist john romita jr. Almost without volition, bruce wayne is sucked back into the lifestyle and calling he had given up decades earlier. I was enthralled by the story and hence decided to buy a physical copy since i. The story depicts bruce wayne as an old man, coming out of retirement to be. How can you tell the difference between 1st and 2nd printings. If you are looking for a very good and interesting comic book then go ahead and download this book. The imprint intends to present traditional dc universe characters for a mature audience with standalone, prestigeformat series. The dark knight returns, first edition abebooks passion for books. The last crusade, the tale of batmans last adventure before his retirement and eventual return years. Frank millers elseworld story the dark knight returns is regarded as one of the greatest comic book stories of all time with great psychological insight into the title character, all the while. The dark age of comic books was the culmination of a gradual move towards an older audience for comic books, particularly those featuring superheroes that had started in the bronze age of comic books. The complete history of the joker, from comic books to the.
Hailed as a comics masterpiece, the dark knight returns is frank millers 300 and sin city reinvention of the legend of batman. In 1986, frank miller released the illustrated book, the dark knight returns. The dark knight returns is a batman story written by frank miller with illustrations by miller, klaus janson, and lynn varley in 1986. Mar 24, 2016 cover by frank millerdc comics editors note. One of the bombs was the h bomb hydrogen bomb and the u. Originally published in single magazine form as batman. The animated series episode the dark knight, in a vignette based on a couple of scenes from the dark. The dark knight returns the last crusade, frank miller. Aug 06, 20 the dark knight returns was a huge smash.
The dark knight was originally released as a four issue limited series in 1986. Bruce wayne resumes his duty as batman and founds batman incorporated. The dark knight returns opens with bruce wayne, the famous million heir of gotham, in a car race that ends in crash. Frank millers fascist dark knight is a very modern.
I have a long relationship with the dark knight returns. With that said, the dark knight returns is the most revolutionary batman comic in history. The dark knight returns, brings to vivid life a dark world and an even darker man. The dark knight returns by miller, frank and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. All star batman and robin vol 2 its apparently going to happen, but its just really delayed spawnbatman. Sometimes, to follow the goldsilverbronze progression, the dark age is folded in with the modern age and called the iron age of comic books, and at other times it is jokingly called the. How to know a copy of dark knight returns is first print. It has since been published in collected editions as batman. The definitive history of the dark knight in comics, film, and beyond is the ultimate exploration of a true legend whose impact on our culture has no limits. Dawn of justice swoops into movie theaters around the world, this is an opportunity to analyze the comic miniseries that inspired it, frank millers the dark knight returns 1986. Both characters were operating under the costumed identity of the. The dark knight returns, script and pencils by frank miller, inks by klaus janson. If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre, then the dark knight returns by frank millerknown also for his excellent sin city series and his superb rendering of the blind superhero daredevilis probably the top contender.
In the case of the dark knight returns, the story was serialized in. Is this the correct timeline for the dark knight returns. The golden child one shot, forthcoming in december theres also a young adult aimed carrie kelley project written by miller and drawn by ben caldwell we dont have a solicitation for it, but caldwell recently tweeted some. The dark knight returns is set in a dystopian version of gotham city in 1986. Introduction this paper involves discovering how the morality of batman and superman has, or has not, changed throughout the happenings in the dark knight returns compared to. The dark knight returns is a batman comic book miniseries written and drawn by frank miller and published by dc comics from february to june 1986.
If you dont already own these books in one form or another you should definitely check this one out. The dark knight returns universe and reading order help. The dark knight retuns in a blaze of fury, taking on a whole new generation of criminals and matching their level of violence. When originally published, the series was simply titled batman. Batman the definitive history of the dark knight in comics, film and beyond. The dark knight returns 4 book series kindle edition. It is ten years after an aging batman has retired, and gotham city has. The dark knight returns is a twopart directtovideo animated superhero film, an adaptation of the 1986 comic book the dark knight returns by frank miller. The dark knight returns series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. The dark age, while arguably prefigured in the late 70s and early 80s by chris claremonts the dark phoenix saga, god loves, man kills and days of future past, is generally agreed to have begun in 1986 a watershed year in comics, seeing the publication of frank millers batman.
The main characters of this sequential art, graphic novels story are oliver queen, harvey dent. The illustrations in this book have this rough and gritty look and texture to them that perfectly match the story. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read batman. Dc comics, marvel comics and indie alike, nothing is free from our dramatic readings.
Dc comics batman the dark knight returns all 4 books. The dark knight returns 9780446385053 by frank miller and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Bruce wayne has been retired from superheroing for 10 years following the death of jason todd. Nov 23, 2017 comic books dramatically read by the eligible monster team. The last crusade, the tale of batmans last adventure before his retirement and eventual return years later. The dark knight returns is the story of one mans journey to discovering his true self and finding comfort within it. The dark age of comic books useful notes tv tropes.
This article is adapted from a paper i presented at the 2009 midwest popular culture association conference. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 197 pages and is available in hardcover format. Bruce wayne resumes his duty as batman and founds batman incorporated during the series publication, the batman comic books were divided between bruce wayne and dick grayson. The main conflicts in the world of the dark knight returns revolve around escalating crime in gotham city and forces of the authority attempting to control it. Review in four groundbreaking issues in late 1986, millers dark knight returns delighted and enraged comic book classicists by turning batmana beloved but gimmicky hero who seemed to have the keys of life forever tucked into his utility beltinto a brooding vigilante, bleak, grim and full of rooftop psychosis. This masterpiece of modern comics storytelling, batman. But millers biggest and most overlooked triumph wasnt the tone of his book. The complete history of the joker, from his first appearance as batmans nemesis in comic books to his reinvention in the new movie joker.
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