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 miller is writing a new sequel to the dark knight. Sep, 2019 the latest frank miller batman comic, the dark knight returns. Oct 20, 2017 in a special episode of behind the screens, luke turns his attention from the silver screen to the printed page, at one of comic s most important and seminal pieces of work.
The st the dark knight returns is a batman story written by frank miller. His work on the dark knight returns in 1986, its sequel, the dark. Miller wasnt the first comic book creator to give batman a dark sensibility. The dark knight returns, i dismissed it in just that way. 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 daredevilis probably the top contender. His works include batman the dark knight returns, batman.
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. 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. Mar 29, 2016 miller gave us the best batman and the worst one, too. Bruce wayne has been retired from superheroing for 10 years following. The dark knight returns is a 1986 fourissue comic book miniseries starring batman, written by frank miller, illustrated by miller and klaus janson, and. According with the dc universe preflashpoint, all this stories was part of the earth31. Legendary comics creator frank miller has revealed that his iconic batman tale the dark knight returns nearly had a very different ending. Frank millers the dark knight returns the tale of a hardened, aging batman in a futuristic version of the silver age dc universe is easily the most seminal comic book of the 1980s next to watchmen of the eight liveaction batman movies that have been or are being made, dkr has greatly influenced three tim burtons batman, christopher nolans the dark knight rises, and, perhaps more. So without spoiling the story too much this book opens up with batman in retirement.
Frank miller is returning to the world of his acclaimed dark knight returns comic book series for a new oneshot special comic book starring carrie. Released in the same year as alan moore and dave gibbonss seminal watchmen, the dark knight returns helped to move the comic book medium irrevocably to a darker, more sophisticated, and dare we say more literary level, leaving its. Jan 12, 2014 the first time i read frank miller s batman. Frank miller is one of the comic industrys most well known writerartists.
The dark knight returns original ending had batman dying. He is one of the most widelyrecognized and popular creators in comics and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. The dark knight returns is a fourissue batman comic book miniseries written and drawn by frank miller and published by dc comics from february to june 1986 in this storyline, batman has been retired for ten years, alcoholic and consumed with grief after the death of jason todd, the second robin note. He is famous for his gritty, noir style and his revisions on classic heroes like daredevil and batman, as well in his. Complete guide to frank millers classic batman graphic novels, from year one through the dark knight returns. The dark knight returns endures as a comic book classic. Frank miller returning to batman with new dark knight. Hailed as a comics masterpiece, the dark knight returns is frank millers 300 and sin city reinvention of the legend of batman. When originally published, the series was simply titled batman. In a special episode of behind the screens, luke turns his attention from the silver screen to the printed page, at one of comics most important and seminal pieces of work. The dark knight returns dc database fandom dc wiki. 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. Frank miller returning to batman with the dark knight returns.
Frank miller completely reinvents the legend of batman in his saga of a nearfuture gotham city gone to rot, ten years after the dark knights retirement. Year one, which was first published in the original monthly batman series and allowed to exist in mainstream continuity. Rise of an empire isnt directly based on a frank miller comic like the original, it still has us reflecting back on miller s. After the campy 1960s batman tv series died, sales of the batman comic book dwindled to neardeath levels. The dark knight returns definitely lives up to its status in the comic book community. 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. Nov 25, 2015 although he was already a comics legend in the making before tackling batman, the dark knight returns made frank miller practically a celestial being. He singlehandedly redefined the presentation of comic book characters and heroic fiction with his granddaddy of graphic novels, the dark knight returns. Comics presents this classic title in a newly redesigned edition. Nov 01, 2002 the dark knight returns is a seminal contribution to graphic novel fiction and was hugely influential both within the comic book industry generally and upon the characterisation of batman in particular. Miller went on to become one of comics true luminaries, though its not entirely true. For example, batman can see twoface for who he really is, even though plastic surgery has corrected his outward appearance. Sep, 2019 frank miller is returning to the world of his acclaimed dark knight returns comic book series for a new oneshot special comic book starring carrie kelley, the future robin who grew up to become.
This article is adapted from a paper i presented at the 2009 midwest popular culture association conference. The dark knight returns opens with bruce wayne, the famous. This masterpiece of modern comics storytelling brings to vivid life a dar. Speaking at mcm london comic con via bleeding cool. The dark knight returns debuted in 1986 and was written and penciled by frank miller, inked by klaus janson and colored by lynn varley. Dec 29, 2011 the superior paper and printing processes used for both ronin and the dark knight returns allowed varley to use gouache, employing a far subtler color palette than that seen in any other mainstream american comic at the time ibid. Rise of an empire isnt directly based on a frank miller comic like the original, it still has us reflecting back on millers. Frank miller s dark knight series is considered noncanon to the mainstream batman continuity, with the exception of year one. It is generally theorized that both of these characterizations are a response and ridicule to the dark age incarnation of batman seen in the dark knight returns. Batman comics written and sometimes also illustrated by frank miller. Oct 11, 2016 frank miller began his career in comics in the late 1970s and rose to fame while first drawing, and then writing, daredevil for marvel comics.
Frank miller scripted and illustrated the highly acclaimed 1986 dark knight series, set in a possible nearfuture. Superman, still as young and handsome as ever, has become little more than an icon. Nov 21, 2015 what makes frank millers 1986 batman story so beloved 30 years later. The superior paper and printing processes used for both ronin and the dark knight returns allowed varley to use gouache, employing a far subtler color palette than that seen in any other mainstream american comic at the time ibid. Frank miller is an american writer, artist and film director best known for his film noirstyle comic book stories. The last crusade, frank miller s incarnation of batman of his dark knight universe managed to wellmaintain his classical heroic qualities, even with the darker nature of the narratives. While at first i was somewhat unimpressed with the artwork and the cramped panels on the page, when i began to proceed further into the book i became completely immersed in the story and the. 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 golden child, will focus on superman and wonder womans young son. The dark knight, with a different subtitle for each issue the dark knight returns, the dark knight. Many years later he was continually invited back by dc to expand his dark knight. Frank miller gave us the best batman and the worst vox. Mar 24, 2016 cover by frank millerdc comics editors note. Year one, frank millers incarnation of batman managed to wellmaintain his heroic qualities even with the darker nature of the narratives. Year one, spawn batman and later ones like the dark knight iii. He singlehandedly redefined the presentation of comic book characters and heroic fiction with his granddaddy of. Largely revered by many to be the batman graphic novel, batman. For those experiencing this iconic graphic novel originally released as 4 oversized prestige issues for the first. Its even funnier than that actually, because the original ending for dark knight returns was that he died in a hail of police gunfire.
The main characters of this sequential art, graphic novels story are oliver queen, harvey dent. Frank millers dark knight brought batman back to life. We just reread it again 30 years afterwards published. The dark knight returns is set in a dystopian version of gotham city in 1986. Frank miller returns to batman and the dark knight. Conflicted throughout most of his life, bruce waynes mission never changes. The saga of the dark knight returns isnt over just yet. The dark knight returns is a batman story written by frank miller with illustrations by miller, klaus janson, and lynn varley in 1986. While this is rather a narcissistic version of batman, he is still a hero. Year one, which is commonly accepted as the origin story of batman in the original the dark knight returns, bruce wayne retires following the death of jason todd, only to be brought back into acting as batman years later.
His many works have not only redefined classic characters, but also, on. The dark knight returns turned the comic book industry. What makes frank millers 1986 batman story so beloved 30 years later. Frank miller returns to batman and the dark knight universe.
Oct 22, 2019 frank miller returns to batman and the dark knight universe features frank miller tells us why he keeps coming back to batman and the dark knight universe, and plans for the golden child. Frank miller began his career in comics in the late 1970s and rose to fame while first drawing, and then writing, daredevil for marvel comics. Miller gave us the best batman and the worst one, too. Since comics sadly remain an understudied and underanalyzed literary medium, i thought id take advantage of john maderas generosityand your patienceto sketch out some thoughts about the form and importance of frank millers 1986 graphic novel batman. The dark knight returns ebook written by frank miller. Almost without volition, bruce wayne is sucked back into the lifestyle and calling he had given up decades earlier. The first edition of the novel was published in 1986, and was written by frank miller. It is a limited series set in a possible future, portrayed as batman s last adventure. The dark knight returns, we have good and evil in heroes and villains, but we also have internal conflict that causes duality. It is a limited series set in a possible future, portrayed as batmans last adventure.
Jan 23, 2010 since comics sadly remain an understudied and underanalyzed literary medium, i thought id take advantage of john maderas generosityand your patienceto sketch out some thoughts about the form and importance of frank millers 1986 graphic novel batman. The dark knight returns alternatively titled batman. It took artistwriter frank millers 1986 graphic novel the dark knight returns. Batman the dark knight returns 30th anniversary edition. Frank miller, softspoken yet brutally intense in the pages of the comic books he. Batman the dark knight returns 30th anniversary edition by frank miller, 9781401263119, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
After stirring up outrage lambasting muslims and wall street protesters, the dark knight returns creator has been awol from the comics world. The dark knight returns is the story of one mans journey to discovering his true self and finding comfort within it. Frank miller returning to batman with the dark knight. Batman, gotham and the joker into the bedrock of comic book greatness and the. Writerartist frank miller completely reinvents the legend of batman in this saga of. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read batman. May 01, 2017 frank miller s 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. Frank miller born january 27, 1957 is an american comic book writer, penciller and inker, novelist, screenwriter, film director, and producer best known for his comic book stories and graphic novels such as ronin, daredevil. Miller went on to become one of comics true luminaries, though its not entirely true to say that the dark knight returns launched his career. Frank miller is one of the seminal creative talents who sparked todays onslaught of motion pictures featuring comic book characters and concepts. We now return to the comic book syndicate okay guys. Its thrillseeking, bloodthirsty sadist was definitively not my batman. Year one, sin city, and 300 he also directed the film version of the spirit, shared directing duties with robert rodriguez. It is safe to say that without the dark knight returns, batman v.
Batman remains my favorite comic book hero and a sequel to dark knight is going to be daunting, said miller in the official statement, but well do our best. The latest frank miller batman comic, the dark knight returns. In a special episode of behind the screens, luke turns his attention from the silver screen to the printed page, at one of comics most important. A dark knight is born miller wasnt the first comic book creator to give batman a dark sensibility. A couple years later he wrote the equally successful prequel, batman. Frank miller returns to batman with dark knight returns.
Frank millers dark knight universe series is considered noncanon to the mainstream batman continuity, with the exception of batman. So here we are at dark knight returns by frank miller, cloud jansen lynn barleys. The dark knight returns is a truly special comic, and at the time of posting, ranks as my personal 9th favorite comic book story of all time. In his earlier works the dark knight returns and batman. Frank miller batman reading order the dark knight trilogy. 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. Frank miller completely reinvents the legend of batman in his saga of a nearfuture gotham city gone to rot, ten years after the dark knight s retirement.
Not only that but, he can also see the darker side of himself in twoface as well. This masterpiece of comics storytelling brings to life a dark world. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 197 pages and is available in hardcover format. The dark knight returns is a batman story written by frank miller with. The dark knight returns motion comic chapter 1 w peter. Set 20 years in the future, this story finds that in the.
1025 124 1197 1087 623 219 880 1258 221 848 862 250 327 725 623 297 329 1175 863 834 293 760 1403 1558 307 613 556 1142 686 196 1081 1043 487