Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | Frank Miller | It's either this or Alan Moore's Watchmen

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | Frank Miller | One of the great graphic novels of our generation

books:

Batman: The Dark K...

	Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Frank Miller DC Comics, 1997 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 321 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

It's either this or Alan Moore's Watchmen

This is without a doubt, one of the finest graphic novels you will probably ever read, if not the absolute best. If you ask me, this is as honest a portrayal of Batman/ Bruce Wayne as we're ever going to get. A vigilante in every sense of the word, this older, darker Batman is preoccupied with his age and the persistent belief that he can die at any given moment. There's a believability to his internal thoughts and actions that strikes one as being completely realistic. I think that's what makes this project work so well, the fact that all of the characterizations in the book are spot on and make perfect sense. The Joker is a homicidal maniac, not some clown. Commissioner Gordon is a man who's been around for a long time and knows that once they get him out of his position, there may be no one else who can keep Batman out of trouble. Superman becomes a weapon for the government. Some other familiar faces show up and some may or may not be how you remember them to be but Miller manages to keep everything fresh and interesting.

The art takes a little getting used to but I think for the most part it works. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole mutant gang thing but those are my only trifles with the book.

In the end, I feel that this is the best Batman story I've ever read or will ever read.

for more information click here

One of the great graphic novels of our generation

A friend of mine let me borrow his copy of this and I read the whole thing straight through. Now a year or so later I am buying The Watchmen and this book comes up as recommended. I can't help but buy it. Frank Miller paints an incredible revision of the idea of Batman. His art and story flow so well together. This book has helped to re-define the current definition of a graphic novel. I can't recommend this enough.

The greatest tale of batman

This book tells the return of Batman in an future where Gotham City is in peace but sudenly appears a new threat, mutants, and they are powerfull and they work like a gang of destruction, you will see the Joker, Superman, Catwoman, Two Face, etc all of them older, cracier and pitiless. Fank Miller give power to the history he is a genius, and the drawing is strange but with a lot of impact and action. If you like batman, you must have this book, and if you never read a batman comic, then when you read this one you will change your mind.

for more information click here

Other Books

Well, it really doesn't get any better than this. I was hooked on hits from the first time I saw the cover image in a comic shop.

The news media scenes now, are pretty much right out of today, with screaming pundits on the television, American style.

The fascism and violence prompts Bruce Wayne out of retirement. Heartened by the assistance of a young girl, he plans his strategy.

He has one major obstacle.

Superman, who is now a covert special forces operative lapdog.

Not For Me (...and possibly not for you)

I will start by saying that I have enjoyed DC Comics and their heroes for almost twenty-five years. In particular, I have always loved reading about Batman, Robin, NightWing, and anything that was related to the Gotham crime fighting circuit. I couldn't believe that after all these years, I had yet to read what was regarded as one of the best graphic novels of all time. While on vacation this summer, I decided it was time to finally read this classic.

First, the artwork doesn't appeal to me. I know others love it and will defend how wonderful it is. That's fine, it just doesn't suit my tastes and I can get over it provided the story is good. So, is the story good? It's okay. I can definitely see why other people like it, and I appreciate the different approach Miller took to the time and setting, I felt that it was too over the top though. I found myself wondering if this was suppose to be ten years after Bruce's retirement, or forty. I also didn't care for some of the assumptions that are made throughout the story in regards to several characters' pasts. The development and appearance of "Robin" in this novel was weak and pointless, other than to provide a cheap reason for an event (that I won't spoil) that takes place near the conclusion of the book.

Finally, I felt like the book drug on way too long. The brutality of Gotham City and the Bruce Wayne vs. Batman ego struggle was beat to death in my opinion. I could have cared less about the politics of Gotham, which also was repeated time and time again. I didn't feel as though there was a decent balance between those storylines and the ones involving Two Face and Joker.

To wrap this up, I will be honest and say that I did not enjoy this masterpiece the way almost everyone else has. The futuristic story and excessively "dark" setting feel like paths I've been down too many times in too many other books. I am glad though that most seem to have enjoyed the story, it just isn't for everyone.

for more information click here