Dark Knight Return Analysis

The “Dark Knight Returns”, by Frank Miller is one of the most influential comic book mini-series in comic book history. Its impact cannot be underrated as this series has changed the way comic books and superhero movies are structured, developed, and their overall meaning. Batman has never possessed any super powers and often faces foes that do. Batman has always had to rely on his superior intellect, human physique, detective skills, and masterful planning. When Bruce Wayne was a child, he witnessed his parents get murdered in front of his eyes by a burglar. Bruce then inherits the family’s fortune and with that he trains his mind and body to the absolute peak of human perfection and devotes his life to fighting crime and to strike fear into the criminals of Gotham. The “Dark Knight Returns” is set into the future after the death of Jason Todd, his second Robin. In the “Dark Knight Returns”, Bruce has not dawned the Batman cape and cowl for 10 years. Bruce is is his late forties/early fifties and his body is starting to deteriorate. He drinks alcohol as a defense mechanism for Jason Todd’s death and he has to face several enemies including old friends and an anti-vigilante police force to save the city.

Author Frank Miller wrote this comic in an interesting way and has since changed Batman for the future of his comics and movies. Miller starts out with Bruce Wayne talking to the Commissioner as they are both noticeably older and Bruce is disappointed about the way Gotham has turned out and he still shows signs of guilt from Jason’s death. This is evident in his thoughts as he comments to himself that he has failed to protect the city and also failed to protect Jason. It is also present in the environment as we see Bruce rememb...

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...of movie selling rights to movie studios to produce films on these superheroes. Another way comic books forever changed was how the public reacted to them: comic books were now analyzed and examined critically as a book would be. The heroes, sidekicks, and villains were now criticized and the authors as well. This put more pressure on the authors for better comics. All comics took the Miller route, and became darker and more detailed. . . letting the audience know of the psyche of these heroes and villains and how complex and similar they are to the audience.

Ultimately, “The Dark Knight Returns” influence on American culture and comic books as a whole cannot be understated. Forever considered one of the best graphic novels of all time, characters in this novel were transformed as it helped pave the wave for a revolution in comic books and the superhero industry.