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Are You Ready for the Dark Knight's Return?

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The Dark Knight is back! Frank Miller has made a triumphant return to DC Comics with the third book in his award-winning series, Dark Knight III: The Master Race (SEP150179). The Dark Knight series helped to expand comics and change the way people thought about the medium. Miller helped to cement Batman as a gritty anti-hero, and the characterizations and attitude he helped create are still shaping the character today. 

Working with Brian Azzarello and Andy Kubert, this story brings to an end the epic story of Batman and his war against a world that has become diseased and lost its way. Along with mini-comics that feature art by Miller, this new series is bent on upsetting the status quo and reminding fans that anything can happen in this version of Gotham.

The first volume in the Dark Knight story has become a cornerstone of the Batman mythos, and a must-read graphic novel, but where do you go from there? In this article we’ll highlight the various trade paperbacks this epic saga spans, and the different way to enjoy one of the most pivotal Batman stories ever.

 The Once and Future Batman

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The first issue of The Dark Knight Returns (NOV118095) was released in 1986, and the impact it had on comics was almost immediate. This was Batman as fans had never seen before, geriatric and hidden away from a world he could no longer save. After being retired from crime fighting for ten years he decides that the world is ready for the second coming of the Dark Knight, but the enemies he encounters are no longer familiar.

After saving a young girl named Carrie Kelley from an attack by a gang, she dons a Robin costume and becomes his new sidekick. however unwilling Batman is to the idea at first. As Batman tries to take on the gang in the city dump, with some help from his Bat-Tank, he is ultimately defeated in one of the most iconic scenes of the series. With the help of his new Robin and retiring Police Commissioner Gordon, Batman is finally able to take down the gang, however his victory has alerted the U.S. government and one of his oldest partners to his return.

This brings about the heart of the story, however dark it may be. As events around them spiral out of control Superman is ordered by the government to remove Batman at all costs. As he tries to reason with his former ally and friend, their final confrontation escalades into an all-out brawl. In a hyper-violent yet beautiful set of panels, Batman attacks Superman relentlessly until he is struck down by an apparent heart attack.

As any faithful Batman fan knows, something like a heart attack isn’t enough to stop the Dark Knight, and, as friends gather at his funeral, Alfred destroys Wayne Manor and the Batcave below to expose Bruce Wayne as the true savior of Gotham.  Carrie Kelly and the rest of Batman’s followers gather in the caverns beyond the Batcave as they continue his war on crime. With his allies by his side, Batman now focuses on assembling an army to bring order back to the world.

All in the Family

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It took Frank Miller fifteen years to return to the dark and grim world of Batman, but he did just that in 2001 with The Dark Knight Strikes Again (FEB058404). Picking up right from where The Dark Knight Returns left off, DK2 was just as gritty and unrelenting as its predecessor. While the first volume of the Dark Knight saga focused on Batman, Superman, and the rogues of Gotham, the second volume widens its scope by recruiting heroes from all corners of the DC Comics universe.

The story opens with Carrie Kelly; the Robin from Dark Knight Returns is now Catgirl and training an army of recruits to stop Lex Luthor and the police state he has created. The cast quickly grows as Batman’s soldiers raid government buildings and release other superheroes from captivity. Now with more firepower, including Flash, Green Lantern, Atom, and Plastic Man they must take down Superman, Wonder Woman, and Captain Marvel who are being forced to work for the puppet government run by Luthor and Brainiac.

As Batman and his army rally the people of Gotham to rebel and take a stand against Lex Luthor, an alien monster lands in Metropolis and starts laying waste to the city. Superman and Captain Marvel try to take on the creature, but are struck down. All hope is lost, until Superman’s daughter Lara appears and saves her father. When Superman refuses to hand Lara over to Lex Luthor, he and Wonder Woman join Batman and destroy the oppressive dictatorship.

 Together at Last

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A beautiful hardcover that contains some of the most groundbreaking work in comics is now available for Batman aficionados. Two of Frank Miller’s greatest Batman stories are collected in the Batman: The Dark Knight Saga Deluxe Edition (MAY150234).

Complete with character sketches and script pages, enjoy a glimpse behind these classic stories and a window into the mind of one of comics greatest creators. Reading The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again as one story gives new depths to the characters and the illusion that no time has past between them.

A glorious collection that deserves to be on every bookshelf, this revolutionary Batman saga is a must read tale for any fan of comics.

 


Art for Art's Sake

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Frank Miller’s artwork in The Dark Knight Returns was unlike anything seen before in mainstream superheroes, and inpired a generation of artists and fans.

Now, for the first time, DC Comics has collected this amazing series as it looked before colorist Lynn Varley worked her magic in Batman Noir The Dark Knight Returns Deluxe Hardcover (DEC140389).

Follow this story as never before as Miller’s outstanding artwork sucks you into the world he created. A deep look at this groundbreaking creation, this Noir deluxe edition give a new depth to the story by stripping away everything but the black and white.

 


Bring the Dark Knight Home

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Create your own version of one of the best Batman stories with The Dark Knight Returns Action Figure Box Set (OCT120313).

Based on Frank Miller’s legendary designs, complete your action figure collection with Batman, Superman, Carrie Kelly, and the Joker.

Wonderfully sculpted, these figures make the story of The Dark Knight leap off the pages and into your hands. A unique and now classic take on Batman characters, this collection deserves a place in any fan’s home.




Learn more about The Dark Knight and other Batman comics at your local comic shop and read Dark Knight III: The Master Race when it hits stores November 25th! 

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