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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is a comic book miniseries written and pencilled by Frank Miller and published by DC Comics in four book from February to June of 1986. The story focuses on Batman returning ten years after his retirement and reintroduces him as a psychologically charged, dark and violent character as originally conceived by Bob Kane in the 1930s. Although the story was afterwards concidered by DC Comics as an alternative future, Miller's vision of the Batman changed the perception and protrayals of the character permanently. The miniseries is considered among the finest examples of the superhero genre and contributed to create era of "grim and gritty" comics from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s.
[edit] Plot summary
[edit] Book one
[edit] Book two
[edit] Book three
[edit] Book four
[edit] Characters
- Batman - He retires for ten years after the dead of Jason Todd. As he returns the media and public perception develope strong divided opinions about his violent vigilantism. When Gordon retires, the new commissioner releases an arrest order.
- Commissioner James Gordon - He has some time knowing Batman's secret identity and supports him as he returns. However, with almost seventy years he is forced to retire. He is married to Sarah Essen.
- Carrie Kelly - A kid rescued by Batman from the mutants. Inspired by him becomes Robin and shows up in time to save him from the Mutant leader. Batman quickly accepts her as his new sidekick afterwards.
- Alfred Pennyworth - Aids Batman as usual. He is very sarcastic and now uses a cane to walk.
- The Mutants - A gang that forms during Batman's absense. They are violent murderers and want to take control of the city.
- The Joker - He is sad and depressed in Arkham until he hears Batman is back. He is released from Arkham, sends escorts to brainwash a congressman and the governor to comitt suicide while encouraging the country to invade Corto Maltese, kills 206 people on TV with lethal gas and escapes to kill 20 more at the county fair with poisoned cotton candy and bombs to drag Batman's attention and then fight him and commit suicide to make it look like Batman killed him, which unleashed chain effects that end in Superman fighting Batman to death.
- Commissioner Ellen Yindell - Appointed the new Commissiner, her first act as such is to declare Batman a wanted criminal.
- Green Arrow - He becomes a terrorist against government oppression. He loses his left arm years ago and has a grudge against Superman because of that, and allies with Batman to defeat him.
- Clark Kent - Superman becomes a military super agent for government usually working in international issues. The Persident instructs him to control Batman. Unlike Batman, Superman has remains phisically in his early to mid-thirties. Is only referred to as Clark Kent in the story.
- Two-face - With his face surgically reconstructed and Dr. Wolper believing he is recovered he is declared sane. Despite so, as soon as he is relesed from Arkham, he holds the Twin Towers hostage and demands five million dollars (three more than his usual ransom because he has "bills to pay"). He is defeated and his plan is foiled by Batman.
- Selina Kyle - She is the owner of an escort service and know Batman's secret identity. The Joker knocks her unconscious and "borrows" a couple of her girls to kill two congressmen. When Batman recues her they kiss. She attends to Bruce's funeral and complains for Superman's presense.
- Dr. Bartholomew Wolper - He is a liberal Arkham psychiatrist with strong opinions againts Batman's violent vigilantism, which he believes encourages chaos among the public. He is often consulted by the media on the matter and debates Lana Lang's view. He is also indirectly responsible of much of the violent incidents in the story: believing they are sane declares sane Two-face and then the Joker; however, their behavior proves him wrong.
- Lana Lang - She becomes fat and is constantly consulted in debate shows and new on issues about the Batman. She supports him strongly against Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.
- Gotham City Mayor - A gutless mayor always waiting for the pools to take pocitions on the issues and concerns of the city. When Gordon has to retire due to his age, in order to reach popularity, the mayor decides to replace him with Ellen Yindell, who opposes Batman's vigilantism. The meyor is killed by the Mutant leader while trying to negotiate in his prision cell.
- The President of the United States of America (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns - He is modeled after Ronald Reagan his name is never mentioned. Despite the strong way he controls the situations secretly through other authorities or Superman, he never reveals his opinion on any issue to the public which he always pep talks with a smile. He has the country in a war with the U. S. S. R over the fictional island of Corto Maltese, and only fights using Superman. He also sends Superman to "talk" to Batman, and then to take him down when he gets too big.
- Jimmy Olsen - He becomes the president of Galaxy Broadcasting System and writes an article for the Daily Planet describing the retired superheroes perception of Batman.
- Sarah Essen Gordon - Created in this miniseries, she is alive and happily married with Commissioner Gordon and forbids him to smoke inside their appartment and only cooks "hippie vegetarian stuff".
- Stan Merkel - Created in this miniseries, he is alive and working as Gordon's current assistant.
- The Martian Manhunter - Becomes a bartender at a retired superhero bar at the subway level of metropolis.
- The Elongated Man - Hangs in the Martian Manhunter's bar.
- The Penguin - Hangs in the Martian Manhunter's bar, he is fatter and is quick to cry when remembering the old times.
[edit] Continuity
- The story is preceded by:
- The story is continued in:
