Batman: Dark Knight Returns (Batman)

Save £4.80!

Similar Products:

Watchmen

Batman: The Killing Joke (Deluxe Edition)

Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again (Batman)

Batman: Hush

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Customer Reviews:

• 
  2008-05-13
  By Triggerhappytel, Kent, England
  Honestly, I didn't see what the fuss was all about with this graphic novel. I thought the plot was all over the place, the pacing was shot to pieces, the art was average and there were more than a few absurdities which I found hard to swallow.
  
  I don't read many comics or graphic novels, but I went through a brief obsession last year and bought about 25 or 30 over a few months. Given the hype and acclaim which has been heaped on this, I was expecting great things, and sadly I was disappointed on almost every level.
  
  As others have said, Frank Miller's characterisation is probably closer to Bob Kane's original vision of the Dark Knight than anyone's (except perhaps Tim Burton). However, his motivations here are never wholly clear and the excessive scripting and repetitive 'news report' cells do little to help. The plot meanders through a handful of scenarios over its four chapters but they never feel wholly cohesive - and things take a turn for the frankly ridiculous when Batman is deemed such a menace that Superman is called in [personally by the president] to deal with him (not to mention the resolution of this encounter, which I won't detail). Further, the new Robin is just utterly irritating and a somewhat needless character (given that she brings very little to the proceedings).
  
  It is rare that I get bored of a graphic novel part way through, but I found that on both read-thoughs I was losing interest in the character, the story and the situation as a whole (hence why I had to read it a second time reasonably quickly - to see if there was something I missed). I feel defensive in explaining why I didn't think much of this book, as I am well aware I am in the minority, and although I can appreciate how influential and important this may have been on release, that does not automatically make it a great read by today's standards.
  
  So, to anyone who has yet to read this I'd probably suggest you to go for it, if only to make up your own mind, but for me this just wasn't what it had been hyped up to be.
  
  
• 
  2008-06-05
  By G. R. Stovold, A long way away from you.
  If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.
  
  
• 
  2008-07-23
  By M. Green,
  If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.
  
  
• 
  2008-07-24
  By Julian Nunn, London
  In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
  This comic is one of those moments.
  The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
  Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.
  
  
• 
  2008-09-28
  By Red Queen, Limbo
  Only Watchmen can be considered to be on the same level as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters bursting out of the seams, Batman: The Dark Night Returns is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.
  
  The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.
  
  Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.