Batman

The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
  • IMDB: link

batman-dark-knight-returns-pt1-blu-rayI love Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Originally released as a four-issue mini-series back in 1986 Returns gave us a look at the future of Gotham City, ten years after the last appearance of Batman (Peter Weller). So when DC Animated announced their plans for not one but two animated features I held my breath and hoped for the best. Much like last year’s Batman: Year One, this adaptation of Frank Miller’s work is, at best, a mixed success.

Ten years to the day after the Batman’s last recorded appearance, and one month before the retirement of Commissioner Gordon (David Selby), Bruce Wayne is lured out of retirement by a vicious new gang known as the Mutants who are slowly taking over the city. Part 1 gives us Batman’s return, Two-Face‘s (Wade Williams) short reign of terror, and the always jabbering talking heads who continue to debate whether Gotham is better or worse off with Batman’s return.

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Batman and Robin #0

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-0-coverOne of the most frustrating aspects of the New 52 is DC Comics’ choice to alter timelines, costumes, origins, and motivations for characters without a second thought. Quizzically, the character DC Editorial decides to leave alone is Damian Wayne, someone whose origins could definitely use a little tweaking. Batman and Robin #0 is little more than a summarization of the beginning of Grant Morrison‘s “Batman & Son” 2006 arc which introduced Damian.

Not only do we get Damian’s bloody upbringing and the League of Assassins‘ army of Man-Bats (really, this needed to be included in the New 52?) but the final panels are directly ripped from artist’s Andy Kubert‘s work. Sadly, but not suprisingly, DC goes straight for Morrison’s take on Damian’s origins rather than the original (and far superior) graphic novel that introduced the idea of a Batman/Talia child – Batman: Son of the Demon.

Is it worth a look? Maybe. There one or two moments, although there’s little here for those who have already read Morrison’s story. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman #0

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-0-coverAlthough the stories presented in Batman #0 work fine independently (even if the writing seems to be hand-holding the audience far more than necessary) the timeline makes absolutely no sense. In the first story, set six years prior to the present New 52 DCU, we see Bruce Wayne‘s early days after his travels working on becoming a vigilante before becoming Batman. And that’s only the beginning.

The back-up story jumps one year in the future and gives us the all three Robins (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake) in the early days of Batman before the Dark Knight had chosen a partner. Not only does the tale suggest all three are roughly the same age (an enormous change in Batman continuity) but it presents Jason, who is an accomplice to murder, as the most likable and least brash of the trio.

To tie the two stories together we get a Red Hood Gang which feels more than a little trite and appearances by Jim Gordon. The second story also gives us the origin of the Bat-Signal and the first glimmer of Batgirl.

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Batman and Robin #12

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-12-coverThe Bat Boys come out to play as Gotham finds itself under siege from the threat of the new villain Termius. While Batman goes all Iron Man to fight the armored dying madman obsessed with destroying Batman and Gotham before he draw his last breath Damian gets assistance from the former Robins as Nightwing, Red Robin, and even the Red Hood, show up to stop Terminus’ hired mercenaries and odd mutated creatures.

Okay, Batman and Robin #12 isn’t great, and there are a couple truly groan worthy moments, but it’s certainly high on action (even if it never bothers to explain the reasons behind Terminus’ obsession with destroying Batman and Gotham).

I like seeing the Robins together in this issue and if DC is looking for another Bat-title to replace one of the underperforming New 52 books may I suggest something along the lines of Robin Team-Up (featuring Robins current and past teaming up for short arcs – which would allow for the inclusion of Stephanie Brown, too). Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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