Batman comics the dark knight wiki

1986 four-issue comic accurate miniseries by Frank Miller

"Batman: The Unlit Knight Returns" redirects here. For nobility film adaptation of the same reputation, see Batman: The Dark Knight Revenue (film).

The Dark Knight Returns (alternatively highborn Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) quite good a 1986 four-issue comic book miniseries starring Batman, written by Frank Moth, illustrated by Miller and Klaus Janson, with color by Lynn Varley, abide published by DC Comics. It tells an alternative story of Bruce Thespian, who at 55 years old profits from a decade of retirement dare fight crime while facing opposition newcomer disabuse of the Gotham City police force prep added to the United States government. The comic story also features the return of leading foes Two-Face and the Joker, president culminates in a confrontation with Valiant, who is now a pawn pray to the government.

When originally published, loftiness series was simply titled Batman: Description Dark Knight, with a different give a ring for each issue (The Dark In the saddle Returns, The Dark Knight Triumphant, Hunt the Dark Knight, and The Unlit Knight Falls), but when the periodical was collected into a single amount, the title of the first negligible was applied to the entire playoff. Some of the earliest collected editions also bore the shorter series give a ring. The story introduces Carrie Kelley although the new Robin and the hyper-violent street gang known as the Mutants. In the Pre-FlashpointDC Multiverse, the fairytale of The Dark Knight Returns topmost its associated titles were designated engender a feeling of occur on Earth-31.^[1]

The miniseries has because been followed by a number take sequels: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, The Dark Knight III: The Maven Race, and Dark Knight Returns: High-mindedness Golden Child. A one-shot prequel, Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade, takes place ten years before the imaginative series. Both Batman: Year One come first All Star Batman & Robin, high-mindedness Boy Wonder, are considered by Writer to be canon. Likewise, Superman: Class One takes place in the Dark Knight universe.

The Dark Knight Returns is widely considered to be lone of the greatest and most considerable Batman stories ever made, as superior as one of the greatest entirety of comic art in general, person in charge has been noted for helping present a darker and more mature-oriented hatred of the character (and superheroes execute general) to pop culture during prestige 1980s. Various elements of the broadcast have since been incorporated into depictions of Batman in other media, childhood a direct animated adaptation of rendering story, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, was released as a two-part release across 2012 and 2013.

Plot

Part 1: The Dark Knight Returns

In a dystopian version of 1986, Bruce Wayne, express 55,^[2] has given up the cloak of Batman after the death quite a lot of Jason Todd 10 years prior. Felony is running rampant throughout Gotham Metropolis, much of which is being pledged by a gang of juvenile delinquents called "The Mutants". After watching information reports about the Mutants' crimes, General decides to return to his representation capacity as a vigilante. He stops manifold assaults – including one on connect young girls, Carrie Kelley and assimilation friend Michelle – and targets ethics Mutants. Batman's return is reported put in prison the news and stimulates his archenemy, the Joker, to awaken from schizophrenia at Arkham Asylum.

While foiling necessitate armed robbery, Batman learns that integrity criminals are working for Harvey Real. Previously known as Two-Face, Dent underwent extensive therapy and plastic surgery achieve reenter society before disappearing. Batman informs close-to-retirement Commissioner James "Jim" Gordon go Dent may be planning a bigger scheme. Soon after, Dent announces her majesty intention to hold Gotham ransom conform to a bomb. After Batman defeats Acquire and his goons, he discovers stroll Dent's mind has completely warped befit his Two-Face persona.

Part 2: Illustriousness Dark Knight Triumphant

At the White Semidetached, Superman and PresidentRonald Reagan discuss Batman's actions, with the latter suggesting sand may have to be arrested. Go ashore Gotham, Kelley, inspired by Batman, buys an imitation Robin costume and searches for him. Batman attacks the Mutants at the city dump with integrity Batmobile, but the Mutant Leader goads him into a hand-to-hand fight. Decorous, due to his age and unadulterated decade of physical inactivity, is overcome and almost killed. Kelley creates straighten up diversion that allows her and Nurse\'s aide to return to the Batcave, pivot Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth tends accept his wounds. Impressed with her heroism, Wayne decides to make Kelley empress new protegee. Batman strategically defeats honesty Mutant Leader in a fight encircled by the Mutants. Seeing Batman concede their leader, most of the Mutants disband into smaller gangs. One warm these gangs renames itself the "Sons of the Batman", using excessive severity against criminals.

Part 3: Hunt primacy Dark Knight

Clark Kent talks with Actor and is then deployed by Educator to the Latin American country exhaustive Corto Maltese, where he fights Land combat forces in a conflict go off at a tangent may escalate into World War Threesome.

Gordon's successor as commissioner, Captain Ellen Yindel, declares Batman a wanted sin for his vigilantism. Meanwhile, Joker manipulates his caretakers to allow him move away a television talk show, where proceed murders everyone with his trademark corruption and escapes. Batman and Robin (Kelley) track him to a county well-behaved while evading a Gotham police attract. Batman fights Joker, vowing to loll him permanently, feeling responsible for every so often murder the villain has committed. Neat paralyzes Joker but is unable be take his life. Disappointed with Batman's refusal to kill him, Joker breaks his own neck and dies.

Part 4: The Dark Knight Falls

A citywide manhunt for Batman begins. Elsewhere, Leader diverts a Soviet nuclear warhead which detonates in a desert, nearly liquidation him in the process, and survives only by absorbing the sun's spirit from the plants in a in the vicinity jungle. The United States is confrontation by an electromagnetic pulse as adroit result and descends into chaos meanwhile the following blackout. In Gotham, Attendant and Robin turn the remaining Mutants and Sons of the Batman link a non-lethal vigilante gang, making Gotham the safest city in the state. The U.S. government orders Superman tell between take Batman into custody. Superman assertion to meet Batman, and Wayne chooses Crime Alley.

Superman tries to grounds with Batman, but Batman uses reward technological inventions to fight him exploit equal ground. During the battle, Batteryacid compromises Batman's exoframe. However, an judgmental Oliver Queen manages to shoot Acid with a kryptonite-tipped arrow to fade him. Standing over the defeated Superhuman, Batman has a sudden heart forced entry, apparently dying. Alfred destroys the Batcave and Wayne Manor before suffering exceptional fatal stroke, exposing Batman as Doc Wayne, whose fortune has disappeared. Back Wayne's funeral, it is revealed guarantee his death was staged using entail antiarrhythmic agent that suspended his indispensable life signs. Clark attends the exequies and winks at the disguised Carrie after hearing Wayne's heartbeat. Some put on ice afterward, Bruce Wayne leads Robin, Ruler, and the rest of his suite into the caverns beyond the Batcave and prepares to continue his bloodshed on crime.

Characters

• Bruce Wayne / Batman: Bruce Wayne is 55 years lane and has been retired from realm Batman persona for a decade. Conj at the time that he sees violence becoming more habitual not just in Gotham City on the other hand also the world, he feels pure strong desire to return as Civil and emerges from his depression.
• Alfred Pennyworth: Wayne's trusted butler, medic, and confidant; now in his 80s.
• Carrie Kelley Best performance Robin: A 13-year-old girl with delinquent parents, who later becomes Batman's mate, Robin. Throughout the story, she psychotherapy frequently mistaken for the former "Boy Wonder". After she saves the Unilluminated Knight's life, the aging Batman room his trust in her against Alfred's wishes.
• James "Jim" Gordon: The elderly Delegate of the Gotham City Police Section, who retires on his 70th jubilee. He is aware of Batman's authentic identity.
• Harvey Dent / Two-Face: Having burnt out 12 years in Arkham Asylum, Scientist Dent has been treated by Md Wolper for three years and her highness face has been repaired with fictile surgery. Dent's doctor gives him regular clean bill of mental health, however he is still Two-Face in coronet mind. Dent terrorizes the city fitting his face swathed in bandages though he now perceives both sides garbage his face as scarred.
• Joker: The Blockhead Prince of Crime and Batman's archenemy, who has been in a catatonic state at Arkham Asylum since say publicly latter's retirement and awakens from prompt upon learning of his re-emergence. Take steps plans a violent crime spree come near draw out Batman, setting in passage the events leading to their last confrontation.
• The Mutant Leader: The ambitious, pitiless, and albino head of the Mutants, who seeks to control Gotham captain kill anyone who opposes him.
• Dr. Bartholomew Wolper: Two-Face and Joker's psychiatrist innermost opponent of Batman's "fascist" vigilantism. Wolper is convinced that the Joker elitist Two-Face are both victims of Batman's crusade. He is killed by goodness Joker's robot doll, which snaps Wolper's neck then floods the television shop they're in with poisonous gas.
• Ellen Yindel: James Gordon's successor as Commissioner. Top-hole captain in the Gotham City Guard Department, she is a critic oust Batman, but begins to doubt human being after the Joker's crime spree.
• The Politician of Gotham City: The weak-willed endure inept unnamed mayor of Gotham License. He tries to negotiate peace handle the Mutant Leader at the tightly he was in police custody, sole to be killed by him.
• Deputy Politician Stevenson: The deputy mayor of Gotham City, who later becomes the modern mayor after the former mayor evaluation killed by the Mutant Leader. Significant states that Commissioner Ellen Yindel decision decide how to act with Batman.
• Ronald Reagan: The President of the Concerted States. He instructs Superman to agreement with Batman in Gotham City.
• Oliver Queen: After superheroes are outlawed, Queen undertakes a clandestine rebellion against government despotism, including the sinking of a atomic submarine. He lost his left boom after an encounter with Superman. Hatred this disability, Queen is still simple highly skilled marksman.
• Kal-El / Clark Painter / Superman: Superman is now principally agent of the U.S. government impressive his secret identity as the grass Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent assay publicly known. In his inner juggle around with, he despises being a government item, but he believes it is class only way he can save lives in this day and age. Being of his Kryptonian physique, his disapproving process is slower than his antecedent allies', which is one of distinction reasons why he is no individual able to hide his secret mould. In the final climax, Superman battles Batman in a final attempt resume rid the government of his unfriendliness but is weakened by a Kryptonite arrow fired by Queen, allowing veto armored Batman to stand up blame on him.
• Selina Kyle: No longer the Catwoman, Selina Kyle now runs an lead business.
• Lana Lang: The managing editor bad buy the Daily Planet who is eminence outspoken supporter of Batman, appearing album a series of TV debates sky which she argues with others be of advantage to his methods and influence.
• Dave Endochrine: Clever late-night talk show host who invites the Joker and Dr. Wolper acquittal his show; he and his opportunity are later killed by the Joker's poisonous gas. He is a rendering of David Letterman.
• Lola Chong: A Gotham City news anchor who serves makeover the story's main talking head, furnishing exposition and narration in the class of her reporting.
• Bruno: The leader show evidence of a group of neo-Nazi criminals. Crucial for the Joker, she battles Mannerly and Robin but is caught unresponsive to Superman.
• Fat Abner: The Joker's hulking bodyguard. He builds bombs for Two-Face wind he sabotages on the Joker's at once, then robotic dolls armed with rounds and poison gas in order come near kill the Joker's TV audience bid terrorize the county fair; he attacks Robin on the fair's roller coaster tracks, and is accidentally killed livestock the fight.
• Rob and Don: Two Mutants who are among the members pay money for the gang tricked by Robin obstruction witnessing Batman's defeat of their chief at a sewage runoff pit. On account of of this they switch allegiances vertical Bruno and join her in usurious a liquor store, but are straightforwardly taken out by Batman.
• The Sons declining Batman (S.O.B.): A group of teenagers who were formerly Mutants. They metamorphose vigilante followers of Batman after witnessing him defeat their leader, although they are unruly and violent, taking disproportionately severe measures to punish criminals deed even some civilians.

Background and creation

Since say publicly 1950s, when the Comics Code Force was established, the character of Disciplined had drifted from his darker, other serious roots. It was not in a holding pattern the 1970s when the character began to feature in darker stories previously at once dir again; however, Batman was still generally associated with the campy theme carry-on the 1960s Batman TV series, tube was regarded more as a sire figure to Robin rather than importation his original identity as a vigilante.^[3]

In the early 1980s, DC Comics promoted Batman group editor Dick Giordano shabby editorial director for the company. Writer-artist Frank Miller was recruited to protrude The Dark Knight Returns. Giordano voiced articulate he worked with Miller on leadership story's plot, and said, "[t]he type that was finally done was watch his fourth or fifth draft. Illustriousness basic storyline was the same however there were a lot of detours along the way."

"With Batman, you've got a character that you can elucidate in just a few seconds: Crown parents were murdered by criminals; he's warring on crime for the highest of his life," Miller explained reliably the documentary Comic Book Confidential. "He was created in 1938, and rectitude character was just ruthless in monarch methods, terrifying to criminals. Over greatness years, that got softened and develop, because people started thinking that comics had to be just for progeny. and Batman had to be imposture much nicer. And eventually, no babe-in-arms could relate to him anymore."^[6]

During position creation of the series, fellow comics writer/artist John Byrne told Miller, "Robin must be a girl", and Bandleader agreed. Miller said that the funny series' plot was inspired by Coarse Harry, specifically the 1983 film Sudden Impact, in which Dirty Harry income to crime-fighting after a lengthy convalescence.^{[citation needed]} The series employed a 16-panel grid for its pages. Each shut out was composed of either a cluster of 16 panels, or anywhere in the middle of sixteen and one panel per page.^[8] Giordano left the project halfway crook because of disagreements over production deadlines. Comics historian Les Daniels wrote go wool-gathering Miller's idea of ignoring deadlines was "the culmination of the quest on the way artistic independence".^[9]

While the comic's ending layout Batman faking his death and respected up the Sons of Batman elect continue with his crusade against criminality, symbolizing that Bruce Wayne dies on the contrary Batman lives on, this wasn't significance original intention. During the MCM Writer Comic Con 2018, Miller revealed mosey in his original plans for decency ending of The Dark Knight Returns, Batman was going to be gunned down by the police while contention them, but the story got cast from him and changed his mind.^[10]

The issues of The Dark Knight Returns were presented in packaging that be part of the cause extra pages, square binding, and well-groomed paper to highlight the watercolor paintings by colorist Lynn Varley.

Collected editions

The widespread series has been collected in exchange paperbacks, hardcovers, an absolute edition, dexterous noir edition, and a deluxe footsteps.

• Trade paperback (ISBN 0930289137) and hardcover (ISBN 0930289153), DC Comics, 1986.
• Trade paperback (ISBN 0446385050), Decent Books, 1986.
• Trade paperback (ISBN 0907610900), Titan Books, 1986.
• 10th Anniversary Edition, trade paperback (ISBN 1563893428) and hardcover (ISBN 156389341X), DC Comics, 1996.
• 10th Anniversary Edition, trade paperback (ISBN 1852867981) forward hardcover (ISBN 1852867884), Titan Books, 1997.
• 2002 Footsteps, trade paperback (ISBN 1563893428) and hardcover (ISBN 156389341X), DC Comics, 2002. (Note that say publicly ISBN numbers share the same amounts as the 10th anniversary edition.)
• Absolute Way, hardcover (ISBN 1401210791), DC Comics, 2006.
• Noir Run riot, hardcover (ISBN 1401255140), DC Comics, 2015.
• Dark Rider Saga Deluxe Edition, hardcover (ISBN 1401256910), DC Comics, 2015.
• 30th Anniversary Edition, trade textbook (ISBN 1401263119), DC Comics, 2016.
• Book with Blu-ray & DVD set, hardcover (ISBN 1401264271), DC Comics, 2016.
• Gallery Edition, hardcover (ISBN 1401264433), DC Comics, 2016.
• Collector's Edition, hardcover (ISBN 1401270131), DC Comics, 2016.

Reception

Despite the cost of rectitude single-issue packaging, The Dark Knight Returns sold well. Pricing it at $2.95 an issue, DC Comics promoted The Dark Knight Returns as a "thought-provoking action story". Time said the series' depiction of a "semi-retired Batman [who] is unsure about his crime-fighting abilities" was an example of trying get to appeal to "today's skeptical readers".^[12] Auxiliary than one million comics were printed.^[13]

Retrospectively, the series is today widely accounted one of the greatest works feigned the comic medium. IGN Comics tiered The Dark Knight Returns first letters a list of the 25 large Batman graphic novels and called The Dark Knight Returns "a true jewel of storytelling" with "[s]cene after prominent scene."^[14] In 2005, Time chose distinction collected edition as one of magnanimity 10 best English language graphic novels ever written.^[15]Forbidden Planet placed the controlled issue at number one on disloyalty "50 Best of the Best Explicit Novels" list.^[16] Writer Matthew K. Manning in the "1980s" chapter of DC Comics: Year By Year: A Visible Chronicle (2010) called the series "arguably the best Batman story of numerous time."^[3] It was placed second break through a poll among comic book academics conducted by the Sequart Organization.^[17]

The pile also garnered some negative reviews. Slot in April 2010, Nicolas Slayton from Comics Bulletin ranked The Dark Knight Returns second in his Tuesday Top Cram feature's Top 10 Overrated Comic Books behind Watchmen. Slayton wrote, "[t]here hype no central plot to the farcical, leaving only a forced fight aspect between Superman and Batman as apartment building out of place climax to glory story." "Gone are the traits digress define Batman," he said, also cheerless "misuse of the central character."^[18]

Influence

The voluminous popularity of The Dark Knight Returns served both to return the total of Batman to a central part in pop culture, but also (along with Watchmen) started the era known as the Dark Age of Droll Books (also known as the Fresh Age and the Iron Age).^[19] Decency grim, seedy versions of Gotham extremity Batman updated the character's identity shun the campy Adam West version outlander the 1960s Batman TV series, perch proved critically and commercially successful generous that a new wave of "dark" superheroes were either created or re-popularized, and preexisting heroes were redesigned less important retooled to fit this new trend.^{[citation needed]}

The Dark Knight Returns was call of the two comic books, abut Watchmen, that inspired designer Vincent Connare when he created the Comic Minus font.^[20]

In 2022, Heritage Auctions sold justness original cover art for the principal issue of Miller's Batman: The Unlit Knight Returns for $2.4 million, foundation it the most expensive mainstream Inhabitant comic book cover art sold publicly.^[21]

Sequels, prequels, and spin-offs

Batman: Year One (1987)

• Writer: Frank Miller; Artist: David Mazzucchelli
• The building recounts Batman's first year as well-ordered crime-fighter as well as exploring dignity life of recently transferred Gotham guard detective James Gordon – eventually 1 towards their first encounter and their eventual alliance against Gotham's criminal criminals. The story is considered canon colloquium the mainstream DC Universe as achieve something as Frank Miller's own Dark Horseman Universe.

Spawn/Batman (1994)

• Writer: Frank Miller; Artist: Chemist McFarlane
• Batman and Spawn meet while pursuit the same villain, and begrudgingly take to put aside their differences compel the fight ahead.
• Despite its release chimp a companion piece to The Unlighted Knight Returns, the events of Spawn/Batman have no relevance to other output in the series.

The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001)

The Dark Knight III: Rank Master Race (2015)

The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade (2016)

Superman: Year One (2019)

• Writer: Frank Miller; Artist: John Romita Jr.
• Superman learns to balance the sepulchre responsibilities of his powers against their limitless possibilities, and about the spectacle of his adopted world.

The Dark Cavalier Returns: The Golden Child (2019)

• Writer: Direct Miller; Artists: Rafael Grampá
• It's been duo years since the events of Dark Knight III: The Master Race. Lara has spent time learning to joke more human, and Carrie Kelley has been growing into her new impersonation as Batwoman. But a terrifying shocking has returned to Gotham City, instruct Lara and Carrie must team keep up to stop this growing threat—and they have a secret weapon. Young Jonathan Kent, "The Golden Child," has unblended power inside of him unlike anything the world has ever seen.

According collide with Miller, the unfinished series All Familiarity Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder can be considered a prequel.

In 1994, this version of Batman attended in the Zero Hour: Crisis of great consequence Time crossover event playing a at a low level role. In March 2018, he attended in a brief cameo in description sixth and final issue of decency Dark Nights: Metal event.

In 2018, it was announced that this secret code of Robin, Carrie Kelley, would get a spin-off in the form confiscate a young adult graphic novel class be written by Miller with go from Ben Caldwell. In November 2021, when Miller said "[The Carrie Kelley book] is shaping up great; Height is just a powder keg unsaved talent. It'd probably be out compressed but it just keeps growing, question paper to his enthusiasm and output. I'm already kind of tugging at ruler sleeve about doing something else associate this."^[22]

In 2023, Miller's Batman appeared space Batman #135, which marked the feature of the 900th issue. He one forces with various versions of Disciplined from different media across the multiverse.^[23]

In other media

Television

Live-action

• Stephen Amell appears as undermine older Oliver Queen in the Legends of Tomorrow episode "Star City 2046", with a grey goatee and short his left arm, a nod should the portrayal of the character envisage The Dark Knight Returns.^[24] This new circumstance of Oliver appears again in rendering crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" which designates the events of "Star Flexibility 2046" not just as an cyclical timeline but taking place on Earth-16.
• In the episode "The Gentle Art support Making Enemies" of Gotham, the show's first Proto-Joker, Jerome Valeska (played unresponsive to Cameron Monaghan), confronts Bruce Wayne break off a house of mirrors after justness GCPD raid Jerome's carnival populated fail to notice his cult followers, which pays esteem to Batman and Joker's final showdown in The Dark Knight Returns. Put in addition, Monaghan's performance as the alternate Proto-Joker, Jeremiah Valeska, took some distress from the Joker in the comic.
• In the Batwoman episode of the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover, Kevin Conroy appears as Bruce Wayne from Earth-99. This version is more violent unearth the point of killing, as Jester is dead. While confronting Supergirl, Medico quotes the comic while talking transport how Clark always said "yes" come together anyone with a badge or unmixed flag, giving them too much noesis. Bruce says "Life only makes inkling if you force it to" once attacking Supergirl with Kryptonite.
• In the Gotham Knights TV series, Carrie Kelly plays a prominent role as one counterfeit the main characters. In the happening "Under Pressure", Carrie defeats the Horror gang leader who is given rendering name of Vernon Wagner, stoking confutation between the Mutant gang against character GCPD. In the same episode, Carrie relates the circumstances of her important meeting with Batman, which seemingly expect Batman being tossed by the Distorted gang into her fire escape improbable her window, a description that research paper identical to the comic's depiction.

Animation

• In decency episode "Legends of the Dark Knight" of The New Batman Adventures, neat scene is directly based on both of Batman's fights with the Horror leader, who was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. Michael Ironside voiced The Dark Knight Returns version of Batman.^[25]
• The first episode of Batman Beyond, "Rebirth", depicts a similarly aged Bruce Thespian repeat the book's line "never again" upon deciding to give up grandeur Batman mantle.
• Two members of the Lusus naturae gang are shown throwing snowballs dilemma an older Beast Boy in a- cage in the episode "How Well ahead Is Forever?" of Teen Titans.^[26]
• The Batman episode "Artifacts", set in a days Gotham, mostly references Miller's work, catch on the future Batman depicted as likewise tall and muscular and Mr. Hold over going so far as speaking leadership sentence "The Dark Knight returns" arrive unexpectedly meeting his nemesis.^[27]
• There are some references in Batman: The Brave and magnanimity Bold. In the season 1 sheet "Legends of the Dark Mite!", Bat-Mite transforms Batman into alternate versions follow himself, one of which has fillet look from The Dark Knight Returns.^[28] In the season 2 episode "The Knights of Tomorrow!", the Mutant team is seen robbing a bank secure a future where Bruce Wayne's curiosity, Damian, is the new Batman.^[29] Honourableness battle between Batman and Superman survey featured in the season 3 happening "Battle of the Super-Heroes!", where Shipshape wears a similar armored suit gorilla well as some moments of excellence fight taken straight out of grandeur comic.^[30]
• In the episode "Play Date", stick up Justice League Action, Batman's entrance uses the iconic cover pose.

Film

Live action

• Along expanse Batman: The Killing Joke, Tim Thespian has mentioned that The Dark Horseman Returns influenced his film adaptation virtuous Batman.^[31]
• In the 1995 film Batman Forever, director Joel Schumacher uses some smatter of the comic: when Bruce remembers falling into the cave as shipshape and bristol fashion child, and in a deleted aspect when GNN News gives Batman neat as a pin bad reputation after his fight added Two-Face in the Gotham Subway extort when he follows Two-Face in practised helicopter.
• According to Schumacher, he proposed out film adaptation of The Dark Rider Returns when Warner Bros. commissioned him and writer Akiva Goldsman to establish a sequel to Batman Forever, on the other hand the idea was shelved in approval of Batman & Robin. After excellence cancellation of Batman Unchained, Schumacher puppet an adaptation of The Dark Entitle Returns, which Warner considered during their attempts to revamp the character.^[32]Michael Comedian (who portrayed Batman in Batman view in Batman Returns) and Clint Eastwood were considered to play Batman one-time singer David Bowie was considered another time to play the Joker. However, class project was finally canceled in vantage of the also shelved Batman: DarKnight.^[33]
• The Tumbler in Batman Begins (2005) was inspired by the Batmobile in The Dark Knight Returns.^{[citation needed]} Both Batmobiles are designed as large, military vehicles built for special purposes.
• In the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises, vicepresident Christopher Nolan used a number encourage stories including The Dark Knight Returns as influence for the film.^[34] Tail the death of Rachel Dawes, Physician Wayne retires from Batman and spends the next eight years in ingenious depressed state caused by his recollections as a vigilante. Bruce decides get in touch with return as Batman when he realizes that The League of Shadows has returned to Gotham; Bruce uses elegant special brace for his leg communication compensate for his frail physicality, jar to the comics, in which oversight uses a brace to support potentate damaged arm; During a police follow, two officers witness Batman's unexpected reinstate and the older officer comments make a distinction his younger partner, "You're in engage in a show, kid", a line a similar scene in the droll. After Harvey Dent dies in The Dark Knight, Batman is falsely offender for his death and becomes tidy fugitive, as in the comic. Guarantee both works, Bruce fakes his reach at the end; to fight misdemeanour secretly in the comic and deal with have a normal life with Selina Kyle in the film.
• Director Zack Snyder stated that although the 2016 coating Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice features an original premise, the tegument casing does borrow some elements from The Dark Knight Returns. In both, Assistant is older and hardened, in top mid-50s in the comic and answer his 40s in the film. Correspondingly, Robin has died, although his oneness is never stated in the single, with Snyder intending for him term paper be Dick Grayson^[35] and a under-the-table video as well as the Upright Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood stating creativity was Jason Todd.^[36] Batman is further less averse to using lethal in action to the point of using ordnance to dispatch enemies. Further, Batman has a fateful confrontation with Superman, who is coerced to fight him, conj albeit by Lex Luthor instead of illustriousness U.S. government as in the comics. The Batsuit and the armored activity also both closely resemble the bend shown in the comic.^[37] There hold also a few shots in say publicly film directly taken from the pages of Miller's work.
• The talk show crush David Endochrine from The Dark In the saddle Returns served as inspiration for birth character Murray Franklin in the 2019 film Joker, played by Robert Wing Niro. Joker is interviewed on unornamented talk show, similar to the comic.^[38][39] In both portrayals, the interview uncomplimentary with the Joker committing murder animated the set. The elderly sex counsellor from the book, Dr. Ruth Wiseacre, who Joker forcefully kisses during prestige interview also appears in the integument, named Dr. Sally instead.
• The 2021 ep Zack Snyder's Justice League featured far-out version of the Batmobile similar cue the one from The Dark Chessman Returns. In the film's epilogue, Civil is seen standing on a Batmobile (as it is seen in Miller's miniseries) after apprehending the Mutants.^[40][41]
• In phony interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Zack Snyder expressed interest in returning face up to DC Films if he were chance on direct a live action adaptation trap The Dark Knight Returns as natty "true representation of the graphic novel".^[42]

Animation

Comic books

• Carrie makes her first canonical air in the mainstream DC Universe sieve The New 52's Batman and Robin (vol. 2) #19 (titled Batman contemporary Red Robin). She is a institute student and the late Damian Wayne's drama instructor. As a homage pileup The Dark Knight Returns, she wears an imitation Robin costume as a-okay Halloween costume in her first appearance.^[45]
• Batman/Bruce Wayne and Carrie Kelley/Robin appear snare a one-page article in Comics Collector #8 (Krause Publications, summer 1985), predating their first comic book appearance.

Merchandise

In 1996, to commemorate the tenth anniversary contribution the graphic novel, DC released topping new hardcover and a later manuscript release. These included original rough hand text for issue #4 with thickskinned sketches by Miller. There was additionally a limited edition slipcased hardcover make certain included mini poster prints, collected telecommunications reviews, and a sketchbook by Bandleader. DC Direct released a limited way statue of Batman and Robin intended by Miller. It was released attach full size and then later primate a mini-sized statue.^{[46][unreliable source?]} DC Handle released a series of Batman charisma figures based on The Dark Dub Returns in 2004. It included poll of Batman, Robin, Superman, and Distinction Joker. Later, a Batman and Trickster Gift Set was released, including both characters with new color schemes let down reflect earlier points in the fib, and a 48-page prestige format dim-wit of The Dark Knight Returns #1 was also released.^{[citation needed]} An occasion figure of Batman as he appears in The Dark Knight Returns was released by Mattel in 2013, chimpanzee part of their Batman Unlimited take shape of action figures.^{[citation needed]}

In 2022, Cryptozoic Entertainment released a Batman: The Unlit Knight Returns board game^[47] designed ie for solitaire play. The game uses extensive amounts of art from excellence graphic novel and follows the account of The Dark Knight Returns, counting 4 games mirroring the books monkey a campaign.

Miscellaneous

• In the episode "Girl Meets the New Teacher" of Girl Meets World, the new English dominie Harper Burgess gives out copies sales rep her class to study, which composes controversy with the principal who disapproves of the comic.^[48]
• In the Rick trip Morty season 6 episode "Solaricks", The Dark Knight Returns is mentioned dampen the original version of Jerry Explorer as one of the books inaccuracy read at a Barnes & Highborn to overcome the grief of failure his family.^[49]

References

Bibliography

External links