Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns Animated - Part 1

[The Joker]

You can't find it online anymore, but there was an SDCC teaser that featured Affleck in the DKR battle armor, staring up an an enraged Superman. So far, things seem to be on track for this film to be heavily influenced by DKR.

That is so cool. DKR is one of my favorite Batman tales. Probably the most famous Batman and Superman one, too, so it makes sense that they'd draw inspiration from it.

 

[hafizbat]

Excellent. I'm delighted to hear that. I'm glad the movies are pushing the idea that Batman can and has retired in the comics.

You're a great poster and you seem to be very well-versed in the Batman mythos, I'm surprised and kinda glad to see you like the idea of a retired Batman, as usually people who are fans of the "real" Batman bashed The Dark Knight Rises because the "real" Batman would never retire, etc etc.

 

[hafizbat]

You can't find it online anymore, but there was an SDCC teaser that featured Affleck in the DKR battle armor, staring up an an enraged Superman. So far, things seem to be on track for this film to be heavily influenced by DKR.

Don't forget the Bat-smirk at the end.

 

[The Joker]

You're a great poster and you seem to be very well-versed in the Batman mythos, I'm surprised and kinda glad to see you like the idea of a retired Batman, as usually people who are fans of the "real" Batman bashed The Dark Knight Rises because the "real" Batman would never retire, etc etc.

Thanks for the compliment Yeah I never understood why some people are so against the idea that Batman could hang up his cape. I don't think it's a popular consensus otherwise DKR would not be a fan favorite. When you look at DKR it did something more controversial with Bruce; he retired for 10 years while the city still needed Batman. At least in Rises he retired because Gotham didn't need Batman any more.

 

[The Batman]

I never understood the "Batman would never retire" thing,to be honest. Even if I did, I wouldn't hold it against Dark Knight Rises for exploring that concept.

 

[ThePhantasm]

The whole point of DKR is that Bats can't retire. It doesn't take. The Batman persona won't let go of Bruce. Its never finished with him.

Very different from Rises' version in which Bruce is pretty ambivalent about being Batman. He just treats it like a job.

 

[The Joker]

But he did retire in DKR. For 10 whole years. While Gotham still needed him. So the idea that he can't retire is just not true.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Fair enough. Though you don't need DKR to make that point... he pretty much decides to retire in Knightfall before he finds out how Jean Paul Valley has screwed things up.

The retirement issue for me is less about "can he spend some time away from that persona" and more about "how imbedded is that persona in his psyche?" And I think Nolan and Bale always kinda held that at arms length, whereas for Miller its the whole point of the story.

 

[Slade W]

I know he featured in part 2 so apologies for going off topic but the Joker in this film really grew on me. I love how incredibly insane, evil and fearless he is. He doesn't hesitate or think twice, he just shoots, wrecks havoc and laughs. You can tell he is enjoying himself and is having the time of his life in the theme park. I cannot believe I am about to say this bit I think I may prefer him to Mark Hamills Joker (and he was a very good Joker, to say the least).

 

[AnneFan]

The retirement issue for me is less about "can he spend some time away from that persona" and more about "how imbedded is that persona in his psyche?"

I agree. I think the point was sure, Bruce can and has retired when the hurt became too much to bear. He can repress his urges, grow old and vow never again. But something will draw him back in - even if it's years and years later. Be it a full on comeback ala TDK Returns, or assisting another ala Batman Beyond. We don't see that yet with TDK Rises because it doesn't fit that arc. The last we see of Bruce he's happy and relaxing. But it doesn't mean something won't happen in the future.

 

[BattleCat]

But he did retire in DKR. For 10 whole years. While Gotham still needed him. So the idea that he can't retire is just not true.

But they didn't need him. Remember the whole "you cleaned up the streets good. Pretty soon we'll be chasing overdue library books" line.

 

[Naked Shia]

he's not talking about the dark knight rises, he's talking about the dark knight returns.

 

[Arach Knight]

But they didn't need him. Remember the whole "you cleaned up the streets good. Pretty soon we'll be chasing overdue library books" line.

Wrong TDKR. To comic fans, TDKR will always mean The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. For movie fans, TDKR will now mean The Dark Knight Rises. I have no idea why Nolan would do that to Batman fans, but, meh.

 

[Doc Ock]

I was always fine with the idea of Batman retiring when it's done well (like in Returns or Batman Beyond, not Rises), in the comics I really liked it when Dick took the mantle...which was great while it lasted.

As I've gotten older my love of The Dark Knight Returns has changed since reading it at my high school library, it's become more difficult to look at it fondly as I became a bigger fan of Superman. I haven't read it since the high school days (but have seen the film a animated parts individually and together) and have been thinking about picking it up and reading it again in hope I can still enjoy it despite my distaste of Miller's Superman.

 

[Kane52630]

http://kane52630.tumblr.com/post/114022541774/youre-in-for-a-show-kid-the-dark-knight-returns

 

[hafizbat]

^One of my favorite parts. Simply thrilling. The return of Batman in Rises tried to emulate this, but it wasn't nearly as good.

 

[Decepticonus]

^One of my favorite parts. Simply thrilling. The return of Batman in Rises tried to emulate this, but it wasn't nearly as good.

true, but points for trying and making the reference.

 

[hafizbat]

true, but points for trying and making the reference.

Definitely

 

[luis4u]

http://a.pomf.se/zjumcq.webm


Adam west reading a line from the dark knight returns..

 

[Tatsumarushinob]

http://a.pomf.se/zjumcq.webm


Adam west reading a line from the dark knight returns..

Dude...Excellent find. I don't care how campy it may or may not sound. Sweet. Hello new ringtone

 

[flickchick85]

Ha, that was awesome!

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

http://a.pomf.se/zjumcq.webm


Adam west reading a line from the dark knight returns..

Oh wow... that's amazing and actually very creepy.

 

[AnneFan]

http://a.pomf.se/zjumcq.webm


Adam west reading a line from the dark knight returns..

Adam reads that passage very well. And I agree he managed to be creepy with it.

 

[Lencho01]

I had heard about that documentary where he reads some TDKR lines. But, I don't know the title of it. Great stuff, though.

 

[Guts]

I only seen part 1, but today I'm going to buy the deluxe edtion.