The Dark Knight Strikes Again

[Superwoman Prime]

discussion​

 

[Fred_Fury]

the art was so horrible I couldnt even finish reading it, and im a huge fan of The Dark Knight Returns

 

[MaskedManJRK]

It's definately one of those "love or hate" books.

I like most of it--the idea of Batman bringing out the classic heroes from exile to become freedom fighters is pretty cool, I think, and I don't mind the different art/coloring style.

Spoiler

HOWEVER, the twist with Robin I hate with every fiber of my soul. If there was ever a reason to kick Miller in the ass, it's that. Not just because of the stupidity of it, it's against moments in DKR, where while the two apparently broke up a long time ago, Batman still looks to him with fondness--how do you go from that to Batman merely tossing Dick out when he "couldn't cut the mustard?"

Other than the spoilered bit, I enjoy it--plus, it has the motherf**kin' Question in it, and ANYTHING with ole' Vic Sage is awesome in my eyes.

 

[Mee]

The art is terrible IMO, and I've heard so many bad reviews, I haven't bothered with it.

 

[Dr. MIX]

It's quite bad.

 

[bestever23]

so many flaws

1. the ending (dick grayson would never ever end like that.Frank Miller raped the character

2. carrie being more of a **** by swallowing the atom

3.Superman finally crossing the line and killing the military (never would happen)

4. the art (lex luther looking like java the hut)

5. the whole turn around from the dark knight returns (comedy,crappy art,no message)

but other then that it's a good read lol

 

[Dope Nose]

the art was so horrible I couldnt even finish reading it, and im a huge fan of The Dark Knight Returns

yeah, same here. to this day I have no clue how anyone at DC could have found this acceptable.

and while this is a little off topic I have the exact same problem with the cover art to the Batman/Superman movie. just awful.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

so many flaws

1. the ending (dick grayson would never ever end like that.Frank Miller raped the character

2. carrie being more of a **** by swallowing the atom

3.Superman finally crossing the line and killing the military (never would happen)

4. the art (lex luther looking like java the hut)

5. the whole turn around from the dark knight returns (comedy,crappy art,no message)

but other then that it's a good read lol

Okay, two in particular bother me.

2. ...What. The. F**k. Are. You. Talking. About? Seriously, how does that make her a ****? A rookie mistake, maybe, but how is that being a ****? Seriously, run thi logic through me, so that I'll see your point.

5. That's pretty wrong--sure, there are some comedic things, but DKR had them too (the whole political aspect of it was pretty much satire, much like DKSA). And to say that there's no message is very wrong. There's clearly an anti-facism message, and fighting for your beliefs. What the holographic "president" looks like is a pretty strong political message. Also, the usage of the classic heroes saying that they're better than the new-age crap, while still respecting the younger generation in bringing in new things.
I probably barely even scratched the surface, and that was just off the top of my head.

 

[Punch]

The art is ok, though it would be nice to have at least some backgrounds/ What I really hate about this book is the coloring. That above pic of Superman looks like a horrible Photoshop accident.

And the ending.
It Blows(with a capital B)

 

[Kool-Aid]

I read it for the first time a few days ago and really liked it.

 

[Motown Marvel]

so....i suppose you guys would be even more pissed to know miller got paid a million bucks an issue....

 

[bestever23]

look I can handle a girl robin but then she turns to catgirl? uh she's a stupid young girl that frank miller's batman Is F**king! plain and simple. she does nothing but be a stupid blonde and honestly i'll say it "the weakest part of the dark knight returns is carrie" yeah there

second you're right DKSB does have serious moments but honestly can you take them serious with that crappy art? lol

and honestly I like dark knight strikes back

it just has so many flaws (at least in my view of the dark knight)

 

[Irony-Man]

The difference betweeen the orignal Dark Knight returns and the DK2 to me was that DKR was a fully realized and complete story that knew from the first panel where it was going. All good legends and myths must have a final act that completes them. Robin Hood, poisoned be Maid Marian shoots the arrow that finds his final resting point. Arthur sails off to Avalon to return at the time of Britain's need. These provide both closure and renewal to a character and an idea, and in some cases an era. DKR accomplished this by having Batman waiting to come on stage for one final act. His disappearance at the end provided hope for the future. Myths and legends also must reflect and resonate the time in which they are written. DKR was a reflection of Miller's view of the state of the world at the time he wrote it . By reading it, even if you didn't agree with it, you were forced to examine the real world and your place in it.

DK2, on the other hand tries to resolve the hope left at the end of DKR and by so doing diminishes it. There is never really any further development of the themes of DKR beyond that of "ultimate power corrupting ultimately". BY shoehorning Luthor and Brainiac into the plot the currency of its reflection of our times is lost. In DKR, the fear came out of the fact that the events were put in motion by "real" people, or at least Miller's reflection of them. In DK2, we have the standard comic book plot of evil villains teaming up to manipulate the world to their own ends. It was hardly groundbreaking.

In DKR, there was a linear quality to the story. Its focus, although not immediately revealed, was apparent throughout. It's why the enjoyment of reading it does not diminish with time but actually increases. Knowing how the story proceeds allows you to appreciate even more the elements that get you there.

DK2, on the other hand doesn't have that focus. It tries too hard to include random elements and tie up loose ends. It's inclusion of the original Robin in his new incarnation is a perfect example. A passing reference to an unknown fate of Grayson in DKR is turned into a extraneous incident in DK2 with weak motivation and exposition to back it up. It would have been far more satisfying to have Dick Grayson introduced earlier and developed as an actual character with understandable motivations, then to have a caricature of him summarily disposed of. It seemed like his inclusion was to provide a threat to the new Robin and answer the question as to his fate. The story would not have suffered at all if this entire subplot had been eliminated.

Finally, I too found the artwork disappointing. In DKR, the power of Batman as more an idea and will than an actual man was apparent from his dominance of every panel he was in. The Bat symbol became a totem of his idealism and power. Certain images still haunt me: Superman shriveled to a husk; Bruce hunched over the wheel of his race car; Batman exploding onto the scene in full costume. In DK2, the art appeared hurried and unfinished, almost as if it was a not quite complete draft. It conveyed what was happening but no more.

Anything Frank MIller does is going to be worth reading, but he himself set the bar high with DKR ; Batman - Year One, and his work on Daredevil. While I applaud his attempt to continue the story I'm disappointed in the result.

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

I have DKSA and I still haven't read them yet.

 

[Kool-Aid]

Well, reading is for dorks....

 

[CConn]

I downloaded it a few weeks ago.

Honestly...I dunno if I'll ever read it. DKR is just so damn good, I'd hate for my enjoyment of it to be tarnished by a subpar sequel.

 

[boywondernerdDC]

so many flaws

1. the ending (dick grayson would never ever end like that.Frank Miller raped the character

2. carrie being more of a **** by swallowing the atom

3.Superman finally crossing the line and killing the military (never would happen)

4. the art (lex luther looking like java the hut)

5. the whole turn around from the dark knight returns (comedy,crappy art,no message)

but other then that it's a good read lol

Spoiler

spolier tags, you should look into them

 

[crivelliman]

The reality is, Frank Miller went completely insane sometime in the mid-90's. Just completely bat**** crazy. Spawn/Batman, DK2, and All Star are just... completely ******ed.

 

[CConn]

The reality is, Frank Miller went completely insane sometime in the mid-90's. Just completely bat**** crazy. Spawn/Batman, DK2, and All Star are just... completely ******ed.

The comic 300 was really written and drawn by Frank's brother Fred. Fred Miller.

 

[Kaizer]

I have to say I simply loved The Dark Knight Strikes again, I don´t care if he *****ed up a character or two, it´s out of continuity anyway...the coloring is a bit too LSDish from time to time, but I can live with that...

 

[Cobblepot]

Then "Fred" must have written DKR aswell.

 

[bestever23]

Honestly I'd rather have that be true because frank miller was one of the best

 

[Marcus]

God, I just didnt understand the story behind it when I read it. It was all so confusing. Its been a long time since Ive read it, but do I remember correctly that you only see Batman in costume in the end of the story?

 

[MaskedManJRK]

God, I just didnt understand the story behind it when I read it. It was all so confusing. Its been a long time since Ive read it, but do I remember correctly that you only see Batman in costume in the end of the story?

Nope, you don't remember it correctly. We don't see him fully until the end of the first ISSUE, though.

 

[The Question]

Other than the spoilered bit, I enjoy it--plus, it has the motherf**kin' Question in it, and ANYTHING with ole' Vic Sage is awesome in my eyes.

Even Living Assualt Weapons?

What the holographic "president" looks like is a pretty strong political message.

He looked kind of like a middle aged Prez Rickard.