Batman: The Dark Knight Returns By Frank Miller
In a world where Commissioner Gordon doesn’t take stock in Harvey Dent’s new bill of health, but Bruce Wayne supports his recovery, Wayne’s recap of explaining his first bat cave experience was at the age of 6. There’s more recap of his parents death night, the Batman going on a mega-successful bad guy-catching night. It’s also mentioned of an underling whom is loyal to another having been commissioned by Dent to manufacture some bombs, the type intriguing his employer. Batman catches Dent and he stays in hospital to recover. Commissioner Gordon is attacked, he killing his underage assailant, and Carrie now masquerading like Robin.
She sees Batman getting his ass beat by the mutant leader of the gang the teen wannabe assassin came from. She helps Batman survive his fight, the mutant leader giving a statement to the press. Meanwhile, Carrie accompanies Bruce to the cave, despite Alfred’s warnings, Dent being considered for a controlled release from Arkham. Alfred is skeptical by Bruce’s decision to team up with Carrie as the mayor is killed by the mutant leader whilst visiting him in jail.
Mutant leader “breaks” out and is met with a face off with Batman, whom is victorious, has a conversation with Superman, whom advises what’d happen if he was asked to bring Bruce in, the two parting ways. New commissioner is ready to arrest Batman and he’s readying to fight through any cop standing in his way. Meanwhile, Joker is being interviewed on a late night talk show and threatening mass murder, then follows through, being caught by Batman at a carnival, but Joker finishing himself off. A bomb goes off in the city where Gordon’s wife could’ve been effected, Superman looking skeletal as he attempts flying to the sun.
Batman gets to Gotham on horseback as the people are looting, one man butt hurt for being treated like a thug after he had stolen a gun and shot a fella once this dude had moved toward his gun, Batman leaving the fool with broken ribs and in a neck brace. Gotham doesn’t see sunlight for a week, the bomb having given the environmental effects of nuclear war. Batman and Superman then face off and Bruce sustains a heart attack during their fight and dies. Alfred has a stroke and also doesn’t make it, but not before destroying Wayne Manor and all evidence inside.
Superman did realize Bruce’s ruse upon hearing his heartbeat in the cemetery, Robin having explained after digging him up. The two plus his followers set up in the cave preparing themselves for whatever war comes at them in the future, Bruce suspecting they had years to train. Another well-flowing Batman story, definitely enjoyed Carrie’s origin piece. I do ever so enjoy Batman.
