It's Way Past Time You Learned What It Means To Be a Man

That was what Batman said to Superman in his head in the last panel on page 190.

What I really like about Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is how he exaggerates the characteristics of each character in the book, the not-too-hidden easter eggs, and not to mention of course, his art.

So what is it about this book that intrigues me that much? Maybe its the way I secretly thought the characters would end up, but had always hated to admit to the possibility.
Harvey Dent- he would finally get a new face. But with all those years as Two-Face, his mind has been completely distorted. With his hidden evil side maybe fully exposed for all those years, his new face is just a way to escalate his evilness- completely good on the outside, and completely bad on the inside.
Joker- even in the first book, Joker had always been portrayed as the evil knight that fights against the dark knight. The knight in shining arm with a blood-dripping sword in his hand, in the same way as Batman, battling for what he truly believes in. He is the counterpart to the hero. After all those years of quiescence, his "evil crime" button is finally reactivated after he hears news of the reappearance of Batman.
Catwoman- becomes in charge of an escort company. For me, I never fully agreed with how Selina and Bruce would end up happily ever after and have kids. In my mind, Catwoman is just way to independent to rely on a man and be trapped in the spell of love. Of course, after she gets old, she would probably do something that she had done in her earlier years- be pretty and steal from rich people, only this time she has other young girls to do it for her, and that others actually pay her for the girls.

Main characters-
Superman- As a die hard DC fan, Superman has always been my least favorite character. I even can say that I love the majority of the villains more than Superman. Of course, there would be another war between Superman and Batman: their beliefs are different. Growing up in a loving family, living where the crime rate is lower and the authority figures are so much less "compromised," and have women faun over you and not have to worry about it, the big boy scout has never been truly exposed to the evil in this world. Bruce knows what is out there is rotten. The fight between the two heroes (which of course Bruce wins ALL THE TIME, thank god) only strengthens the bond between the two. However, his goody-two-shoes attitude towards life, is what really irritates me the most.


Another thing that I wanted to mention was the "easter eggs."
One of which, people may be puzzled with the most: why was Selina dressed in a Wonder Women suit?
Answer: The easy answer is that the Joker wants to send a message to the super hero, that he should be careful because the Joker is finally on the prowl now. Wonder Woman, along with Superman and Batman are the three main founding figures of the Justice League and that they are the main characters in the DC world. Another thing, and many may not know- if you have spend countless nights binge reading DC comics like me, you would know that in one version of the story, Bruce Wayne actually has a romantic relationship/attraction with Diana. Joker is using this to send another "romantic" message.


This comic is a true piece of art. The panel transitions, the perspectives, and even the words. What hit me the most was when Bruce was recapping the scene of the murder where his parents died (P22-26): by using moment to moment panel transitions, it seems as if time has slowed down, or even stopped. With the simple use of cold colors and black, it becomes a very powerful scene.
Even on page 36, first "panel," the flying car is drawn inside of the words, making the outlines of the word the border of the panel.

It was because of the solid character buildup, the unique techniques, and the twists in plot and secret messages, the comic book becomes really attractive and sucks the audience right in. This is the comic book that I need to learn from.