| Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title: | Batman: The Dark Knight Returns |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Type: | Limited series |
| Years published: | June-December, 1986 |
| Total issues: | 4 |
| Featuring: | Batman (Bruce Wayne); Superman (Clark Kent); Joker |
| Creators: | Frank Miller; Klaus Janson; Lynn Varley; John Costanza; Dick Giordano; Denny O'Neil |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | — |
| Next: | The Dark Knight Strikes Again |
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is an American comic book limited series of the superhero fantasy genre. It is associated with the Batman line of titles and was published by DC Comics from June, 1986 to December, 1986, spanning a total of four issues. The series was written and illustrated by Frank Miller with inks by Klaus Janson. It was colored by Lynn Varley and lettered by John Costanza. Editing on the series was by Dick Giordano and Denny O'Neil.
Issues
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 1
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 2
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 3
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 4
Annuals & Specials
- Millennium Edition: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 1
Collections
- Batman Essentials: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Special Edition
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (HC)
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (TPB)
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: 10th Anniversary Edition
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: 30th Anniversary Edition
- DC Comics Essentials: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
- The Complete Frank Miller Batman 1
Notes & Trivia
- Batman was created by comic book writer Bill Finger and graphic artist Bob Kane. He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May, 1939. He received his first ongoing series, Batman, in the Spring, 1940 beginning with Batman #1.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns redirects to this page.
- Issue #1 of this series went to fourth printings.
- Issues #2-3 of this series went to third printings.
- Issue #4 of this series went to second printing.
- This series won the Comics Buyers Guide Fan Awards in 1986 for the category of Favorite Comic Book Story.
- This series won the Kirby Award for Best Finite Series in 1987.
- The events of this series take place in an alternate future timeline from that of the mainstream DC Universe. Information provided in the Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia in 2010 establishes this reality with the designation Earth-686 (Taken from June 1986, the year of release of the first issue).
- The main events of this series take place ten years after Batman goes into retirement.
- This series was adapted into two animated feature films, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, released in 2012, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, released in 2013.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is considered one of the two biggest "game-changing" comic book events of 1986 in terms of pushing the industry in bold new directions. The other is Alan Moore's Watchmen, which likewise went on to receive critical acclaim.
- A sequel series, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, was published by DC from November, 2001 to July, 2002, and ran for three issues. The book was written and illustrated by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley.