Overview
Hailed as a comics masterpiece, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns -- and its equally provocative sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again -- get the oversized Absolute treatment in a giant one-volume, slipcased edition! This Absolute edition features an extended sketch section from The Dark Knight Strikes Again with commentary by Miller, a look at the plot and pencils from the legendary finale to The Dark Knight Returns, a new introduction by Miller, striking new cover and slipcase art by Miller, and more!Synopsis
Hailed as a comics masterpiece, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns -- and its equally provocative sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again -- get the oversized Absolute treatment in a giant one-volume, slipcased edition! This Absolute edition features an extended sketch section from The Dark Knight Strikes Again with commentary by Miller, a look at the plot and pencils from the legendary finale to The Dark Knight Returns, a new introduction by Miller, striking new cover and slipcase art by Miller, and more!
Steve Raiteri - Library Journal
In 1986, Miller's excellent and highly acclaimed The Dark Knight Returns, along with Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's Watchmen, jolted American comics with a more mature take on superheroes. This volume in DC's oversized hardcover "Absolute" series collects that seminal story along with its less well-received sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again(2002). The influential Dark Knight Returnswas notable not only for its portrait of an aging, obsessive Batman returning to action after a decade of retirement, but also for its social and political satire, its portrayal of a world where superheroes are virtually outlawed, and its apocalyptic ending pitting Batman against government employee Superman. The sequel ratchets all of these story aspects up to an extreme; despite the enjoyable inclusion of many other DC heroes, scattered storytelling and sometimes unappealing artwork make it ultimately unsatisfying. A 70-page appendix features preliminary sketches and parts of an early Dark Knight proposal by Miller. The Dark Knight Returnsitself is essential for every library, and it certainly looks good in this larger format but the patchy quality of the sequel and the large price tag of this volume may convince some to stick with the cheaper trade edition.
Editorials
Library Journal
In 1986, Miller's excellent and highly acclaimed The Dark Knight Returns, along with Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's Watchmen, jolted American comics with a more mature take on superheroes. This volume in DC's oversized hardcover "Absolute" series collects that seminal story along with its less well-received sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again(2002). The influential Dark Knight Returnswas notable not only for its portrait of an aging, obsessive Batman returning to action after a decade of retirement, but also for its social and political satire, its portrayal of a world where superheroes are virtually outlawed, and its apocalyptic ending pitting Batman against government employee Superman. The sequel ratchets all of these story aspects up to an extreme; despite the enjoyable inclusion of many other DC heroes, scattered storytelling and sometimes unappealing artwork make it ultimately unsatisfying. A 70-page appendix features preliminary sketches and parts of an early Dark Knight proposal by Miller. The Dark Knight Returnsitself is essential for every library, and it certainly looks good in this larger format—but the patchy quality of the sequel and the large price tag of this volume may convince some to stick with the cheaper trade edition.—Steve Raiteri