Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (1986) - Comic Story Explained

[@dannymalt]

Story starts at 4:40 for those that want to get right into it and skip my intro. This is arguably one of the most popular Batman stories ever written. This was the first real adult superhero comic I ever read, it was my gateway into the world of comics, so I will always have real sentimental attachment to it. Hope you all enjoy my coverage on it. Does the book hold significance for any of you? Do you agree with its place in comic history, or is it overhyped? Let me know your thoughts.

[@21broadway]

Absolutely!! I think this comics was exactly that for a lot of us!

[@ethanware5034]

I wonder would you ever do the kick ass comics that will be 👍 to do love work u do for all ur videos

[@dangusmomangus3003]

May I suggest madman or the invisibles?

[@rayhumphrey5971]

@@21broadway po 9

[@infinitegear6777]

please explain wolf among us comics

[@roberthoward5015]

I can see the love you have for this book on your face.. I really appreciate you telling us about how it started in your life.. keep on being real my friend.. you rock..

[@blacksuede]

The 1st GN I've read and was completely blown away as a 10yr old in 1991.

[@dannymalt]

For me, it was the same thing except as a 16 year old in 2004.

[@drmrboi5345]

Great Stuff! Love this one! The panel early on where Bruce is kinda hanging upside-down and in the shadow he has the bat ears. Too cool!

[@belle7087]

thankyou this is a lifesaver for my graphic narratives exm

[@dannymalt]

What other graphic novels did your course cover? I might think about covering them one day.

[@belle7087]

@@dannymalt ah great! we have, Art Speigelman's Maus Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis Amruta Patil's Kari. it's a lovely graphic narrative about a 20 something queer person discovering themselves in a heteronormatic Indian society

[@jaynewman6420]

I also love this book. Frank Miller does 'gritty' very well. I think his art works very well for this type of book. I think it might be my favorite batman book, also. I also loved the two sequels, though they aren't quite as good as this one, though my favorite thought comes from the second. It's either from Hal or the narrator: Alien races come to Earth, then run back home, for fear of the only race with orbital defenses that point down to themselves. It's a paraphrase, sorry, but I don't have access to these books right now.

[@dakotaloven1362]

“You don’t get it do you punk, this isn’t a mud pit, it’s an operating table…..and IM the surgeon” -old man Batman lol

[@evos469]

Excellent job. I'm with you about the staff at Arkulm that their idiots. I wouldn't let his discomposed body out if I had to just on principle.

[@rodneyhayban4398]

Danny i loved dis so much as well as d animated movies i wish there was a part 3 to d movie n dis comic they talked bout jason they could give us red hood i would lov dat

[@LovevonMelenEkman]

I loved this reading so much..!

[@rustygazes256]

I like his narrative.

[@fredricotraversiere8868]

hello Dannymalt your video is awesome hey you should check DC vs vampires ok please 😀👍

[@dannymalt]

I’m reading it. Once it’s done I might cover it. Also Dark Knights of Steel (Tom Taylor) is also pretty cool.

[@fredricotraversiere8868]

yes dark knight of steel is awesome you should read it it's cool 😀😎👍❤

[@dandata8586]

Yess!!! Finally 😀

[@ritabandas]

There is another part to this I think, The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Would you recommend it?

[@dannymalt]

It’s not good. But for curiosity’s sake you may want to read it.

[@sonicdihedgehog1]

You planning on doing some Marvel related Stuff like Punisher MAX Series, Daredevil Omega Effect, Marvel Zombies, Spider-Man Family Business, Spider-Man lifeline, Spider-Man: Full Circle, Spider-Man Fairy Tales, and possibly Noir.

[@iamthewizardwhoknocks2845]

No.

[@sonicdihedgehog1]

@@iamthewizardwhoknocks2845 I wasn't talking to you.

[@spiderjerusalem4009]

MAX mayhaps, but the rest, doubt that he'd like to storystell such ol' cliche mainstream supes

[@mgs2014]

You're doing a frank miller comics. please give me clearance and if you're doing that cover Ronin comic.i can't buy comics in my country and I can't wait for that.thank you

[@dannymalt]

This Miller was just a one-off, doing non-Miller next few weeks. But I might circle back and do that Ronin one. Let me give it a read and see.

[@mgs2014]

do it i will be grateful and thank you.

[@mangrove]

50.05 the sex expert was based on Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

[@derekdecker555]

Im gonna be totally honest, and I swear I’m not just being a contrarian; I despise this book. I get that Bats had to get a public makeover to distance himself from the corny era, but good god… feels so forced edgy to me. Catwoman, an old whore. Alfred strokes out and dies. Superman, a limp noodle cowed by a corrupt government. Batman, who’s been grieving for Jason for a decade just suddenly picks a new Robin who’s big skill is slingshotting, calls Jason a “good soldier” (I guess his decade of reflection brought him to the conclusion that he did nothing wrong and Jason dying was just how the cookie crumbled) and then he recruits a whole army of under aged kids. The Joker breaking his own neck after killing a bunch of children. Why not have someone stomp on a litter of puppies while we’re at it. Like, I get it, it’s grim dark. Also, I don’t think the cops would seriously have an issue even if Bats beat the joker to death in front of them; weird take to have the most corrupt police force in comics see a dead MASS MURDERER and be like “hey man, that’s not cool, he had rights!” And why is every normal person sooooooo stupid in this book? Idk, I just never got this one and I know I’m in the minority there, and I’m glad other people enjoy it. Just not my cup’o’tea at all.

[@bigkk8814]

They made a animated movie on this book

[@laverdadescatolica5]

BVS 😃

[@greenentertainment3428]

This and watchmen are the best pieces of fiction that does political commentary at its best. That it provides having political commentary isn't a bad thing

[@Briaaanz]

"V for Vendetta" as well

[@spiderjerusalem4009]

even watchmen has that "under the hood" novel

[@forrestdorman4870]

It’s commentary without the modern day preaching of current comics. There’s no, “Did you know youre terrible for X Y Z?”

[@MutantsInDisguise]

​@@forrestdorman4870you are surely one of the emotional morons who think woke is synonymous to bad.

[@kenkenny6196]

I am a proud OWNER of this 4 comic book series CGC 9.8 ALL signed by Frank Miller. One of the greatest things I own and considered the BEST Batman series ever written and one of the best comic book series EVER written. I have all action figures that pertain to this series and I mean all of them. BTW Watchmen is my 2nd FAVORITE also considered great comic fiction.

[@dannymalt]

A 9.8 signed by Miller, super nice! How much does one of those issues go for? Watchmen is my #1, and DKR my #2.

[@kenkenny6196]

@@dannymalt The set is about $15K

[@dandata8586]

Recently saw the movie version. Probably the best Batman movie ever (that includes the Nolan adaptation)

[@femto9886]

The movie is awesome

[@Dr0]

Joker was definitely terrifying here; he was at his best as a fairly realistic psycho. Also, I liked how the Batman vs Superman fight went, it wasn't like Batman would have an easy win, he heavily relied on Superman being weakened and having Green Arrow as his card up the sleeve plus the armour and knowing that Superman wasn't going at him with everything, because they are still friends

[@theanonymousterryhall5419]

@Dannymalt, you should check out 'Irredeemable', think you and your audience would appreciate it.

[@brandonsmith7827]

Wooo! Thank you for this one Danny! Been looking for more Batman stories :)

[@doomguydemonkiller]

One of my favorite Batman comic books! Awesome that you're covering it, can't wait to see The Batman. Edit: Is there a possibility you would do a movie review for The Batman? Would like to hear your thoughts on the movie.

[@dannymalt]

Yeah I think I will try and do so.

[@danielhughes5932]

Man right from the opening you can tell Miller had recently watched taxi driver. So good

[@zackalexon7020]

The 60s to abt mid 90s the superhero comic genre was basically Power Rangers And I'm really glad there are rare epic ones like TDKR, Sandman, death in the family, killing joke, batman year one, and Watchmen

[@PikeBishop1]

Daredevil TMWF and Born Again.

[@Endoe.McKronic]

I found with most of Danny's stuff... you need to watch it before it's taken down by other companies or KZbinrs. Keep up the GREAT WORK DANNY BOY!!

[@Kirill-ur8sq]

Awesome goddamn Pure Inspiration right from Miller and from Your voice as well. I liked the Two face appearence most. He was no Bandage face badass shooting from the roof. BatTank was also one Final Desicion weapon pretty cool...

[@DurpMcSchnurp]

Loved the intro, thanks for sharing your story! ❤️

[@CatAtomic99]

I've always loved how the heat wave, and its eventual breaking when Batman returns, is used to reinforce the theme.

[@devinlovin1578]

Thanks Danny!! Gonna listen to this while I try to get things done today, you guys help a lot

[@williamlewis8492]

If only batman v superman would have stuck to this story line, would have been a much better experience, especially the mud pit scene. Nice video dude.

[@infinitegear6777]

please explain wolf among us comics

[@21broadway]

This lead me to Frank Miller's Ronin, and into finding more adult comics rather than spandex and super powers. Really, this lead me into manga.

[@Oliver20026]

Can I just point out two things. I think Batman killed Joker. I interprete his conversation with Joker as Bruce justifying breaking his one rule. In Bruce’s mind he didn’t kill joker, joker killed himself. Also, I think Batman shot that thug, the panel is painted Grey as if to signify Batmans moral code slowly decreasing (also the speech bubbles on the final panel with Joker is also coloured Grey) Just my opinion :)

[@MutantsInDisguise]

Is it a question, or you just forgot quotation signs?

[@danielhughes5932]

At 14:30 its important to know the thought bubbles on maybe one of the greatest panels of all time. Its raining in Gotham, and it's invigorating being back under the cowl. He says he feels like he's "30 again, no, 20." He equates the downpour soaking him as a type of baptism. The dark knight has RETURNED

[@susanfit47]

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns dystopian style would soon transcend comics, directly influencing Tim Burton's Batman, Batman Returns and Batman: The Animated Series.

[@MutantsInDisguise]

The 92 cartoon had no cues from Miller, but comics from the Bronze Age comics.

[@ebilo6]

Came here after joe rogan to understand why snyder wants to make this story so much in cinema

[@byronschexnayder875]

💕🖤 LOVE IT 💜💕💕🖤 LOVE IT 💜💕💕🖤 LOVE IT 💜💕 DARK KNIGHT IS 💕🌌🖤 SO AMAZING 🖤🌠💕

[@luciano__565]

This is one of my favorite Batman stories, although the next stories in this universe (except for the last crusade imo) are awful, TDKR will always have a special place for me, it was one of the stories that made me a Batman fan

[@Doughy_in_the_Middle]

Bruno in "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" is the original "We don't talk about Bruno."

[@enoid1138]

Ooohhhh man!! Been watching your channel since you were covering The Boys. Even all the way thru your Invincible saga. To see ypu here and reading TDKR oh man I can't wait! Your channel is my gateway to the world of comics! Keep up the great work ill always be here to add views to your count

[@kenis77]

Would love to see "Batman Year100". 🙏

[@Sharkboy328]

I don't want to watch this video because i want to read the comic however I'm so confused buy the order and how many they are (batman dark night returns) but then there is a Golden child someone help please i want to read all of it and is there a deluxe edition for all in one

[@dannymalt]

The only ones that are legitimately great are Batman Year One and The Dark Knight Returns. Some of them are not that good. They were not published in order, it all began with Dark Knight Returns in 1986, so there is an argument to start with that one. But this is the full Frank Miller Batman-Universe in Chronological Reading Order: 01 - Batman Year One (1987) 02 - Superman Year One (2019) 03 - All Star Batman & Robin (2008) 04 - Spawn: Batman (1994) 05 - Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade (2004) 06 - The Dark Knight Returns (1986) 07 - The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2002) 08 - The Dark Knight III: The Master Race (2017) 09 - The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child (2019)

[@JohnnyBoy8141]

I've read this book more times than I can count. Also watched the animated movie more times than I can count lol. Made Batman the badass he is still to this day. Frank Miller is a legend.

[@dannymalt]

What do you think of the sequels?

[@JohnnyBoy8141]

@@dannymalt I didn't really care for them that much. I didn't like the whole invulnerable Dick Grayson in Dark Knight Strikes again, it was just meh to me. Master Race had too many tie ins and I couldn't really get into it. Nothing was gonna be better than the TDKR in my eyes. Also RIP Kevin Conroy. He was always the definitive Batman voice for me. Sad he's gone.

[@amaro8818]

57:52 great joker laugh 👍😆, could not have done it any better. Keep up the great work.

[@letskeepitanonymus8279]

I found this a night before my exam I'm so thankful

[@dannymalt]

What other graphic novels does your course cover? I might consider covering them.

[@miminoran8948]

This story sucks to me but to each their own

[@leyenda6149]

Oooooooh!!!!!!

[@johnw7565]

LET’S GO!!!

[@BrotherWulfe]

Yyeeessss. I loved this comic! And the movies!

[@perfectblue8443]

This is great

[@kenkenny6196]

I hope that a MOVIE adaption of this is made but it has to be perfect.

[@dannymalt]

There is a two part animated movie that did a pretty good job adapting it, check it out. But yeah no real live action one yet (despite Snyder trying to sort of touch on parts of it),

[@blakemcnamara9105]

I wish I had the means and the position to do it. The key to getting that right is to follow the comic as a script and to get the look right. Gotham, as a character, has to be made scary and claustrophobic but also gaudy and glitzy. The bright colours contrasted with dark shadows are what really make that book aesthetically-speaking. Also the political subtext and satire must be kept.

[@kenkenny6196]

@@blakemcnamara9105 Thank you for the REPLY BTW I just saw this comic lost like $500 in value wow I am pissed I own a CGC 9.8 with Frank Miller signature (actually I own the entire 4 part series all CGC 9.8)

[@joshuagraham2843]

i know DK 2 sucked due to bad coloring until black and white version is waaay better than original colored it gives me sin city vibe with black white noir

[@ianfontanet4230]

I remember seeing the animated movie version of this comic, it was actually pretty good.

[@dextermorgan6665]

There's 2 of them right? And another one I really liked the animated version of Batman year one I recommend that especially to the big batman fans

[@ianfontanet4230]

@@dextermorgan6665 Thanks. I'll may sure to watch that soon.

[@Briaaanz]

Taking about formative comics... got my college roommate to read, "Gotham by Gaslight" when it came out. After that, it was easy to get him hooked on Sandman, V for Vendetta, Watchmen.

[@rodneyhayban4398]

❤😊 keep up d great work ur doin im goin tru all yr playlist rite nw i love all comics especially horror

[@Mr_Infamous9833]

28:11 I'm pretty sure batman man killed that mutant, just like how he kills the joker later in the story.

[@powerbad696]

Didn't like the art work in this series,thought it was trash,Miller draws horrible women that look like men.Klaus redrew most of Miller's women's faces.Thank God.Miller's artwork got more bizzare and weird with each Batman series,they were a hot mess.I did like the animated film tho and I'll give it to Miller coming up with an original story for Batman at the time,instead of retread stories of the Joker,Riddler,etc,etc,...

[@partofthetribe3277]

Word

[@nigelboakye1492]

So bat girl doesn't wear a mask but the same glasses she wears every day

[@dolphinboy152]

I know this seems random to ask on a Batman video, but I was looking up East of West videos bc I want to get I into the comic and I could have sworn you covered it on your channel. Did the videos get taken down or something? @Dannymalt

[@dannymalt]

Nope never covered that book. I read a bit and didn’t get into it, but I may try it again.

[@louislogie2654]

Greatest story ever told

[@laverdadescatolica5]

No. Daredevil 190-191 (by Frank Miller). The Death of Elektra (190) and when Daredevil goes to see a paraplegic Bullseye with a gun (191).

[@facundosilva6087]

"Ha llegado la hora. Lo sabes en lo más profundo de tu alma"

[@partofthetribe3277]

The artwork is really crude at some points in this

[@jameshanna490]

if you not have read it, check out the sin city books

[@mikecarmona6380]

I love this book.it set the standard for the rebirth of Batman. Congrats you outdone your self this time. You need to do the follow up story's next although not as good I think . But still nice to revisit once again.👍👍

[@dannymalt]

I think I will do the sequel one day. But I remember hating it, lol. So I am in no rush. But for curiosity sake, will be worth doing.

[@dextermorgan6665]

For real tho Batman is an absolute savage in this one

[@acultcalleddrip9]

10 month year old, I like it ser.

[@RawB242]

i enjoyed this more than i thought i would! nice!

[@juanisol8275]

👏😍 epic!! Nice plot twist!

[@Pirategod23]

My favorite comic

[@fz4988]

Do the rest of the books

[@damaniqphillip2756]

Sweet

[@maribelringer2138]

80s.....

[@oreliendaniel1886]

I Enjoyed it

[@iamjabby3688]

Thanks danny

[@c.j4209]

Omg YES!!!!!!

[@sethswint1396]

Superman wasn’t even trying to kill him in the book. U know full well if Superman put real effort into killing Batman, Superman would win 😂. He don’t even have to be near him to kill him. Plus he was weakened by that nuke that had nothing to do with Batman.

[@dannymalt]

Lol. I mean you are right Superman was barely trying to win the fight, and Batman was going all out. It reminds me of when you are playing a game against someone, like a little brother or something, and you know you are 100 times better than them so you barely try, to keep it competitive at least.

[@SHIT2TITS]

God damn. I so glad you covered the Dark Knight Returns. I read this novel in high school and wrote a paper on it.