What is the Dark Knight Returns?

At Artoyz, we are all passionate about comic strip. Cult manga like Evangelion Or Akira, to comics as cult as they are from Marvel Or DC Comics, the ninth art occupies a large part of our discussions. But if there is a hero that I particularly like, it is good Batman. Black knight in several appearances cinematographic, television, on paper and, you see us coming, necessarily in figurine, he is a hero constantly changing since his creation in 1939. But how did we go from an Adam West Blagueur and Jovial in the 60s to a Robert Pattinson Grumpy and Psychorigid recently? The answer bears the name of The Dark Knight Returns.

What is the Dark Knight Returns?

In the beginning, there is the CCA ...

Following the publication of the book Seduction of the innocence, a moral panic around the comics is triggered. Publishers, fearing the promulgation of a law prohibiting comics, then grouped together to form the Comics Magazine Association of America and create it Comics Authority code, a self -regulation body that follows the following rules:

The representation of excessive violence and sexuality is prohibited.
Figures of authority should not be ridiculed or presented with a lack of respect.
The good must always triumph over evil.
The traditional characters of horror literature are prohibited
Advertisements for tobacco, alcohol, weapons, posters and postcards of stripped pin-ups are prohibited in comic books.
Mockery or attacks on any racial or religious group are prohibited.

... and Frank Miller

Frank Miller is a comic author recognized and criticized for its ultraconservatism. His notoriety took off in the 80s when he completely redefined the character of Daredevil The time of 42 numbers. He will then sail between clean creations, Sin City, 300, Ronin, and covers of already established universes, and one in particular: that of the black knight.

TDKR deflagration

We are in 1986, the CCA loses its importance, specialized shops flourish everywhere and the kioskins who refused to sell the comics not approved by the CCA are now a less important link in the BD distribution chain. Dick Giordano is at the head of DC Comics and tries to move away from the past lightness promoted by the publisher. He will ask Miller to deliver his vision of the black knight. The latter will therefore take charge of the writing of TDKR, namely an adventure by Bruce Wayne which is passing on the mask while he is 55 years old, comes out of depression and has a delicate health. Dark, violent and sublimely drawn, it is a cornerstone of the modern era of comics.

Another founding story

Un an plus tard, Miller réalisera, en tant que scénariste uniquement, Batman Year One. Origin Story de Batman, il travaillera de concert avec David Mazzucchelli, après avoir déjà œuvré avec lui sur Daredevil Born Again.

Of late consequences

In 2001-2002 arrived The Dark Knight Strikes Again, the direct sequel to TDKR. Sick work of a man helpless in the face of the September 11 attacks, it is a controversial comics that The Dark Knight III: The Master Race will make you forget in 2015 thanks to the writing talent of Brian Azzarello (100 bullets)

A story that inspires

TDKR still continues to inspire many authors who attack the black knight and one of the latest inspirations is none other than the film Batman V Superman of Zack Snyder which borrows a lot stylistically and scriptwriting from Miller's work.

Batman