What is this book about?

The dark knight returns is Frank Miller’s (300 and Sin City) reinvention of the legend of Batman.

It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired, and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now, when his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns striking fear into the criminal element. In the book he is joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenage female Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city, defeat old enemies, and also fight against his former friend and ally, Superman.

Why should you read this book?

The book is an undisputed classic, one of the most influential stories ever told in comics, and is the book cited by the filmmakers as an inspiration for most, if not all Batman movies.

I am inclined to reiterate that the reason to read any Batman book is how deeply rooted they are in the idea of family and what that means and how it affects the people and things around you. Just like these related posts (Batgirl Volume: 1, Batman, and Batman: Gotham knights).

However, I think the reason to read this book revolves around the “mutant” youth group, that have revolted against society. Who have taken up with a false god and forgotten all sense of order or rationality.

The Batman’s return changes all of that. He takes these children under his wing and trains them, teaches them; much like Tyler Durden, Hamato Yoshi, Oroku Saki, Mr. Kesuke Miyagi, etc etc to help teach them to find the right path. I know what you might be thinking, Tyler Durden? Oroku Saki? An anarchist and a terrorist helping children find the right path? Is that even possible?

Of course it is! It would appear that the reason this “mutant” youth group acted violently and chaotically is because they had nothing to fear anymore. Batman wasn’t around. So they thought they could get away with murder, and they did! But when Batman came back, many/most of them began worshiping Batman as their new “god,” so to speak, out of fear for the wrath of Batman. Same thing with Tyler Durden and Oroku Saki, even the noble Hamato Yoshi and Mr. Miyagi, used fear in some way shape or form to create order. Which is interesting when you consider the controversy this post created where I was wondering if the US armed forces can be compared to terrorists.

Which I suppose brings me to my discussion question…

Discussion: Are there other ways we can create order without using fear? (Please leave your comments in the comments section below, do not message or IM me with your answers)