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Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again; Collection 1 of 3 Volumes by Frank Miller ISBN: 1-56389-844-6 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.99 (163 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Shocking Yes - Challenging No - Missed Opprotunities
Comment: Arguably the greatest comic storyteller ever, Frank Miller, misses many great opprotunities to tell a compellling story about the relationship of superheroes, humankind,and the battle for good over evil. Instead, he relies on cheap, childlike (although, most of his story is anything but for children)crack shots at politicians, political pundits, and other modern icons.
First, as one can read from a previous review, I have loved most of Miller's work. He is normally insightful with a keen ability to discuss contemporay issues in comic format. Further, he has in the past, made moral statements about society and government in a way that, regardless if one agrees, makes one think and ponder a better world.
In this sequel to probably one of the greatest comic stories ever, "The Dark Knight Returns," Miller has trouble connecting the many different story lines and as a result, he goes off on red herrings such as "superherochicks" and pot shots at obivious renditions of John Ashcroft, Donald Rumsfield, George Will, and the list goes on and on.
The inital or main story, that Batman comes out of his hiding place after three years of self-imposed exile, to fight the system ran by villians like Brainiac and Lex Luthor, is all but distracted by the multiple subplots and pot shots. The possibly potential stories of use are brilliant, but there is not enough focus to warrent real interest. Also, the finale between Batman and Robin (Dick Grayson) lacks any real power and I personal came away disapoointemnt that this route of despair (Robin) was taken. The Superman rival Batman plot line is old and though somewhat developed, one wonders if Miller could not have put more creative work and taken another route with these two loved characters.
I think this may be one reason why the three books, though highly anticpated and recieved large amounts of pubilicty before release, has received little attention during the release. It just is not that good. The art work is at times interesting, but is often distracted. There are some good one liners, but that does not make a story. I hope Miller seeks a retro-path next time out and writes with substance and not for shock - it is neither challenging.
Rating: 2
Summary: Lots of payoff, but no setups
Comment: I simply did not enjoy this. Not because it wasn't like the first DK, and not because Batman wasn't in it very much. But because Miller throws so much at you without really setting it up or allowing you to find even the smallest scrap of emotional involvement. I understand that there were strong feelings and a need to express them that went into this work. But that doesn't necessarily translate into a successful piece of art.
Characters show up without introduction to simply act as ways to push the story forward (hello, Saturn Girl and Martian Manhunter). Some show up so they can die in confusing and poorly set up conflicts (a big shout out the the Martian Manhunter again). The ones that do stick around don't seem to have any strong motivations. Sure, you can find them between the lines, in some cases, but the lines in this story are so dense and confusing, it's not really worth the effort. Rereadings have merely given me a headache. If there is a deeper story here, it's told in a way that lacks resonance.
The ending seems tacked on from a different story. There would be more of a surprise from the villain the authors obviously hoped you'd be shocked by if he'd been foreshadowed a bit more. The final conflict just doesn't seem to fit.
Finally, the satire. Miller is shooting fish in a barrel here, and he's using the biggest gun he could find. Agree with him or not, the hamfisted attempts at satire are a bit embarassing. Howard Chaykin did this sort of "media commentary over the story" much better in his American Flagg.
There are some spectacular scenes. Some ideas I would have liked to see explored. Some great payoffs. But without any real set up, a payoff is just... well.. sound and fury, signifying not much of anything.
Rating: 3
Summary: Lacks the richness of the 1st Dark Knight series.
Comment: Did I like this comic series sequel??? Yeah, it was okay.
I enjoyed book number 1 the best with the introduction of the Atom and his rescue from a petri dish. I enjoyed the concept of The Flash running inside of a generator, like a gerbil in a wheel, supplying the world with electricity. I enjoyed seeing Carrie Kelly grow up and take charge of Batman's growing army like the good little soldier she is. Seeing Superman get his butt kicked again by Batman and finding solace in the arms of his former lover and the mother of his daughter, Wonder Woman.
The rest of the stories were, in my opinion, all over the place. Going from one sub plot to another and then another. What is sad about that is that it made the character Batman just another figure in his own story. I wanted to see more of him and his struggles with his aging body, his ever calculating mind, his leadership towards others and that never ending fight inside him to fight crime.
That is why the 1st series, The Dark Knight Returns, was so succssful. I knew what Batman was going through at all times and it was like I was also going through the same thing with him.
Oh, yeah... what is the deal with making Dick Grayson a bad guy Joker wanna be who is upset over being fired by Batman all those many years ago??? Kinda came out of left field with that sub plot.
As I stated in my title... this Dark Knight series lacks the richness of the 1st Dark knight series.
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Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller ISBN: 1563893428 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 May, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Batman: Year One by Frank Miller ISBN: 0930289331 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Kingdom Come (Graphic Novel) by Mark Waid, Alex Ross ISBN: 1563893304 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Batman: Dark Victory by Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale ISBN: 1563898683 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons ISBN: 0930289234 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 April, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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