The story begins 10 years after all the superheroes have made a deal with the government to “go away” essentially. As Superman later explains, Diana went back to her people, Green Lantern left the planet and so on. For some, this wasn’t the most ideal situation, but they tried to make the best of it.
The disappearance of the figure known as “the Batman” left something of a power vacuum in Gotham, allowing the entire city to go into ruin and become ruled by a group known as The Mutants. People live in fear. They’re robbed and killed on the streets without mercy or warning. Most people don’t even know if the Batman was real nowadays, or something more of an urban legend.
But it isn’t long before Bruce Wayne has had enough. No longer willing to just try and kill himself through ridiculous races and attempts to get his adrenaline going. It’s time to get back in action and save his city.
First up is Batman’s struggle against the mutants. They’re the ones who stand to be the largest threat in helping him reclaim Gotham. All the while one Harvey Dent is being released from the Arkham Home after being rehabilitated. At the same time, the U.S. government is dealing with a potential crisis with the Soviet Union. Remember, this story was originally written in the eighties, when the Cold War was still going on. So that plays heavily into the cultural background of the story.
That might sound like a lot, but THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS handles it deftly. Most of the plot lines I mentioned above are given a few scenes here and there just to lay groundwork. They’re more than happy to wait in the background until it’s their turn to come to the forefront.
It’s during Batman’s conflict with the Mutants that we’re introduced to Carrie Kelly, the new Robin. Initially Alfred is against bringing her on, but it’s a testament to Bruce’s loneliness that he’s so forceful about letting her stay. It’s almost heartwarming.
The problem with Batman coming back is, as Oliver Queen later tells him, he’s a loud kind of mysterious. He makes a lot of noise when he returns, not just physically, but politically. Even though the government is busy dealing with the larger problem of the Soviet Union, it doesn’t want to be embarrassed by learning its being ignored.
The real meat of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS comes from the movie’s second half. This is when everything kicks into high gear and everyone gives their best performances. Not only is Peter Weller amazing as the older Bruce Wayne, the second act introduces Mark Valley as Superman and Michael Emerson as the Joker.
After years of watching Mark Hamill own the throne that is the Joker, it was very interesting to have someone else come into the role in such a big way. Michael Emerson brings a level of sadistic pleasure that we rarely saw in Hamill’s Joker. This is a man who has waited years for Batman’s return and he’s going to show the whole city of Gotham how happy he is.
This leads to easily the most violent section of the entire movie. Rated PG-13, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS definitely goes as far as it can without pushing the animated film into a straight up R-rating. The fight between Batman and the Joker at the amusement park is full of blood and violence in a way we haven’t quite seen before.
But this violence isn’t unearned and that’s partially what makes it so fulfilling. We know as audience members that Batman and the Joker have been it at since the dawn of time. So we understand that when throws a batarang into the Joker’s eye, and even the Joker is surprised by it, that he’s had enough. It’s time to end this, for both of them. He’s finally going to rectify the mistake he’s made over and over again: letting the Joker live.
After the death of the Joker, it isn’t over yet. The conflict with the Soviet Union comes to a head, leaving Superman the one to redirect a nuclear missile into the air instead of hitting directly into the United States. The missile detonates an E.M.P. over the whole country, leaving everything and everyone without power. This forces Batman and Robin to take control of the city and lead Gotham to a peaceful resolution.
Unfortunately, Batman’s ability to save Gotham winds up being his undoing. He becomes perceived by the government as an embarrassment. That he can do what the government can’t. He flaunts the rules and just doesn’t care. So it’s time for him to go. Ready to serve whenever he’s called on, Superman takes up the job to take down the Batman.
What happens next is one of the most exciting action scenes in all of DC’s animated films. The climactic battle between Batman and Superman is certainly one of the film’s highlights. But ultimately this battle is a lesson for Batman, who finally learns that he can’t keep loudly rattling cages and expect not to get bitten.
In reality, the fight is against two men who are doing what they have to. Superman is constantly painted as something of an asshole in this movie and while he has his moments, he doesn’t actually want to hurt Batman. He tries to stop the fight several times, realizing that at any moment Bruce’s heart is going to give out.
This is even further evident by the very end of the story, when Bruce is “buried” and Clark hears his heartbeat coming back online. The wink he gives to Carrie signifies that he knows, but doesn’t care. He didn’t actually want to kill Bruce and so the two men have reached an understanding.
The Dark Knight Returns is a fitting adaptation of one of the best Batman stories. It elevates Batman to a more human character while also playing with the idea of the myth of Batman.
Written by Peter Freeman, TV & Animation Writer -- Click here to read Peter's posts.
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