What Happens When Batman Retires? Bat-Golfing? NOPE.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" is at the top of my Quite Large Comic Book Heap. I own hundreds of comics, and almost 50 collections, like this one, that are bound in a "trade paperback" format. More durable paper, better printing. "Dark Knight" is quite possibly the best "comic book" ever written; it's easily one of my Top Three, which in a rotating order (depends on what I've read most recently) are:

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller
Kingdom Come (see my other Epinions!!), by Alan Moore
Watchmen, by Mark Waid and Alex Ross

All three are volumes worthy of examination, not just as comic books, but as actual works of literature. All of them capture the essence of a Hero, a tradition that's as old as storytelling. All of them put the Hero in a new situation, unique to the latter part of the Twentieth Century. And all create a new lens through which we can see our own lives.

But this is only about one book.

I first read it in 1990, and immediately bought the trade paperback. Wore that copy out by about 1996, and bought a second trade paperback. Wore that out, and bought a leather-bound version last winter. This book is THAT good. Now I'm thinking that I need to buy another trade paperback version to read, and keep the leather-bound for the shelf.

A little bit on the plot of the book:

The story takes place ten years after Batman has retired. We don't know all of the details of his retirement, just that he has become weary, old, slower, and he decided to hang up the cape and cowl. After a period of travel, he tries doing "extreme" things like stock racing to get back into the adrenaline rush that superheroing gave him, but can't.

At the same time, the corruption of Gotham City has increased--crime has increased, the mayor is a sniveling boob; and somehow Ronald Reagan has retained the presidency for decades. All of this adds to Bruce Wayne's restlessness, and he has an epiphany/breakdown that makes him NEED to become Batman again.

What he, and the reader, eventually realize, is that he IS "Batman". Bruce Wayne is the facade, and Batman is who Bruce REALLY is. He can't "quit being Batman" until he dies.

There are some wonderful themes developed in this book;

The overarching theme is of course that of Batman's character, as a hero who is trying desparately to save HIS city, and thereby redeem his own tormented soul. He has finally come to the realization that he really can't do this alone, and in the course of the book we get to know his comrades--Alfred Pennyworth (Bruce Wayne's butler), Commissioner Gordon, and a new Robin, Carrie Kelly. We get to explore Batman's relationship with them, and see inside his mind and heart as we do. Unforgettable characterization--no other book does the job this does with Batman's motivations, demeanor, and even sense of humor. Beautiful writing of Batman.

Another basic element of the book (and most comics) is the relationship Batman has with his villains. We see him confront Two-Face, Joker, the Police, a gang called the Mutants, and even a brief encounter with Selina Kyle (Catwoman). We see that these people need Batman as much as he needs them, in a very strange, symbiotic way. The relationship with Joker is the most intriguing and disturbing, but adds a vibrant luster to an already multifaceted gem.

A further extension of Batman's relationship with his allies and enemies is found in the scenes with Superman. You'd assume that Batman and Superman are the best of friends, and on some level they are. Similar goals, similar motivation, and they've worked together many times. Both are seen as the Ultimate Hero. The differences in their methods, though, put them at odds against each other in this book. There are other, subtle differences, but the two do eventually come to blows. Very very very interesting stuff.

This book makes you think. About friendships, about what's most important in your own life. About sacrifices you've made, and about the times you've backed down.

The artwork, also by Frank Miller, is beautiful. Very dark, very "gritty", but gives us a clear representation of Gotham and Batman at its best and worst. Why does a city like Gotham NEED a Batman? Looking at how the city is represented, there's no doubt. No police force, even under Commissioner Gordon, could stem the corruption in Gotham. They need Batman.

This was written in 1986, and something that seems very prescient reading it in 2001 is the overwhelming presence of the MEDIA in the book. Every chapter has several television broadcasts which interrupt it, and we see pundits excusing away the heinous crimes of Joker and Two-Face, saying they're just misunderstood--themselves victims of mental illness. We see the maneuverings of the politicians trying to stay on the good side of the public, putting a positive spin on the re-emergence of Batman.

Most of all, we see what it is to be a Hero. Not just the heroism of Batman, but the heroism that's accessible to everyone. I don't think there's been a time I've read this book that I haven't gotten misty-eyed, and sometimes cried. It's a very cathartic book.

This is all well and good, but you're thinking, "I don't even LIKE Batman." Or comic books. They're silly, for kids. You need to check this book out at the library. Read it like you would any other book, don't bring baggage into it. It's definitely not the Adam West Batman, or even the Michael Keaton Batman. It is a moving story about a man who finds his purpose in life; that purpose becomes an obsession that he can't live without. It is the story of his friends and family, and even his enemies. All together, it becomes the final chapter of a heroic saga that's been told since 1939, and is worthy of being told to your children and grandchildren.