Hot take: The hype around Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns is way overblown

I was at my local shop, Cosmic Comics in Austin, last Saturday for their weekly pull list pickup, and someone tried to tell me The Dark Knight Returns is the greatest comic ever. Three years ago, I finally read it cover to cover, and I just don't see it. The art is gritty but messy in a way that feels dated, not timeless. The story has some cool moments, but the whole "Batman beats Superman" thing feels forced and preachy. Plus, the way Miller writes women is honestly kind of cringey now. I get that it changed comics, but so did a lot of other books that hold up better. Am I the only one who thinks this book gets a free pass just because of its reputation?

2 comments

2 Comments

caseym4823d ago

Did you ever go back and try reading Year One after it to see the difference? That book holds up way better than DKR. Its like theyre from two different writers honestly.

valh3223d ago

Honestly @caseym48 nailed it, Year One feels way more real and doesn't try so hard.