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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2
The iconic series continues as a new Robin debuts and a gang of violent mutants stakes a claim on the streets of Gotham City. Unfortunately for them, The Dark Knight is about to prove that these streets are his, and he has a battle tank of a Batmobile to back him up! This series contains material suggested for mature readers.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
35 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Frank Miller
1,355 books5,349 followersFrank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 1, 2023
Batman returns to a city that is destroying itself; a city that now needs him more than ever. But the central question is this: did the city leave Batman or did Batman leave the city? A subtle difference - but one that questions (on a deeper level) why societies fall apart. For Batman the question has never been more pressing: to save the city does he have to lose himself?
February 15, 2018
Really cool seeing Batman struggle due to ikd age. The introduction to Robin was also cool. Awesome old school graphics.
July 6, 2017
Wow, I'm really loving this whole new take on Batman and Robin by Miller..
It's dark and gritty and the artwork certainly brings it to a whole new level...
I'm straight off to the next one!!
It's dark and gritty and the artwork certainly brings it to a whole new level...
I'm straight off to the next one!!
December 12, 2023
Outstanding. This transcends genre.
January 24, 2021
In a comic book, as in the real world, no matter how firmly you are on the good side, fighting the good fight, there will always be naysayers and doubters, those who judge you unfairly. You can't have everyone on your side.
Don't let that ever stop you, Bats.
Don't let that ever stop you, Bats.
April 13, 2015
Batman finished off the leader of the Mutants gang. And the gang itself dissolved into several gangs including a gang that is called the Sons of Batman, enforcing law by unjust force.
Was he right or was he wrong? It's not even a question. Of course he had to take out the head of the snake. Of course he had to show them that their leader can be taken out, and that each and every one of them can be taken out as well. That alone can make them doubt their motives.
He needed to plant the seed of doubt in them, so that when he chases the remnants of the gang, the resistance will be much easier.
Was he right or was he wrong? It's not even a question. Of course he had to take out the head of the snake. Of course he had to show them that their leader can be taken out, and that each and every one of them can be taken out as well. That alone can make them doubt their motives.
He needed to plant the seed of doubt in them, so that when he chases the remnants of the gang, the resistance will be much easier.
October 5, 2017
Holy Moly– YES.
As someone who thoroughly disliked Man of Steel and didn't finish the Dark Knight movie, I have to say that this graphic novel series was surprisingly fantastic and showed me something about DC that the movies just didn't communicate to me.
First of all, this was my first graphic novel, so I may just be reeling from this new style I've been exposed to. But I cannot deny how much the style, art, and story absorbed me from the very beginning.
For people like me who have never read a graphic novel or superhero comic before, I'll lay out the main things about this read that surprised me that I liked:
1) The style was like watching a really old cartoon– in each panel, you can tell that there is almost a shocking amount of thought going into the components and layout of each panel. It's more poignant than a movie because every single panel/frame tells a miniature story of it's own. I didn't know that the position and dialogue of the characters mattered so much– I'm used to funny comics, so I didn't consider the careful design of the story through the panels in Dark Knight Returns. It was super cool because it was like a game where the goal is to find all the information/symbolism in a picture (speech bubbles, posters in the background, color, lighting, etc). It was like a powerful storyboard to a movie– I could almost hear a soundtrack!
2) Satisfying characters. Although the backstories of the characters are not fleshed out as much as in a book or movie, the character art, dialogue, and storyline is so masterfully designed/plotted out that it makes up for the lack of words (as in a book) or screentime (as in a movie). I particularly thought the speech choices for Clark Kent and Commissioner Gordon said a lot about their characters in a way that was to the point and almost better than reading a book or watching a movie. I hate every DC movie I've seen (with the exception of Wonder Woman :)), and this book does a much better job of handling the characters than the movies, in my opinion. I've always been uncomfortable with Batman because I didn't understand his motivation or how we were supposed to think of him– but, reading this, I get now that he's troubled and you're supposed to go-"heyyy...maybe, wait....are you...?" etc, every once in a while. From the movies, I got that he had issues, but I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to forgive them or not. This Batman made a lot more sense to me. I also really liked...Yindel? Is that her name? The art style made each character sharp and unique, which I loved. I loved the art for Yindel and Robin!
3) Variety. It wasn't just one type of panel. I really liked how some panels had rounded edges to show that we were watching TV, and how other panels were huge for cityscapes or falling-off-building shots... the art wasn't just good and perfect for the story– it was also creative and varied in its design, and that went for the speech bubbles as well– I was surprised that I could easily figure out if a character was thinking, talking, on TV, in a recording, etc. Certain styles were used when people were talking in different ways, which I suspect is common in graphic novels, but I had never considered it before, and I liked that that was an aspect of this type of book. The fact that the panel styles changed strategically, modeling quick movie scenes and with interested transitions/cut-off points between each– that was neat. Also, the repetition of different styles of panels (like with the TV broadcasts) made the story more impactful and exciting.
4) For people who don't like dark or intense stuff– hey, there's violence but it isn't that bad! I'm not even kidding! There's bright red blood and punching and people planning how to destroy each other and these creepy mutant guys that maybe want to eat people? I didn't really understand them besides the fact they were mean and had crazy teeth... point is, I was expected huge, distasteful amounts of blood and gore and guns and explosions– but, like the panels, the conflicts were varied, and it wasn't a giant punch-fest! There was more psychological stuff going on, really. And there was hardly any swearing (which I wasn't worried about but was expecting). A huge part of the reason I hate most DC movies I've seen is how dark they are– not scary, but just the whole hopeless ambience really gets me down, and the knowledge that people are making the Joker as awful as possible just to freak you out and make you doubt yourself– that gets under my skin. But the Joker here was actually a really interesting character who didn't make me uncomfortable– you got a sense of...if not his depth, than of the depth and uniqueness of his evil.
I thought Batman v. Superman was just "pretty good" until the end– but I really, really liked Dark Knight Returns 4. I may even call it epic– iconic, of course! And I'm saying this as someone who knows of comic superheroes only what I've heard from A) my nerd friends B) pop culture and C) Big Bang Theory.
Complaints? Couldn't stand the bold/italicizing of every third word. Made for some interesting dialogue, but it was mainly distracting.
In general, a surprisingly good read in a style I found awesome– with less violence and more variation in design than I expected! I recommend it to teens– I don't think tweens would understand some political themes and darker ideas presented in the book... and you want the readers to understand. It makes a bigger impact that way.
As someone who thoroughly disliked Man of Steel and didn't finish the Dark Knight movie, I have to say that this graphic novel series was surprisingly fantastic and showed me something about DC that the movies just didn't communicate to me.
First of all, this was my first graphic novel, so I may just be reeling from this new style I've been exposed to. But I cannot deny how much the style, art, and story absorbed me from the very beginning.
For people like me who have never read a graphic novel or superhero comic before, I'll lay out the main things about this read that surprised me that I liked:
1) The style was like watching a really old cartoon– in each panel, you can tell that there is almost a shocking amount of thought going into the components and layout of each panel. It's more poignant than a movie because every single panel/frame tells a miniature story of it's own. I didn't know that the position and dialogue of the characters mattered so much– I'm used to funny comics, so I didn't consider the careful design of the story through the panels in Dark Knight Returns. It was super cool because it was like a game where the goal is to find all the information/symbolism in a picture (speech bubbles, posters in the background, color, lighting, etc). It was like a powerful storyboard to a movie– I could almost hear a soundtrack!
2) Satisfying characters. Although the backstories of the characters are not fleshed out as much as in a book or movie, the character art, dialogue, and storyline is so masterfully designed/plotted out that it makes up for the lack of words (as in a book) or screentime (as in a movie). I particularly thought the speech choices for Clark Kent and Commissioner Gordon said a lot about their characters in a way that was to the point and almost better than reading a book or watching a movie. I hate every DC movie I've seen (with the exception of Wonder Woman :)), and this book does a much better job of handling the characters than the movies, in my opinion. I've always been uncomfortable with Batman because I didn't understand his motivation or how we were supposed to think of him– but, reading this, I get now that he's troubled and you're supposed to go-"heyyy...maybe, wait....are you...?" etc, every once in a while. From the movies, I got that he had issues, but I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to forgive them or not. This Batman made a lot more sense to me. I also really liked...Yindel? Is that her name? The art style made each character sharp and unique, which I loved. I loved the art for Yindel and Robin!
3) Variety. It wasn't just one type of panel. I really liked how some panels had rounded edges to show that we were watching TV, and how other panels were huge for cityscapes or falling-off-building shots... the art wasn't just good and perfect for the story– it was also creative and varied in its design, and that went for the speech bubbles as well– I was surprised that I could easily figure out if a character was thinking, talking, on TV, in a recording, etc. Certain styles were used when people were talking in different ways, which I suspect is common in graphic novels, but I had never considered it before, and I liked that that was an aspect of this type of book. The fact that the panel styles changed strategically, modeling quick movie scenes and with interested transitions/cut-off points between each– that was neat. Also, the repetition of different styles of panels (like with the TV broadcasts) made the story more impactful and exciting.
4) For people who don't like dark or intense stuff– hey, there's violence but it isn't that bad! I'm not even kidding! There's bright red blood and punching and people planning how to destroy each other and these creepy mutant guys that maybe want to eat people? I didn't really understand them besides the fact they were mean and had crazy teeth... point is, I was expected huge, distasteful amounts of blood and gore and guns and explosions– but, like the panels, the conflicts were varied, and it wasn't a giant punch-fest! There was more psychological stuff going on, really. And there was hardly any swearing (which I wasn't worried about but was expecting). A huge part of the reason I hate most DC movies I've seen is how dark they are– not scary, but just the whole hopeless ambience really gets me down, and the knowledge that people are making the Joker as awful as possible just to freak you out and make you doubt yourself– that gets under my skin. But the Joker here was actually a really interesting character who didn't make me uncomfortable– you got a sense of...if not his depth, than of the depth and uniqueness of his evil.
I thought Batman v. Superman was just "pretty good" until the end– but I really, really liked Dark Knight Returns 4. I may even call it epic– iconic, of course! And I'm saying this as someone who knows of comic superheroes only what I've heard from A) my nerd friends B) pop culture and C) Big Bang Theory.
Complaints? Couldn't stand the bold/italicizing of every third word. Made for some interesting dialogue, but it was mainly distracting.
In general, a surprisingly good read in a style I found awesome– with less violence and more variation in design than I expected! I recommend it to teens– I don't think tweens would understand some political themes and darker ideas presented in the book... and you want the readers to understand. It makes a bigger impact that way.
December 12, 2020
Batman is back but rusty. He now understands that he must be more violent in order to defeat his new villains, the mutants. This swings the popular vote against him. At the same time, a new robin emerges. Love the art work, and the writing.
July 20, 2025
If issue #1 was the resurrection of the legend, then this chapter is about testing that resurrection to its brutal limits. Gotham has spiraled into even deeper chaos under the reign of the Mutants, a vicious, soulless gang that thrives on random destruction. Frank Miller expertly paints a city on the verge of collapse, not just physically, but morally (and only Batman dares to stand in the gap, even if his body can’t keep up).
The Mutant Leader is one of the most physically terrifying enemies Batman has ever faced, and their first showdown is brutal. Watching the aging Bruce Wayne get torn down in their initial fight is painful but necessary; it strips away the myth and exposes the man beneath the cowl, reminding us just how high the cost of this crusade truly is.
Yet in the midst of this darkness, a spark of hope emerges: Carrie Kelley. Miller introduces her with heart and courage, and Lynn Varley's colors really bring her presence to life. Carrie isn’t just comic relief or a sidekick—she's the soul of this issue. Her devotion, bravery, and wit breathe new energy into Batman’s crusade. Her unexpected rescue of Batman is one of the most memorable “Robin moments” in Batman history.
The symbolic rematch between Batman and the Mutant Leader is the highlight of this issue. It’s not just a brawl—it's psychological warfare. Batman’s use of tactics, terrain, and sheer will over brute strength is a masterclass in character writing. The fact that this humiliates the Mutant Leader in front of his gang and wins their awe says more about power and influence than any speech could.
But the ending leaves a bitter aftertaste—and that’s intentional. The rise of the “Sons of Batman” is chilling. They idolize the image, not the mission. It’s Miller at his most cynical and insightful: what happens when symbols are misunderstood? What happens when the line between hero and threat is blurred?
“The Dark Knight Returns #2” is intense, thought-provoking, and deeply human. Batman bleeds in this book (physically, emotionally, morally) and yet he keeps fighting. That’s why we love him.
A dark, complex masterpiece that shows why Frank Miller’s Batman is still one of the most influential portrayals of the character ever written.
Recommended for fans who appreciate their heroes with scars, their stories with moral ambiguity, and their comics with grit and substance.
The Mutant Leader is one of the most physically terrifying enemies Batman has ever faced, and their first showdown is brutal. Watching the aging Bruce Wayne get torn down in their initial fight is painful but necessary; it strips away the myth and exposes the man beneath the cowl, reminding us just how high the cost of this crusade truly is.
Yet in the midst of this darkness, a spark of hope emerges: Carrie Kelley. Miller introduces her with heart and courage, and Lynn Varley's colors really bring her presence to life. Carrie isn’t just comic relief or a sidekick—she's the soul of this issue. Her devotion, bravery, and wit breathe new energy into Batman’s crusade. Her unexpected rescue of Batman is one of the most memorable “Robin moments” in Batman history.
The symbolic rematch between Batman and the Mutant Leader is the highlight of this issue. It’s not just a brawl—it's psychological warfare. Batman’s use of tactics, terrain, and sheer will over brute strength is a masterclass in character writing. The fact that this humiliates the Mutant Leader in front of his gang and wins their awe says more about power and influence than any speech could.
But the ending leaves a bitter aftertaste—and that’s intentional. The rise of the “Sons of Batman” is chilling. They idolize the image, not the mission. It’s Miller at his most cynical and insightful: what happens when symbols are misunderstood? What happens when the line between hero and threat is blurred?
“The Dark Knight Returns #2” is intense, thought-provoking, and deeply human. Batman bleeds in this book (physically, emotionally, morally) and yet he keeps fighting. That’s why we love him.
A dark, complex masterpiece that shows why Frank Miller’s Batman is still one of the most influential portrayals of the character ever written.
Recommended for fans who appreciate their heroes with scars, their stories with moral ambiguity, and their comics with grit and substance.
September 10, 2017
This is incredible! The first issue introduces us to one facet of darkness - the violent actions; violent Batman isn't someone we're used to seeing. This issue introduces us to the second, much more unique facet of darkness - the violent mind. The very first serial to feature Batman tells a story of a criminally minded mental patient that escapes from an asylum, dresses as a bat, and decides to hunt and kill criminals. These were considered the darkest Batman comics. I knew that this series was a return to this original Batman but I had assumed it was about the violence. It's really about the dark person who commits these violent actions. He has a traumatic dark past and has been living in a world of violence for decades, it's only natural that deep inside he is very disturbed and angry.
October 25, 2025
I loved this issue. Robin’s introduction was brilliant, and I’m digging a female Robin. The Batmobile making an appearance was sick. I loved older Batman struggling due to his age and coming up against villains in better physical shape. The Mutants are cool villains. I like the use of the news channel throughout the issues so far to relay information, to me that works really well. The art style has really grown on me too and so much of it looked so cool, with how huge and imposing Batman looks. The panel with Batman holding the American flag was great.
Also the Superman crumbs?! Didn’t expect that!
Omg Corto Maltese mention - I only know that from Suicide Squad and I did not realise it’s a place Frank Miller created!
Also the Superman crumbs?! Didn’t expect that!
Omg Corto Maltese mention - I only know that from Suicide Squad and I did not realise it’s a place Frank Miller created!
April 10, 2022
This Comic was my personal favorite because it has a lot of cool visuals and it brings closure to the subplot of Batman dealing with the Mutant Gang. It brings a new Robin into the mix. In this story batman’s tank of a batmobile has never looked cooler (My favorite batmobile is still the tim burton’s batman one from 1989 but this one looks good too). Batman, although old, is still portrayed as a badass because he is able to fight hundreds of criminals as a one man army. The book establishes Batman back into Gotham after taking a 10 year retirement and shows that although Bruce Wayne may be old he can still be batman.
March 27, 2019
Miller's take is really building on the Batman's storyline: Bruce struggles with his age and how his body doesn't respond as it used to; will experience be enough when confronted with mighty enemies in the peak of their strength?
I am also glad to see some female characters in roles of power and action!
I am also glad to see some female characters in roles of power and action!
March 21, 2022
Continuing to enjoy this series, particularly little asides like "Galaxy Broadcast President James Olsen assured viewers that the television writers strike, now in its fourth year, will not affect the year's programming."
July 8, 2017
Awesome
Great story, I don't know how many times I've read it, but it's something you can't help but return to, like looking at a Picasso...a masterpiece.
Great story, I don't know how many times I've read it, but it's something you can't help but return to, like looking at a Picasso...a masterpiece.
February 10, 2018
I am not a fan of the gritty batman or the constant news panels in the story. I do however, like the premise of batman coming out of retirement after many years.
July 21, 2018
Excelente
December 19, 2021
My favourite batman version by far... old and gnarled...
December 27, 2024
The minute you wheel out the Bat-tank i roll my eyes.
December 15, 2016
One of the greatest batman comic series ever made, for it's inclusion of a fight between Batman and Superman. ***SPOILER WARNING! SPOILER WARNING!*** A freaky part of this book is the death of Joker in the love tunnel. Now, Batman punched joker so hard, it broke his neck. But, did not kill him. Joker was paralyzed, but he still found a way to move his neck and finish the spin to kill him. Freaky. Great story, many perilous plots foiled once again by batman. I highly recommend this story, as it is a huge spin on the batman saga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2014
More commentary on gang violence and politics of pacification and making deals with enemies that do not honor such deals.
December 14, 2015
Wow! Just wow!
September 23, 2017
An epic mid finale to the excellent dark night quadrilogy.
November 21, 2022
Still excellent
4 stars (11.2022)
4 stars (11.2022)
December 16, 2024
i loved this a lot!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews