Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
It's odd to think of Batman in his 50's, but here's a comic that depicts just that. We always see a young, agile Batman in his late 20's-early 30's, so this is a new take on the vigilante. The Dark Knight Returns is set in a Gotham that hasn't seen Batman in 10 years. Having lost his arch nemesis, the Joker sits catatonic in Arkham Asylum.
When the psychological pull to be Batman overtakes Bruce Wayne, he decides to pick up where he left off. Unfortunately, Wayne's aging body just isn't what it used to be and Gotham's reaction to Batman's return is a negative one. Eventually the fight for justice in Gotham is between Batman and someone unexpected. You can probably guess if you've been paying attention to recent movie trailers.
This comic is well written and illustrated. It poses interesting questions about character motivations and whether or not Batman creates his own villains. The Dark Knight Returns a must for Batman fans getting ready for DC's reboot of the films. I do not recommend this comic for young children. Certain violent acts/deaths are illustrated in a haunting manner.
-Reviewed by Tori
